The Equalizer (TV Series) Breakpoint (1986) User Reviews

McCall is McClane!

[martinji · 8/10 · 29 July 2009]

One of the better Equalizer episodes, this is almost a forerunner of Die Hard as McCall is trapped in a building with a group of ruthless terrorists who have no idea of his operative background, trying to ensure the safety of the innocents trapped with him. There is genuine tension as the leader of the terrorists (Shalhoub) is shown to be unpredictable, one minute kind and considerate, the next a cold blooded killer; and while we know McCall will be OK, we have no idea about the others. This episode also serves to show how ruthless McCall himself can be to protect those he loves.

The only drawback to the episode is the fatuous and unnecessary inclusion of Kostmeyer popping up to make a crucial last shot at the end (which would be another Die Hard parallel if it had anything like the same meaning).

Gritty foreshadowing of the next few decades.

[FieldCannotBeLeftBlank · 8/10 · 24 January 2022]

Sure terrorism was nothing new when this episode was made, but this gritty episode portrays scenes that would become increasingly familiar. A wedding reception at a big hotel is interrupted when terrorists trying to flee with a captive get trapped in the building and have to take more hostages.

This episode doesn't pull any punches and has a reasonable go at portraying the realities of these situations. One thing the Tangos haven't counted on is that The Equalizer is a guest at the wedding. Some scenes are a little bit far-fetched but are saved, as always, by Woodward's earnest and believable acting, even if it is hard to believe someone can die instantly from a 1/4 inch screw to the chin, or from having a silk tie held almost casually around his throat for about 5 seconds.

Despite its minor flaws it's still great drama, action and the usual moral concepts with a healthy dash of retributive justice thrown in.