Hill Street Blues (TV Series) Here's Adventure, Here's Romance (1983) User Reviews

Excellent opener for the fourth season

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 5 January 2016]

Off duty detective Art Bradley (a fine and dignified performance Lawrence Pressman) is reluctant to come forward after witnessing a shooting in a gay bar because he's a closeted homosexual with a wife and kids. A crazy guy (a hilariously flamboyant portrayal by Martin Ferrero) who thinks he's the Cisco Kid gets arrested twice for causing a public disturbance.

The delicate subject matter of homosexuality gets treated with this show's trademark intelligence and sensitivity while the subplot about the Cisco Kid character proves to be a prime source of solid belly laughs. Moreover, this episode brings up some interesting points about police protecting their own versus adhering to doing their job by the book after LaRue (a sturdy Kiel Martin) and Washington (a equally solid Taureen Blacque) bend the rules in an attempt to keep Bradley's homosexuality a secret. In addition, this episode further benefits from bang-up guest contributions from Tracey Walter as wormy thief Willie, Eugene Butler as slimy perp Vincent, and, in an especially funny bit, Nic Savage as the pickpocket, who gives Belker (essayed with customary growly gusto by Bruce Weitz) some sound advice to tell his mother on how to stay cool during a fierce heatwave. A worthy show.

Seemed Shocking at the Time

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 17 July 2021]

Homosexuality becomes the critical issue in this episode. Laurence Pressman is gay with a conventional (for the time) family. He has witnessed a brutal murder at a gay bar but can't report that he recognized the guy. Guilt finally gets him to J. D., Belker, and Washington. They are surprised but swear to figure out a way to keep his presence in the bar out of it. They are unable to play the system successfully. Meanwhile, a man claiming to be Duncan Reynoldo, the Cisco Kid, steals a horse and goes about his business. There are other issues involving the intense heat.

A superb beginning to the fourth season.

[Hey_Sweden · 8/10 · 19 November 2023]

A shootout occurs at a gay bar in the neighborhood, leading to several deaths. Unfortunately for the perp (Eugene Butler, "A Force of One"), the key witness is a guy he knows: off-duty cop Art Bradley (Lawrence Pressman, "Shaft"). But although Bradley can give a detailed description of the guy, he's afraid to come forward for fear that his homosexuality will become public knowledge. An eccentric character (Martin Ferrero, "Jurassic Park") who genuinely believes himself to be actor Duncan Renaldo, a.k.a. The Cisco Kid, causes a disturbance twice with his theft of a horse. And Fay, her pregnancy now quite visible, fears going through it alone until Henry volunteers to help her with the delivery.

Once again, 'Hill Street Blues' handles real-life issues with some sensitivity and poignancy, treating Art with a respectful degree of sympathy. We see J. D. and Neal get into quite a bit of trouble as they make shifty moves (utilizing weaselly character Willie Laporter (Tracey Walter, "Batman") in the process) in order to cover for Art. As for "Renaldo", Ferrero is hilarious in the role, never really breaking character; his scenes add a good comic touch to the episode. Adding tension is the fact that everybody's nerves are on edge; the power in the neighborhood keeps going out - and this is during a particularly hot day. Also worth noting is Andy's handling of a confrontation between a store owner (Keone Young, 'Deadwood') and a customer, although the two of them go right back at it once Andy & Bobby leave the scene.

Wonderfully acted by all concerned, this top-notch episode is a perfect combination of humor & drama that was typical for the series.

Of course, you can't go wrong with any episode opening with a typical Belker / Pickpocket (Nick Savage) sequence. This time, Pickpocket was stealing musical instruments, and gives his name as Jimmy Dorsey.

Eight out of 10.