| The Equalizer | |
|---|---|
| Season 3 | |
 Season 3 American DVD cover | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 22 |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | September 23, 1987 (1987-09-23) – May 4, 1988 (1988-05-04) |
| Season chronology | |
← Previous Season 2 Next → Season 4 | |
| List of episodes | |
The third season ofThe Equalizer premiered September 23, 1987 (1987-09-23) and ended May 4, 1988 (1988-05-04) onCBS.
In this season, McCall goes against an atheist bomber, a wall street raider, two hit-men, more KGB, more Mafia, a serial killer, a sexploiter pimp/pornographer, a deranged dramatist, an alcoholic AIDS avoider, a murderous master manipulator, a greedy diplomat, an enemy espionage agent, a lost lover, welfare slumlord scammers, a psycho ransoming rapist, a psycho stalker ex-husband, a psycho murderer ex-con, a vengeful industrialist, a casino boss, and a protégé turned femme fatale.
He stops a mass-murder at a mass, defends a developmentally disabled man, frees a scientist-defector, saves an army career, prevents a psychic's fatal future, thwarts thespian threats to the theatre troupe, saves a six year-old, reunites father/son, derails dancer danger, turns teens from thug-life, rescues a reporter from revenge, liberates a kidnapped boy, averts an amnesic woman, frees hostages, houses a homeless family, protects two single mothers, one single father, and two families of three.
McCall is arrested once, shot thrice, forgives an enemy, loses a friend, gains a daughter, and buys a bar.
Richard Jordan was brought on to the show as fellow Company agent Harley Gage to lighten the load onEdward Woodward after he suffered a heart attack.[1]Keith Szarabajka was featured in only four of the same episodes with Jordan.[2][3][4][5]
Telly Savalas makes a special guest appearance as Brother Joseph Heiden, along with guest starWilliam Atherton as Martin "Alpha" Loeber in the two-part season three premiere, "Blood and Wine." Brother Heiden used to be a terrorist and Loeber his protégé, until Heiden began seeing a strange man mourning his horrific acts. Heiden describes his conversion to McCall, who finds it hard to believe and forgive because Heiden killed his godson. Loeber is a whole other beast, a Marxists that hates God and religion, thus he sets out to kill as many as he can, starting with a blind monsignor. Atherton also played Gideon in season four, "17 Zebra."[23]
Other guests include,Moira Sinise (as Moira Harris) playing Linda, Loeber's girlfriend who he uses as "cover." She doesn't want to believe anything bad about "Brad" from McCall, Mickey or even her own mother.Tom Atkins plays FBI Special Agent Frank Standish, leader of an FBI / NYPD Joint Task Force to apprehend Loeber.Christopher Murney makes the first two of three appearances asRudy Bagler, who puts his network to good use. AndElizabeth Franz guest stars as Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, Linda's mother who knows "Brad" is up to no good. Co-stars includeLynne Thigpen as Cleaning Lady for the dentist that McCall never finds, andLee Breuer as Benjamin Harris who "procures" anything Loeber needs to carry out his nefarious plan. Supporting cast include Sheila Stainback fromINNUSA Tonight andWPIXNew York Tonight, who made cameos as an Anchorperson in "Blood and Wine,"[20] as herself in "Inner View,"[16] and as a Newscaster the season four episode "Race Traitors."[24]Nicholas Georgiade plays Agent #2, part of the JTF who hears Brother Heiden's presentation. In his final screen role,Ted Beniades plays the Police Officer that responds when Mrs. Thomas and McCall are rammed by a truck and knocked into the water.[20][21]
Vincent D'Onofrio's secondEqualizer role was Davy Baylor, amentally disabled man falsely accused of the murder of his coworker Cheryl Jansen (played by co-star Mary Kane) in "Suspicion of Innocence." Guest stars includeWilliam Converse-Roberts as another of Davy's coworkers, Will Rattigan, who was having an affair with Cheryl;Charles Cioffi in his last appearance asLieutenant Kramer who has no choice but to arrest Davy until McCall can clear him, andAnn Wedgeworth as Irene Baylor, Davy's "hovering" mother who can't seem to let go and allow his independence. In a special guest appearance,John Randolph portrays Jack Rattigan, Will's father, who is disappointed in himself for battering his own wife for years in front of his son, and disappointed in his son for not learning compassion and overcoming his father's abusive disease. Thus he is through making excuses for Will, refusing him an alibi.James Eckhouse co-stars as the District Attorney who requests remand for Davy to undergo psychiatric evaluation. Supporting actors includeNancy Giles as the court Bailiff shortly before her reoccurring role as Private Franklin "Frankie" Bunsen inChina Beach, Norman Matlock as Judge, Victor Bevine as Sergeant, and Michael Patterson's screen debut as a Policeman.[15]
John Heard guest stars as Ron Parrish who is "In the Money" as a Wall Streetrisk arbitrageur who uses criminal means and other people's funds to enrich himself at the expense of others, such as C.R. Heaton played by guest starDennis Boutsikaris. Heaton is left hanging to answer to theU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. At the least Heaton faces economic ruin, and at worst jail time forinsider trading. Boutsikaris appeared inBatteries Not Included (1987) shortly after "In the Money" aired, along withDoris Belack who also had anEqualizer role in season two. Boutsikaris also played Yorgi Kostove in season four, "Time Present, Time Past."[25]Ashley Crow guest stars as Samantha Chesborough, who is mistaken for Fraunces Tavern waitress Wendy who is targeted for murder by Parrish, because Wendy, as Heaton's girlfriend, learned of their crimes and tried blackmailing them.[26] This is Crow's second screen role after her recurring role as Beatrice on the soap operaAs the World Turns (1986–87).
Co-stars includePatricia Richardson as Sandy, who hangs aboutFraunces Tavern hoping for the right opportunity to present itself, or himself, or both. She provides McCall insight into Wendy's connection to Heaton. Richardson previously had a season one supporting role in "Torn" as the daughter of Veronica Whitney.[27] InOliver Platt's screen debut as Norm Jameson, and an early television appearance byPaul Perri as Craig Rose, the two thugs carry out Parrish's bidding by going after Wendy when they realize they abducted the wrong woman. In his screen debut,David J. Steinberg co-stars as Freddy, acarny who helps McCall engineer a unique way of setting up Parrish to prove his murderous, criminal intent to law enforcement.[26] Stienberg followed up his television debut with his film debut as Meegosh inWillow (1988), along with fellowEqualizer guest star Maria Holvoe,[28] who plays the Fairy Queen Cherlindrea.
Michael Moriarty guest stars as Dr. Peter Kapik, a Czechoslovakian genetic scientist who has made a DNA break-through that could be very valuable to the SovietEastern Bloc for its potential use in biological warfare. But Kapik seizes an opportunity to break free of his Russian handlers to have an "Encounter in a Closed Room" with an old flame. Moriarty also played Wayne "Seti" Virgil in season four, "Starfire."[29] Shortly after herLight of Day 1987 film debut, Maureen Mueller made her television debut guest starring as Alina Jennings née Polivka. She is Peter Kapik's old flame, but has since married Wayne Jennings, played by guest starJamey Sheridan. As a defector herself, Alina is leveraged by Sarka to set up Kapik to be captured, or failing that, to kill him herself. Failure will result in her parents being killed. Other guest stars include Chad Redding in her first appearance this season asSgt. Alice Shepard, who has transferred toIntelligence Division from Juvenile Division; Polish actressLiliana Komorowska as Sarka, the KGB Agent who threatens Alina; andGeorge Gerdes as a Russian Spy.
"Encounter in a Closed Room" co-stars include,Adam LeFevre as Foster, a State Department agent who takes Dr. Kapik into protective custody. Noberto Kerner (as Norberto Kerner) co-starred as Alina's father, Emil Polivka. Kerner also played Russian Ambassador Sikora in season two, "The Cup."[30] And in her television debut (3rd screen role),Lola Pashalinski co-starred as Vera Polivka, Alina's Mother. Supporting actorWarren Keith plays a TV Reporter in his television debut (3rd screen role).[22]
Robert Mitchum makes a special guest appearance in "Mission: McCall" as Richard Dyson, McCall's former Agency colleague who is now Southern Control. When Dyson learns McCall has been taken by the KGB, he suggests breaking Harley Gage out of prison, as Gage was their best agent in Moscow, making thisRichard Jordan's first guest appearance asHarley Gage. Edward Woodward was still recovering from a heart attack, so Jordan was brought in to lighten his load. Dyson and Gage will infiltrate the Russian regional facility to rescue Robert in "Mission: McCall (Part 2)."[3] William Zabka also appears in his recurring role as Robert's son, Scott McCall, along with special guest star Robert Lansing as Control.Control (Lansing) and Southern Control (Mitchum) are very much working against each other at cross-purposes, with Dyson trying to locate and free McCall and Control trying to keep him sequestered, providing the actors a chance to shine dramatically.Frances Fisher plays her secondEqualizer guest star role as Francesca, a KGB agent trying to capture Robert McCall before he can be used in a prisoner exchange. She was also Gage's handler in Moscow, and his lover. Fisher had previously played Amanda Kaufman in season two, "Nightscape."[31] Co-stars includeFrankie Faison as Zudo, owner of a Curio shop, and Daniel Chapman as Borda, Francesca's man. Chapman's final screen role was as the Clinic Storyteller inPhiladelphia (1993). Supporting actors includeTobin Bell (credited as Joseph Tobin) as Agency operative Weber/Cronin[2] (also as Deputy Secretary in season four, "Day of the Covenant"[32]).
J. T. Walsh guest stars in "Shadow Play" as Andrew Banks, a career Army officer with the rank of Major, he is now a Logistical Officer for theUnited States Department of Defense. As a witness called to testify at a Congressional Hearing, his has made himself the target of assassination to prevent exposing criminal activity, separate but, related to the arming and training of Angolan counter-revolutionaries, which was ordered by Control. The criminal involved is Renaldo Duran, played by guest starTomas Milian. Duran is a Cuban international banker and financier with ties to the Mafia, includingMeyer Lansky. Thus Duran has no qualms against hiring a hit-man to take out Banks. Both Walsh and Milian had previously guest starred in season one; Walsh as Sam Griffith in "The Lock Box,"[33] and Milian as Immanuel Pena in "Reign of Terror."[34]Gerry Bamman guest stars as an unnamed Congressman who poses the questions to Banks at the hearing. Series regulars include Robert Lansing asControl, Keith Szarabajka asMickey Kostmayer, Richard Jordan asHarley Gage (one of the few episodes to include both Szarabajka and Jordan, the other two being "Mission: McCall" and "Something Green"[5]), Chad Redding asSgt. Alice Shepard, Christopher Murney in his last appearance asRudy Bagler, and co-starMaurice Hines makes his last of two appearances asBillie Bump.Paul Calderón co-stars as Chacon, a hit-man hired to kill Banks. Calderón also playedCrips gang member Rat Heart in season one, "Reign of Terror."[34] Tom Klunis co-stars as Lyle Murdoch, the Federal Agent in Charge of security at the hearing (also as Parmalee in season four, "Splinters"[35]). David Rosenbaum has a supporting role as an Agent who informs Sgt. Shepard that Banks' security has been pulled (also as Salesman in "China Rain"[36]). In his final screen role, Rosenbaum played the recurring characterTrial Judge Alan Berman inLaw & Order (1992–2004). Other supporting actors:Tibor Feldman as Counsel for Banks;Walter Bobbie as William Virgil, a DOD agent (also as Cox in "Unpunished Crimes"[37]); Ed Lally as Senator; andEthyl Eichelberger as Bagler's Butler.[4]
Katherine Cortez guest stars as Karen Alden, a psychic with an "Inner View" who has been having visions of murders committed by the so-called Scrapbook Killer. The female detective at the precinct doesn't believe her, so Karen calls The Equalizer after seeing McCall and Sarah talking about the killer to a Lieutenant. Karen provides Harley Gage details that lead to the killer.Broadway baritone singer/actorTerrence Mann guest stars as a fan of the rock bandArchon, and fancies himself the "Shadow Man" after the name of their new single.Toni Kalem guest stars as Sarah Hendricks, who has identified the Scrapbook Killer from a composite sketch after he assaulted her in a subway train. Sarah helps by providing a bracelet that triggers Karen's vision of the killer. Co-stars includeStarletta DuPois as a Female Detective, who warns Karen to tell the truth, or be named an accessory to murder; Singer/actorPaul Hipp as Jarret, the lead singer ofArchon, in Hipp's television debut a month after his film debut inChina Girl (1987);Ron Vawter as a Lieutenant, who is very dismissive of McCall and Sarah; and Sheila Stainback in cameo as herself, although she's credited as "Newscaster." MusicianTim Cappello has a supporting role as a Roadie forArchon.[16] Cappello also appeared in season two, "A Place to Stay."[38]
McCall and Harley Gage attend "The Rehearsal" and find themselves locked in by a deranged former actor named Michael, played byChris Cooper in his third television role two years before playing July Johnson on the miniseries,Lonesome Dove (1989). Five more guest stars play their roles in the stage production.George Morfogen as Everett Austin, the play's director (also as Vezay Holden in season one, "The Distant Fire"[39]); Jennifer Van Dyck in her television debut as Sandra Benning, an actress who has been receiving romantic notes left in her dressing room (Benning also had 11 appearances in theLaw & Order franchise);Ned Eisenberg as Josh, an actor for the play (also as a Terrorist in season one, "Breakpoint"[40]); Gwyllum Evans as Phil Davine, the stage manager who provides the back-story for events that occurred a year prior; and Sharon Chatten as Ms. Jenna Rydell, the playwright with whom McCall gets separated from the rest of the troupe. There are no co-stars and only one supporting actor, the Janitor (played by John Garson) who when he arrives within the hour will set off the bomb at the theater entrance doors unless McCall and Gage can disrupt Michael's plan.[17]
Veteran actressJacqueline Brookes guest stars in "Christmas Presence" as Phyllis Robertson, grandmother to Mickey who lost his mother toAIDS, having contracted it intravenously as aheroin addict. Brookes also played Dr. Grayson in season four, "Lullaby of Darkness."[41]Martin Shakar guest stars in his second of fourEqualizer roles as Kelly Stigman, owner ofKelly's Bar, who hates having a kid sick with AIDS in his neighborhood. He rouses his buddies into ousting him and his grandmother. But Kelly has his own sickness to hide. Joseph Hindy guest stars as Dave Burton, Mickey's father, who didn't want to walk away from his son, but couldn't stand her drug addiction. Hindy also plays Victor Koslo in season four, "Heart of Justice."[42] In his third television roleCorey Carrier guest starred as six year-old Mickey Burton, who is the target of Kelly's ire. Mickey knows he's going to die, and gives Gage a list of Christmas presents for his grandmother, including a cat, "...so she won't be alone." Mickey treasures his "Mr. Manhattan" poster and misses his father.Maureen Anderman guest stars in her first appearance asPete O'Phelan. Pete was Director of Research for ten years at the Company, and her husband Mark was in "Personnel." They left and opened a restaurant-bar namedPete O'Phelan's, but their past caught up with them, debts, Mark took ill and died. McCall finds the place closed but becomes half-owner, using the restaurant to meet clients and talk strategy with his team (rather like there-imagined show uses Mel'sHaven Bar as a base of operations[43]).[6]
Co-stars include: Robert Dorfman as Bishop, in his secondEqualizer role, who doesn't like that Kelly's plans "get people hurt;" Matthew Kimbrough as Spicer, in his television debut, who tells Kelly he's "scared" and doesn't "want to go on like this" (i.e., violence);Dean Norris as Martin, in his third television role, is more the "silent type," not commenting on Kelly's plan at all; andDon McManus as Dr. Feinberg, in his second television role, who tells Gage about Mickey's mother and father. Supporting actor Ken Solarino has his first of four appearances asJeremy, Pete's bartender.[6] Solarino previously played Riegert's bodyguard Rick in season one, "Wash Up."[44]
David Andrews guest stars as Del Larkin, an undercover cop who has taken "A Dance on the Dark Side" by lying to the Organized Crime Task Force. He tries explaining to his best friend, Detective Charlie Kelly (played by co-star William Carden), that he "went in too deep" and that he's "on to something" to "bring these guys down." Kelly calls him an accomplice and tries to take him in, but is inadvertently shot with his own gun in the struggle. Andrews also played Dale Stevens in "Race Traitors."[24] Other guest stars include:George DiCenzo as mob boss Bruno Dominic (also as Frank Dorgan in season two, "Memories of Manon"[45]);Madeleine Potter as Simone Peters who is Larkin's lover, but reports to Dominic and has another alias and profession (Potter also played Zena in season two, "Nightscape"[31]); and John Seitz as Captain Maldisi.
In her fifth television role,Amanda Plummer guest stars as Jill O'Connor, who is a police switchboard operator learning to dance in her off-hours. Jill accidentally overhears Larkin talking about Kelly's death, after which he threatens her life, so she calls McCall. Series regulars include Chad Redding asSgt. Shepard who has been attached to the OCTF, and Maureen Anderman asPete O'Phelan. Marilyn McIntyre co-stars as Maureen, Kelly's widow. In her screen debut,Brooke Smith played a supporting role as Risa, a police switchboard operator. Smith appeared three years later as Catherine Martin inThe Silence of the Lambs (1991).Matt Mitler also appears as Detective Bates.[7]
Christopher Collet guest stars as Danny Winters, a high-school kid who gets mixed up with a bad crowd in "The Child Broker." Matters get worse when one of their own, Eddie, is hit by a car and killed while Danny and the gang chase after him.Thomas G. Waites guest stars as Shep Morrow, the ruthless leader of a robbery gang consisting of impressionable teenage boys who he indoctrinates with "survival of the fittest," crime "family" dogma. Waites had previously guest starred as Jim Kaufman in season two, "Nightscape."[31] Shep's girl Sylvie, played by guest starFrances Ruffelle, reinforces his leadership and is not above using her feminine wiles to ensure loyalty, especially with the eldest, Danny.Lycia Naff guest stars as Amy, Danny's concerned girlfriend who notices the changes in Danny's behavior, and sees the boys with lots of money and shop-lifted goods. Not wanting to get them into trouble and arrested, she calls The Equalizer.Mary-Joan Negro guest stars as Irene Winters, Danny's single mother, who struggles with two jobs that prevent her from seeing what is really happening to her son. When she learns for herself that he has been stealing, and that he is willing to lie about it, she must apply some tough love. Negro also played Rebecca Morrison in "Lullaby of Darkness."[41] Co-starring as gang members areJerry O'Connell as Bobby,Frank Whaley as Press, andSam Rockwell as Slick, and supporting actorMax Casella as Streak.[18]
Anthony LaPaglia also supports the cast as Agent #1, who with two other agents, takes Danny into custody after he chooses to ignore his mother's ultimatum. Danny knows he must extricate himself, but doesn't know how. But, McCall has a plan to end Morrow's manipulations.[18] This is O'Connell's third television role, and fourth screen role after his film debut inStand by Me (1986), nine months before beginning his role as Andrew Clements inMy Secret Identity (1988–1991). It is Whaley's fourth television role, fifth overall afterIronweed (1987), and a year before his role as youngArchie "Moonlight" Graham inField of Dreams (1989). It is Rockwell's second screen/television role, a year before his film debut inClownhouse (1989). It is Casella's third screen/television role, before his recurring role as Vinnie Delpino onDoogie Howser, M.D. (1989).
Daniel Davis guest stars as Eddie Mason, an investigative reporter who has been missing for months. He has gone undercover as a limo driver for beautiful "high-end" call girls, ostensibly for an exposé on prostitution, but also for revenge.Andreas Katsulas guest stars as Warren Briggs, who is making loads of money playing "Video Games" which he uses to extort both his clients and his employees. Christine Hayes is one such employee, played by guest starVanessa Angel in her television debut after her film debut inSpies Like Us (1985), and before becoming known as Lisa, the computer genie inWeird Science (1994–98).[8]
Other guest stars include:John Bedford Lloyd in his first of two appearances asD.A. Francis Scanlon; Maureen Anderman asPete O'Phelan; and Maryann Urbano as Angela Mason, Eddie's concerned wife, in her screen debut before joining the cast ofAs the World Turns in 1989; andAnnabelle Gurwitch as Suzanne, another call girl, in her fourth television role.Ching Valdes-Aran co-stars as Joy Tang, amadam who is Briggs' rival in the so-called "whore wars" in which she has been losing her girls to Briggs' blackmail scheme. Valdes-Aran made her television debut onThe Equalizer as Tommy Li, McCall's former Agency contact in the Orient, in the season one episode, "China Rain" (1985).[36] Forty years later in 2025, Valdes-Aran played Lorna Bayani,Mel Bayani's mother, on the2021 re-imaged series, in the season five episode, "Dirty Sexy Money." Other co-stars include,Tony Ganios as Serge who Briggs uses in his videos, and David B. Hunt as Steiner, Briggs' bodyguard, better known as soap opera starHunt Block.
Supporting actors include,Paul Zaloom as a Hotel Clerk in his first credited screen role before becoming Beakman inBeakman's World (1992–97);Colleen Flynn-Lawson in her screen debut as Woman on Phone, Briggs' receptionist who handles clients' calls; andDarlene Vogel as Gina Harper who is being blackmailed by her video into working for Briggs as another of his many call girls. This is Vogel's screen debut a year before her film debut inBack to the Future II (1989).[8]
Jon De Vries guest stars as Raymond Gephardt, a diplomat who has been laundering money for criminals. A European with a royal background, money and his heir mean more to him than anything or anyone else. With diplomatic resources and $10,000,000 in loot, he can easily disappear from his ex-wife, and more importantly, mobsters.Lisa Eichhorn guest stars as Anne Gephardt, Raymond's ex-wife who runs her own business thus necessitating hiring a nanny, Consuela (played by Gloria Irizarry), to look after Paul. Other guest stars includeRonald Hunter as Mr. Binder, a lawyer that negotiates on behalf of the mobsters as a go-between with Raymond, andLeon Russom as Lieutenant Borley, his secondEqualizer role after playing Sergeant Worley in season two, "Solo."[46]The Equalizer February 1988 episode "Something Green" isMacaulay Culkin's first credited screen role, co-starring as Paul Gephardt who is kidnapped by his greedy father Raymond. Culkin had previously appeared briefly on television as a Halloweentrick-or-treater inThe Midnight Hour (1985), however it was not a credited role.[47][48] Half a year afterThe Equalizer, Culkin made his film debut inRocket Gibraltar (September 1988). Also co-starring is Neal Ben-Ari as Stanley, who represents the mobsters trying to get their money back from Raymond.[5] Ben-Ari made his television debut in season one ofThe Equalizer as Male Suit in "No Conscience" (1986).[49] In 2022, Benari played Arieh Bitton in the2021 revival series season two episode, "What Dreams May Come." Benari also had several roles in theLaw & Order franchise, most recently as Judge Fields.
In her penultimate role before retiring,[50] English actressAnne Heywood portrayed Manon Brevard Marcel, which presented Robert McCall, "The Mystery of Manon" given that Manon had supposedly been killed years before in a plane crash in the French Alps while on a mission for Control. Manon had not only been a fellow Company agent, but also Robert's lover. Only a month after herEqualizer appearance, Heywood's final screen role aired on the television crime dramaOhara (March, 1988). Also guest starring with Heywood isMelissa Sue Anderson andAnthony Zerbe, reprising their roles as Yvette Marcel and Phillipe Marcel (respectively), after the events in season two, "Memories of Manon."[45] Phillipe is unnerved by his dead wife Manon's sudden reappearance, but he believes it is really her. It sets him against McCall and everyone else in the Company, as he blames them for her suffering. Determined to handle it himself, Yvette has no choice but to ask her godfather Control, and McCall, for help. Series regulars includeScott, Jimmy, Sterno, Control, and Jeremy. New YorkWNBC news anchorRoger Grimsby co-stars as a Newscaster, who announces a timber wolf named Rex Imperator on the loose in Manhattan, released from the zoo after a night watchman was assaulted.[13] AfterThe Equalizer Grimsby appeared inNothing but Trouble (1991), his last acting role. In "The Mystery of Manon (Part 2),"Lawrence Dane guest stars as Arthur Trent, an old enemy who Sterno reports was executed by firing squad in Leningrad, 15 years ago. McCall soon learns otherwise.[14] The two-part episode was also released as a 90-minute television movieThe Equalizer: The Mystery of Manon.
There's "No Place Like Home" but the Whitakers have yet to find it.Michael Rooker andKelly Curtis guest star as Bill and Paula Whitaker who have fallen on hard times and have just been evicted. Thus they are forced to avail themselves of the New YorkDepartment of Social Services to seek shelter elsewhere. Bill, Paula and their son Billy are sent to a deplorable, squalid hotel called The Alexandria, where a housing scam is exploiting the system to enrich its new "owner," Mr. Amar, played by guest starMichael Lerner. It is young Billy who calls The Equalizer. Kelly Curtis also played Vicki in season one, "No Conscience."[49] Other guests include:Leo Burmester as Jim Harding who initially tries to scam Bill by paying him $500 a month to leave the hotel so Harding can scam $3,000 more from the State to house yet another homeless family;Richard Bright as Vegas who works for Amar, and has to step up after Harding bungles the job (also as Gropman in season four, "Splinters"[35]); andEd Lauter as Robert Nichols, from whom Amar has swindled the hotel in order to run his fraudulent scheme.[19] This is Lauter's secondEqualizer role after playing Walter Rowan in season two, "A Place to Stay."[38]
In her television debut role,Valarie Pettiford co-starred as Jackie Chenier, an investigative reporter trying her best to do a documentary on "these welfare hotels" but the hotel guard will not allow her entry, likely on Amar's orders.[19] Pettiford made her film debut as a Dancer inThe Cotton Club (1984), and afterThe Equalizer, she joined the cast ofAnother World as the recurring character Detective Courtney Walker (1988–90). In 2022, Pettiford began playing the reoccurring role ofCarol Dante, Marcus Dante's mother in the 2021 re-imagined series beginning in season two, "D.W.B." (Driving While Black).[51]Thomas A. Carlin co-starred as a Doorman (also as Jeremy the Doorman in "Nocturne"[52]).[19]
Maureen Anderman in her recurring role asPete O'Phelan declares "Last Call" at her bar as eight other guest stars play out a tense drama which McCall and Mickey must diffuse before someone dies... or is raped.Joe Maruzzo plays Lewis Fipps who had kidnapped seventeen year-old Andrea to demand a ransom from her rich father. When he wouldn't pay, Fipps raped, brutalized, and mutilated her. Now he is on the run from a hit-man hired by the girl's father. This is Maruzzo's thirdEqualizer role. Two other episodes both aired in season one, in which he played Thug #2 in "Bump and Run"[53] and "Head," leader of theCrips in Reign of Terror."[34]Michael Cerveris plays Frank Fipps, who is Lewis' brother. Frank is the "nice guy" but compliant to a fault, even allowing his brother to severely beat Mickey after he tried to get Pete's gun from the register. Cerveris also plays Nick Kaminskey in season four, "Race Traitors."[24]
David Schramm plays Joe, a middle-aged married man who is with his wife Lucy at Pete's when Lewis prevents them from leaving. AfterThe Equalizer, Schramm was perhaps best known as Roy Biggins on the sitcomWings (1990–97). Kathleen Doyle[54] plays Joe's middle-aged wife Lucy, who wants to call the police after her purse is stolen by Susan.James Rebhorn plays Gant who stands to collect half-a-million dollars for fulfilling the contract that Andrea's father took out on Lewis. As an international hit-man, he has enough of a professional code not to enter the bar and risk collateral damage to innocent bystanders, but he doesn't care if Lewis kills everyone in the bar himself; it would simplify matters. This is Rebhorn's secondEqualizer role after playing Eric, an Agency operative in the season two premiere, "Prelude."[55]
Singer Vitamin C made her television debut, only a month after her film debut inHairspray (February 1988), credited under her real name,Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick plays Susan from Bangor Maine who is supposed to be on her big adventure to New York, but is obviously stretched beyond her means as she tries to steal Lucy's purse. Fitzpatrick also guest starred as rising star singer Beverly Heat in season four, "Eighteen with a Bullet."[56]
Theatre directorPeter Sellars, in one of his few screen appearances, plays Woody, a hacker who McCall has worked with before. He hacks Lewis' criminal record from the police to find his rap sheet: grand larceny, grand theft auto, armed robbery, and the latest, kidnap, rape, and aggravated assault, with a $10,000 reward. He also provides McCall with his mercenary files, which puts him in contact with Jameson.Charles Keating plays Vincent Brennard, an industrialist whose daughter Andrea was kidnapped by Lewis Fipps. She has subsequently undergone thirteen surgeries and been institutionalized from the trauma. Brennard doesn't want Fipps to spend only a few years in prison, just to be released again. Thus the hit-man. McCall tries to reason with him. Keating also played Kenneth Whitten in season two, "Hand and Glove."[57]Eccentric dancer and actorTony Azito co-starred as Jameson, in one of only three television appearances. He plays a mercenary who gives McCall the reason why Gant was hired by the girl's father, and how much money is at stake. He also says nothing will stand between Gant and his target. Azito appeared inMiami Vice the same year, and was better known as the Sergeant of Police inThe Pirates of Penzance, in which he appeared onBroadway, TV, andfilm.[9]
In "Regrets Only,"J. Smith-Cameron guest stars as Susan Foxworth, who works full time, goes to school, and is a single mother of young Joanie. She is determined to have a life of her own despite her psychopathic, stalker ex-husband Dr. Gary Edward Foxworth, played by guest star Philip Kraus. But Gary turns out to be more malicious and vindictive than even Susan realizes, as attested to by someone who knew him as a child.[10] Smith-Cameron also played Vanessa in season one, "Mama's Boy"[58] and Natalie Santelli in season four, "The Sins of Our Fathers."[59] Kraus also played Petrov Durkin, a KGB Station Chief in season two, "Beyond Control"[60] and Arnold in season four, "Endgame."[61]
Jean DeBaer guest stars as Detective Bishop, from whom Susan requests a restraining order. However, she has no evidence of any crime being committed. She suggests Susan talk to her divorce lawyer, but Susan doesn't have the money for it, since Gary hasn't been paying child support. McCall must convince Bishop to work with him to act before Gary goes too far and kills Susan. DeBaer also played Eileen Arden in season one, "Back Home."[62] Maureen Anderman makes another appearance as Pete O'Phelan, advising McCall on how to proceed.Polly Holliday guest stars as Sister Sara, who saw first-hand what a "bad-seed" Gary was as a child. However, it takes a lot of convincing by Mickey to get a look at his school records. Holliday is perhaps best known as Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry, a waitress atMel's Diner on the television sitcom,Alice.Tony Longo guest stars as Young, a thug and dealer of illegal firearms. Gary also hires Young to beat him up so that he can blame McCall to justify a restraining order against him. Longo had previously appeared five times as Artie with fellow guest star Polly Holliday onAlice in the mid 1980s.
In her fourth screen/television role,Debra Jo Rupp co-stars as Marge, Dr. Foxworth's assistant, who has no idea that the television set and pre-recorded VCR tape sent to Dr. Foxworth's office was sent by McCall.[10] Rupp made her film debut shortly afterwards inBig (June 1988), and is best known for her role as Kitty Forman inThat '70s Show (1998–2006).
In "Target of Choice,"Michael Parks andVerna Bloom guest star as Jonathan and Marian Grey who are being terrorized by an ex-felon because Jonathan testified against him eight years prior. Jonathan is a tanker driver for a petroleum company. The felon was an employee who was fired, then decided to kill his boss by pushing him in front of Jonathan's truck. Because they could not prove pre-meditation, he was not sentenced with 25-to-life. Now he's out and wants revenge.Kevin Geer guest stars as Willie J. Hawkins, the killer in question who also killed others while in prison, a fact that McCall, Mickey and Jimmy try to use against him.[11] Parks also played Logan in season two, "Nocturne."[52] Bloom also plays Ellen in season four, "Race Traitors."[24]
John Bedford Lloyd makes his last appearance asD.A. Francis Scanlon, and tells McCall he'll glady prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, given an opportunity. Co-stars includeLenny Venito as Devin, Jonathan and Marian's son, andDenise Faye as a Hooker that Hawkins sends up to Mickey to find out who he is and why he's been hounding him. Supporting actressCecily Adams plays Claudia, Marian's physician who helps treat her multiple sclerosis. Claudia arrives just in time to ward off Hawkins, who is now "a volunteer...to be of service to the community..." but really there to terrify her.[11] Beginning in 1997, Adams played the role ofIshka onStar Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Anne Twomey guest starred as Meredith Browning, a former Company protégé to whom McCall gave a memento; a bracelet with "Always a Lady" engraved on it. Meredith ran a "travel agency" for the Company, often involving Latin American missions, until an operation went wrong. More recently she has been working...other enterprises, using Tony Costa's casino, and using Costa, for her own means.Joseph Mascolo guest starred as Tony Costa, who has recently solved his "laundry" problems for his casino income. He wants to go "legit" but he's now the victim of the theft of $800,000 dollars. Suspecting Meredith, he orders his second-in-command Johnny get it back...by any means. Mascola was well known before and after hisEqualizer role as the villainStefano DiMera onNBC's soap operaDays of Our Lives from 1982 to 2016.Lewis Van Bergen guest stars as Johnny Sax, who has his own secrets to hide from Costa. He tells Costa he tried everything to get the money back, but was "doing business...your business," by which he meant killing Meredith. Van Bergen also played hit-man Zahn in season two, "A Community of Civilized Men,"[63] and Stuard Dodd in season four, "Endgame."[61] Series regulars who appear in "Always a Lady" are Chad Redding asSgt. Alice Shepard, and Maureen Anderman asPete O'Phelan. Ron Frazier guest stars as Honeywell, an Agency operative who worked for Southern Control who ordered him to ensure General Astiz assumed power, which required betraying Meredith. This was the last of Frazier's threeEqualizer roles (also as a doctor in season one, "Breakpoint"[40] and as Coe in season two, Nocturne"[52]).[12] AfterThe Equalizer, Frazier had a recurring role asTrial Judge Aldo Ianello onLaw & Order (1994–1998).
Barry Snider co-stars as Detective Barry Calloway, who declares Meredith dead from a shotgun blast to the head, with her hands held out defensively, eliminating both her prints and her face. Snider also played Inspector Logan in season one, "Dead Drop."[64]Susan Gibney guest stars as Angela, who worked for Meredith in "customer relations," and relays what she knows to McCall and Mickey. Gibney had made her screen/television debut only a month prior to herEqualizer role onSpenser: For Hire. A year afterward, she played Dr.Leah Brahms onStar Trek: The Next Generation.Rita Jenrette has a small supporting role as a Hooker who propositions McCall while he's lost in reminiscing about Meredith.[12]
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Rating/share (households) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 1 | "Blood and Wine" | Alan Metzger | Coleman Luck | September 23, 1987 (1987-09-23) | 14.4/24[65] | |||||||
| 46 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Part 1 : Martin Loeber[a] blows up the Harlequin Club, "and that's just the beginning" he tellsThe Times, calling himself "Alpha." Linda[b] prepares as an anchorperson[c] announces 20 dead. What animal would do that? Loeber, "You're beautiful when you're terrified." She knows him as music teacher Brad Hartman. Brother Joseph Heiden[d] meets with FBI Special Agent Frank Standish.[e] An Agent questions motive, the second Agent[f] asks who he hates? Heiden, "He hates God."Robert McCall andMickey Kostmayer save Agency operativeRudy Bagler from a thugs. Linda's mother Elizabeth Thomas[g] finds "Brad's" shotgun. Linda doesn't believe her because it's now gone. Elizabeth calls The Equalizer. Loeber tries to kill them both. Loeber asks a Police Officer,[h] was Elizabeth alone? McCall escaped. He tellsControl it was a professional hit. Mickey surveils Loeber. McCall asks Rudy to check his Manhattan Network for hit-men. Loeber learns McCall's identity from his contact Kroslick. Mickey puts a tracker on Loeber's car, but Loeber has his own locater. He drives to Standish's house, plants a nitro-bomb on Mrs. Standish, and kills an FBI agent in a fiery car crash. Det. Standish arrives on-scene with Brother Heiden, who McCall sees... and recognizes... Part 2 : McCall tells Standish that "Brother" Heiden is a terrorist. Standish is undeterred. McCall describes how Loeber could've faked his death. McCall finds a dentist and a crematorium, while Mickey watches Linda. Heiden narrows likely targets to a religious festival. A young nun tells Loeber about a mass by a blind monsignor. He tells Benjamin Harris[i] to find him "a new pair of eyes" (i.e., contacts), and takes theVX nerve crystals Harris procured. McCall finds the crematorium destroyed, and the dentist gone, according to his cleaning lady.[j] Heiden describes hisconversion, but McCall replies how his godson died at Heiden's hands. Loeber dupes Linda into helping him, claiming McCall killed her mother. McCall learns about the stolen VX from Control. Loeber poisons Standish, putting him in critical condition. Rudy demands $100,000 for Loeber's new "eyes" or he'll give him to McCall. Loeber offers Rudy more to kill McCall. They meet, but Loeber escapes, abducting Mickey and Linda. Loeber gives McCall instructions to save them. Loeber interrupts Heiden's prayers, shoots him, and assumes the monsignor's identity. McCall must diffuse a bomb... Brother Heiden must stop a mass... and Heiden asks McCall to forgive him. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 47 | 3 | "Suspicion of Innocence" | Russ Mayberry | Robert Eisele | September 30, 1987 (1987-09-30) | 14.0/24[66] | |||||||
Anintellectually challenged department store shipping clerk, Davy Baylor,[k] witnesses the murder of his coworker Cheryl Jansen. Afraid the police will shoot, he flees and calls "Mr. Equalizer" for help. McCall takes him toLt. Kramer, who thinks his motive was sexual. The prints match, as Davy inadvertently touched the pipe. Despite McCall's objections, Davy goes toThe Tombs. McCall meets Davy's mother Irene,[l] who can't see Davy until his arraignment. The D.A.[m] requestsremand for psychiatric evaluation. The Bailiff[n] has no time to react when Davy panics and flees. McCall prevents the court officer from shooting him, then bluffs Lt. Kramer about Davy's location. McCall takes Davy back to crime scene to relive that night, hoping for clues. He asks Jimmy for a background on Cheryl. Evidently, she had an affair with Davy's coworker Will Rattigan.[o] McCall rattles Will, so Will goes to his father Jack[p] asking him to provide an alibi. Irene dupes Jimmy to get Davy away from McCall. Davy flees his mother's grasp, and the killer comes looking for him. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 48 | 4 | "In the Money" | Aaron Lipstadt | Ed Waters & Scott Shepherd | October 7, 1987 (1987-10-07) | 14.2/24[67] | |||||||
Norm Jameson[q] and Craig Rose[r] abduct Samantha Chesborough[s] from her apartment. McCall and Mickey find the body...still alive! Mickey protects her while McCall investigates. Jameson chases the actual target,Fraunces Tavern waitress Wendy Muller, who is run down by Rose's car. But Wendy left a clue for Samantha, so McCall talks to Sandy[t] at Fraunces Tavern, who tells him about Wendy's "playmate" C.R. Heaton[u] who performsmergers and acquisitions; the "King ofJunk Bonds." Drawn intoWall Street's dark underbelly, McCall presses Heaton, who panics and callsrisk arbitrageur Ron Parrish[v] about Wendy. Parrish cuts Heaton loose to deal with theSEC on his own. Facing economic ruin and jail time forinsider trading, Heaton shoots himself.Jonah hacks "Ma Bell" for phone records on who called Heaton before his suicide. McCall sets a trap with the help of hiscarny contact, Freddy.[w] ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 49 | 5 | "Encounter in a Closed Room" | Jim Johnston | Story by : Ann Lewis Hamilton & Scott Shepherd Teleplay by : Ann Lewis Hamilton | October 14, 1987 (1987-10-14) | 12.7/22[68] | |||||||
A TV reporter[x] interviewsCzechoslovakian genetic scientist Dr. Peter Kapik[y] about his DNA breakthrough shortly before Kapik escapes his Russian handlers. Peter visits his friend Alina Jennings[z] and her husband Wayne,[aa] butState Department Agent Foster[ab] takes Kapik into custody. Alina meets her mother, butKGB agent Sarka[ac] confronts her; she knows she is Alina Polivka who defected from Russia. Sarka threatens her parents, Emil[ad] and Vera Polivka,[ae] unless Alina does a job. Alina notices another Russian spy,[af] and calls The Equalizer, but Control wants McCall to disassociate. McCall contacts NYPD DetectiveSgt. Alice Shepard, who transferred toIntelligence Division. Shepard meets Alina, who is watched by Sarka, who is now watched by McCall. Sarka tells Alina to kill Peter or her parents will die. McCall and Shepard track down Emil's "Wolf" clue, which leads to Nordic Nights Import/Export. Alina confesses to Wayne that the KBG have her parents, and goes to meet Peter to kill him. McCall tries to rescue her parents, but is captured, so he must improvise to escape. Sarka goes after Kapik herself. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 50 | 6 | "Mission: McCall" | Alan Metzger | Ed Waters & Scott Shepherd | October 28, 1987 (1987-10-28) | 13.4/24[69] | |||||||
| 51 | 7 | Story by : Ed Waters & Coleman Luck Teleplay by : Ed Waters & Scott Shepherd & Robert Eisele | November 4, 1987 (1987-11-04) | 13.1/23[70] | |||||||||
Part 1 : Scott McCall visits his father Robert but the place is trashed. A masked man with a gun in his tattooed hand escapes. Control gives Scott a ticket out of town, but he follows Robert's contingency plan instead; a video recording to contact Mickey. Mickey leads Scott to former Agency colleague Richard Dyson,[ag] via Zudo's Curios, but Zudo[ah] isn't cooperative. Scott and Mickey meet Dyson, who is actually Southern Control. Control wants Dyson "out of this" but Dyson has leverage. So Control confesses Robert was to be exchanged for twelve Agency agents, but the KGB took him first. Dyson tells Mickey thatHarley Gage was the best man they ever had in Moscow, so they free Gage from prison. Gage meets his KGB lover Francesca,[ai] who questions his loyalty. Dyson confronts Control that the KGB doesn't have Robert; Control does, which angers Scott. Control explains that Robert would've given himself up to save a dozen colleagues, so he kidnapped Robert to save his life and buy more time. Francesca and Borda invade Control'ssafe house, killing Weber/Cronin[aj] to get to Robert, but he resists and is shot.... Part 2 : Mickey and Scott hold Control at the safe house so he can't undermine them, while Dyson and Gage infiltrate the Russian regional facility to rescue Robert. Control distracts Scott to transmit a code from his watch which summons his agents to free him. After Gage kills Kamarov, he seduces Dr. Zara Klemik to get her pass to the lower level where Robert is held. Dyson knocks out some soldiers to get their passes. Colonel Vlasov suspects Dr. Klemik and follows her while she gets a message from her "top secret" contact, Tangent Zero (Control); she has two infiltrators! So she arranges to help Dyson and Gage. Dyson gives her a surprise present for the control room to help them escape. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 52 | 8 | "Shadow Play" | Russ Mayberry | Robert Eisele | November 11, 1987 (1987-11-11) | 12.8/21[71] | |||||||
Defense Department Logistical Officer Maj. Andrew Banks[ak] testifies at a Congressional hearing about arming and trainingAngolan counter-revolutionaries, while his counsel[al] advises him. The Congressman[am] demands to know who ordered him. Banks, I know him only as "Control." Meanwhile, Chacon[an] sets up a sniper position, but cannot get a clean shot. An agent tells Det. Shepard that security was pulled and her intelligence unit is disbanded. Outside, Chacon makes another attempt on Banks; Banks and Shepard defend each other. Alice goes to Robert about the shooting, so Harley and Mickey offer to help while Robert recovers (after events in "Mission: McCall"). Control warns Gage off, but Gage asksRudy Bagler what he knows about Lyle Murdoch[ao] the Federal Agent in Charge, William Virgil[ap] a DOD agent with White House ties, and Renaldo Duran[aq] an international banker with Mafia ties toMeyer Lansky. Chacon hunts down Gage at McCall's apartment. McCall suspects Control, but Gage, suspecting Bagler, barges passed his butler Robbie[ar] and threatens him; Rudy claims Virgil set up Banks. McCall consultsBilly Bump and gets a codename; Excelsior. A shootout ensues and Chacon grabs Shepard. Mickey, Gage, Banks and McCall all try to save Shepard. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 53 | 9 | "Inner View" | Marc Laub | Jim Trombetta | November 18, 1987 (1987-11-18) | 13.2/24[72] | |||||||
Psychic Karen Alden[as] is awoken from a surreal dream at the police station by a female detective[at] who advises her not to hold anything back or be named an accessory to murder. McCall is there as well, trying to convince a Lieutenant[au] that Miss Sarah Hendricks[av] has identified the Scrapbook Killer. Karen asks her detective who he is; The Equalizer. She calls him after having a vision of the killer's next murder. Since McCall is still working with Sarah, he asks Harley Gage to help Karen, but they find nothing yet. Sheila Stainback[aw] interrupts the football match with breaking news; the Scrapbook Killer's latest murder, and a body at the Brooklyn pier that Karen and Gage just left. Karen provides Gage details that he recognizes as lyrics to a song by Archon called "Shadow Man."[ax] McCall checks in when Gage is nearly shot. Gage returns to talk to Archon's singer Jarret[ay] and is threatened by their roadie.[az] Gage gives a description; Jarret gives a name. Sarah and Karen trade notes, and McCall uses Karen's vision to their advantage. ^ cast End-credits: This episode is dedicated to the memory of Ernie Palinkas whose contribution to The Equalizer was invaluable. | |||||||||||||
| 54 | 10 | "The Rehearsal" | Alan Metzger | Robert Eisele | December 2, 1987 (1987-12-02) | 9.9/17[73] | |||||||
McCall and Harley Gage watch as Everett Austin[ba] directs Sandra Benning[bb] and Josh[bc] in a stage play rehearsal. Someone watches from above in thelighting bridge, calling to Sandra saying, "Elise..." She alerts McCall, mentioning that someone has left her romantic notes. They find the phone lines cut, the stage door jammed, and all the exitsbooby trapped with bombs. With a janitor scheduled to arrive who will set off the bomb, they have one hour to find who set the trap. McCall and playwright Jenna Rydell get separated from the rest. She finds an old playbill fromDark Night, another of Austins' productions, starring Elise de Venn and her boyfriend Michael[bd]. Stage manager Phil Davine explains to Gage what happened a year ago, revealing a motive to his madness. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 55 | 11 | "Christmas Presence" | Michael O'Herlihy | Coleman Luck | December 16, 1987 (1987-12-16) | 13.4/24[74] | |||||||
For his Christmas tradition, McCall takes Gage to his favorite restaurant, but it's "For Sale," so he finds his old Company friend,Pete O'Phelan. At Kelly's Bar, Kelly Stigman,[be] Bishop, Spicer, and Martin[bf] conspire to do something about six year-old Mickey Robertson[bg] who hasAIDS; they don't want him in the neighborhood. Stigman throws asmoke grenade into Mickey's room that starts a fire. His grandmother Phyllis Robertson[bh] tells an investigator who can't or won't help, so Mickey calls "Mr. Manhattan." McCall gives Gage his Christmas Gift; to meet Mickey and check out Kelly's bar. Gage also talks to Dr. Feinberg,[bi] who says Mickey's father Dave Burton is still alive, but unable or unwilling to visit, because Mickey's mother was an intravenoussmack addict. While Gage confronts Dave, masked men trash the Robertsons' apartment. McCall says he'll do some undercover work on Stigman, and for back-up, sends Pete to Gage. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 56 | 12 | "A Dance on the Dark Side" | Jonathan Perry | David Lightstone | January 13, 1988 (1988-01-13) | 12.2/21[75] | |||||||
Detective Charlie Kelly claims undercover cop Del Larkin[bj] fed lies to the Organized Crime Task Force about Bruno Dominic,[bk] and threatens to turn Del in. They struggle and Charlie is shot. Larkin slips into Captain Maldisi's office to use the phone. Police switchboard operator Risa[bl] takes a break, leaving only Jill O'Connor[bm] on duty. Jill accidentally overhears Larkin talking to a woman about Kelly's death. She tries telling Detective Bates,[bn] but he can't be bothered. Jill's life is threatened, so she calls McCall. He meets with Maldisi and Det. Shepard who is on temporary attachment with the task force. Shepard takes Jill's statement and contactsIAB. Del meets Simone Peters[bo] and wonders what to do. At the funeral, Robert asks Charlie's wife Maureen[bp] about Del, who he confronts, despite Alice's objections. Gage gets Larkin's phone records with Dominic and Simone; McCall takes a calculated risk. AtPete's restaurant, the team learns about Simone's other identity, Susan Petersborough, and her profession. They race to Jill's dance class to save her from being silenced. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 57 | 13 | "The Child Broker" | Mark Sobel | Mick Curran | January 20, 1988 (1988-01-20) | 13.9/24[76] | |||||||
Eddie is killed by a car while being chased by a gang of boys, Danny Winters,[bq] Bobby,[br] Press,[bs] Slick,[bt] and Streak[bu] who are led by the manipulative and ruthless Shep Morrow.[bv] Morrow's girlfriend Sylvie[bw] ensures their loyalty with money and seduction. Sensing that Danny is troubled, his girlfriend Amy[bx] tries to help. But Morrow turns up at Danny's home to get him ready for a robbery. Amy calls The Equalizer to save Danny from Morrow. Danny's single mother, Irene Winters,[by] is also worried, so she applies some tough love. After Amy and Gage are threatened, McCall sets up Morrow with the help of Gage and a fellow agent.[bz] ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 58 | 14 | "Video Games" | James A. Contner | Peter McCabe | January 27, 1988 (1988-01-27) | 13.4/24[77] | |||||||
Chauffeur Eddie Mason[ca] drives Christine Hayes[cb] to Warren Briggs,[cc] where a receptionist[cd] connects clients with high-end call girls. Briggs blackmails Gina Harper[ce] with her video tape, then pays Christine to be with Serge[cf] while he records them. Afterwards, Eddie pays her to "just talk." His wife Angela meets The Equalizer through Pete at her restaurant. She says Eddie is an investigative reporter who is missing. His boss Rennick tells Gage about Eddie's story on prostitution. Gage pilfers Eddie's notes that lead to a hotel clerk,[cg] who talks about the "stunning broads" Eddie sees. Christine is found strangled to death, with her madam's message on her machine. Gage knows Joy Tang,[ch] who he leverages for her client list.D.A. Francis Scanlon owes McCall, so he tells Gage about the "whore wars" and that Christine was going to testify. Gage follows Eddie driving Suzanne,[ci] and confronts him. Eddie finds his daughter Janelle's tape and attacks Briggs, so Steiner[cj] grabs Eddie. Now, McCall and Gage must rescue Eddie. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 59 | 15 | "Something Green" | Luis Soto | Kevin Droney | February 10, 1988 (1988-02-10) | 11.9/20[78] | |||||||
Paul Gephardt[ck] tells his mother Anne,[cl] "I spy something red," as she prepares to start her day. Greedy diplomat Raymond Gephardt[cm] plans on keeping ten million dollars he has been laundering for corporate raiders and mobsters. But it's not enough; he also wants to kidnap his son and heir away from his ex-wife. NYPD Detective Lt. Borley[cn] is first on-scene, but he says diplomatic immunity has tied his hands. Anne asks McCall to stop them from leaving the country. Inside the consulate, Paul tells his father, "I spy something blue," but Raymond doesn't understand. Mobsters make an attempt on Raymond. Kostmayer and Gage fire back. Stanley[co] and Vesco abduct Paul from Debra. McCall and Gage pressure Raymond's go-between lawyer Mr. Binder[cp] for the Paul's location. During the shoot-out, Raymond escapes with Paul. "Daddy, I spy something green...is mommy here?" ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 60 | 16 | "The Mystery of Manon" | Bradford May | Coleman Luck | February 17, 1988 (1988-02-17) | 11.9/19[79] | |||||||
| 61 | 17 | February 24, 1988 (1988-02-24) | 9.3/17[80] | ||||||||||
Part 1 : Inspector Phillipe Marcel[cq] is summoned to Brighton Park Zoo and, seemingly, shown his long-dead wife, Manon Brevard Marcel.[cr] He sees experiments from 1985, Vladivostok Labor Camp, and Instructions to kill Control and McCall within 24 hours or Manon dies. A newscaster[cs] reports on a timber wolf released from the zoo, as Robert and Jimmy listen. Control delivers bad news about Ben Silva, and good news about Yvette Marcel.[ct] Yvette asks McCall to help her father. Control gets the files on Manon. Scott finds an amnesiac woman. McCall finds a tape with a particular song from Manon's past; he suspects Control planted it. McCall finally tells Scott the truth about Yvette. Control tasksSterno to find Phillipe. Yvette sees Manon outside McCall's apartment. Phillipe tells Control and McCall to meet him at the zoo; to kill them. But someone shoots Phillipe as Yvette arrives. Phillipe dies telling her the truth about McCall... Part 2 : Scott and Yvette embrace as siblings. Yvette and McCall come to an understanding. The amnesiac woman resurfaces, and Scott finds her beaten and bloody. She sees a photo of Control and McCall and screams; listening in from a bug is Arthur Trent.[cu] Scott, Yvette, Control and McCall compare notes. McCall, Control, and Sterno must discover the true identity of the woman who believes she is Manon, expose the shadowy party controlling her, and rescue Scott who has been taken captive. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 62 | 18 | "No Place Like Home" | Tobe Hooper | Robert Eisele | March 16, 1988 (1988-03-16) | 13.5/24[81] | |||||||
On a street full of homeless people a raggedy man asks McCall for food. Bill Whitaker[cv] arrives home to find his evicted wife Paula.[cw] While anHRA/DSS social worker finds them shelter, their son Billy calls The Equalizer. A security guard shuffles them to a squalid room. Jim Harding[cx] tries to scam Bill and they fight. McCall warns Harding off, and asks Jimmy to find the owner, while Mickey protects them. While Vegas[cy] surveils, Mrs. Morales says Harding threatened her. The guard prevents entry to reporter Jackie Chenier,[cz] who's doing a documentary on the Alexandria. Mickey shows Bill a homestead renovation; "a chance to work for a place...to call my home." Jimmy reports the hotel was bought (i.e., stolen) by Mr. Amar[da] from Robert Nichols,[db] who McCall talks with next. McCall "makes things very unpleasant for Mr. Amar," by subletting Amar's own apartment, as he's informed by the doorman.[dc] Amar calls Vegas to frame and kill Bill... then McCall. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 63 | 19 | "Last Call" | Michael O'Herlihy | Robert Crais | March 23, 1988 (1988-03-23) | 13.2/24[82] | |||||||
Psycho rapist Lewis Fipps[dd] leaves ared-lightgrindhouse followed by his compliant brother Frank[de] as shots are fired by international hit-man Gant.[df] Pete O'Phelan declares, "last call." The young, beautiful Susan[dg] tries to lift a purse from Lucy.[dh] Ben just wants to pay his tab and leave, while Mickey argues with Lucy's husband Joe[di] to let Susan go without pressing charges. Lewis and Frank run in, take everyone hostage, and warns Gant about all thecollateral damage inside. Frank tries calling for help, but the line is cut. Mickey suggests an alternate method; enter The Equalizer. Lewis tells him to kill Gant or he'll start killing hostages. McCall asks Woody[dj] to hack Fipps' criminal record, and provide his mercenary contacts. McCall asks Jameson[dk] about Gant's motive; $500,000 payable by the raped and mutilated girl's father, Vincent Brennard.[dl] When neither Gant nor Fipps back down, McCall must intervene before anyone is killed... or raped. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 64 | 20 | "Regrets Only" | James A. Contner | Robert Crais | March 30, 1988 (1988-03-30) | 14.0/25[83] | |||||||
Susan Foxworth[dm] is walking with Mark and a car follows her. She yells and kicks the car thinking it's her psychopathic, stalker ex-husband, Dr. Gary Edward Foxworth.[dn] Instead, an irate woman jumps out and yells back. At home, Gary calls her again and again. It's "a little hard to believe" for Detective Bishop.[do] Susan calls McCall, who confronts Gary after talking with his assistant Marge.[dp] Gary claims Susan is mentally unbalanced. McCall refers Susan to a counselor. Gary attacks her in the market. After Pete O'Phelan and McCall mull it over, he pleads with Bishop, but she still won't act. Mickey investigates Gary's background, while McCall "pushes back," setting Gary off. Askinhead takes Gary to buy a gun from Young.[dq] Gary hires him to "stomp" someone; himself. McCall is arrested for aggravated assault. Bishop hands McCall a restraining order. Mickey tries to convince Sister Sara[dr] to show him Gary's student files. McCall confronts Bishop with the malicious, vindictive, chilling facts. They act. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 65 | 21 | "Target of Choice" | Mark Sobel | Kevin Droney | April 6, 1988 (1988-04-06) | 14.2/24[84] | |||||||
Jonathan Grey[ds] gets a surprise party from his son Devin[dt] and wife Marian,[du] who is disabled by multiple sclerosis. Joy fades when flowers arrive from paroled murderer, Willie J. Hawkins.[dv] Hawkins terrorizes Johnny's family in revenge for testifying. Marian calls McCall. Kostmayer tails Hawkins.D.A. Francis Scanlon says Hawkins staged the murder to claim it wasn't premeditated, avoiding murder one (25 to life) to get manslaughter (8 years). Hawkins goes to ground so McCall has Jimmy and Pete guard Marian. Marian visits her doctor Claudia;[dw] Hawkins is already there. Cellmate Roscoe Lee Boyd looks for Hawkins too, but Mickey and Jimmy are prepared. Mickey rattles Hawkins, who pays a hooker[dx] to check out Mickey. McCall confronts Boyd, who goes after Hawkins himself, but Hawkins has a plan. McCall must hurry to save Hawkins' "target of choice" and end the terror. ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| 66 | 22 | "Always a Lady" | Marc Laub | Story by : Scott Shepherd Teleplay by : Peter McCabe | May 4, 1988 (1988-05-04) | 11.9/21[85] | |||||||
At his casino, Tony Costa[dy] discovers $800,000 missing. He suspects McCall's former protégé, Meredith Browning.[dz] To find it, he tasks Johnny Sax.[ea] McCall and Pete return from the theater, and Meredith calls for help. McCall's mind flashes back to Honeywell, Southern Control, and Meredith captured. McCall arrives, but apparently, Meredith was murdered. McCall tells Sgt. Alice Shepard she ran a Company "travel agency." Detective Barry Calloway reports, "Shotgun blast to the head... no prints." Wondering, McCall reminisces and calls her name. A hooker, Cynthia[eb], breaks his dream. "For $200 you can call me Meredith all night long." Control sends Mickey and Pete to the funeral. Angela[ec] tells McCall she worked for Meredith in "customer relations" but coworker Donna Morgan was fired. Cousin Jean Carson returns Meredith's bracelet; McCall's gift inscribed, "Always a Lady." Mickey produces the medical examiner's report and says Donna must've skipped town. By request, Alice has Sax arrested. McCall sets a trap for Costa and Sax. Calloway tells Shepard they still haven't found the money. McCall suspects where to look.... ^ cast | |||||||||||||
| Preceded by | List ofThe Equalizer (1985 TV series) episodes | Succeeded by |
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