The attempted coup on the Caribbean island of Il Pavo, which was thwarted in the previous episode by the counter-terrorism branch of the FBI, is now under scrutiny of a senate committee. Herb Ketcher (David Spielberg) - the CIA mastermind of the coup attempt is set to face harsh criminal sanction if Roger LoCocco (William Russ) - his point man on the operation comes clean and is believed in testimony before the committee.
FBI undercover man Vinnie Terranova (Ken Wahl) has been subpoenaed to testify as well. His intervention brought in FBI counter-terrorism which foiled the coup after he had turned LoCocco against his employer Ketcher. Terranova is ordered to testify consistent with keeping his cover reputation - underworld enforcer for crime lords Sonny Steelgrave and Mel Profitt, intact.
Terranova wants to testify openly as an agent of the government blowing his cover so that he can secure the public immolation of Ketcher and return to a regular life with his own name cleared. Terranova also sees it as the way to do right by LoCocco - his friend but also his former quarry in one of the most complicated 'bromances' in TV history.
The unexpected but entirely logical way in which it all plays out offers an intricacy which rewards intelligent audiences. This utterly shocking episode struck an immense chord with viewers. The quality of the writing efficiently tied together all that had happened during season 1. But it also constructed a salacious take on the real-life Iran-Contra scandal which made for nothing less than riveting small-screen viewing.
Notorious porn actress Traci Lords, aged 19, appeared here as high-class call-girl Monique in her first non-pornographic mainstream screen role. The quality of her performance or lack thereof suggest she was cast solely for controversy during May sweeps week 1988 and the season finale.
There can be little doubt that her reputation delivered even if her characterization didn't. To feature an adult film performer who made most of her work while she was still underage was an uncharacteristically bold move for a series on network television.
Ken Wahl's weight, which noticeably fluctuated over the course of the first 18 episodes had finally begun to stabilize near the end of the first season of the show.
FBI undercover man Vinnie Terranova (Ken Wahl) has been subpoenaed to testify as well. His intervention brought in FBI counter-terrorism which foiled the coup after he had turned LoCocco against his employer Ketcher. Terranova is ordered to testify consistent with keeping his cover reputation - underworld enforcer for crime lords Sonny Steelgrave and Mel Profitt, intact.
Terranova wants to testify openly as an agent of the government blowing his cover so that he can secure the public immolation of Ketcher and return to a regular life with his own name cleared. Terranova also sees it as the way to do right by LoCocco - his friend but also his former quarry in one of the most complicated 'bromances' in TV history.
The unexpected but entirely logical way in which it all plays out offers an intricacy which rewards intelligent audiences. This utterly shocking episode struck an immense chord with viewers. The quality of the writing efficiently tied together all that had happened during season 1. But it also constructed a salacious take on the real-life Iran-Contra scandal which made for nothing less than riveting small-screen viewing.
Notorious porn actress Traci Lords, aged 19, appeared here as high-class call-girl Monique in her first non-pornographic mainstream screen role. The quality of her performance or lack thereof suggest she was cast solely for controversy during May sweeps week 1988 and the season finale.
There can be little doubt that her reputation delivered even if her characterization didn't. To feature an adult film performer who made most of her work while she was still underage was an uncharacteristically bold move for a series on network television.
Ken Wahl's weight, which noticeably fluctuated over the course of the first 18 episodes had finally begun to stabilize near the end of the first season of the show.
