Ep 9. Your Kind, My Kind, Humankind
- TV14
- February 28, 1981
- 49 min
-
6.5 (34)
In Hill Street Blues season 1 episode 9, titled "Your Kind, My Kind, Humankind," tensions rise between the Hill Street precinct and a nearby black neighborhood after a young black boy is killed during a police chase.
Captain Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti) is tasked with handling the fallout from the incident, as the community demands justice for the boy's death. He meets with local leaders, including Reverend Booker (Robert Hooks), who urges him to take swift action against the officers responsible for the chase.
Meanwhile, Officer Coffey (Ed Marinaro) is conflicted over his role in the chase, as he was one of the officers involved. He confides in his partner, Officer Bates (Betty Thomas), who struggles to understand his mixed feelings.
As tensions escalate between the police and the community, Officer Renko (Charles Haid) attempts to diffuse the situation by reaching out to the boy's grieving mother. He offers his condolences and tries to empathize with her pain, but she is understandably hostile towards him and the police in general.
Throughout the episode, the themes of racism and police brutality are explored in depth. The scene is set for a larger conversation as the show continues to explore these themes in subsequent episodes. The Hill Street Blues team does an excellent job of showcasing the complex dynamics at play when it comes to race and policing in America.
The tensions surrounding the boy's death come to a head at the end of the episode, as the community prepares to march on the precinct. It's a tense moment that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats and sets the stage for further exploration throughout the rest of the season.
Overall, Hill Street Blues season 1 episode 9 is a stirring piece of television that addresses important issues in a thoughtful and nuanced manner. It's a powerful reminder of the impact that police violence has on communities, and a call to action to do better. Fans of the show and those interested in social issues will find this episode to be a must-watch.
