Hill Street Blues (1982) – Requiem for a Hairbag, and A Hair of the Dog

While the investigation into Mizell’s murder continues (and is ultimately resolved after a fashion), the precinct has a lot on the go in Requiem for a Haribag. Written by Mark Frost, this episode was first broadcast on 18 November, 1982. Hill (Michael Warren) is finally getting the boil on his backside taken care of, just…

The Sniper (2021) – Chang Kuo-Li

Taiwanese author Chang Kou-Li delivers an action thriller this week. With its North American debut, The Sniper, is available now from House of Anansi Press, features a translation by Roddy Flagg and reads like the best of Hong Kong cinema. There are action beats, police investigations, involving characters and a weaving story that takes you…

Blue Thunder (1983) – John Badham

I remember seeing Blue Thunder when it was released on home video. Or perhaps it was on a free weekend of Super Channel or First Choice. I remember enjoying it as a kid, loved the helicopter, the nude girl doing yoga, Roy Scheider, and the helicopter. It’s been decades since I watched it, and I…

Star Trek: The Starship Trap (1993) – Mel Gilden

Set during the original five year mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Mel Gilden’s Trek novel is one I really enjoyed. He totally has the characters down, and not only could I hear the characters in my head, I could see everything in my mind’s eye playing out like an episode. Captain Kirk is less than…

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) – Homecoming, and The Circle

Station log: stardate unknown Ira Steven Behr pens the season two opener from a story by himself and Jeri Taylor. We returned to the station on 26 September, 1993. Kira (Nana Visitor) and O’Brien (Colm Meaney) venture to a Cardassian world when the Bajoran major receives word that a resistance hero is being held there….

Magnum, p.i. (1983) – I Do? and Forty Years From Sand Island

  Thomas (Tom Selleck) goes undercover in a big way in I Do? which aired 17 February 1983, and was written by Rob Gilmer. Magnum pretends to marry Marsha Mackenzie (Katherine Cannon), to be able to investigate a family owned business. It seems someone in the company is stealing product and fencing it. Marsha and…