Huggy Can't Go Home

DVD, Starsky & Hutch S4 (Huggy Can't Go Home)

You can see some definite improvement on David Soul's direction of this episode. He's starting to show that he realises the directing, for the most part, should be invisible, and concentrates more on telling the story. Paul Michael Glaser had continued to create 'visual artistry' rather than the kind of grounded, solid storytelling on show here. It also showed more that Hutch was as involved as Starsky in the episode, where sometimes they've kept the focus on the other actor so he can concentrate on directing. It helps that we finally get another Huggy episode, the first episode focused on him as the lead since 'Huggy Bear and The Turkey', and that was done with pilot potential in mind. Putting him at odds with his police pals makes for good drama, although the repercussions are glossed over, and they're back to laughing together at the end.

It's a shame no arcs were brought in, or characters actions returning to give some continuity. Even so this does stand out as different, with an original song playing over scenes of Huggy walking through his old neighbourhood, which is very effective in setting the mood. It's quite strange to see the Bear out on the street again, playing detective, but also heavy. Shocking to see him threaten Big Red so violently. But it shows his loyalty, and JT was another really good character that should have come back.

Just for trivia sake: I noticed the sign on the door of the cafe said closed on both sides when a character walks out near the beginning.

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