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!