Hill (Michael Warren) and Renko (Charles Haid, as lovable as ever) arrest a young mother who regularly abandons her children. Brutal racist narcotics officer Charlie Weeks (superbly played by Charles Hallahan) gets investigated for a fourth time after he shoots an unarmed black man. LaRue's (fine work from Kiel Martin) alcoholism starts to catch up with him. Goldblume (a touching portrayal by Joe Spano) gets worn down when his sickly infant son winds up in the hospital. This episode is notable for introducing future series regular Ed Marinaro as amiable patrolman Joe Coffey, who was delightfully partnered with Lucy Bates (Betty Thomas) for several seasons. The most potent and poignant moments stem from Goldblume's concern about his son and increasing disillusionment with his thankless job. Moreover, director Gregory Hoblit stages an exciting back alley shoot-out with real aplomb, with especially inspired use of strenuous slow motion. James Remar contributes a perfectly slimy turn as boorish sexist jerk cop Cooper while Mimi Rogers is charming as Sandra Pauley, a sweet night school English teacher Renko falls for. Hunter (the always dryly amusing James B. Sikking) and Esterhaus (Michael Conrad) have a lovely conversation about women. Weeks has a crackling confrontation with Washington (Taurean Blacque) in the station house bathroom. And a sexy afternoon hook-up between Furillo (the terrific Daniel J. Travanti) and Davenport (the insanely ravishing Veronica Hamel) rates as one of the single most steamy scenes from the first season.
Review of Rites of Spring
