Wonderful character development!

Too much of everything

A Disappointing Continuation

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I'm not sure I ever saw the Starsky and Hutch pilot when it premiered in 1975, but I was a huge fan of the show in 1976 and 1977; my diary is filled with references to my favorite episodes. So, I tried to watch the pilot with fresh eyes and to be conscious of what would grab your attention in 1975, before you knew these characters at all. First, the banter between Starksy and Hutch keeps things moving and keeps them connected as the story moves along. I think they were channeling M*A*S*H a bit here, as it's the only show I can remember that does something similar with dialog. It's a serious job and trouble is always around the corner, but they can counter some that with a bit of humor and irony that only they are in on. Next, we have a team, partner cops. Most cop shows at the time were single player - Columbo. Kojak. Rockford, even Gunsmoke. The Starsky and Hutch pilot establishes them right away as a team, patrolling that beat together for at least three years. They don't always play by the rules, but they get the job done, even if it is a crazy, thankless job. And the only way they know how to do the job is together, depending on each other for everything, because no one else is a completely trusted commodity. You watch them puzzle out the situation; Hutch figures out "who", Starsky figures out "why". In the climatic scene, they run the stairs to catch the bad guys, separately but together, Starsky inside, Hutch outside, and in constant communication because when they work together, no one can beat them. And you, as a viewer, are (almost) included in their safe little circle of two. It's them (and you) against the world, and I think we've got this.The pilot has held up quite well after forty years. Except for the pay phones, walkie-talkies and clothes, it still looks real and goes together great. It's my goal to review every episode. I was pretty obsessed with the show as a love-sick teen, but now I can appreciate the subtleties, the really fine acting and the quality of the dialog. Onward and forward.

If only the subsequent episodes had been as good as the pilot. OK, the first season showed promise, but after that the series degenerated into a parody of itself. But the pilot for Starsky and Hutch was, at its time, the grittiest cop show that had been on TV (the pilot premiered as one of those ABC made-for-TV "Movies of the Week" during the 70s). This Starsky and Hutch is dark and violent, but not without a sense of humor. The dialog is above average, the story is actually pretty good, and Soul and Glaser both do a fine job as two tough plainclothes cops of the "cowboy" type that some big city departments have (as opposed to the standard suit-and-tie detectives). They're also believable as friends, and it's that chemistry that kept the show going even after the writers had long since run out of ideas. This pilot took it's cues from uber-violent 70s cop movies like Dirty Harry. To give you an idea, in the opening sequence you witness two hit men blow away two kids in a car..at point blank range. Even though it was the days before showing gore and blood splattering on TV was commonplace, that scene is disturbing. As things turn out, it looks like Starsky and Hutch were the actual targets. The two wade through the seedy streets (and the various shady characters and street stoolies) of the unnamed Southern California metropolis where they work, looking for answers as to who is trying to kill them and why.

This isn't any 70's cop show. It really shows how two very macho men can become the best of friends. Both Starsky and Hutch have the looks and the attitude to bring the "bad guys down". They display a great comfort in what they do. Starsky seems to be the innocent one, he's always out to have fun while doing his job. Glaser does a great job with the part. Hutch on the other hand usually is making sure Starsky is OK. Soul also does a wonderful job with the character of Hutch. There are some great episodes when you can really feel how much they care for one another and they would do anything for the other one. Both really show there emotion when they feel their pal is in trouble. The "Starsky Mobile" which is an awesome car to use in the show adds more excitement(with the burn-outs).I'm making this comment as a 16 yr old girl who loves the 70's and appreciates a great friendship.

I was a teenager when "Starsky and Hutch" first came on TV. It made a great impression on me at the time and remains one of my all-time favourite shows. Having recently revisited the series with its release on DVD, I can see it has dated a little but is still very watchable... and they say you should never go back for fear of disappointment. In my opinion, it is the closest thing to "Dirty Harry" that US TV had at the time; and probably since. Soul and Glazer still rock and Dave and Ken are still cool, while Starsky's Red Torino remains the dream car for the forty-something teenager. Hutch's frequently overlooked motor was a tan-coloured 1973 Ford Galaxie 500 4-door sedan, if anyone was wondering. Thought not!