Spenser: For Hire: The Complete Series DVD Review (Warner Bros.)

Spenser: For Hire is a 1985 television series created, co-written, and executive produced by John Wilder (The Streets of San Francisco, The Yellow Rose, Return to Lonesome Dove, Tales of the Unexpected, and Centennial). It was directed by Winrich Kolbe (Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Star Trek franchise, Knight Rider, In the Heat of the Night, A Man Called Hawk, and Magnum P.I.), Virgil W. Vogel (Miami Vice, The Young Riders, A Man Called Hawk, The F.B.I., Airwolf, The Streets of San Francisco, and The Big Valley), David Whorf (Cannon and The Streets of San Francisco), William Wiard (Bonanza and M*A*S*H), Richard A. Colla (Fuzz and Battlestar Galactica), Bill Duke (Deep Cover, A Rage in Harlem, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and Hoodlum), and many others. It’s based on the book series written by author Robert B. Parker. It was executive produced by William Robert Yates (The Force of Evil, A Man Called Hawk, The Magical World of Disney, Tales of the Unexpected, Amy, and The Streets of San Francisco). They made a television series spin-off in 1982 for A Man Called Hawk. Plus it was followed by these TV movies which includes Spenser: Ceremony, Spenser: Pale Kings and Princes, Spenser: The Judas Goat, and Spenser: A Savage Place. It was remade with Spenser: Small Vices, Thin Air, Walking Shadow, and Spenser Confidential. Spenser (played by: Robert Urich from the Spenser franchise, The Ice Pirates, S.W.A.T., Killdozer, The Lazarus Man, Magnum Force, Endangered Species, and Lonesome Dove) is cut from a very different cloth than the usual round of typical detectives on the streets. He’s a true renaissance man who isn’t afraid to mix up a gourmet salad or just mix it up in life in general. Full-time bookworm and former boxer, the stylish Spenser drives a classic Mustang that calls out his own sense of time and place. He has a yearning for a simpler time of ethics and standards that displays an appreciation of the best of the past in the present. Always keeping Spenser in touch with his complex inner life is his psychologist soulmate Susan (played by: Barbara Stock from Dallas, Seinfeld, Knight Rider, The Twilight Zone, Murder She Wrote, and Port Charles) and the street-savvy Hawk (played by: Avery Brooks from A Man Called Hawk, Spenser franchise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Big Hit, 15 Minutes, and American History X) who guides the private detective safely through all of Boston’s labyrinthine underworld!!!! Spenser: For Hire tackles the private investigator television concept and it’s actually better than the more popular Magnum P.I. but it’s kinda been forgotten at this point. Mark Wahlberg did a Netflix movie “Spenser Confidential” in 2020 based on the same character so it’s still relevant. This was a popular late night option on ABC. I thought it was interesting that they skipped all the way to the 4th book in the series for it’s pilot episode. Lead actor Robert Urich as Spenser is a former police officer that becomes a skilled private investigator that deals with various complicated cases that really tests his talents. He has been a boxer and he’s known as a chef in the kitchen so he has different advantages compared to most. He goes by his own code and set of rules. He’s highly intelligent and his reputation is like not anyone else when it comes to his profession. Avery Brooks as Hawk consistently steals the show in Spenser: For Hire. He’s the tough partner and real muscle for Spenser. He knows the people and he’s able to get into places that others can’t. The strong chemistry between these two really elevate this television show. Barbara Stock as Susan is the love interest and helpful resources for the duo. She’s more than a pretty face, she knows how to get inside the mind of people with ease. You really get to know more about her in the episode “When Silence Speaks”. It’s an interesting role thrown in this wild mix of mystery. The impressive supporting cast includes Ron McLarty (Rescue Me), Richard Jaeckel (The Dirty Dozen), Carolyn McCormick (Law and Order), William H. Macy (Fargo), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), Frances McDormand (Fargo), Brad Dourif (Child’s Play franchise), Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix franchise), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Richard Jenkins (Step Brothers), Patricia Clarkson (The Green Mile), Tom Atkins (Night of the Creeps), Stephen McHattie (Watchmen), Melissa Leo (Homicide: Life on the Street), Dylan Baker (Trick ‘r Treat), Nancy Travis (So I Married an Axe Murderer), Kenneth Welsh (Twin Peaks), Marg Helgenberger (C.S.I), Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series), J.T. Walsh (Breakdown), Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day), John C. McGinley (Point Break), Ed O’Neill (Married with Children), Danielle Harris (Halloween franchise), E.G. Marshall (Creepshow), Tony Shalhoub (Monk), David Margulies (Ghostbusters franchise), Eddie Jones (Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman), James Rebhorn (The Game), Richard Backus (Deathdream), David Patrick Kelly (The Warriors), Chuck Connors (Tourist Trap), Jamey Sheridan (The Stand), Dick Durock (Swamp Thing franchise), Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction), Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction), Angela Bassett (Black Panther franchise), and Daniel von Bargen (Lord of Illusions). Spenser: For Hire is packed with sharp dialogue, mystery, drama, action, and some comedy thrown in the mix for good measure. I really liked how the “No Room At the Inn” had a heavy Bullitt influence to it. “The Choice” episode had a horror and psychological thriller vibe to it. “Rage” was another great one. I love how it wasn’t afraid to be cross the line and get extremely dark at times. I respected that it featured taboo and controversial stuff in the series despite being on a major channel. It’s currently streaming on Tubi if you want to watch it sometime. This is beyond underrated, it deserves more love so give it a shot. It’s a real shame that all of the direct follow up TV films were made by Lifetime so they couldn’t be included in this set. They were originally released on DVD but that’s long out of print and very expensive to purchase these days. These 480i (1.33:1) transfers on all 65 episodes are the same restorations as the previous DVD home video releases. It has English: Dolby Digital Mono for the first two seasons and English: Dolby Digital Stereo for it’s final third season on this 16 disc set. There’s no extras on this DVD set. It’s available everywhere right now including MovieZyng.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!