Goldblume (bang-up work by Joe Spano) does his best to maintain order after angry old man Mr. Popovich (fiercely played by with burning rage by Reuven Bar-Yotam) shoots a local kid dead and barricades himself in his home. Belker (an outstanding Bruce Weitz) demands that Furillo (a typically terrific Daniel J. Travanti) pull the gung-ho Virgil Brooks (a fine performance by Nathan Cook) from his current assignment before Jesse John Hudson (a mesmerizing Danny Glover) figures that he's really an undercover cop. This episode deserves praise for the way it shows Mr. Popovich as a pitiable guy rather than a sneering one-note brute; the sequence in which Goldblume goes into Popvich's house unarmed and calmly speaks to him is extremely touching and powerful. Moreover, there's a nice moment with Hunter (James B. Sikking, as droll as ever) admitting to Goldblume that he admires Goldblume for how he handled the situation. Belker also has a potent scene in which he blames Furillo for Brooks' death at the hands of Hudson and his gang. In addition, there are a few funny comic moments, with Hunter's candid conversations with Furillo and Esterhaus (Michael Conrad) about striking out with Grace Gardner providing the best and biggest laughs. And this episode not only clearly demonstrates the considerable perils of undercover police work, but also makes a relevant point about the necessity for lying in order to defuse a potentially explosive situation.
Hill Street Blues (TV Series)
The Last White Man on East Ferry Avenue (1981)
User Reviews
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Murder and Mayhem
Hitchcoc10 July 2021
This show never backed away from the harsh realities of the racially diverse inner city. Things start on a comedic note with Howard talking to Frank about his night with Grace==shooting blanks. Then we get to two serious stories. We have Virgil, an undercover cop who has infiltrated the den of the worst of the worst. He knows the danger of this, but is utterly driven. Then we have the saga of an older man who is being harassed by the neighborhood kids, who wants to take a baseball bat to one of them. He has seen the familiar area go from bad to worse. One day a shotgun comes out. This episode is mostly about Henry's actions, his bravery.
Sterling work by Joe Spano in this episode.
Hey_Sweden2 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The two major story threads here: Belker is beginning to worry about the gung-ho attitude of undercover cop Virgil Brooks (Nathan Cook); Frank wants to put a wire on Brooks, but Belker has big misgivings about the idea, feeling that the police should back off of Jesse John Hudson for the moment. Also, a standoff situation occurs on East Ferry Avenue, where bigoted old-timer Mr. Popovich (Reuven Bar-Yotam) has shot one of his neighbors. Goldblume, against the better judgment of Hunter, is determined to try to talk some sense into the old man.
Things start out on a light note, with Hunter complaining about what a sexual dynamo Grace Gardner is; Esterhaus naturally commiserates. The men and women of the station place bets on how the station will fare in a marksmanship competition. And that orangutan from the previous two episodes is STILL hanging around!
This engaging, riveting episode hits some definite dramatic peaks. Joe Spano has one of his finest moments to date as Goldblume patiently listens to Mr. Popovich reminisce about the past. While the old man speaks, you do come to truly understand him, even if you can't quite condone his actions. Guest star Bar-Yotam also does some fine work here. Later, Goldblume reveals to Frank that he was unable to lie to his wife about his indiscretions. A big takeaway from this episode is the fact that these characters are vivid, multi-dimensional characters with all-too-human flaws. They can and do make mistakes.
Daniel J. Travanti is typically commanding as Furillo vents his frustration to the Chief; he takes the death of each of his officers personally, and is unhappy with the fact that he was basically tasked with leaning heavily on Hudson. He has some wonderful moments with ever-radiant Veronica Hamel as Frank & Joyce discuss her approach to the case against Detective Lambert. Danny Glover is genuinely scary in his one big scene as Hudson, where he's assembled his crew to root out the rat.
Directing a series episode for the first time is producer David Anspaugh, the man who later went on to some fame as the director of inspirational sports dramas like "Hoosiers" and "Rudy".
Eight out of 10.
Things start out on a light note, with Hunter complaining about what a sexual dynamo Grace Gardner is; Esterhaus naturally commiserates. The men and women of the station place bets on how the station will fare in a marksmanship competition. And that orangutan from the previous two episodes is STILL hanging around!
This engaging, riveting episode hits some definite dramatic peaks. Joe Spano has one of his finest moments to date as Goldblume patiently listens to Mr. Popovich reminisce about the past. While the old man speaks, you do come to truly understand him, even if you can't quite condone his actions. Guest star Bar-Yotam also does some fine work here. Later, Goldblume reveals to Frank that he was unable to lie to his wife about his indiscretions. A big takeaway from this episode is the fact that these characters are vivid, multi-dimensional characters with all-too-human flaws. They can and do make mistakes.
Daniel J. Travanti is typically commanding as Furillo vents his frustration to the Chief; he takes the death of each of his officers personally, and is unhappy with the fact that he was basically tasked with leaning heavily on Hudson. He has some wonderful moments with ever-radiant Veronica Hamel as Frank & Joyce discuss her approach to the case against Detective Lambert. Danny Glover is genuinely scary in his one big scene as Hudson, where he's assembled his crew to root out the rat.
Directing a series episode for the first time is producer David Anspaugh, the man who later went on to some fame as the director of inspirational sports dramas like "Hoosiers" and "Rudy".
Eight out of 10.
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