Spenser: For Hire

Spenser: For Hire is a mystery television series based on Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels. The series, developed for TV by John Wilder and starring Robert Urich, was broadcast on the ABC network between September 20, 1985, and May 7, 1988. Like many TV detective series and the Spenser novels themselves, the show uses first person voice-over.

Production

The series ran on ABC from September 20, 1985, to May 7, 1988. Despite frequent time slot changes and occasional pre-emptions, the show garnered decent ratings. Location shooting ultimately led to the show's demise, with costs being cited as one of the main reasons why ABC cancelled it. Filmed largely in Boston, which was considered one of the show's strong points, it featured shots from many locations, even showing the harsh winters there (notably in the pilot). The show's music was produced by Steve Dorff and Larry Herbstritt.

Characters

Spenser

Spenser is the only name used for this character throughout the show. While it is clear in the novel that Spenser is the character's last name, this is never made clear during the show. According to a popular rumor, Parker was going to name the character David, after one of his sons, but changed his mind out of consideration for his other son, Daniel.^[1] In "An Eye For An Eye," Spenser quotes 16th-century poet Edmund Spenser, who may be the inspiration for the name since the spelling is identical. When introducing himself, he often says "Spenser with an 'S', like the poet." Spenser is surprisingly sophisticated for a private eye and former boxer. In "The Choice", it is revealed that Spenser fared poorly in a professional fight 12 years ago, which might have contributed to him leaving the profession. However, he still boxes and exercises at Henry Cimoli's Gym. He is well-read, often quoting poetry in everyday conversation. He is also an excellent cook, often making recipes he picks up from watching Julia Child on his kitchen counter television.

Spenser lives in Boston and, like many detectives on TV, drives distinctive cars. His first is a mildly-worn out, ivy green '66 Ford Mustang (possibly a nod to Steve McQueen's Mustang in Bullitt) which is destroyed in the beginning of the second season. It is succeeded by a new 1987 Mustang 5.0 GT which, five episodes later, is traded for a perfectly restored 1966 Mustang GT which gets banged up over the remaining run of the show. In the show Spenser carries a Beretta 9mm pistolwhereas in the books his weapon of choice is a Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistol along with a 38 cal. snubnosed revolver for casual carry. In the novels, Spenser had served as an infantryman in the 1st Infantry Division during the Korean War. However, the television version of the character was younger than his literary counterpart, and acknowledged being a veteran of the Vietnam War in the series' pilot episode. Spenser was also a former member of the Boston police force and occasionally cooperates with the BPD in the series. In "Children of the Tempest Storm", Ms. Silverman reveals that she is pregnant with Spenser's child. The word abortion comes up when talking with her doctor, and is discussed throughout the episode, though often not using the word. Susan and Spenser discuss the issue and are at odds over the moral dilemma before them. Spenser, a Catholic, does not know if he can stay with Susan, though he loves her deeply, if she aborts. He believes it is only for her convenience that she would choose abortion. In the end, she has the abortion, and he brings her flowers. They silently affirm that the relationship will continue. After Susan leaves the show, ADA Rita Fiore becomes Spenser's love interest during the second season, but they do not seem to develop the personal bond that was apparent with Silverman.

After his first place of business goes up in flames, Spenser moves into a "firehouse", given to him by grateful local firefighters for saving the life of a firefighter at his first place of business. It is situated on the corner of River Street, near Mt. Vernon Square and Beacon Hill. In the second season, we find that the Fire Department took the station back as they needed it and Spenser finds himself in a small top floor apartment in Charlestown, near the old Boston Navy Yard which he now uses as his office.

Hawk

Hawk is the street-wise black kid who grew up to become a smartly dressed enforcer. Though he is for hire, he has a code of ethics and generally works on the side of good. In the pilot episode ("Promised Land"), he and Spenser obviously have respect for each other, and he switches over from King Powers' (Chuck Connors) side to Spenser's side when he does not like the way Powers is doing things. Hawk carries a Smith &Wesson 9mm as his weapon of choice.

Lt. Quirk

Lt. Quirk and Spenser have an uneasy relationship but often work together. In the episode "Heart of the Matter", Quirk suffers an angina attack and reluctantly accepts the fact that he must retire after 35 years on the force. Belson, having passed the lieutenant's exam three years previously, had expected to move up, especially after being recommended by Quirk for the job. But it is said there was no money for a promotion so they draft in a Lieutenant from Lincoln Heights.

Lt. Nick Webster

Lt. Nick Webster is hard-nosed from day one and the first thing he does is order Spenser out of the station.

Robert Urich (right) as Spenser, Avery Brooks as Hawk

Episodes

The series consisted of three seasons (1985–1988) with a total of 66 episodes, and was followed by four made-for-TV movies (1993–1995).

DVD releases

On June 28, 2005, Rykodisc released the four TV movies on DVD that were made following the cancellation of the weekly series.^[2] In 2007, Rykodisc re-released each of the four TV movies in separate collections.^[3]

On August 26, 2014, Warner Bros. released the first season on DVD via their Warner Archive Collection. This is a manufacture-on-demand (MOD) release, available through Warner's online store and Amazon.com. Warner's website explains that the initial disc run was pressed traditionally "to meet expected high consumer demand".^[4] The second season was released on May 12, 2015.^[5] The third and last season was released on September 1, 2015.

Spin-offs and remakes

In 1989, after the show ended, Brooks starred in his own spin-off series, A Man Called Hawk.

In an April 23, 2009, blog entry Robert Parker stated that he was in talks with TNT to produce a remake of the series.^[6] However, Parker died in 2010 before these plans could take place.

References

External links

• Spenser: For Hire on IMDb