Halloween II (1981) – Rick Rosenthal

And this is where the problems with the Halloween sequels start. Is it canon? Is it not? How do you define canon? John Carpenter got himself a producer’s credit for this film, as well as having a hand in editing and the music for the film, but the biggest indicator, no matter what he thought…

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) – Simon Wincer

I saw Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man the summer it opened in ’91, while I was working in Toronto. Something about it just clicked for me. I like the sense of history to the characters and the world they live in. Set five years down the road in 1996, the world is going to…

The Equalizer (1989) – The Visitation, and Past Imperfect

The Visitation boasts a solid guest cast this week, Leonardo Cimino, James Tolkan as the baddie, Ruger, and the wonderful Jenny Agutter as Lauren Demeter. Written by Robert Eisele this episode was first broadcast on 1 February, 1989. Ruger is an arms dealer, but his most recent deal goes wrong when a gun runner attempts…

The Equalizer (1988) Target of Choice, and Always a Lady

McCall (Edward Woodward) and Mickey (Keith Szarabajka) have their work cut out for them in the penultimate episode of season three of The Equalizer. Target of Choice, written by Kevin Droney, first aired on 6 April, 1988. A killer, Hawkins (Kevin Geer), is out of prison, and he’s got his murderous eye on the man…

The Equalizer (1987) – Suspicion of Innocence, and In the Money

Vincent D’Onofrio comes back for a second go-round with The Equalizer in Suspicion of Innocence. Written by Robert Eisele it first debuted on 30 September, 1987. Davey (D’Onofrio) is a mentally challenged young man who is happy with his job, he interacts well with his co-workers and likes his friend, Will (William Converse-Roberts). Things turn…

The Equalizer (1987) – Beyond Control, and Carnal Persuasion

McCall (Edward Woodward) and Mickey (Keith Szarabajka) find themselves back in the spy game in Beyond Control. Written by Coleman Luck it first aired on 14 January, 1987. Control (Robert Lansing) comes to McCall when a KGB mole is killed. To protect names, sources, and plans within plans Control has to work outside the Company…

The Equalizer (1986) – Unpunished Crimes, and Pretenders

John Cullum is the baddie in the penultimate episode of season one of The Equalizer. Unpunished Crimes was written by John Burke and Grenville Case, first airing on 1 April, 1986. Cullum is Stuart Cane, a brutal CEO with ties to a terrorist organization, and is set on ruining Frank Donahue (Dan Hedaya) and his…

The Equalizer (1986) – Breakpoint, and No Conscience

McCall (Edward Woodward) was looking forward to an enjoyable evening at a wedding reception, but things go badly when the entire party is taken hostage by terrorists who were in the building for an assassination. Breakpoint was written by Scott Shepherd and Don Carlos Dunaway from a story by Shepherd. It first went out over…

The Equalizer (1986) – Dead Drop, and Wash-Up

When an innocent bystander, flower shop owner Barry (James Murtaugh) gets involved in a smuggling operation that is using mailed packages as a dead drop, he’s targeted for a quick end. But McCall (Edward Woodward) may be up to the task of helping him in Dead Drop. Written by Maurice Hurley and Joel Surnow, this…

The Equalizer (1985) – Mama’s Boy, and Bump and Run

Christine Baranski is denied a chance to shine in Mama’s Boy when the narrative shifts to include her ex-husband, Gilbert (Jim Dale) as Victoria (Baranski) turns to Robert McCall (Edward Woodward) for help when her son is on the verge of becoming a drug dealer. And hey look! There’s Alex Winter in a bit part…