Paul Michael Glaser directed this episode. It's funny to watch his directing "skills". The camera angles from the floor are really out there. Especially when you can tell the camera men are standing up and you can literally see the cameras shaking. Aside of the the directing, the actual script of this episode is just bad.
5 Reviews
What the Hutch!!!
monomerd15 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This episode gives me a Hutch I do not know and cannot fathom. He is despondent and angry and tormented. His best friend Starsky doesn't seem to know him, either. Starsky has nothing to offer as his pal sorts through the self-hatred he feels while undercover to gain the trust of a potential witness. Hutch hates himself and everyone around him.
I only watched this show once; I don't think I can watch it again as it's too disturbing and depressing. The most lasting impression of this show in my mind is of Hutch walking away dejected after talking with Starsky looking for advice. If Starsky can't help Hutch, what hope do any of us have? (Ok, a touch dramatic, but still....). I also recall Hutch coming home after being beat up, and Starsky not offering much concern for Hutch's well-being. Almost an I-told-you-so attitude. They certainly aren't a team in this episode; their very friendship feels on the line.
If - and this is a big if - the Starsky and Hutch series had been done ten to fifteen years later, when the personal lives of the characters were carried over from episode to episode, we may have been able to have Hutch go through something traumatic that changed his attitudes and views for a while. Season 4 could have been a cohesive journey as Hutch works things out with the help of Starsky and maybe some positive stories where good prevails and evil is defeated. But we don't have that luxury. Instead we have stand-alone episodes with a Hutch alternating between angry and frustrated, distant and surly, and almost like his normal self. All mixed together. I wish DS had had the chance to take Hutch to the places he wanted to go without traumatizing, well, me. DS could and did play Hutch in a lot of different ways, but without a continuous story line, it is too confusing and I can't adjust to his changes. I love Hutch, but I often don't like him in Season 4.
I only watched this show once; I don't think I can watch it again as it's too disturbing and depressing. The most lasting impression of this show in my mind is of Hutch walking away dejected after talking with Starsky looking for advice. If Starsky can't help Hutch, what hope do any of us have? (Ok, a touch dramatic, but still....). I also recall Hutch coming home after being beat up, and Starsky not offering much concern for Hutch's well-being. Almost an I-told-you-so attitude. They certainly aren't a team in this episode; their very friendship feels on the line.
If - and this is a big if - the Starsky and Hutch series had been done ten to fifteen years later, when the personal lives of the characters were carried over from episode to episode, we may have been able to have Hutch go through something traumatic that changed his attitudes and views for a while. Season 4 could have been a cohesive journey as Hutch works things out with the help of Starsky and maybe some positive stories where good prevails and evil is defeated. But we don't have that luxury. Instead we have stand-alone episodes with a Hutch alternating between angry and frustrated, distant and surly, and almost like his normal self. All mixed together. I wish DS had had the chance to take Hutch to the places he wanted to go without traumatizing, well, me. DS could and did play Hutch in a lot of different ways, but without a continuous story line, it is too confusing and I can't adjust to his changes. I love Hutch, but I often don't like him in Season 4.
I guess people don't like dark Starsky and Hutch
mlbroberts21 November 2021
Poor reviews notwithstanding, I think this was about the best S&H going. Hutch falls for a fallen angel lounge singer (Jenny O'Hara) whose brother (Sandy Baron) is in deep with an underworld boss (Malachi Throne) who makes sure potential witnesses against him don't live. Paul Michael Glaser directs and makes if a film noir, which I thought works really well. The lady is caught in a horrible bind and is virtually paralyzed, not knowing what to do and so not able to do anything but slog on. The music is terrific here, songs I know that very few people will remember but I knew them all.
No, thank God it isn't the stupid season 3 S&H where everything was dumb. This one had much better acting than most, much better direction, and at least the feel of something different and moving.
No, thank God it isn't the stupid season 3 S&H where everything was dumb. This one had much better acting than most, much better direction, and at least the feel of something different and moving.
Amazing
Morrisonhig19 July 2020
pmg
petjack-4810429 August 2021
If glaser didn't direct it this episode wouldn't have been as good as it is, primarily because it doesn't look like other episodes of season 4 an episode of starsky and hutch is far too dark and gloomy even for season 4, but the direction is splendid.
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