Opinions

“Mother Minnie must have struck the missing chord.”

(Starsky vs. Hutch)

These sections are just what it sounds like. They are filled with nothing but speculation and the pure opinion of this compendium-er.

This means your mileage may vary. And widely.

Pure Opinion: Characters

“That’s refreshing: a cop that drinks on duty.”

(Losing Streak)

• Starsky treats Hutch badly (Black and Blue)
  —Starsky won’t “fill in” Hutch on the case.
  —Starsky won’t stay and talk to Hutch, but will talk to Mrs. Greene.
  —Starsky alludes to and calls Meredith “Partner.”
  —Starsky doesn’t thank Hutch for helping out in the end.
  —Starsky doesn’t recognize pain Hutch was in after checking himself out of hospital.
• Roger and Phil show what shits they really are (The Avenger)
  —Phil talks about his boring car.
  —Roger talks and brags about his boring job.
  —Phil agrees to some tea, but only if it doesn’t take too long.
  —Roger demands some coffee, saying is “the least” Monique can do.
  —Roger has sex with Monique and is ready to leave after less than 30 minutes after he gets there.
  —Phil can’t commit to even one more night.
  —Roger does something that makes Monique tell him she wants respect.
• Luke Huntley is unappealing (Birds of a Feather)
  —Luke has a huge ego, “Twenty-five years on the force and I got to diaper some punk?”
  —For all Hutch means to him, he hasn’t kept in touch.
  —Luke doesn’t get help from “appropriate channels,” and he makes really bad decisions.
  —Luke has an explosive temper.
  —He makes fun of Dobey’s weight, though he is egged on by Hutch.
  —Luke has no remorse what so ever about shooting Jimmy.
  —Luke drinks too much at The Pits, so much that Hutch has to chauffer him home in his own car.
  —He says he only cares about two things—Doris and revenge.
  —Luke takes advantage of Hutch and puts him in danger.
  —Luke tells Hutch all he wanted from Hutch “was to pick up the pieces.”
  —Luke wasn’t even smart enough to corner Reuben in a creative way.
  —Luke isn’t around enough to notice dearth in bank account or that his wife doesn’t have her wedding ring any more.
• Clues Terry Nash should have picked up on (The Set-Up)
  —Despite his weeks in the hospital, the fresh fruit on his dining room table looked fine.
  —There was no stack of mail or newspapers either at his door nor mentioned by the legitimate doorman.
  —Getting out of bed supposedly after two weeks isn’t a problem; he is out of that hospital in twenty minutes.
  —“Dr. Stegner’s” timing of when his dad died, how many times they moved…doesn’t add up.
  —Despite for being conscious and in bad shape, he has no medications or checkout procedures to follow.
  —He can’t seem to remember much about his past.
• Nick Starsky is bad news (Starsky’s Brother)
  —Nick doesn’t want to be known as a cop. He doesn’t like Starsky’s trick with Marlene.
  —Nick asks Starsky to flash his badge at security. He does it purely from laziness and assumption.
  —Nick schmoozes Dobey.
  —Nick slaps Starsky’s face a little too hard and unexpectedly; watch Starsky’s body language.
  —Nick goes shopping for duds right after he gets to Starsky’s apartment and spends too much money.
  —Starsky and Nick end up arguing in front of their dates, alienating them.
  —Starsky dances mainly to compete with Nick.
  —Nick and his date cut past Starsky and his date on the dance floor.
  —He won’t let Starsky host him, saying he’d “rather have a good time.”
  —Nick tries to take the bed.
  —He insults Starsky’s job, calling him a “head of lettuce.”
  —He sings the Beatles tune, “I’m a Loser,” with the lyrics, “I’m not what I appear to be… ” Indeed.
  —Nick won’t play the rhyming game with Huggy.
  —Nick is faintly disdainful of Huggy.
  —He complains about slow service at The Pits.
  —Nick calls Huggy “Garcon.”
  —Nick observes Starsky is tired, but doesn’t ask anything more. This pisses Starsky off.
  —He has thugs as role models.
  —Nick rationalizes his fencing as a Robin Hood move.
  —Nick has poor morals, he doesn’t care.
  —He doesn’t think pushing a “couple of kilos of weed” is that bad.
  —He disses California’s laws in front of Hutch, suggesting all he will get is a parking ticket for selling dope.
  —Nick only cares about having fun, not working that hard, having cash in his pocket, and making a fast buck.
  —He has a massive chip on his shoulder. He tells Starsky, “…You were never there for me.”
  —Nick lies to Starsky about seeing Stryker.
  —Nick lies to Starsky about staying out of trouble.
  —Nick hustles Huggy and Hutch in pool.
  —Nick doesn’t appear to reform. There is no mention of him feeling remorse about his Bay City disaster, only talk of him going back to his shiftless life.
• Dan Slate’s response to Leslie’s attack feels all wrong (Strange Justice)
  —He yells at the entire squad room about Leslie, in front of Leslie.
  —He tells Leslie he is glad her mother isn’t around to suffer more regarding the rape.
  —He gets after the “dummy” nurse for not having tissue.
  —He assures only vengeance, but nothing else.
  —He tells Biggs his daughter “was” a good girl.
• Cassie is an unpleasant young woman (Strange Justice)
  —She disses Lori.
  —She tells Lori the ending of her television show.
  —She doesn’t care if it is the “Birmingham Six” or the “Selma Six.”
  —She may have a point about violence and woman, but is shrill.
  —She won’t help Starsky and Hutch.
• Kate Larrabee is a spoiled brat (Cover Girl)
  —She would rather be dead than unattractive; she “can’t die that way.”
  —She has so many antiques in her garage, she can’t park her car in it.
  —She is snippy with her doctor.
  —She takes advantage of Hutch’s position.
  —She figured she live to 108 and look fabulous.
  —She involves other people in her “assisted suicide,” not thinking of how other people can get hurt.
  —She draws an answer out of Hutch, then calls it a “speech.”
  —Hutch tells her to stay, when he senses danger at the door, she moves up three times
  —Hutch tells her wise words, and she is embarrassed. Kate then plays the “please hold me” card.
  —Kate has the gumption to think she can control her demise.
• The car wash guy is bad news (The Psychic)
  —He micromanages.
  —He doesn’t do any work himself. He just tells other people to get busy.
  —He mispronounces “Mario” and “Pablo.” (Mary-O, Pay-Blow)
  —He lies to Starsky and Hutch.
  —He says Mexicans all look alike.
  —He doesn’t care about Julio.
  —Hutch can’t stand him.
• Belle Kates is a good person, despite her situation (The Hostages)
  —Sweet Alice likes Belle. She says Belle has “always been straight” with her.
  —Belle cooks a “mean pot of chili” and has “all the fixin’s”; she offers some to Ellie.
  —Belle asks Ellie how she is feeling and wants her to lie down.
  —Belle brings the phone to Ellie so she doesn’t have to get up.
• Artie Solkin has sex with the boys, as well as using them for thievery and violence (Vendetta)
  —Starsky refers to Artie as “Captain of the Belles,” “belles” being a slang word for a young, effeminate young male.
  —Hutch calls Artie, “Faygeleh,” Yiddish for “little bird.” It is also slang for a gay person.
  —Hutch refers to Tommy as Artie’s “boyfriend.”
  —Solkin sits on Tommy’s bed twice.
  —Solkin suggests Tommy is glad to see him home.
  —Tommy has a great fear of making Artie mad and has a great desire to make him happy.
  —Artie’s “employees” are all young boys of roughly the same age.
  —Tommy says, thinking he is talking to Artie, not Hutch, “You’re all I got.”
  —Starsky and Hutch note Artie’s arrests were for aiding in the “Delinquency of a Minor.”
  —Starsky refers to Artie as “Housemother of the Hotel Bremen.”
• Joey is smarter than Tom, or at least not as dumb as he seems (Shootout)
  —Joey makes an observant remark to Tom about reading a book twice.
  —Joey suggests, “Maybe we should back out now while we still can.”
  —Joey tells Robin, “Cheap tramp. Let me tell you something. If you were any kind of a broad you’d stick with that guy whether he was a toad or not. She thought I fell for that. She really did.”
• John Colby is a cold, cold man (The Deadly Imposter)
  —He whales way too much tar out of Tito.
  —Colby refers to his supposed child as “the kid,” over and over again.
  —Colby smiles when Huggy is in pain after getting attacked.
  —He is such a good liar that Starsky and Hutch don’t suspect a thing.
  —Colby goes to Michelle’s apartment and kills her when he could have thought of another solution.
  —He kills off a whole family in Miami.
  —He smiles after killing Harvey Russo.
  —Colby doesn’t think anything of shooting a man in front of a child.
• Starsky and Hutch can be really mean to Huggy
  —Starsky and Hutch order food from him, but refuse it. They leave, calling the food cold. (The Deadly Imposter)
  —Hutch calls Huggy “the help.” (Little Girl Lost)
  —Starsky and Hutch point out his expired liquor license after he won’t help them. (The Collector)
  —While they don’t do it on purpose, Starsky and Hutch get one of his best friends killed. (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
  —Starsky and Hutch order sandwiches. They leave before they eat them, leaving Huggy to wrangle with Dobey. (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
• Chris has fallen out of Starsky and Hutch’s favor (The Heroes)
  —Chris is relegated to the back seat.
  —Starsky and Hutch don’t fawn over her anymore.
  —Hutch doesn’t help her with the car seat.
  —Starsky and Hutch won’t give her time to eat her lunch.
• Four comments that unwitting highlight Starsky’s duplicity (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
  —Rosey Malone says, “Are you putting me on?”
  —Rosey Malone says, “A man who appreciates the Huichol Indians can’t be all bad.” Starsky responds, “Just remember that.”
  —Because Rosey is beautiful “inside and out,” Starsky says, “I may be in a whole lot of trouble.”
  —Rosey Malone says, “Secrets? Everybody has secrets. Don’t you?” Starsky doesn’t answer the question.
• Starsky and Hutch’s fine whines
  —Hutch tells Starsky, “Don’t yell at me when I’m on the phone.” (The Committee)
  —Hutch whines about Starsky not helping him in the Pigeon Fight. (Kill Huggy Bear)
  —Hutch whines about the lack of attention from the doctor at the hospital. (Fatal Charm)
  —Hutch whines about the shopping cart behind Huggy’s. (The Bait)
  —Hutch whines that the cuffs are too small. (Texas Longhorn)
  —Hutch whines to Starsky, “I know they’re in the first car. We wouldn’t be chasing them…” (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
  —Hutch whines, “I know, I saw,” when he can’t get a word in edgewise in the Iron Mike explanation. (Iron Mike)
  —Starsky complains that Hutch gets “his fingers all over his food.” (Bust Amboy)
  —Starsky whines to Hutch, “I want to go home.” (Quadromania)
  —Starsky whines to Hutch, tells Hutch to “push” as “I’m tired.” (Snowstorm)
• Starsky and Hutch don’t trust/like Iron Mike (Iron Mike)
  —Mike sits with the “crumb” Matt Coyle at a restaurant and takes an envelope from him.
  —Mike contacts Starsky and Hutch for a job after a year of no contact, which Starsky and Hutch feel is not a coincidence.
  —During department store bust, there are five guys, not three like Iron Mike promised in his supposedly flawless bust.
  —Starsky and Hutch see Mike talking to Matt Coyle again outside of Coyle’s Provisions and taking another envelope.
  —He all but calls them babies when he discovers they pulled his sheets. Mike does it in the squad room as well.
  —Mike asks them sarcastically if they “want to get back to real police work.”
  —He also he asks sarcastically, “Think I’m settin’ you up?” but doesn’t wait for their answer.
  —Hutch remembers Mike’s tactics “vividly,” which also seems to mean not positively.
  —Mike scolds Hutch, “Don’t look like you’re going to salute” at Darcy’s Department Store.
  —Hutch tells Starsky Mike’s attitude “stinks.”
  —Mike claims his “conscience is as clear as any man’s,” which may or may not be a good thing.
• Reasons not to like Thomas Callendar (The Plague)
  —He not only kills his contact on the roof, but viciously kicks his corpse.
  —There seems to be a creepy connection between him and pre-teen Richie.
  —He lies to Mrs. Yeager about his identity and puts her child in danger.
  —He could have just hailed a cab and offered the driver big bucks instead of threatening to shoot him.
  —Callendar most likely would not have come in to save Hutch or any of the other thousands of people.
  —He is a miserable character who, after being told to leave the Yeager’s house, hangs out in nasty porn theaters.
  —He is, after all, a hired hit man, responsible for misery all over the world.
• The strange disconnect Starsky shows for Hutch’s neighborhood (The Collector)
  —Starsky calls it “your neighborhood.”
  —Hutch has been trying to get Starsky down for a hot pastrami sandwich “for a month.”
  —Mike Todesco calls Garras, “One of your local cronies.”
  —Starsky has to ask, “Joe who?” And Hutch explains.
  —Starsky says, “This is your turf, who’s the book?”
  —Starsky and John-John don’t know each other.
• Laura Stevens was not the one for Starsky (The Velvet Jungle)
  —Laura insults Starsky’s clothes over and over again.
  —Laura ditches Starsky at the fashion show.
  —She gets Starsky’s name wrong.
  —Hutch knows the joke about the red tennis shoe. Laura doesn’t.
  —Laura leaves him standing with her clothes, which makes him a figure of fun at the fashion show.
  —When talking about the fancy dinner with Starsky, she mentions everything but the nice company.
  —Laura is embarrassed of Starsky when “The Times” editor sees them.
  —Hutch didn’t like her.
• Judith Kaufman was not the one for Hutch (The Plague)
  —She lives in another state.
  —She appears to want to be his mother more than a lover, referring to his vulnerable body parts and saying he looks like a little boy.
  —She does a cowardly thing, flirting with him behind glass, where he is “safe.”
  —Judith tells Hutch, “It’s what underneath” the hospital gown that counts. She then admits she wouldn’t say these things to him if he weren’t going to be dead in two days.
  —When she is in the ward with the suffering Hutch, she gives him no comfort. She doesn’t talk to him, meet his eyes or touch him unless to draw blood.
  —When Hutch presses her on her feelings from inside the ward, she leaves.
  —Hutch calls her a coward to her face at the airport, not the best way to get her to stay.
  —She seems awfully fond of Dr. Meredith.
• Kathy Marshall is one stand-up chick. (Fatal Charm)
  —She loves to dance.
  —She offers to help Diana.
  —She doesn’t have a problem diving right in and using her hands on cleaning up cold pasta.
  —She doesn’t become upset when Hutch steps on her.
  —She is quick to include Diana in a foursome.
  —She doesn’t go too crazy when drink is spilled on her.
  —She has a fun loving spirit and doesn’t appear to inspire jealousy between Starsky and Hutch.
  —Both Starsky and Hutch like her.
• St. Terry might have worked out with Starsky (Starsky’s Lady)
  —She says, “I know you. I know what you have to do in your life.”
  —She says, “You’re my best friend,” five times. She must like Starsky.
  —She has a good job and likes children.
  —She says, “You don’t have to promise me.”
  —Altruistic Terry asks Starsky at the hospital, “Are you all right?” Starsky says she is mixed up, as she is the one in bed.
  —She says, “I’ll be there whenever you show up.”
  —She asks Hutch to love Starsky.
  —Terry encourages him to stay on the police force.
  —Starsky has shopped for clothes with two adults, Hutch and Terry. This must be some sort of litmus test. (Little Girl Lost, Starsky’s Lady)
  —Terry tells Starsky she loves him four times.
  —Terry has a sense of humor.
  —She says she doesn’t want Starsky to change.
  —Starsky says that after Terry died, he “wasn’t sure he had enough strength to remain on this earth.” (Partners)
  —Hutch and Terry snuggle in the Torino in the front seat with Starsky.
  —She is the only woman Starsky has ever asked to marry.
  —She apparently has no family. This will allow Starsky to continue spending the holidays with Hutch.
  —Starsky is never shown shouting at her and shaking her by her shoulders. (I Love You, Rosey Malone, Blindfold, Running)
• The relationship between Emily and Starsky is squicky (Blindfold)
  —Starsky kisses her on the mouth before she knows it is him who shot her.
  —Starsky makes a joke in poor taste, telling her in front of Sharon, to “keep you clothes on,” when he takes her photograph.
  —His entire relationship with her is based on a lie.
  —Starsky takes advantage of her vulnerability (newly blinded, no family, one measly friend).
  —Starsky manhandles her and tells her what to do and how to feel, much more to assuage his own guilt than for her benefit.
  —His relationship with Emily is based on making her best friend, Sharon, lie to her.
  —While somewhat empathetic, Starsky’s “hour of blindness” has nothing to do with Emily or being blind, but everything to do with his ego.
• Lizzie Thorpe, while a good dancer, is a pretty ineffectual cop (Discomania)
  —She doesn’t ask that many questions at Fever.
  —She leaves her drink unattended.
  —She leaves her little purse, with her police shield in it, unattended by Tony.
  —While she may be a little dizzy, she can’t manage to do anything to fend off Marty Decker.
  —She walks to the car, to dizzy to really drive.
  —She turns down Hutch’s offer of back up.
  —She, despite being a highly trained police sergeant, doesn’t even make the least effort at self-defense, or apprehending Tony, despite multiple opportunities.
• Simonetti is an ass (Hutchinson for Murder One)
  —He goads Hutch at the initial interview.
  —He makes a lewd comment about Vanessa’s corpse.
  —He gives confidential information to Dr. Morgan as a brag.
  —He crudely goads Hutch in front of Dobey and Starsky.
  —He has an icky voice.
  —He orders Dryden around.
• Despite Hutch’s claim to Anna he is good at his job, he isn’t in the case with her (A Body Worth Guarding)
  —He does a crappy search of her hotel room
  —Displaying his observation talents, he runs into a glass door.
  —He has a poor handling of interpersonal relations with his protectee, both in his initial hostility and in his personal involvement.
  —He is careless with his gun, pointing it at Starsky at one point.
  —He can’t get his gun in out of his holster when he hears the thud in the hallway.
  —Hutch draws on the bellman with the newspaper.
  —He is not prepared for work when Starsky arrives to relieve him.
  —He goes to the door without his gun and Starsky has to hand it to him.
  —Hutch does no work whatsoever in solving the case.
  —He stays up all night, which would make him useless the next day.
  —One would assume that he wasn’t watching or listening for trouble when he was having sex with Anna.
• Lola should be reprogrammed and employed by the Bay City Interrogation Olympian Team (The Bounty Hunter)
  —“Look Mr.. You either put up or your kid stays in the slammer.”
  —“You want to shop this deal, fine.”
  —“Only don’t come back here when you find out that I offered you the best opportunity in town.”
  —“I mean, I don’t even know why I am wasting my time with you.”
  —“I don’t want to write this ticket.”
  —“So you make up your mind, buster, and you make it up fast.”
• K.C. McBride’s open mind (Quadromania)
  —K.C. propositions Starsky, knowing he is a man. He answers her, thinking she is a man and says he “Doesn’t go that route,” meaning he is straight.
  —Starsky hasn’t turned around, and K.C. thinks he is saying he is gay. She says she is glad he “Doesn’t keep it in the closet like other guys.”
  —Starsky turns, realizes she is a woman and asks her on a date. K.C. then assumes Starsky is bisexual and remarks about him “changing his politics.”
  —K.C. goes out with him anyway, as she “doesn’t mind a few kinks in the road of life.”
• Hutch’s firm non-committal with Diana (Fatal Charm)
  —To Diana’s suggestion they stay at her place for dinner and sex is, Hutch’s reply is “Whatever.”
  —To Diana’s admission she followed him to the bar is, “I guess I should be flattered.”
  —To Starsky and Kathy’s suggestion of a foursome, Hutch’s reply is a pallid “Sure. Sounds, uh, sounds great.”
• Nancy Blake’s marriage is doomed from the start, aside from the obvious choice of groom (Terror on the Docks)
  —Aside from Starsky and Hutch and her mother, Nancy appears to have little support or friends.
  —Billy can’t get the time of the wedding on Saturday correct.
  —Billy either is really, really late or never shows for dinner.
  —Father Delacourt is late.
  —Father Delacourt mistakes Starsky and Hutch for the groom.
  —Hutch is the one who snuggles and comforts Nancy, rather than Billy, after the truck “accident.”
  —Margaret plays a funeral dirge by mistake.
  —Mrs. Blake claims not to know anything about Billy.
  —Mrs. Blake cries during the rehearsal.
• Appealing things about John-John the Apple (The Collector)
  —He gives the old lady her cane back and is nice about it.
  —He tries to talk “Heather” out of getting money from Jack.
  —He helps a young girl “in trouble.”
  —He says he doesn’t want to take Joe’s money anymore, because Joe is in over his head.
  —He greets people on the street and chats up folks who buy his stuff.
  —He delivers newspapers to cars.
  —He makes that funny joke about his place not being a library, but a “losing proposition.”
• Starsky’s error in reading Hutch and Diana’s body language (Fatal Charm)
  —Starsky totally ignores Hutch’s obvious discomfort when suggesting a foursome.
  —He doesn’t see the weird vibes with Diana, the curt “I don’t dance,” and the odd stare at the disco.
  —He gives Hutch bad advice about “reading her the riot act” and splitting.
  —Starsky doesn’t take Hutch’s fear of Diana after her vandalism seriously, despite the scene at Metro.
  —Even the next day, seeing the mess at Hutch’s apartment doesn’t alert him.
• Perhaps Candy shouldn’t marry Buzzy Boone (The Golden Angel)
  —Buzzy plays the ponies, “Sometimes gets over his head.”
  —He eats too much. Observe the four hamburgers on his plate at The Pits.
  —He has a physically dangerous job.
  —Camille will probably fool the hospital staff, score a 72% on the Wisconsin Multi-Facet Index Test, and come back to kill him.
  —There’s not much of a future in wrestling, by his own admit, and he doesn’t know what else to do.
• Freddie, the calm, dieting, cheese-denying henchman is the best henchman (Snowstorm)
  —Freddie makes Stryker answer the phone, even though Freddie is closer to it.
  —Freddie reads the newspaper while Stryker waters his plants, making him compatible and easy company.
  —Stryker asks Freddie’s advice, and Freddie gives it as though this was expected.
  —Freddie has a calm drawling voice.
  —Freddie has a god-awful, yet strangely appealing, brown and white accented Texan jacket and bolo tie.
  —And in the end, he screws things up by fluffing the Huggy Bear thing. This is good for Starsky and Hutch.

Pure Opinion: Social Class

“Looking rich makes you nervous. This fine set
of wheels intimidates your basic gross nature.”

(The Bait)

• Pure, wide speculation that Hutch comes from an upper class/well-educated background
  —Hutch notes Coyle’s artwork, bending over to check the artist in the corner. (Iron Mike)
  —He pronounces, “harass” in an overly cultured way. Starsky corners him on it. (Bust Amboy)
  —Hutch knows his fine champagne. (Bust Amboy)
  —Hutch considers himself the Bentley, Rolls, Cadillac, Corvette, Ferrari type of guy. (The Golden Angel)
  —Hutch knows his fine caviar and red salmon as opposed to black Russian sturgeon. (Bust Amboy)
  —He asks Theresa to “check the wine cellar.” (Shootout)
  —Hutch knows the phrase “vino de casa.” (Shootout)
  —Hutch knows how to act at a jazz club and implies that Starsky is a rube. (Losing Streak)
  —Hutch knows how to act in a restaurant and implies that Starsky is a rube. (Shootout)
  —Hutch asks, “What’s money for if you can’t make somebody happy?” Nice thought but spoken like someone who has never had to worry about the rent and groceries. (Photo Finish)
  —Hutch went to college. (Omaha Tiger)
  —Looking rich doesn’t make Hutch nervous. (The Bait)
  —He taps Kate’s glass, knowing fine crystal makes a prolonged, clear ring. (Cover Girl)
  —Hutch knows which wine glass is for red wine. (Cover Girl)
  —Hutch appears to be quite comfortable at Monk’s fancy party. (Photo Finish)
  —Hutch knows what a “chandler” is. (Terror on the Docks)
  —Hutch knows his fancy cigars. (Dandruff)
  —Starsky tells Hutch after Jack’s “Prince and the Pauper” that he didn’t know Hutch grew up poor. Hutch says he didn’t, just not as rich as the Mitchells. (The Las Vegas Strangler)
  —Hutch automatically asks Kate for her car cover when he knows her fancy car can’t go in the garage. (Cover Girl)
  —Hutch knows his way around a fancy breakfast, asking the butler for things, using a spoon with his oatmeal correctly. (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
  —Hutch feels confidant in how the “rich are different.” He tells Starsky, “They pay less taxes.” (Photo Finish)
  —Hutch asks for two napkins, putting one on Starsky’s leg. (Bust Amboy)
  —Hutch knows you use “brava,” rather than “bravo” regarding a female at the ballet. (A Body Worth Guarding)
  —Hutch is aware of value of bracelet, commenting on its “22 karats.”
  —He knows his caviar, Iranian and Beluga. (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
  —Hutch know how to answer a car phone. (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
  —Hutch knows the correct term for Anna’s ballet move, a “grand jete.” (A Body Worth Guarding)
  —Starsky’s possible fortune doesn’t seem to impress him all that much. (The Golden Angel)
  —He knows how to eat crab with a special little fork. (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
• Pure, wide speculation that Starsky comes from an upper class/well-educated background
  —He is familiar with Huichol Indian art. (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
  —He seems to speak some French and has a passable accent. (Bust Amboy)
  —Huggy flatters Starsky, hoping to make a sale, “I can see you’re a man of refinement and taste.” (The Committee)
  —Starsky knows what an igneous rock is. (The Committee)
  —The addresses he mentions hanging around at in New York are all in some of the nicest parts of town. (Starsky’s Brother, Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
  —Starsky corrects FBI agent’s grammar, “Whom” not “Who.” (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
  —Starsky corrects Hutch’s grammar, “Whom” not “Who.” (Strange Justice)
  —He makes Hutch remove his hat at permit desk. (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
  —Starsky knows fine wine. (The Committee)
  —Starsky appears to have had some formal dance lessons. (Discomania, Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
  —Starsky tells Michelle, “I know what beach living is like.” (Class in Crime)
  —Starsky recognizes Nick’s clothes as being fine and expensive. (Starsky’s Brother)
  —Starsky harasses and is embarrassed at Hutch’s clumsy moves in Ruth’s fancy living room. (Murder on Stage 17)
  —He corrects Hutch’s English, “Not who, whom.” (Strange Justice)
• Pure, wide speculation that Hutch comes from a lower class/less-educated background
  —He is frugal with food. (Foxy Lady)
  —Hutch doesn’t take his hat off indoors or in presence of lady. (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
  —He is frugal with his transportation. (various)
  —Jack said Hutch had to work to get through high school. (The Las Vegas Strangler)
  —Gage calls Hutch’s note on board, “gauche” and his use of underlines and punctuation “reflects a nouveau riche mentality.” Gage contends the author is obviously lower economic consciousness.” One has to keep in mind Gage’s bullshit, though. (Class in Crime)
  —Starsky suggests Hutch, at the society function, would be, “…in over his head anyway…doesn’t know how to handle himself in style.” (Photo Finish)
  —Hutch likes to reuse things. (Jojo)
  —He is uncomfortable and clumsy in Ruth’s fancy living room. (Murder on Stage 17)
  —He knows how to fix tractors with hands-on experience. (The Trap)
• Pure, wide speculation that Starsky comes from a lower class/less–educated background
  —He drove a cab. (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
  —Starsky says it isn’t good for people to think you are “a stuck-up intellectual.” (Photo Finish)
  —Looking rich makes Starsky nervous, Hutch comments. (The Bait)
  —Starsky calls Anna’s ballet move “a jump.” (A Body Worth Guarding)
  —Hutch tells Starsky, at Monk’s party, “Reel your tongue back into your mouth.” (Photo Finish)
  —Starsky, agog at all the finery at Monk’s party, says, “The rich really are different.” (Photo Finish)
  —Starsky’s chance at riches makes him get greedy and puts stars in his eyes. (The Golden Angel)
  —Starsky says of Monk’s party, “ I just don’t think I’ll fit in.” (Photo Finish)
  —Starsky doesn’t know the drinks are complimentary at Monk’s party. (Photo Finish)
  —Starsky would rather have pizza on the pier than go to Monk’s fancy party. (Photo Finish)
  —Hutch says, “This fine set of wheels intimidates your basic gross nature.” (The Bait)
  —Starsky misinterprets Masha, thinking she is looking for a handshake, when she wants something more continental. (A Body Worth Guarding)
  —Hutch tells Starsky he would fit in a society function because he looks like a waiter. (Photo Finish)
  —Starsky had relatives that lived over a restaurant. (Shootout)
  —Starsky is comfortable in old clothes. (various)
  —Joey Durniak paid for his father’s funeral. (The Set-Up)
  —Starsky initially uses “bravo” with female at ballet. He later picks up Hutch’s cue that “brava” is correct. He has apparently forgotten this lesson when he uses “bravo” again with K.C. (A Body Worth Guarding, Quadromania)
  —Hutch comments Starsky is not a Cadillac, Ferrari, Rolls, Bentley, Corvette type of guy. (The Golden Angel)

Pure Opinion: Miscellaneous

“Pink dresses stink.”

(Omaha Tiger)

• Huggy’s endless story and its perhaps parallels to John Colby (The Deadly Imposter)
  —“Guy ends up on the other side of the time warp.”
  —“He was in a parallel dimension where all things are the same, only different, like cops are all rogas.”
  —“Guy has a pet called a “parfel.”
  —“He tries to fit in by saying he has been away for a while.”
  —“Then he falls in love, but all the girls are the same, but different”
  —“He can’t marry a girl cuz on the other time of the time warp, he’s already married!”
• Marked differences in the fourth season compared to previous three seasons
  —There is a different and muted lighting, as well as some odd camera angles.
  —Starsky and Hutch don’t talk to each other as much.
  —Starsky and Hutch don’t meet each other’s eyes as much.
  —Starsky and Hutch don’t do the constant face check.
  —Dobey wears fewer suits at work, switching to a sweater and tie.
  —Hutch doesn’t smile much.
  —Starsky and Hutch are apart much of the time.
  —Hutch has different hair and a moustache.
  —Hutch has different clothes.
  —Starsky and Hutch argue, grumble and are not playful with each other.
  —There is a new dispatcher.
  —Starsky and Hutch don’t touch each other very often.
  —There are no more jokes about candy bars.
  —The prop cars are, aside from the Torino and the “light, green Ford” are different.
  —Clocks are not as visible.
  —Aside from Sweet Revenge, it lacks a giddy Hutch.
  —Scenes are more glitzy. There are fewer seedy bars and street scenes.
  —Cases seem “bigger”; They don’t deal with the ordinary stuff of life anymore.
  —There are lots of fur coats, money, and discos.
  —There is a lot more name-dropping and awareness of labels and brands.
  —Starsky and Hutch don’t play very many tricks on Dobey.
  —Hutch doesn’t touch his hair, chest, and whole body much; he strokes his moustache instead.
  —Starsky doesn’t eat as much junk food.
  —Starsky wears nicer clothes.
• Fire Danger is High
  —Madeleine’s hair when Harry lights her cigarette is a concern for this compendium-er. (Deckwatch)
  —Hutch takes the wrapping paper off of Ollie and puts it too close to the candle on the floor. This is a worry. (Starsky’s Lady)
  —Anna’s nightgown when she stands with her back to the fire gives me a fright. (A Body Worth Guarding)
  —Vicky’s nightie gets too close to the stove when she is making tea. (The Las Vegas Strangler)
  —Starsky and Hutch leave Tony’s home disco and don’t put out the candles. I lay awake worrying about this scene. (Discomania)
  —The tiki torches burning at the Jungle Club have me all concerned about the bamboo wall coverings. (The Bounty Hunter)
• Spectacular clothes on Starsky
  —the jeans and light blue long sleeved shirt he wears at Huggy’s (Texas Longhorn)
  —his suit and tie in the courtroom, but leave the jacket on! (Pariah)
  —the suit he wears when watching Anna K (A Body Worth Guarding)
  —the jeans and long sleeved blue shirt he has on when interrogating Tramaine (Pariah)
  —many suits (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
  —suit he wears to the reading of the will (The Golden Angel)
  —the jumpsuit he wears as Mr. Renaldo, is silly but strangely alluring (The Groupie)
  —red untucked shirt and jeans (Starsky’s Brother)
  —that black turtleneck and black jacket-thing (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
• Fabulous clothes on Hutch
  —the dark teal t-shirt he wears a lot (The Specialist, various)
  —the blue silk shirt (Starsky’s Brother)
  —his suit and tie in the courtroom (Pariah)
  —tight black jacket, jeans (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
• Clues Hutch has some medical training
  —Hutch knows Starsky’s lung capacity. (Omaha Tiger)
  —Hutch takes the bullet out of Harry’s leg. (Deckwatch)
  —Hutch tells Starsky not to get air on his sore tooth. (Losing Streak)
  —He knows that Ginger’s neck is broken. (Death Notice)
  —He knows what the Van Kleef syndrome is. (Murder Ward)
  —Hutch speaks knowingly of the “pressure point just above the motor nerve.” Starsky asks, “Can you really kill somebody that way?” Hutch replies, “If you have the hands for it.” (Omaha Tiger)
  —Hutch knows the definition of “hysterical paralysis.” (“scared to death”) (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
  —Hutch asks to read the medical book Dr. Meredith has about Dr. Tishaun. (The Plague)
  —He doesn’t ask what “leucopenia” is. (The Plague)
  —Hutch takes one look at Frank and Virgil and orders Starsky to call an ambulance. “These men are dying!” (Moonshine)
  —Hutch knows the word “alveoli” and what it means. (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
  —Nick Starsky calls him Dr. Hutchinson, perhaps as a dig. (Starsky’s Brother)
• Men making lewd comments regarding a female corpse
  —Simonetti says, “Did you see the face and body of the victim? I’ve seen women like that blow a cop’s career more than once.” (Hutchinson for Murder One)
  —The coroner comments about Patricia Talbert (whose head has been blown away), “Nice little figure she had.” (Pilot)
• Sexist
  —Starsky tells Dobey, “A lot of cops’ wives are going to think differently,” making the assumption all cops are men. (Pariah)
  —Dobey refers to the “boys upstairs.” (various)
  —Dobey, Starsky, and Hutch assume Phelps is a man. (The Heroes)
  —Hutch asks Dr. Kaufman, “Are you really a doctor or are you just beautiful?” (The Plague)
  —Hutch calls the person in Detective Services “Lady” in a snide way when requesting information (The Heroes)
  —Hutch explains that Sue Ann is “just a little girl” and therefore not really in control of her mental capacities. (Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road)
  —Hutch has the female cop, Officer Sarah, get him his coffee. (The Vampire)
  —Hutch makes a rude clicking noise with his tongue when female officer passes him in squad room. (A Body Worth Guarding)
  —Hutch speculates that one of Jojo’s victim’s father, brother, or boyfriend could have killed Jojo. Rape is apparently a crime to be righted by a victim’s male relative only. (Jojo)
  —Hutch states that “Joanne’s” bag is heavy, and Starsky replies sarcastically that it is “just like a woman.” (Death Ride)
  —Hutch’s commenting on woman’s “large signs” when he clearly means her breasts, when he is on duty as Zack. (Murder at Sea)
  —Joey calls Hutch “Sexist.” (The Trap)
  —Starsky acts surprised when Jessie, the con, was in for bank robbery. She calls him “sexist.” (Silence)
  —Starsky and Hutch both assume Charlie, the car mechanic, would be a man. (The Psychic)
  —Starsky and Hutch both underestimate the robber when they think he is a woman. (The Psychic)
  —Starsky and Hutch don’t take Gertrude/Yvonne, who spies into the window of a naked man, seriously. (Birds of a Feather)
  —Starsky and Hutch don’t take Mrs. Krupp, who puts her husband in the hospital with a baseball bat, seriously. (Starsky’s Brother)
  —Starsky and Hutch leave Officer Hagen tied up, laugh at her, are demeaning about her job, and tell jokes about her to other cops. (The Specialist)
  —Starsky harasses female airport security guard with suggestive comment. (The Plague)
  —Starsky refers to Officer Hagen as “child.” (The Specialist)
  —Starsky says “Not Peeping Tom, Peeping Gertrude…no sexism here,” though there is. (Birds of a Feather)
  —Starsky slaps the butt of the female officer. (The Specialist)
  —Starsky tells Jerry he “can take Kathi home, but keep her handy,” like Kathi is a brainless thing, handled by Jerry. (Death Notice)
  —Starsky’s commenting on woman’s “nice jeans” when it isn’t jeans he is referring to when he is on duty as Hack. (Murder at Sea)
  —The brat at the toy store tells Starsky, “Lisa’s a girl, and girls don’t play with trains.” Starsky calls him a chauvinist. (Nightmare)
  —The Lab employees are referred to as “Lab Boys.” (various)
• Starsky and Hutch’s personal involvement in cases often leads to sloppy, unwise police work
  —Hutch doesn’t tell Starsky about Jeanie Walton. (The Fix)
  —Hutch gets too wrapped up in Gillian and doesn’t back Starsky up in alley. (Gillian)
  —Hutch isn’t careful with protecting Kate. He leaves the house unguarded and leaves her car unchecked overnight. (Cover Girl)
  —Hutch makes Starsky work alone, is not very observant, and points his gun playfully at Starsky’s head (a big no-no!). (A Body Worth Guarding)
  —Starsky and Hutch act like idiots over Chris Phelps. (The Heroes)
  —Starsky and Hutch act like idiots over Lisa, not wising up to her sooner. (Foxy Lady)
  —Starsky and Hutch tussle with each other over Kira. (Starsky vs. Hutch)
  —Starsky gets emotionally involved with Rosey Malone. (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
  —Starsky gets involved with Emily. He also doesn’t help on the case in any way, until the end. (Blindfold)
  —Starsky jeopardizes both his and Hutch’s careers to keep Sharman from having to go downtown. (Running)
  —Starsky sleeps with a possible suspect. This is tacky, to say the least. (Class in Crime)
  —Starsky wants to have sex with Sharon so bad he doesn’t recognize Spenser is in trouble. He also lets his dick get in the way of business when he fakes being the operator to Hutch on the phone. (The Heavyweight)
• Hutch doesn’t trust Starsky with large amounts of cash
  —Hutch tells Starsky to stop messing with the money. (The Bait)
  —Hutch tells Starsky to stop messing with the ransom in the duffel bag. (The Psychic)
  —Hutch makes Starsky hand him over the gambling money. (The Las Vegas Strangler)
  —Hutch makes Terry Evers give Hutch the money for the trip to San Francisco. (Death Ride)
• Disillusioned Starsky and Hutch regarding boyhood heroes and ideas
  —Starsky is disillusioned with baseball hero, Lloyd Herman Eckworth. (Vendetta)
  —Hutch is disillusioned with sea life and Captain “Unlucky” LaRue. (Murder at Sea)
• One might not want to be Dobey’s good friend
  —Isaac Douglas (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
  —Elmo Jackson (Snowstorm)
  —Mike Ferguson (Iron Mike)
  —Mac Johnson (Omaha Tiger)
  —Walter Healey (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
  —Fargo (The Committee)
  —Danny Slate (Strange Justice)
• References to acting, celebrities, self-referential comments regarding the show
  —“She’s a famous lady,” Starsky says, not wanting to get Sharman embarrassed on the six o’clock news. (Running)
  —“Starsky, I think we’ve rehearsed this thing enough,” says Hutch. Starsky replies, “Yeah, I think you are afraid of losing your spontaneity.” (Survival)
  —Dobey fawns all over Sue Ann and ask for her autograph, making Starsky and Hutch cringe. (Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road)
  —Hutch prepares for his acting job as hit man. He works at “blocking out the man’s characteristics.” (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
  —Hutch comments to Starsky that he is “like an actor working on a difficult role, you know.” (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
  —Hutch complains to Starsky, “I didn’t even have enough time to get into my character.” (Snowstorm)
  —Hutch can’t act worth beans and flubs his single line. (Murder on Stage 17)
  —Hutch has stage fright. (Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road)
  —Hutch self-referentially mentions Dirty Harry, a cop in San Francisco. (Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road)
  —Hutch tells Starsky Carlyle is his “acting debut.” (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
  —Hutch’s comment to Starsky, “It’s a pity that even after four years, it doesn’t get any better,” perhaps relating to the actors’ places on the show or with their contracts. (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
  —Much of the episode of The Golden Angel is a comment on the world of acting and entertainment. (The Golden Angel)
  —Starsky and Hutch’s performance as stunt men, showing a behind the scenes look at filming. (Murder on Stage 17)
  —Starsky and Hutch’s visit to the employment office and their lack of experience in doing something new is a self-referential foreshadowing of the actors’ roles, soon to be unemployed as well. (Targets Without a Badge: Part 2)
  —Starsky asks Hutch, “Hey, you did that pretty good. Ever think of going into the movies?” (The Velvet Jungle)
  —Starsky tells Kira, “You prick us, doth we not bleed?” Hutch tells Starsky that was his line. (Starsky vs. Hutch)
  —Starsky comments, “I just hope to God that nobody asks me for my autograph.” (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
  —Starsky tells Hutch to answer Carlyle’s phone, “You’re the actor.” (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
  —Starsky is very excited about Hutch’s single “bit part.” (Murder on Stage 17)
  —Starsky has a happy comment. “You mean we’re going to be actors?” (Murder on Stage 17)
  —Starsky sagely tells Hutch, “It’s no use arguing with the television.” (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
  —Starsky says in awe, “I’ve never been in a television studio before.” (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
  —Starsky says to Hutch, “It’s tough being a celebrity, huh?” after reporters chase them at courthouse. (Bloodbath)
  —Starsky says, “Don’t typecast me.” (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
  —Hutch asks Dobey and Huggy, “You boys wouldn’t be in show business by any chance?” (Partners)
  —Hutch tells the nurses, “Bet you ladies have a wardrobe change for me.” (The Plague)
  —Starsky asks Blaze, “You mean you want us to be actors?” (Targets Without a Badge: Part 2)
  —Starsky smiles when Hutch says doing Russ Delaney’s job is something his contract wouldn’t allow. (The Avenger)
  —Hutch is tossed onto the official’s table during the wrestling match and says, “I can’t work under these conditions.” (The Golden Angel)
  —Starsky tells Sharman that people like to “know” famous people and follow their lives. (Running)
  —Steve comments on famous people and how the public treats them badly at times; Starsky and Hutch exchange knowing looks. (Murder on Stage 17)