The Equalizers

The Equalizers

By The EqualizersTV & FilmTV ReviewsAfter Shows
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The Equalizers episodes

  • Lady Cop

    The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 5: Lady Cop

    Aired on CBS: October 16, 1985
    Written by: Kathryn Bigelow (!!)
    Directed by: Russ Mayberry

    The Equalizer is hired by a rookie female police officer assigned to a team of officers who are oh boy so corrupt in just everything they do, from junior high antics to psychotic pure evil. Robert McCall's strategy is to play mind games on them, from the irritating and mundane to the most oddball scene in the show yet.

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    equalizerspodcast at gmail dot com

    1 hr 53 min
  • The Lock Box

    The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 4: The Lock Box

    Aired on CBS: October 9, 1985
    Written by: Frank Military
    Directed by: Russ Mayberry

    What happens when a Midwestern family goes against their better judgement and visits New York City? About the only thing that can happen - their teenager daughter is whisked away by a charming but evil Adam Ant. Luckily these out-of-towners hear tell of a certain individual known as The Equalizer. Also Robert McCall has a love interest! Tons of great guest stars - Adam Ant, JT Walsh (flexing his acting chops), Luis Guzman, Lori Petty, David Allen Grier, Richard Portnow.

    @equalizerspod

    equalizerspodcast at gmail dot com

    1 hr 47 min
  • The Defector

    The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 3: The Defector

    Aired on CBS: October, 1985
    Written by: Heywood Gould
    Directed by: Rod Holcomb

    It's not easy to make show that focuses on Russian spies yet has zero international intrigue, but The Equalizer finds a way. First every action scene has to make no sense off the bat then get weirder from there. For quieter scenes, have Robert unbutton way too many shirt buttons. And for good measure, add a second plot with a teenager terrorized by a gang straight out of a community theater production of Grease.

    @equalizerspod

    equalizerspodcast at gmail dot com

    1 hr 56 min
  • China Rain

    The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 2: China Rain

    Aired on CBS: September 25, 1985
    Written by: Victor Hsu
    Directed by: Richard Compton

    Episode 2. The first episode after the "establish several throughline plots" pilot. The Equalizer is called in to help return a kidnapped boy. But he's going to need help... Cue the first appearance of his up-for-anything agency cohort Mickey Kostmayer. You'd think with a more straightforward episode we'd have less to talk about, but you'd be wrong. In fact, who do you think you are thinking that? This is The Equalizer, there are endless things to pick apart.

    @equalizerspod

    equalizerspodcast at gmail dot com

    1 hr 45 min
  • Pilot

    The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 1: The Equalizer (pilot)

    Aired on CBS: September 18, 1985
    Written by: Michael Sloan
    Directed by: Rod Holcomb
    Notable guest stars: Patricia Kalember, Jerry Stiller, David Proval

    Like most pilots, this one packs in a lot - gotta give the audience a taste of every aspect of what they're in store for with this brand new show. In this one:

    1. Robert McCall (EQ) breaking from the agency and posting his iconic ad in the classifieds.
    2. EQ trying to make amends with his son.
    3. Equalizing #1, large scale: a communications company blackmailing senators!
    4. Equalizing #2, personable scale: a woman has a dangerous stalker.

      5. ... and a lot of establishing that he is "the Equalizer" and just what exactly equalizing means.

      Note: This is pure episodic TV, very few larger plots and themes, so no need to listen in order. This podcast, like say the celebrated show Parks+Rec, had a gestation period, and our full crew kicked in on season 1 episode 16, so you might want to skip ahead.

      @equalizerspod

      equalizerspodcast at gmail dot com

      1 hr 43 min

    About The Equalizers

    From the publisher's feed

    The Equalizer aired on CBS from 1985 to 1989. It inspired two Denzel Washington movies and a reboot with Queen Latifah, but the original series with Edward Woodward is largely forgotten (It can be streamed on nbc.com or the NBC Roku app. Your move, Peacock). In a perfect world, it would receive all the nostalgic love of your MacGyver, your Magnum PI, your A Team, your Knight Rider. The premise - a retired special agent puts an ad in the paper to help those who feel the odds are against them (take that, paper clips and talking cars). Never heard of it? Not a problem. Vince, Chris, and Chuck take a deep dive into the show one episode at a time - incredibly absurd plots, well-known guest stars in every episode (sometimes 4 or 5!), and all other aspects of this show that make it a true hidden gem.