Belker (Bruce Weitz in inspired growly form) and Washington (Taurean Blacque, the essence of laid-back cool) go undercover at a seedy porn theater. Goldblume's (a sympathetic Joe Spano) wife asks for a divorce. The bitter and unemployed Carter Reese (ably played with fierce intensity by Felton Perry) takes his wife (an equally fine Hope Clark) and six-year-old son hostage. An exhibition basketball game between police officers and local gang members threatens to degenerate into a messy brawl. The hostage situation in this episode serves as a sterling example of the show's admirable refusal to sentimentalize things: The situation isn't resolved in some fake happy way; instead it reaches a grim and tragic conclusion. Moreover, director David Anspaugh builds a good deal of tension and stages an exciting rough'n'tumble fight in the porn theater bathroom with real skill and aplomb. James B. Sikking as the perpetually overzealous Hunter has some hilarious scenes butting heads with fearsome street gang leaders and Belker has an amusing moment when he's hit on by a gay patron in the porn theater. The climactic basketball game is a total hoot (none other than a very young pre-stardom David Caruso pops up as one of the rival team players!); the trashy cheerleaders for the street gang team in particular are simply sidesplitting. And Renko (well played by Charles Haid) has another affecting scene with his dying father John (a strong and moving performance by Morgan Woodward), who asks his son to take him home so he can pass away on his own terms.
3 Reviews
"Personal foul, number 11: biting."
Hey_Sweden4 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Belker & Washington go undercover to bust the mugger victimizing patrons of a seedy porno theater. Henry returns to active duty, but first has a touching conversation with Frank wherein Henry reveals that he and his wife will be getting divorced. (Resulting in a matter-of-fact discussion on how such a thing affects both parents and children.) In a VERY serious story thread, a Housing Authority cop (guest star Felton Perry from the "RoboCop" feature films) who's lost his job ends up taking his girlfriend (Hope Clarke, "A Piece of the Action") and her child hostage. Finally, the episodes' title stems from a big basketball game between the cops of Hill Street Station and various gang-bangers - all in the name of charity.
Belker figures in some of the funniest bits: first he's hit on by a gay patron at the theater, and then he feels he has to explain himself to the pretty counter girl (while, of course, not letting on that he's actually a cop).
Series staff member David Anspaugh directs, for the second time; later he would find his greatest fame as the director of sports dramas like "Hoosiers" and "Rudy". Here, he helps to stage a great fight scene in the porno theater restroom, achieves a masterful amount of tension from the hostage situation, and has fun executing the big game climax, in which real-life top basketball player Michael Warren (a.k.a. Bobby Hill) figures prominently. The game is also tense from the fact that the cops aren't sure WHAT to expect from the gang members - and, indeed, the game is a lively one.
Again, HSB is to be commended for treating its story threads in a realistic manner, with the hostage drama a case in point. It's not treated as a given that there will be a positive conclusion.
Acting honors go to Charles Haid, as Renko relents and agrees to bring his ailing father home so he can die on his own terms, and Mr. Perry, utterly convincing as a man at the end of his rope.
Superb entertainment, with David Caruso and another "RoboCop" alum, Jesse D. Goins, in small roles.
Eight out of 10.
Belker figures in some of the funniest bits: first he's hit on by a gay patron at the theater, and then he feels he has to explain himself to the pretty counter girl (while, of course, not letting on that he's actually a cop).
Series staff member David Anspaugh directs, for the second time; later he would find his greatest fame as the director of sports dramas like "Hoosiers" and "Rudy". Here, he helps to stage a great fight scene in the porno theater restroom, achieves a masterful amount of tension from the hostage situation, and has fun executing the big game climax, in which real-life top basketball player Michael Warren (a.k.a. Bobby Hill) figures prominently. The game is also tense from the fact that the cops aren't sure WHAT to expect from the gang members - and, indeed, the game is a lively one.
Again, HSB is to be commended for treating its story threads in a realistic manner, with the hostage drama a case in point. It's not treated as a given that there will be a positive conclusion.
Acting honors go to Charles Haid, as Renko relents and agrees to bring his ailing father home so he can die on his own terms, and Mr. Perry, utterly convincing as a man at the end of his rope.
Superb entertainment, with David Caruso and another "RoboCop" alum, Jesse D. Goins, in small roles.
Eight out of 10.
Well Played
Hitchcoc13 July 2021
Henry comes back, telling Frank he is getting a divorce. Then things switch to a hostage situation, where a former cop is holed up with his girlfriend and her son. He feels there is no hope and it becomes a typical negotiations plot. There is a basketball game between the Hill and the Gangs. I don't know. It just seemed sort of stupid.
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