Hill Street Blues (TV Series) Fathers and Guns (1986) User Reviews

Poignant episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 27 May 2021]

Furillo (powerful work from Daniel J. Travanti has his conscience tied into knots after he discovers that his father's sudden death was a suicide. Belker (an excellent Bruce Weitz) has an unsettling nightmare about nuclear annihilation.

This episode packs a potent emotional gut punch thanks to Furillo having trouble grieving over the abrupt passing of his distant and disapproving dad and subsequent decision to cover up his father's suicide. The alarming nightmare Belker has opens the episode on a startling note. Hunter (sturdy James Sikking) has an amusing moment in which he attempts to comfort Belker in the men's room. Moreover, there's also a strong subplot concerning an abandoned baby that's found by Belker; David Harris contributes a strong turn as the baby's distraught father. And this episode concludes on a moving note with Furillo remembering his happy father holding him as a little boy.

Death Deals a Hand

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 4 August 2021]

Perhaps the pivotal event of this episode is the death of Frank's father due to suspicious circumstances. Religious and financial implications come into play, not to mention Frank's strained relationship with his father. It asks him to put aside some of his ethical beliefs. A second issue has to do with the resurfacing of the parking lot and an annoyed Korean restaurant owner who is losing business because of it. J. D. Has his car towed and vows revenge on the guy. It's his usual insensitivity that comes to the fore. Belker goes into a tenement where an infant has been left alone. He puts the baby in his car and then foolishly chases a bad guy. Of course, his car is stole along with the baby and more weird stuff happens. The last minute is quite interesting as well.