2nd ANNIVERSARY : STAFF PICKS

JOHNNY DURRELL'S TOP FIVE T.J. HOOKER EPISODES

5. Ep. 2.23 - Raw Deal
Many people only remember T.J. Hooker because of Hooker's amazing physical feats. In fact, they became something of a trademark for the show (Saturday Night Live even parodied the series by having Shatner spend the entire sketch on the hood of a car). Yet no episode offers more primal Hooker bravado than "Raw Deal", as our hero battles his nemesis, played by NFL-great Jim Brown, while dangling from a helicopter! That climax alone is enough to place it in the rarefied air of superior episodes, but what propels it into the stratosphere are the details: the intricate plot of compulsive gamblers being forced into drug trafficking, Romano's goofy office pool, and of course Hooker's simmering passion for the alluring Nancy Winters (Cristina Raines).

4. Ep. 2.12 -The Survival Syndrome
"Deal with it! You're going through the Survival Syndrome!" "All right! I'm afraid to die!!" Hooker's visceral exchange with Romano is just one of the brilliant dramatic moments in an episode chock full of emotion, conflict and ultimately, redemption. With his tragic breakdown and triumphant comeback, Romano carries "The Survival Syndrome"–at least until Hooker steals the show with the unforgettable interrogation sequence. "Put the tape on record," he tells the would-be informant, "because one day, you'll want to hit rewind, and playback." Believe me, Hooker, I already have.

3. Ep. 3.28 - The Return
While I can't match the unbridled enthusiasm that 4Adam30 has for this episode, to ignore it would be criminal. Besides, it's the episode that gave me my handle. As Hooker embarks on his obsessive mission to track down the killer of his partner, Johnny Durrell, Shatner is given ample opportunity to do what he does best: chew scenery like it was beef jerky. It also provides a rare glimpse of Hooker's vulnerability. Seeing the squalor of Hooker's Safari Inn home reveals just how lonely and bitter a life behind the badge can be.

2. Ep. 4.52 - Hot Pursuit
What if I told you this episode featured both Romano and Corrigan rebuking Hooker for his handling of a case? Sounds intriguing, no? What if I were to mention that it also contains such series staples as an old buddy of Hooker who is nearing retirement, an old flame of Hooker who figures in the case, the brass cracking down on Hooker, a pair of two-dimensional villains who call themselves "Bonnie & Clyde", and Romano getting injured? Now before you answer, let me also inform you that "Hot Pursuit" includes the priceless scene of an angry citizen throwing a drink in Hooker's face! What would you say to that? I say: "Hot Pursuit" is a certifiable classic.

And the top T.J. Hooker episode according to Johnny Durrell is...

1. Ep. 2.11 - Terror at the Academy
I defy anyone to watch this episode and not immediately place it in the pantheon of T.J. Hooker excellence. So many wonderful things abound in "Terror at the Academy" that it could warrant its own essay. Let me instead dwell on just a couple of them. With several scenes of Hooker instructing the LCPD cadets, this episode is perhaps the best at portraying Hooker as a teacher, which, after all, was the series' original premise. As a result, Hooker is granted an outlet for his relentless righteousness–one of the best traits of the character. We get quiet moments where Hooker (abetted by Fran) lectures Romano on what makes a good cop. And we get a healthy dose of pious rage when he pulls out all the cliches in assessing the villain, using "maggot", "stench" and "scum" all in one sentence. This is elemental Hooker. This is why we watch. No other explanation seems necessary..

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