Network: ABC
Episodes: 20 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: November 13, 1981 — April 16, 1982
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Robert Stack, Dorian Harewood, Richard Romanus, Michael Goodwin, Trisha Noble, and Herb Edelman.
TV show description:
After five brutal and mysterious decapitations, the Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Highway Patrol pull together their best members to form a permanent special “strike force.”
Captain Frank Murphy (Robert Stack) is the leader of the elite group of specialized detectives and police officers. The team takes on only one crime at a time, those that are too tough for regular law enforcement.
Though the program was considered very violent for its day, the tone was lightened by the inclusion of various personal stories and bits of humor.
Murphy is recently divorced and is stuck with a house that was painted pink by his ex-wife. His favorite food is chili dogs and his constant nemesis is the soda machine in the squad room. Sgt. Rosie Johnson (Trisha Noble) became a police officer after her husband went missing in Vietnam and enjoys making jokes about her bust size.
Others on the special team include Detective Paul Strobber (Dorian Harewood), Detective Mark Osborn (Michael Goodwin), and Lieutenant Charlie Gunzer (Richard Romanus). They are overseen by Deputy Commissioner Herbert Klein (Herb Edelman).
Episode 20 — Death Fire
A policeman’s widow is terrorized by phone calls from a man who claims to be her husband trying to avenge his own “death.”
First aired: April 16, 1982.
Behind the Scenes
This series was very popular at the start of its run but viewership dwindled downward so low that the show was ultimately cancelled.