The Equalizer - Season One

The Equalizer, with its distinctive theme song, written by Stewart Copeland, founder and drummer of The Police, premiered in September of 1985. It was, almost certainly, one of the better shows to come out of the 1980s. The gritty, "street-smart" aura of the series, which ran for four seasons, in many ways encapsulated the "pulse" or the "feel" of life in New York City during this seminal decade. This said, those watching the show today will be impressed by how well it holds up and remains contemporary more than 20 years on.

Edward Woodward's "made-for-the role" presence as retired Cold War operative Robert McCall, "The Equalizer," infused a razor-sharp energy into the series, complemented by a regular supporting cast that included Robert Lansing as "Control," Keith Szarabajka as Mickey Kostmayer, Mark Margolis as Jimmy, William Zabka as son Scott McCall, and Richard Jordan as Harley Gage.

Many other well-known actors also made guest appearances on the show, including Jerry Stiller, Vincent D'Onofrio, Robert Mitchum, Adam Ant, Christian Slater, John Polito, Macauley Culkin, Melissa Sue Anderson, Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys, John Goodman, Laurence Fishburne, David Alan Grier, Michael Moriarty, Tony Shalhoub, Roma Maffia, Telly Savalas, Steve Buscemi, Kim Delaney, Sylvia Sidney, Quentin Crisp, Anthony Zerbe, Joe Morton, Lori Petty, Luis Guzman, Robert Davi, William Atherton, Frances Fisher, Patricia Clarkson, Dann Florek, Laurie Metcalf, Bradley Whitford, Ray Sharkey, Dana Barron, Jasmine Guy, Austin Pendleton, Saul Rubinek, Joe Maruzzo, Robert Joy, Burt Young, Mark Linn-Baker, Lauren Tom, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Alex Winter, Meat Loaf, David Leisure, Christine Baranski, Charles Dutton, Dan Hedaya, Tovah Feldshuh, Marisa Berenson, Brad Dourif, Melissa Joan Hart, James Eckhouse and more.

The DVD set offers Season One's episodes, listed below, as well as commentary by the show's creator, Michael Sloan, and a bonus preview episode for Season Two entitled "Beyond Control."

1-01 Pilot Episode
1-02 China Rain
1-03 The Defector
1-04 The Lock Box
1-05 Lady Cop
1-06 The Confirmation Day
1-07 The Children's Song
1-08 The Distant Fire
1-09 Mama's Boy
1-10 Bump and Run
1-11 Desperately
1-12 Reign of Terror
1-13 Back Home
1-14 Out of the Past
1-15 Dead Drop
1-16 Wash Up
1-17 Torn
1-18 Unnatural Causes
1-19 Breakpoint
1-20 No Conscience
1-21 Unpunished Crimes
1-22 Pretenders

A new film re-make of "The Equalizer" is also being planned, with an anticipated release in 2009.

So.... "Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer." Or, at least pop in a DVD, pull up a chair or flop on the couch and watch some great TV!

May 2012 Addendum: Season 2 of THE EQUALIZER was released in Europe in March 2012, and Season 3 is scheduled to be released there in June 2012. Still no information on any releases of these seasons in the United States. Hopefully that will happen soon!

To Europeans and foreign film fans, Edward Woodward will always be remembered for playing the title role in "Breaker Morant." But to American television watchers, he will be remembered for playing Robert McCall, the wily and dangerous ex-covert operative in "The Equalizer."

McCall is a former CIA-type (and at least one episode hints at him being a former mercenary) who has devoted all he has to his career, losing his marriage and distancing himself from his young son in the process. He decides to quit the espionage business and work as a vigilante, helping people in distress. His occasional accomplice is Mickey Kostmayer, another covert operator and former Navy SEAL.

At one time or another, Woodward conveyed every emotion in the book playing McCall- menace, savagery, fear, doubt, loneliness, sadness, humor, joy, etc... The Elizabethan-trained actor had the talent to play such a complex role, and he did to the hilt, and the great supporting cast and numerous guest stars did nothing to hurt the appeal or attractiveness of the series.

Having The Equalizer come out on DVD whets one's appetite for the planned feature film, but whoever plays Robert McCall will have large shoes to fill, and many great memories to overcome.

As one of the writers and producers of The Equalizer, I'm very happy that what we did is finally coming out on DVD. The only sad note is that my friend, the legendary Jim McAdams, Executive Producer of the series, passed away in September of 07 and never saw it happen.

Coleman Luck

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