Hill Street Blues (TV Series) Presidential Fever (1981) User Reviews

Another solid episode of this groundbreaking series.

[Hey_Sweden · 8/10 · 2 December 2019]

Lt. Frank Furillo once again has a lot of things to deal with. Making the first of her appearances is Grace Gardner (pretty character actress Barbara Babcock), who is on a mission to make the station house more aesthetically pleasing. Officers Renko and Hill are not getting along after surviving that shooting in the pilot episode. Two officers (Mark "Neidermeyer" Metcalf and Steven Bauer) intend to dish out some vigilante justice after being embarrassed on the job. Frank is having some problems with his ongoing relationship with public defender Joyce Davenport. And, most importantly, the President of the United States intends to visit the precinct, and Goldblume comes up with the bright idea to hold a "summit meeting" with local gang leaders and crime figures to tell them to be on their best behaviour.

The various subplots help to make the overall storytelling quite compelling, as usual. The first-rate cast is just a pleasure to watch, with Michael Warren and Charles Haid truly commanding ones' attention during their big confrontation scene. And the serious and poignant details are always counterbalanced with some humorous touches, like the scenes with the priceless Detective Belker. (Bruce Weitz is such a hoot in the role). Belker is out to nab the rapists that have been terrorizing St. James Park. Fay makes another of her outbursts while confronting Frank with the realities of her post-divorce life. But, through it all, Frank does an admirable job of keeping his cool and simply doing the best he can in any given situation.

There is fun in spotting familiar faces in small, pre-stardom roles: David Caruso as the leader of an Irish gang, and Merritt Butrick (Kirks' son in two of the "Star Trek" feature films) as an under-age rapist whom Belker fears will get away with his crimes.

Eight out of 10.

Good episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 29 July 2010]

Captain Frank Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti, excellent as usual) summons the leaders of various street gangs in an attempt to ensure their peaceful cooperation during a visit from the President of the United States. Hill and Renk return to work after recovering from their severe wounds in the hospital. Esterhaus (superbly played by Michael Conrad) meets his match in the form of feisty and fetching decorator Grace Gardner (the delightful Barbara Babcock). Belker (finely essayed with growly gusto by Bruce Weitz) busts a couple of rapists. This episode is notable for the introduction of Gardner, who makes for a fine foil for Esterhaus (their verbal sparring scenes are priceless). Esterhaus also gets to show his warm and understanding avuncular side while Hunter (James B. Sikking in deliciously deadpan form) has a funny moment when he karate chops a bathroom stall door. Michael Warren as Hill and Charles Haid as Renko have a strong scene talking about how they're still scared after being shot and how they didn't talk to each other while recovering from their wounds; this stuff is handled in an admirably realistic and unsentimental way. Betty Thomas as tough cookie Lucy Bates gets a little more to do. Moreover, the delineation between cops and gangs is neatly drawn here when Furillo stops his men from engaging in some off duty "softball" practice. Popping up in nifty guest roles are Merritt Butrick (Captain Kirk's son in the second and third "Star Trek" movies) as one of the rapists, Trinidad Silva as formidable street gang leader Martinez, Steven Bauer and Mark Metcalf (Neidermeyer in "Animal House"!) as a couple of brash rookie cops, and a pre-stardom David Caruso as Irish street gang leader Tommy Mann.

Familiar

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 4 July 2021]

Little commentary. Since I watched the Pilot, I already saw the entire episode. I have no criticisms; it's just that I wish I had done something else. For me, Episode 3 will now continue the series.

"Presidential Fever" has a lot of fine firsts as the second ep of "Hill Street Blues"

[tavm · 10/10 · 5 April 2018]

With Steven Bochco's passing, I thought I'd start watching the TV show that initially gave him his reputation for making excellent dramas. This second ep brought a lot of "firsts" like: The first time a reference to something in a previous one was addressed, in this case, Hill and Renko's confrontation with each other about their being shot and their not communicating during their recovery weeks before their return. First time Chief Daniels, Furillo's superior, is mentioned. First time we see Joyce Davenport call Frank "Pizza Man". First appearance of Grace Gardner-who had known Frank through her late husband-as well as her first meeting with Sgt. Phil Esterhaus. And this marked the first appearance of one David Caruso-yes, the future star of Bochco's "NYPD Blue"-as the leader of the Shamrock gang. This ep mainly concerns planning a visit by the President of the United States and the attempts to bring order to the precinct during his two-hour meeting. Creators Bochco and Michael Kozoll fill the hour with both fine drama and good humor. So that's a high recommendation of "Presidential Fever".