The Equalizer (1987) – Memories of Manon: Part 1, and Part 2

We’re almost a full two seasons in, and The Equalizer gives us our first two-parter, Memories of Manon. It has a story that once again ties in with something from Robert McCall’s (Edward Woodward) past and gets him pulled back into working for Control (Robert Lansing) when his former boss comes to him for aid,…

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) – Lady Cop, and The Confirmation Day

Lady Cop, the fifth episode in The Equalizer’s first series boasts some pretty big and interesting names. It was written by Maurice Hurley and Joel Surnow from a story created by Hurley, Surnow and Kathryn Bigelow(!). It first aired on 16 October, 1985 and sees Robert McCall (Edward Woodward) continuing to wrestle with his inner…

Mission: Impossible (1972) – Ultimatum, and Kidnap

Murray Hamilton (the beaches will be open!) guest stars in Ultimatum. Written by Harold Livington from a story by Shirl Hendryx and Livingston, the episode all guests Donnelly Rhodes! First airing on 18 November, 1972, the episode sees the IMF on familiar ground. Phelps (Peter Graves) and his team are after a nuclear physicist, Cooper…

Mission: Impossible (1972) – Leona, and TOD-5

Robert Goulet guest stars in Leona, an episode that sees the IMF taking on the mob, again. Written by Howard Browne this story first debuted on 7 October, 1972. Phelps (Peter Graves) and the team are tasked with rescuing a federal agent being held by the mob and being tortured for information. Apparently, the best…

Mission: Impossible (1970) – The Rebel, and Squeeze Play

Mark Lenard guest stars in The Rebel, that sees the IMF team in a south of the border country, attempting to contact some rebels and recover information from them, when things go sideways, and Dana (Lesley Ann Warren) and a couple of the revels are captured (one of whom has the information they need). The…

Mission: Impossible (1969) – The Test Case, and The System

Rollin (Martin Landau) puts his life on the line, when the IMF accepts a mission in an Eastern Bloc country, in order to stop a scientist from weaponising a deadly virus. The Test Case was written by Laurence Heath, and first debuted on 19 January, 1969. Phelps (Peter Graves), Barney (Greg Morris), Cinnamon (Barbara Bain)…

Mission: Impossible (1968) – The Bargain, and The Freeze

The IMF team take on organized crime, and a dictator, in The Bargain. Written by Robert E. Thompson, and having an original airdate of 15 December, 1968, Phelps (Peter Graves), Rollin (Martin Landau), Cinnamon (Barbara Bain), Barney (Greg Morris), and Willy (Peter Lupus) go undercover to stop a deal arising between a dictator looking to…

F/X 2 (1991) – Richard Franklin

Five years after the first film, and a lifetime of difference for me, Roland Tyler (Bryan Brown) and Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy) were back in action. Unfortunately, an attempt to continue the gritty feeling special effects thriller comes across as a little disjointed, and honestly, more convoluted than it needed to be. An attempt to…