The 1970s was a great time for cop and detective TV shows. Between Columbo, The Streets Of San Francisco, Hawaii Five-O, and many others, viewers couldn't help but tune into lovable characters solving and fighting crime. Arguably, one of the best crime dramas of 1970s television is Starsky And Hutch.
The show, which ran from 1975-1979, is about David Starsky and Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson, two police detectives in California, and along with the help of their pal, Huggy Bear, and their boss, Captain Dobey, they go on all sorts of interesting cases filled with action. The detectives drive a 1974 Ford Gran Torino, and the car is almost as famous as the show itself. The series was so popular that Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson starred in a film adaptation of the series in 2004.
Hutchinson For Murder One (Season 3, Episode 18) - 8.1
Viewers get to meet Hutch's ex-wife in this episode. When she is murdered, Hutch becomes the prime suspect. After all, Hutch's gun is used as the murder weapon. Starsky and Hutch investigate in order to find the real killer and why Hutch's ex-wife was a target in the first place.
The episode is fun from beginning to end, and Hutch's personal connection to the case makes the episode even more interesting. Viewers cannot help but feel intrigued throughout the investigation and the details begin to unfold.
Murder At Sea: Part 2 (Season 2, Episode 4) - 8.1
Part 2 in this fun two-part episode continues Starsky and Hutch's investigation aboard a cruise ship where they go undercover as crewmembers in charge of the fun activities. It is a very fun episode, and the cruise setting adds to the charm and interesting elements that make this episode so good.
The chemistry between the two leads is evident, and their performances make this episode stick out. It is an exciting conclusion to an exciting two-part story.
The Specialist (Season 2, Episode 8) - 8.1
When two cops, along with Starsky and Hutch, chase down some criminals, an innocent woman is accidentally shot and killed. When the two cops involved are later killed, Starsky and Hutch realize someone is out for revenge over the woman's death. They try to track down the killer before they are next.
This episode is an exciting action-thriller. It is an episode that represents the well-written crime drama this series is. The story is interesting, the villain is great, and the action sequences are entertaining.
Deckwatch (Season 3, Episode 22) - 8.1
The final episode of the third season ends on a high note. It is a fantastic episode in the series. When a serial killer targeting prostitutes is injured, he takes Hutch's friend and her mother hostage in their home. Hutch goes undercover as a paramedic in order to get inside the house and save the two women.
The episode will put viewers on the edge of their seats the whole time, and the fact that almost the whole episode takes place in this one house makes everything seem secluded and adds to the atmosphere the episode is trying to create.
Starsky's Lady (Season 2, Episode 19) - 8.1
This is considered one of the saddest episodes in the series. When a villain wants revenge on Starsky, he shoots Starsky's girlfriend. A fragment is lodged in her brain and the chances of her surviving are incredibly slim.
While seeking the man who shot her, Starsky tries to spend as much time with his girlfriend as possible throughout the episode before she dies. Her death is tragic, and the final scene where Starsky and Hutch read a letter she wrote to them before she died is sure to tug at viewers' heartstrings.
Starsky And Hutch Are Guilty (Season 2, Episode 25) - 8.2
The second season of this beloved show ends on a high note with this episode. Two people hired to look very much like Starsky and Hutch terrorize the city. The real Starsky and Hutch must investigate and clear their names before their badges are revoked.
It is a very fun episode, and since their jobs are on the line, the stakes are high, adding to the entertainment provided with this episode. The second season is a favorite among many fans of the show, and this episode is definitely an example of a good episode that represents the season.
Nightmare (Season 2, Episode 11) - 8.2
This serious, dark episode is definitely ahead of its time. When Lisa, a teenage girl who is mentally challenged, is sexually assaulted by two thugs, she goes to the police.
However, her case is dropped because they do not know if they should trust her side of the story. Lisa is friends with Starsky and Hutch, and they try to do everything they can to put the men behind bars. This is a fantastic, well-written episode featuring a serious subject matter.
The Set-Up: Part 2 (Season 2, Episode 17) - 8.3
Part two in this epic two-parter continues the story set up in the first part. A man named Terry Nash continues his investigation with Starsky and Hutch. Nothing Terry remembers about his past is supposedly real.
They all work together to unravel the conspiracy. The mystery aspects of this episode are very interesting, and it is definitely a great, satisfying conclusion for those that enjoyed part one. It is very well-written, and is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The Set-Up: Part 1 (Season 2, Episode 16) - 8.4
Part one in this fantastic two-parter sets up everything for this great story. When a man, Terry Nash, kills a mobster, he is not sorry about what he did because he claims the mobster murdered his wife. However, when Starsky and Hutch check him out, they find that Terry Nash and his wife apparently do not even exist.
Terry Nash takes Starsky and Hutch to all the places he remembers, but nothing is as it seems. Someone is covering everything up, and Starsky and Hutch must figure out what is going on. It is an intriguing story, and viewers cannot help but want the mystery to be solved just as much as Starsky and Hutch themselves.
A Coffin For Starsky (Season 1, Episode 21) - 8.4
When Starsky is drugged, he is given only 24 hours to live. He and Hutch race against time to find out who drugged him and get the antidote before Starsky ends up dead.
This is an exciting episode with wonderful moments highlighting the chemistry between the two leads. There are cool action sequences and great villains involved. This is one of the best episodes of the series, and it is definitely a highlight of the first season.