The Equalizer (1985 TV series) season 3

The third season of The Equalizer premiered September 23, 1987 (1987-09-23) and ended May 4, 1988 (1988-05-04) on CBS.

The Equalizer
Season 3
Season 3 American DVD cover
Starring	Edward Woodward Keith Szarabajka
No. of episodes	22
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	September 23, 1987 (1987-09-23) – May 4, 1988 (1988-05-04)
Season chronology
List of episodes

In this season, McCall goes against an atheist bomber, a wall street raider, two hit-men, more KGB, more Mafia, a serial killer, a sexploiter pimp/pornographer, a deranged dramatist, an alcoholic AIDS avoider, a murderous master manipulator, a greedy diplomat, an enemy espionage agent, a lost lover, welfare slumlord scammers, a psycho ransoming rapist, a psycho stalker ex-husband, a psycho murderer ex-con, a vengeful industrialist, a casino boss, and a protégé turned femme fatale.

He stops a mass-murder at a mass, defends a developmentally disabled man, frees a scientist-defector, saves an army career, prevents a psychic's fatal future, thwarts thespian threats to the theatre troupe, saves a six year-old, reunites father/son, derails dancer danger, turns teens from thug-life, rescues a reporter from revenge, liberates a kidnapped boy, averts an amnesic woman, frees hostages, houses a homeless family, protects two single mothers, one single father, and two families of three.

McCall is arrested once, shot thrice, forgives an enemy, loses a friend, gains a daughter, and buys a bar.

Production

Richard Jordan was brought on to the show as fellow Company agent Harley Gage to lighten the load on Edward Woodward after he suffered a heart attack.^[1] Keith Szarabajka was featured in only four of the same episodes with Jordan.^[2][3][4][5]

Cast and characters

Main

See also: Main cast with character descriptions

• Edward Woodward as Robert McCall
• Keith Szarabajka as Mickey Kostmayer

Recurring

See also: Full Series list of Recurring cast with character descriptions

• Maureen Anderman as Pete O'Phelan ^{[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}
• Melissa Sue Anderson as Yvette Marcel ^[13][14]
• Charles Cioffi as Lt. Kramer ^[15]
• Maurice Hines as Billie Bump ^[4]
• Richard Jordan as Harley Gage ^{[2][3][4][16][17][6][7][18][8][5]}
• Robert Lansing as Control 
• John Bedford Lloyd as D.A. Francis Scanlon ^[8][11]
• Mark Margolis as Jimmy ^{[15][13][19][11]}
• Irving Metzman as Sterno ^[13]
• Christopher Murney as Rudy Bagler ^[20][21][4]
• Chad Redding as Sgt. Alice Shepard ^{[22][4][7][12]}
• Ken Solarino as Jeremy ^[6][13]
• William Zabka as Scott McCall ^{[2][3][13][14]}
• Anthony Zerbe as Phillipe Marcel ^[13]

Guest stars

Savalas

Atherton

Telly Savalas makes a special guest appearance as Brother Joseph Heiden, along with guest star William Atherton as Martin "Alpha" Loeber in the two-part season three premiere, "Blood and Wine." Brother Heiden used to be a terrorist and Loeber his protégé, until Heiden began seeing a strange man mourning his horrific acts. Heiden describes his conversion to McCall, who finds it hard to believe and forgive because Heiden killed his godson. Loeber is a whole other beast, a Marxists that hates God and religion, thus he sets out to kill as many as he can, starting with a blind monsignor. Atherton also played Gideon in season four, "17 Zebra."^[23]

Sinise

Other guests include, Moira Sinise (as Moira Harris) playing Linda, Loeber's girlfriend who he uses as "cover." She doesn't want to believe anything bad about "Brad" from McCall, Mickey or even her own mother. Tom Atkins plays FBI Special Agent Frank Standish, leader of an FBI / NYPD Joint Task Force to apprehend Loeber. Christopher Murney makes the first two of three appearances as Rudy Bagler, who puts his network to good use. And Elizabeth Franz guest stars as Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, Linda's mother who knows "Brad" is up to no good. Co-stars include Lynne Thigpen as Cleaning Lady for the dentist that McCall never finds, and Lee Breuer as Benjamin Harris who "procures" anything Loeber needs to carry out his nefarious plan. Supporting cast include Sheila Stainback from INN USA Tonight and WPIX New York Tonight, who made cameos as an Anchorperson in "Blood and Wine,"^[20] as herself in "Inner View,"^[16] and as a Newscaster the season four episode "Race Traitors."^[24] Nicholas Georgiade plays Agent #2, part of the JTF who hears Brother Heiden's presentation. In his final screen role, Ted Beniades plays the Police Officer that responds when Mrs. Thomas and McCall are rammed by a truck and knocked into the water.^[20][21]

D'Onofrio

Vincent D'Onofrio's second Equalizer role was Davy Baylor, a mentally disabled man falsely accused of the murder of his coworker Cheryl Jansen (played by co-star Mary Kane) in "Suspicion of Innocence." Guest stars include William Converse-Roberts as another of Davy's coworkers, Will Rattigan, who was having an affair with Cheryl; Charles Cioffi in his last appearance as Lieutenant Kramer who has no choice but to arrest Davy until McCall can clear him, and Ann Wedgeworth as Irene Baylor, Davy's "hovering" mother who can't seem to let go and allow his independence. In a special guest appearance, John Randolph portrays Jack Rattigan, Will's father, who is disappointed in himself for battering his own wife for years in front of his son, and disappointed in his son for not learning compassion and overcoming his father's abusive disease. Thus he is through making excuses for Will, refusing him an alibi. James Eckhouse co-stars as the District Attorney who requests remand for Davy to undergo psychiatric evaluation. Supporting actors include Nancy Giles as the court Bailiff shortly before her reoccurring role as Private Franklin "Frankie" Bunsen in China Beach, Norman Matlock as Judge, Victor Bevine as Sergeant, and Michael Patterson's screen debut as a Policeman.^[15]

Heard & Boutsikaris

John Heard guest stars as Ron Parrish who is "In the Money" as a Wall Street risk arbitrageur who uses criminal means and other people's funds to enrich himself at the expense of others, such as C.R. Heaton played by guest star Dennis Boutsikaris. Heaton is left hanging to answer to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. At the least Heaton faces economic ruin, and at worst jail time for insider trading. Boutsikaris appeared in Batteries Not Included (1987) shortly after "In the Money" aired, along with Doris Belack who also had an Equalizer role in season two. Boutsikaris also played Yorgi Kostove in season four, "Time Present, Time Past."^[25] Ashley Crow guest stars as Samantha Chesborough, who is mistaken for Fraunces Tavern waitress Wendy who is targeted for murder by Parrish, because Wendy, as Heaton's girlfriend, learned of their crimes and tried blackmailing them.^[26] This is Crow's second screen role after her recurring role as Beatrice on the soap opera As the World Turns (1986–87).

Co-stars include Patricia Richardson as Sandy, who hangs about Fraunces Tavern hoping for the right opportunity to present itself, or himself, or both. She provides McCall insight into Wendy's connection to Heaton. Richardson previously had a season one supporting role in "Torn" as the daughter of Veronica Whitney.^[27] In Oliver Platt's screen debut as Norm Jameson, and an early television appearance by Paul Perri as Craig Rose, the two thugs carry out Parrish's bidding by going after Wendy when they realize they abducted the wrong woman. In his screen debut, David J. Steinberg co-stars as Freddy, a carny who helps McCall engineer a unique way of setting up Parrish to prove his murderous, criminal intent to law enforcement.^[26] Stienberg followed up his television debut with his film debut as Meegosh in Willow (1988), along with fellow Equalizer guest star Maria Holvoe,^[28] who plays the Fairy Queen Cherlindrea.

Komorowska, 2019 at St. Jean Baptiste

Michael Moriarty guest stars as Dr. Peter Kapik, a Czechoslovakian genetic scientist who has made a DNA break-through that could be very valuable to the Soviet Eastern Bloc for its potential use in biological warfare. But Kapik seizes an opportunity to break free of his Russian handlers to have an "Encounter in a Closed Room" with an old flame. Moriarty also played Wayne "Seti" Virgil in season four, "Starfire."^[29] Shortly after her Light of Day 1987 film debut, Maureen Mueller made her television debut guest starring as Alina Jennings née Polivka. She is Peter Kapik's old flame, but has since married Wayne Jennings, played by guest star Jamey Sheridan. As a defector herself, Alina is leveraged by Sarka to set up Kapik to be captured, or failing that, to kill him herself. Failure will result in her parents being killed. Other guest stars include Chad Redding in her first appearance this season as Sgt. Alice Shepard, who has transferred to Intelligence Division from Juvenile Division; Polish actress Liliana Komorowska as Sarka, the KGB Agent who threatens Alina; and George Gerdes as a Russian Spy.

Robert Mitchum ('91 Cannes Film Festival) plays Richard Dyson, Southern Control in Mission: McCall

"Encounter in a Closed Room" co-stars include, Adam LeFevre as Foster, a State Department agent who takes Dr. Kapik into protective custody. Noberto Kerner (as Norberto Kerner) co-starred as Alina's father, Emil Polivka. Kerner also played Russian Ambassador Sikora in season two, "The Cup."^[30] And in her television debut (3rd screen role), Lola Pashalinski co-starred as Vera Polivka, Alina's Mother. Supporting actor Warren Keith plays a TV Reporter in his television debut (3rd screen role).^[22]

Frances Fisher, 2013

Robert Mitchum makes a special guest appearance in "Mission: McCall" as Richard Dyson, McCall's former Agency colleague who is now Southern Control. When Dyson learns McCall has been taken by the KGB, he suggests breaking Harley Gage out of prison, as Gage was their best agent in Moscow, making this Richard Jordan's first guest appearance as Harley Gage. Edward Woodward was still recovering from a heart attack, so Jordan was brought in to lighten his load. Dyson and Gage will infiltrate the Russian regional facility to rescue Robert in "Mission: McCall (Part 2)."^[3] William Zabka also appears in his recurring role as Robert's son, Scott McCall, along with special guest star Robert Lansing as Control. Control (Lansing) and Southern Control (Mitchum) are very much working against each other at cross-purposes, with Dyson trying to locate and free McCall and Control trying to keep him sequestered, providing the actors a chance to shine dramatically. Frances Fisher plays her second Equalizer guest star role as Francesca, a KGB agent trying to capture Robert McCall before he can be used in a prisoner exchange. She was also Gage's handler in Moscow, and his lover. Fisher had previously played Amanda Kaufman in season two, "Nightscape."^[31] Co-stars include Frankie Faison as Zudo, owner of a Curio shop, and Daniel Chapman as Borda, Francesca's man. Chapman's final screen role was as the Clinic Storyteller in Philadelphia (1993). Supporting actors include Tobin Bell (credited as Joseph Tobin) as Agency operative Weber/Cronin^[2] (also as Deputy Secretary in season four, "Day of the Covenant"^[32]).

Tomas Milian in Squadra Volante, 1974

J. T. Walsh guest stars in "Shadow Play" as Andrew Banks, a career Army officer with the rank of Major, he is now a Logistical Officer for the United States Department of Defense. As a witness called to testify at a Congressional Hearing, his has made himself the target of assassination to prevent exposing criminal activity, separate but, related to the arming and training of Angolan counter-revolutionaries, which was ordered by Control. The criminal involved is Renaldo Duran, played by guest star Tomas Milian. Duran is a Cuban international banker and financier with ties to the Mafia, including Meyer Lansky. Thus Duran has no qualms against hiring a hit-man to take out Banks. Both Walsh and Milian had previously guest starred in season one; Walsh as Sam Griffith in "The Lock Box,"^[33] and Milian as Immanuel Pena in "Reign of Terror."^[34] Gerry Bamman guest stars as an unnamed Congressman who poses the questions to Banks at the hearing. Series regulars include Robert Lansing as Control, Keith Szarabajka as Mickey Kostmayer, Richard Jordan as Harley Gage (one of the few episodes to include both Szarabajka and Jordan, the other two being "Mission: McCall" and "Something Green"^[5]), Chad Redding as Sgt. Alice Shepard, Christopher Murney in his last appearance as Rudy Bagler, and co-star Maurice Hines makes his last of two appearances as Billie Bump. Paul Calderón co-stars as Chacon, a hit-man hired to kill Banks. Calderón also played Crips gang member Rat Heart in season one, "Reign of Terror."^[34] Tom Klunis co-stars as Lyle Murdoch, the Federal Agent in Charge of security at the hearing (also as Parmalee in season four, "Splinters"^[35]). David Rosenbaum has a supporting role as an Agent who informs Sgt. Shepard that Banks' security has been pulled (also as Salesman in "China Rain"^[36]). In his final screen role, Rosenbaum played the recurring character Trial Judge Alan Berman in Law & Order (1992–2004). Other supporting actors: Tibor Feldman as Counsel for Banks; Walter Bobbie as William Virgil, a DOD agent (also as Cox in "Unpunished Crimes"^[37]); Ed Lally as Senator; and Ethyl Eichelberger as Bagler's Butler.^[4]

Toni Kalem in Another World, 1976

Katherine Cortez guest stars as Karen Alden, a psychic with an "Inner View" who has been having visions of murders committed by the so-called Scrapbook Killer. The female detective at the precinct doesn't believe her, so Karen calls The Equalizer after seeing McCall and Sarah talking about the killer to a Lieutenant. Karen provides Harley Gage details that lead to the killer. Broadway baritone singer/actor Terrence Mann guest stars as a fan of the rock band Archon, and fancies himself the "Shadow Man" after the name of their new single. Toni Kalem guest stars as Sarah Hendricks, who has identified the Scrapbook Killer from a composite sketch after he assaulted her in a subway train. Sarah helps by providing a bracelet that triggers Karen's vision of the killer. Co-stars include Starletta DuPois as a Female Detective, who warns Karen to tell the truth, or be named an accessory to murder; Singer/actor Paul Hipp as Jarret, the lead singer of Archon, in Hipp's television debut a month after his film debut in China Girl (1987); Ron Vawter as a Lieutenant, who is very dismissive of McCall and Sarah; and Sheila Stainback in cameo as herself, although she's credited as "Newscaster." Musician Tim Cappello has a supporting role as a Roadie for Archon.^[16] Cappello also appeared in season two, "A Place to Stay."^[38]

Cooper

McCall and Harley Gage attend "The Rehearsal" and find themselves locked in by a deranged former actor named Michael, played by Chris Cooper in his third television role two years before playing July Johnson on the miniseries, Lonesome Dove (1989). Five more guest stars play their roles in the stage production. George Morfogen as Everett Austin, the play's director (also as Vezay Holden in season one, "The Distant Fire"^[39]); Jennifer Van Dyck in her television debut as Sandra Benning, an actress who has been receiving romantic notes left in her dressing room (Benning also had 11 appearances in the Law & Order franchise); Ned Eisenberg as Josh, an actor for the play (also as a Terrorist in season one, "Breakpoint"^[40]); Gwyllum Evans as Phil Davine, the stage manager who provides the back-story for events that occurred a year prior; and Sharon Chatten as Ms. Jenna Rydell, the playwright with whom McCall gets separated from the rest of the troupe. There are no co-stars and only one supporting actor, the Janitor (played by John Garson) who when he arrives within the hour will set off the bomb at the theater entrance doors unless McCall and Gage can disrupt Michael's plan.^[17]

Jacqueline Brookes in The Persians Off-Broadway, 1970

Veteran actress Jacqueline Brookes guest stars in "Christmas Presence" as Phyllis Robertson, grandmother to Mickey who lost his mother to AIDS, having contracted it intravenously as a heroin addict. Brookes also played Dr. Grayson in season four, "Lullaby of Darkness."^[41] Martin Shakar guest stars in his second of four Equalizer roles as Kelly Stigman, owner of Kelly's Bar, who hates having a kid sick with AIDS in his neighborhood. He rouses his buddies into ousting him and his grandmother. But Kelly has his own sickness to hide. Joseph Hindy guest stars as Dave Burton, Mickey's father, who didn't want to walk away from his son, but couldn't stand her drug addiction. Hindy also plays Victor Koslo in season four, "Heart of Justice."^[42] In his third television role Corey Carrier guest starred as six year-old Mickey Burton, who is the target of Kelly's ire. Mickey knows he's going to die, and gives Gage a list of Christmas presents for his grandmother, including a cat, "...so she won't be alone." Mickey treasures his "Mr. Manhattan" poster and misses his father. Maureen Anderman guest stars in her first appearance as Pete O'Phelan. Pete was Director of Research for ten years at the Company, and her husband Mark was in "Personnel." They left and opened a restaurant-bar named Pete O'Phelan's, but their past caught up with them, debts, Mark took ill and died. McCall finds the place closed but becomes half-owner, using the restaurant to meet clients and talk strategy with his team (rather like the re-imagined show uses Mel's Haven Bar as a base of operations^[43]).^[6]

Norris & McManus

Co-stars include: Robert Dorfman as Bishop, in his second Equalizer role, who doesn't like that Kelly's plans "get people hurt;" Matthew Kimbrough as Spicer, in his television debut, who tells Kelly he's "scared" and doesn't "want to go on like this" (i.e., violence); Dean Norris as Martin, in his third television role, is more the "silent type," not commenting on Kelly's plan at all; and Don McManus as Dr. Feinberg, in his second television role, who tells Gage about Mickey's mother and father. Supporting actor Ken Solarino has his first of four appearances as Jeremy, Pete's bartender.^[6] Solarino previously played Riegert's bodyguard Rick in season one, "Wash Up."^[44]

Andrews

David Andrews guest stars as Del Larkin, an undercover cop who has taken "A Dance on the Dark Side" by lying to the Organized Crime Task Force. He tries explaining to his best friend, Detective Charlie Kelly (played by co-star William Carden), that he "went in too deep" and that he's "on to something" to "bring these guys down." Kelly calls him an accomplice and tries to take him in, but is inadvertently shot with his own gun in the struggle. Andrews also played Dale Stevens in "Race Traitors."^[24] Other guest stars include: George DiCenzo as mob boss Bruno Dominic (also as Frank Dorgan in season two, "Memories of Manon"^[45]); Madeleine Potter as Simone Peters who is Larkin's lover, but reports to Dominic and has another alias and profession (Potter also played Zena in season two, "Nightscape"^[31]); and John Seitz as Captain Maldisi.

Plummer

In her fifth television role, Amanda Plummer guest stars as Jill O'Connor, who is a police switchboard operator learning to dance in her off-hours. Jill accidentally overhears Larkin talking about Kelly's death, after which he threatens her life, so she calls McCall. Series regulars include Chad Redding as Sgt. Shepard who has been attached to the OCTF, and Maureen Anderman as Pete O'Phelan. Marilyn McIntyre co-stars as Maureen, Kelly's widow. In her screen debut, Brooke Smith played a supporting role as Risa, a police switchboard operator. Smith appeared three years later as Catherine Martin in The Silence of the Lambs (1991). Matt Mitler also appears as Detective Bates.^[7]

Waites – O'Connel
Rockwell – Casella

Christopher Collet guest stars as Danny Winters, a high-school kid who gets mixed up with a bad crowd in "The Child Broker." Matters get worse when one of their own, Eddie, is hit by a car and killed while Danny and the gang chase after him. Thomas G. Waites guest stars as Shep Morrow, the ruthless leader of a robbery gang consisting of impressionable teenage boys who he indoctrinates with "survival of the fittest," crime "family" dogma. Waites had previously guest starred as Jim Kaufman in season two, "Nightscape."^[31] Shep's girl Sylvie, played by guest star Frances Ruffelle, reinforces his leadership and is not above using her feminine wiles to ensure loyalty, especially with the eldest, Danny. Lycia Naff guest stars as Amy, Danny's concerned girlfriend who notices the changes in Danny's behavior, and sees the boys with lots of money and shop-lifted goods. Not wanting to get them into trouble and arrested, she calls The Equalizer. Mary-Joan Negro guest stars as Irene Winters, Danny's single mother, who struggles with two jobs that prevent her from seeing what is really happening to her son. When she learns for herself that he has been stealing, and that he is willing to lie about it, she must apply some tough love. Negro also played Rebecca Morrison in "Lullaby of Darkness."^[41] Co-starring as gang members are Jerry O'Connell as Bobby, Frank Whaley as Press, and Sam Rockwell as Slick, and supporting actor Max Casella as Streak.^[18]

LaPaglia

Anthony LaPaglia also supports the cast as Agent #1, who with two other agents, takes Danny into custody after he chooses to ignore his mother's ultimatum. Danny knows he must extricate himself, but doesn't know how. But, McCall has a plan to end Morrow's manipulations.^[18] This is O'Connell's third television role, and fourth screen role after his film debut in Stand by Me (1986), nine months before beginning his role as Andrew Clements in My Secret Identity (1988–1991). It is Whaley's fourth television role, fifth overall after Ironweed (1987), and a year before his role as young Archie "Moonlight" Graham in Field of Dreams (1989). It is Rockwell's second screen/television role, a year before his film debut in Clownhouse (1989). It is Casella's third screen/television role, before his recurring role as Vinnie Delpino on Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989).

Davis
Angel

Daniel Davis guest stars as Eddie Mason, an investigative reporter who has been missing for months. He has gone undercover as a limo driver for beautiful "high-end" call girls, ostensibly for an exposé on prostitution, but also for revenge. Andreas Katsulas guest stars as Warren Briggs, who is making loads of money playing "Video Games" which he uses to extort both his clients and his employees. Christine Hayes is one such employee, played by guest star Vanessa Angel in her television debut after her film debut in Spies Like Us (1985), and before becoming known as Lisa, the computer genie in Weird Science (1994–98).^[8]

Katsulas

Other guest stars include: John Bedford Lloyd in his first of two appearances as D.A. Francis Scanlon; Maureen Anderman as Pete O'Phelan; and Maryann Urbano as Angela Mason, Eddie's concerned wife, in her screen debut before joining the cast of As the World Turns in 1989; and Annabelle Gurwitch as Suzanne, another call girl, in her fourth television role. Ching Valdes-Aran co-stars as Joy Tang, a madam who is Briggs' rival in the so-called "whore wars" in which she has been losing her girls to Briggs' blackmail scheme. Valdes-Aran made her television debut on The Equalizer as Tommy Li, McCall's former Agency contact in the Orient, in the season one episode, "China Rain" (1985).^[36] Forty years later in 2025, Valdes-Aran played Lorna Bayani, Mel Bayani's mother, on the 2021 re-imaged series, in the season five episode, "Dirty Sexy Money." Other co-stars include, Tony Ganios as Serge who Briggs uses in his videos, and David B. Hunt as Steiner, Briggs' bodyguard, better known as soap opera star Hunt Block.

Supporting actors include, Paul Zaloom as a Hotel Clerk in his first credited screen role before becoming Beakman in Beakman's World (1992–97); Colleen Flynn-Lawson in her screen debut as Woman on Phone, Briggs' receptionist who handles clients' calls; and Darlene Vogel as Gina Harper who is being blackmailed by her video into working for Briggs as another of his many call girls. This is Vogel's screen debut a year before her film debut in Back to the Future II (1989).^[8]

Culkin & Eichhorn

Jon De Vries guest stars as Raymond Gephardt, a diplomat who has been laundering money for criminals. A European with a royal background, money and his heir mean more to him than anything or anyone else. With diplomatic resources and $10,000,000 in loot, he can easily disappear from his ex-wife, and more importantly, mobsters. Lisa Eichhorn guest stars as Anne Gephardt, Raymond's ex-wife who runs her own business thus necessitating hiring a nanny, Consuela (played by Gloria Irizarry), to look after Paul. Other guest stars include Ronald Hunter as Mr. Binder, a lawyer that negotiates on behalf of the mobsters as a go-between with Raymond, and Leon Russom as Lieutenant Borley, his second Equalizer role after playing Sergeant Worley in season two, "Solo."^[46] The Equalizer February 1988 episode "Something Green" is Macaulay Culkin's first credited screen role, co-starring as Paul Gephardt who is kidnapped by his greedy father Raymond. Culkin had previously appeared briefly on television as a Halloween trick-or-treater in The Midnight Hour (1985), however it was not a credited role.^[47][48] Half a year after The Equalizer, Culkin made his film debut in Rocket Gibraltar (September 1988). Also co-starring is Neal Ben-Ari as Stanley, who represents the mobsters trying to get their money back from Raymond.^[5] Ben-Ari made his television debut in season one of The Equalizer as Male Suit in "No Conscience" (1986).^[49] In 2022, Benari played Arieh Bitton in the 2021 revival series season two episode, "What Dreams May Come." Benari also had several roles in the Law & Order franchise, most recently as Judge Fields.

Heywood,
Anderson & Zerbe

In her penultimate role before retiring,^[50] English actress Anne Heywood portrayed Manon Brevard Marcel, which presented Robert McCall, "The Mystery of Manon" given that Manon had supposedly been killed years before in a plane crash in the French Alps while on a mission for Control. Manon had not only been a fellow Company agent, but also Robert's lover. Only a month after her Equalizer appearance, Heywood's final screen role aired on the television crime drama Ohara (March, 1988). Also guest starring with Heywood is Melissa Sue Anderson and Anthony Zerbe, reprising their roles as Yvette Marcel and Phillipe Marcel (respectively), after the events in season two, "Memories of Manon."^[45] Phillipe is unnerved by his dead wife Manon's sudden reappearance, but he believes it is really her. It sets him against McCall and everyone else in the Company, as he blames them for her suffering. Determined to handle it himself, Yvette has no choice but to ask her godfather Control, and McCall, for help. Series regulars include Scott, Jimmy, Sterno, Control, and Jeremy. New York WNBC news anchor Roger Grimsby co-stars as a Newscaster, who announces a timber wolf named Rex Imperator on the loose in Manhattan, released from the zoo after a night watchman was assaulted.^[13] After The Equalizer Grimsby appeared in Nothing but Trouble (1991), his last acting role. In "The Mystery of Manon (Part 2)," Lawrence Dane guest stars as Arthur Trent, an old enemy who Sterno reports was executed by firing squad in Leningrad, 15 years ago. McCall soon learns otherwise.^[14] The two-part episode was also released as a 90-minute television movie The Equalizer: The Mystery of Manon.

Rooker & Curtis

There's "No Place Like Home" but the Whitakers have yet to find it. Michael Rooker and Kelly Curtis guest star as Bill and Paula Whitaker who have fallen on hard times and have just been evicted. Thus they are forced to avail themselves of the New York Department of Social Services to seek shelter elsewhere. Bill, Paula and their son Billy are sent to a deplorable, squalid hotel called The Alexandria, where a housing scam is exploiting the system to enrich its new "owner," Mr. Amar, played by guest star Michael Lerner. It is young Billy who calls The Equalizer. Kelly Curtis also played Vicki in season one, "No Conscience."^[49] Other guests include: Leo Burmester as Jim Harding who initially tries to scam Bill by paying him $500 a month to leave the hotel so Harding can scam $3,000 more from the State to house yet another homeless family; Richard Bright as Vegas who works for Amar, and has to step up after Harding bungles the job (also as Gropman in season four, "Splinters"^[35]); and Ed Lauter as Robert Nichols, from whom Amar has swindled the hotel in order to run his fraudulent scheme.^[19] This is Lauter's second Equalizer role after playing Walter Rowan in season two, "A Place to Stay."^[38]

Pettiford

In her television debut role, Valarie Pettiford co-starred as Jackie Chenier, an investigative reporter trying her best to do a documentary on "these welfare hotels" but the hotel guard will not allow her entry, likely on Amar's orders.^[19] Pettiford made her film debut as a Dancer in The Cotton Club (1984), and after The Equalizer, she joined the cast of Another World as the recurring character Detective Courtney Walker (1988–90). In 2022, Pettiford began playing the reoccurring role of Carol Dante, Marcus Dante's mother in the 2021 re-imagined series beginning in season two, "D.W.B." (Driving While Black).^[51] Thomas A. Carlin co-starred as a Doorman (also as Jeremy the Doorman in "Nocturne"^[52]).^[19]

Cerveris

Maureen Anderman in her recurring role as Pete O'Phelan declares "Last Call" at her bar as eight other guest stars play out a tense drama which McCall and Mickey must diffuse before someone dies... or is raped. Joe Maruzzo plays Lewis Fipps who had kidnapped seventeen year-old Andrea to demand a ransom from her rich father. When he wouldn't pay, Fipps raped, brutalized, and mutilated her. Now he is on the run from a hit-man hired by the girl's father. This is Maruzzo's third Equalizer role. Two other episodes both aired in season one, in which he played Thug #2 in "Bump and Run"^[53] and "Head," leader of the Crips in Reign of Terror."^[34] Michael Cerveris plays Frank Fipps, who is Lewis' brother. Frank is the "nice guy" but compliant to a fault, even allowing his brother to severely beat Mickey after he tried to get Pete's gun from the register. Cerveris also plays Nick Kaminskey in season four, "Race Traitors."^[24]

Rebhorn

David Schramm plays Joe, a middle-aged married man who is with his wife Lucy at Pete's when Lewis prevents them from leaving. After The Equalizer, Schramm was perhaps best known as Roy Biggins on the sitcom Wings (1990–97). Kathleen Doyle^[54] plays Joe's middle-aged wife Lucy, who wants to call the police after her purse is stolen by Susan. James Rebhorn plays Gant who stands to collect half-a-million dollars for fulfilling the contract that Andrea's father took out on Lewis. As an international hit-man, he has enough of a professional code not to enter the bar and risk collateral damage to innocent bystanders, but he doesn't care if Lewis kills everyone in the bar himself; it would simplify matters. This is Rebhorn's second Equalizer role after playing Eric, an Agency operative in the season two premiere, "Prelude."^[55]

Vitamin C

Singer Vitamin C made her television debut, only a month after her film debut in Hairspray (February 1988), credited under her real name, Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick plays Susan from Bangor Maine who is supposed to be on her big adventure to New York, but is obviously stretched beyond her means as she tries to steal Lucy's purse. Fitzpatrick also guest starred as rising star singer Beverly Heat in season four, "Eighteen with a Bullet."^[56]

Sellars

Theatre director Peter Sellars, in one of his few screen appearances, plays Woody, a hacker who McCall has worked with before. He hacks Lewis' criminal record from the police to find his rap sheet: grand larceny, grand theft auto, armed robbery, and the latest, kidnap, rape, and aggravated assault, with a $10,000 reward. He also provides McCall with his mercenary files, which puts him in contact with Jameson. Charles Keating plays Vincent Brennard, an industrialist whose daughter Andrea was kidnapped by Lewis Fipps. She has subsequently undergone thirteen surgeries and been institutionalized from the trauma. Brennard doesn't want Fipps to spend only a few years in prison, just to be released again. Thus the hit-man. McCall tries to reason with him. Keating also played Kenneth Whitten in season two, "Hand and Glove."^[57] Eccentric dancer and actor Tony Azito co-starred as Jameson, in one of only three television appearances. He plays a mercenary who gives McCall the reason why Gant was hired by the girl's father, and how much money is at stake. He also says nothing will stand between Gant and his target. Azito appeared in Miami Vice the same year, and was better known as the Sergeant of Police in The Pirates of Penzance, in which he appeared on Broadway, TV, and film.^[9]

In "Regrets Only," J. Smith-Cameron guest stars as Susan Foxworth, who works full time, goes to school, and is a single mother of young Joanie. She is determined to have a life of her own despite her psychopathic, stalker ex-husband Dr. Gary Edward Foxworth, played by guest star Philip Kraus. But Gary turns out to be more malicious and vindictive than even Susan realizes, as attested to by someone who knew him as a child.^[10] Smith-Cameron also played Vanessa in season one, "Mama's Boy"^[58] and Natalie Santelli in season four, "The Sins of Our Fathers."^[59] Kraus also played Petrov Durkin, a KGB Station Chief in season two, "Beyond Control"^[60] and Arnold in season four, "Endgame."^[61]

Holliday

Jean DeBaer guest stars as Detective Bishop, from whom Susan requests a restraining order. However, she has no evidence of any crime being committed. She suggests Susan talk to her divorce lawyer, but Susan doesn't have the money for it, since Gary hasn't been paying child support. McCall must convince Bishop to work with him to act before Gary goes too far and kills Susan. DeBaer also played Eileen Arden in season one, "Back Home."^[62] Maureen Anderman makes another appearance as Pete O'Phelan, advising McCall on how to proceed. Polly Holliday guest stars as Sister Sara, who saw first-hand what a "bad-seed" Gary was as a child. However, it takes a lot of convincing by Mickey to get a look at his school records. Holliday is perhaps best known as Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry, a waitress at Mel's Diner on the television sitcom, Alice. Tony Longo guest stars as Young, a thug and dealer of illegal firearms. Gary also hires Young to beat him up so that he can blame McCall to justify a restraining order against him. Longo had previously appeared five times as Artie with fellow guest star Polly Holliday on Alice in the mid 1980s.

In her fourth screen/television role, Debra Jo Rupp co-stars as Marge, Dr. Foxworth's assistant, who has no idea that the television set and pre-recorded VCR tape sent to Dr. Foxworth's office was sent by McCall.^[10] Rupp made her film debut shortly afterwards in Big (June 1988), and is best known for her role as Kitty Forman in That '70s Show (1998–2006).

Parks

In "Target of Choice," Michael Parks and Verna Bloom guest star as Jonathan and Marian Grey who are being terrorized by an ex-felon because Jonathan testified against him eight years prior. Jonathan is a tanker driver for a petroleum company. The felon was an employee who was fired, then decided to kill his boss by pushing him in front of Jonathan's truck. Because they could not prove pre-meditation, he was not sentenced with 25-to-life. Now he's out and wants revenge. Kevin Geer guest stars as Willie J. Hawkins, the killer in question who also killed others while in prison, a fact that McCall, Mickey and Jimmy try to use against him.^[11] Parks also played Logan in season two, "Nocturne."^[52] Bloom also plays Ellen in season four, "Race Traitors."^[24]

John Bedford Lloyd makes his last appearance as D.A. Francis Scanlon, and tells McCall he'll glady prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, given an opportunity. Co-stars include Lenny Venito as Devin, Jonathan and Marian's son, and Denise Faye as a Hooker that Hawkins sends up to Mickey to find out who he is and why he's been hounding him. Supporting actress Cecily Adams plays Claudia, Marian's physician who helps treat her multiple sclerosis. Claudia arrives just in time to ward off Hawkins, who is now "a volunteer...to be of service to the community..." but really there to terrify her.^[11] Beginning in 1997, Adams played the role of Ishka on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Mascolo

Anne Twomey guest starred as Meredith Browning, a former Company protégé to whom McCall gave a memento; a bracelet with "Always a Lady" engraved on it. Meredith ran a "travel agency" for the Company, often involving Latin American missions, until an operation went wrong. More recently she has been working...other enterprises, using Tony Costa's casino, and using Costa, for her own means. Joseph Mascolo guest starred as Tony Costa, who has recently solved his "laundry" problems for his casino income. He wants to go "legit" but he's now the victim of the theft of $800,000 dollars. Suspecting Meredith, he orders his second-in-command Johnny get it back...by any means. Mascola was well known before and after his Equalizer role as the villain Stefano DiMera on NBC's soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1982 to 2016. Lewis Van Bergen guest stars as Johnny Sax, who has his own secrets to hide from Costa. He tells Costa he tried everything to get the money back, but was "doing business...your business," by which he meant killing Meredith. Van Bergen also played hit-man Zahn in season two, "A Community of Civilized Men,"^[63] and Stuard Dodd in season four, "Endgame."^[61] Series regulars who appear in "Always a Lady" are Chad Redding as Sgt. Alice Shepard, and Maureen Anderman as Pete O'Phelan. Ron Frazier guest stars as Honeywell, an Agency operative who worked for Southern Control who ordered him to ensure General Astiz assumed power, which required betraying Meredith. This was the last of Frazier's three Equalizer roles (also as a doctor in season one, "Breakpoint"^[40] and as Coe in season two, Nocturne"^[52]).^[12] After The Equalizer, Frazier had a recurring role as Trial Judge Aldo Ianello on Law & Order (1994–1998).

Barry Snider co-stars as Detective Barry Calloway, who declares Meredith dead from a shotgun blast to the head, with her hands held out defensively, eliminating both her prints and her face. Snider also played Inspector Logan in season one, "Dead Drop."^[64] Susan Gibney guest stars as Angela, who worked for Meredith in "customer relations," and relays what she knows to McCall and Mickey. Gibney had made her screen/television debut only a month prior to her Equalizer role on Spenser: For Hire. A year afterward, she played Dr. Leah Brahms on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Rita Jenrette has a small supporting role as a Hooker who propositions McCall while he's lost in reminiscing about Meredith.^[12]

Home releases

See also: Home releases for all four seasons

Episodes

See also: Summary list of all four seasons, without plot summaries

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date	Rating/share (households)
45	1	"Blood and Wine"	Alan Metzger	Coleman Luck	September 23, 1987 (1987-09-23)	14.4/24[65]
46	2
Part 1 : Martin Loeber[a] blows up the Harlequin Club, "and that's just the beginning" he tells The Times, calling himself "Alpha." Linda[b] prepares as an anchorperson[c] announces 20 dead. What animal would do that? Loeber, "You're beautiful when you're terrified." She knows him as music teacher Brad Hartman. Brother Joseph Heiden[d] meets with FBI Special Agent Frank Standish.[e] An Agent questions motive, the second Agent[f] asks who he hates? Heiden, "He hates God." Robert McCall and Mickey Kostmayer save Agency operative Rudy Bagler from a thugs. Linda's mother Elizabeth Thomas[g] finds "Brad's" shotgun. Linda doesn't believe her because it's now gone. Elizabeth calls The Equalizer. Loeber tries to kill them both. Loeber asks a Police Officer,[h] was Elizabeth alone? McCall escaped. He tells Control it was a professional hit. Mickey surveils Loeber. McCall asks Rudy to check his Manhattan Network for hit-men. Loeber learns McCall's identity from his contact Kroslick. Mickey puts a tracker on Loeber's car, but Loeber has his own locater. He drives to Standish's house, plants a nitro-bomb on Mrs. Standish, and kills an FBI agent in a fiery car crash. Det. Standish arrives on-scene with Brother Heiden, who McCall sees... and recognizes... Part 2 : McCall tells Standish that "Brother" Heiden is a terrorist. Standish is undeterred. McCall describes how Loeber could've faked his death. McCall finds a dentist and a crematorium, while Mickey watches Linda. Heiden narrows likely targets to a religious festival. A young nun tells Loeber about a mass by a blind monsignor. He tells Benjamin Harris[i] to find him "a new pair of eyes" (i.e., contacts), and takes the VX nerve crystals Harris procured. McCall finds the crematorium destroyed, and the dentist gone, according to his cleaning lady.[j] Heiden describes his conversion, but McCall replies how his godson died at Heiden's hands. Loeber dupes Linda into helping him, claiming McCall killed her mother. McCall learns about the stolen VX from Control. Loeber poisons Standish, putting him in critical condition. Rudy demands $100,000 for Loeber's new "eyes" or he'll give him to McCall. Loeber offers Rudy more to kill McCall. They meet, but Loeber escapes, abducting Mickey and Linda. Loeber gives McCall instructions to save them. Loeber interrupts Heiden's prayers, shoots him, and assumes the monsignor's identity. McCall must diffuse a bomb... Brother Heiden must stop a mass... and Heiden asks McCall to forgive him. ^ cast
47	3	"Suspicion of Innocence"	Russ Mayberry	Robert Eisele	September 30, 1987 (1987-09-30)	14.0/24[66]
An intellectually challenged department store shipping clerk, Davy Baylor,[k] witnesses the murder of his coworker Cheryl Jansen. Afraid the police will shoot, he flees and calls "Mr. Equalizer" for help. McCall takes him to Lt. Kramer, who thinks his motive was sexual. The prints match, as Davy inadvertently touched the pipe. Despite McCall's objections, Davy goes to The Tombs. McCall meets Davy's mother Irene,[l] who can't see Davy until his arraignment. The D.A.[m] requests remand for psychiatric evaluation. The Bailiff[n] has no time to react when Davy panics and flees. McCall prevents the court officer from shooting him, then bluffs Lt. Kramer about Davy's location. McCall takes Davy back to crime scene to relive that night, hoping for clues. He asks Jimmy for a background on Cheryl. Evidently, she had an affair with Davy's coworker Will Rattigan.[o] McCall rattles Will, so Will goes to his father Jack[p] asking him to provide an alibi. Irene dupes Jimmy to get Davy away from McCall. Davy flees his mother's grasp, and the killer comes looking for him. ^ cast
48	4	"In the Money"	Aaron Lipstadt	Ed Waters & Scott Shepherd	October 7, 1987 (1987-10-07)	14.2/24[67]
Norm Jameson[q] and Craig Rose[r] abduct Samantha Chesborough[s] from her apartment. McCall and Mickey find the body...still alive! Mickey protects her while McCall investigates. Jameson chases the actual target, Fraunces Tavern waitress Wendy Muller, who is run down by Rose's car. But Wendy left a clue for Samantha, so McCall talks to Sandy[t] at Fraunces Tavern, who tells him about Wendy's "playmate" C.R. Heaton[u] who performs mergers and acquisitions; the "King of Junk Bonds." Drawn into Wall Street's dark underbelly, McCall presses Heaton, who panics and calls risk arbitrageur Ron Parrish[v] about Wendy. Parrish cuts Heaton loose to deal with the SEC on his own. Facing economic ruin and jail time for insider trading, Heaton shoots himself. Jonah hacks "Ma Bell" for phone records on who called Heaton before his suicide. McCall sets a trap with the help of his carny contact, Freddy.[w] ^ cast
49	5	"Encounter in a Closed Room"	Jim Johnston	Story by : Ann Lewis Hamilton & Scott Shepherd Teleplay by : Ann Lewis Hamilton	October 14, 1987 (1987-10-14)	12.7/22[68]
A TV reporter[x] interviews Czechoslovakian genetic scientist Dr. Peter Kapik[y] about his DNA breakthrough shortly before Kapik escapes his Russian handlers. Peter visits his friend Alina Jennings[z] and her husband Wayne,[aa] but State Department Agent Foster[ab] takes Kapik into custody. Alina meets her mother, but KGB agent Sarka[ac] confronts her; she knows she is Alina Polivka who defected from Russia. Sarka threatens her parents, Emil[ad] and Vera Polivka,[ae] unless Alina does a job. Alina notices another Russian spy,[af] and calls The Equalizer, but Control wants McCall to disassociate. McCall contacts NYPD Detective Sgt. Alice Shepard, who transferred to Intelligence Division. Shepard meets Alina, who is watched by Sarka, who is now watched by McCall. Sarka tells Alina to kill Peter or her parents will die. McCall and Shepard track down Emil's "Wolf" clue, which leads to Nordic Nights Import/Export. Alina confesses to Wayne that the KBG have her parents, and goes to meet Peter to kill him. McCall tries to rescue her parents, but is captured, so he must improvise to escape. Sarka goes after Kapik herself. ^ cast
50	6	"Mission: McCall"	Alan Metzger	Ed Waters & Scott Shepherd	October 28, 1987 (1987-10-28)	13.4/24[69]
51	7			Story by : Ed Waters & Coleman Luck Teleplay by : Ed Waters & Scott Shepherd & Robert Eisele	November 4, 1987 (1987-11-04)	13.1/23[70]
Part 1 : Scott McCall visits his father Robert but the place is trashed. A masked man with a gun in his tattooed hand escapes. Control gives Scott a ticket out of town, but he follows Robert's contingency plan instead; a video recording to contact Mickey. Mickey leads Scott to former Agency colleague Richard Dyson,[ag] via Zudo's Curios, but Zudo[ah] isn't cooperative. Scott and Mickey meet Dyson, who is actually Southern Control. Control wants Dyson "out of this" but Dyson has leverage. So Control confesses Robert was to be exchanged for twelve Agency agents, but the KGB took him first. Dyson tells Mickey that Harley Gage was the best man they ever had in Moscow, so they free Gage from prison. Gage meets his KGB lover Francesca,[ai] who questions his loyalty. Dyson confronts Control that the KGB doesn't have Robert; Control does, which angers Scott. Control explains that Robert would've given himself up to save a dozen colleagues, so he kidnapped Robert to save his life and buy more time. Francesca and Borda invade Control's safe house, killing Weber/Cronin[aj] to get to Robert, but he resists and is shot.... Part 2 : Mickey and Scott hold Control at the safe house so he can't undermine them, while Dyson and Gage infiltrate the Russian regional facility to rescue Robert. Control distracts Scott to transmit a code from his watch which summons his agents to free him. After Gage kills Kamarov, he seduces Dr. Zara Klemik to get her pass to the lower level where Robert is held. Dyson knocks out some soldiers to get their passes. Colonel Vlasov suspects Dr. Klemik and follows her while she gets a message from her "top secret" contact, Tangent Zero (Control); she has two infiltrators! So she arranges to help Dyson and Gage. Dyson gives her a surprise present for the control room to help them escape. ^ cast
52	8	"Shadow Play"	Russ Mayberry	Robert Eisele	November 11, 1987 (1987-11-11)	12.8/21[71]
Defense Department Logistical Officer Maj. Andrew Banks[ak] testifies at a Congressional hearing about arming and training Angolan counter-revolutionaries, while his counsel[al] advises him. The Congressman[am] demands to know who ordered him. Banks, I know him only as "Control." Meanwhile, Chacon[an] sets up a sniper position, but cannot get a clean shot. An agent tells Det. Shepard that security was pulled and her intelligence unit is disbanded. Outside, Chacon makes another attempt on Banks; Banks and Shepard defend each other. Alice goes to Robert about the shooting, so Harley and Mickey offer to help while Robert recovers (after events in "Mission: McCall"). Control warns Gage off, but Gage asks Rudy Bagler what he knows about Lyle Murdoch[ao] the Federal Agent in Charge, William Virgil[ap] a DOD agent with White House ties, and Renaldo Duran[aq] an international banker with Mafia ties to Meyer Lansky. Chacon hunts down Gage at McCall's apartment. McCall suspects Control, but Gage, suspecting Bagler, barges passed his butler Robbie[ar] and threatens him; Rudy claims Virgil set up Banks. McCall consults Billy Bump and gets a codename; Excelsior. A shootout ensues and Chacon grabs Shepard. Mickey, Gage, Banks and McCall all try to save Shepard. ^ cast
53	9	"Inner View"	Marc Laub	Jim Trombetta	November 18, 1987 (1987-11-18)	13.2/24[72]
Psychic Karen Alden[as] is awoken from a surreal dream at the police station by a female detective[at] who advises her not to hold anything back or be named an accessory to murder. McCall is there as well, trying to convince a Lieutenant[au] that Miss Sarah Hendricks[av] has identified the Scrapbook Killer. Karen asks her detective who he is; The Equalizer. She calls him after having a vision of the killer's next murder. Since McCall is still working with Sarah, he asks Harley Gage to help Karen, but they find nothing yet. Sheila Stainback[aw] interrupts the football match with breaking news; the Scrapbook Killer's latest murder, and a body at the Brooklyn pier that Karen and Gage just left. Karen provides Gage details that he recognizes as lyrics to a song by Archon called "Shadow Man."[ax] McCall checks in when Gage is nearly shot. Gage returns to talk to Archon's singer Jarret[ay] and is threatened by their roadie.[az] Gage gives a description; Jarret gives a name. Sarah and Karen trade notes, and McCall uses Karen's vision to their advantage. ^ cast End-credits: This episode is dedicated to the memory of Ernie Palinkas whose contribution to The Equalizer was invaluable.
54	10	"The Rehearsal"	Alan Metzger	Robert Eisele	December 2, 1987 (1987-12-02)	9.9/17[73]
McCall and Harley Gage watch as Everett Austin[ba] directs Sandra Benning[bb] and Josh[bc] in a stage play rehearsal. Someone watches from above in the lighting bridge, calling to Sandra saying, "Elise..." She alerts McCall, mentioning that someone has left her romantic notes. They find the phone lines cut, the stage door jammed, and all the exits booby trapped with bombs. With a janitor scheduled to arrive who will set off the bomb, they have one hour to find who set the trap. McCall and playwright Jenna Rydell get separated from the rest. She finds an old playbill from Dark Night, another of Austins' productions, starring Elise de Venn and her boyfriend Michael[bd]. Stage manager Phil Davine explains to Gage what happened a year ago, revealing a motive to his madness. ^ cast
55	11	"Christmas Presence"	Michael O'Herlihy	Coleman Luck	December 16, 1987 (1987-12-16)	13.4/24[74]
For his Christmas tradition, McCall takes Gage to his favorite restaurant, but it's "For Sale," so he finds his old Company friend, Pete O'Phelan. At Kelly's Bar, Kelly Stigman,[be] Bishop, Spicer, and Martin[bf] conspire to do something about six year-old Mickey Robertson[bg] who has AIDS; they don't want him in the neighborhood. Stigman throws a smoke grenade into Mickey's room that starts a fire. His grandmother Phyllis Robertson[bh] tells an investigator who can't or won't help, so Mickey calls "Mr. Manhattan." McCall gives Gage his Christmas Gift; to meet Mickey and check out Kelly's bar. Gage also talks to Dr. Feinberg,[bi] who says Mickey's father Dave Burton is still alive, but unable or unwilling to visit, because Mickey's mother was an intravenous smack addict. While Gage confronts Dave, masked men trash the Robertsons' apartment. McCall says he'll do some undercover work on Stigman, and for back-up, sends Pete to Gage. ^ cast
56	12	"A Dance on the Dark Side"	Jonathan Perry	David Lightstone	January 13, 1988 (1988-01-13)	12.2/21[75]
Detective Charlie Kelly claims undercover cop Del Larkin[bj] fed lies to the Organized Crime Task Force about Bruno Dominic,[bk] and threatens to turn Del in. They struggle and Charlie is shot. Larkin slips into Captain Maldisi's office to use the phone. Police switchboard operator Risa[bl] takes a break, leaving only Jill O'Connor[bm] on duty. Jill accidentally overhears Larkin talking to a woman about Kelly's death. She tries telling Detective Bates,[bn] but he can't be bothered. Jill's life is threatened, so she calls McCall. He meets with Maldisi and Det. Shepard who is on temporary attachment with the task force. Shepard takes Jill's statement and contacts IAB. Del meets Simone Peters[bo] and wonders what to do. At the funeral, Robert asks Charlie's wife Maureen[bp] about Del, who he confronts, despite Alice's objections. Gage gets Larkin's phone records with Dominic and Simone; McCall takes a calculated risk. At Pete's restaurant, the team learns about Simone's other identity, Susan Petersborough, and her profession. They race to Jill's dance class to save her from being silenced. ^ cast
57	13	"The Child Broker"	Mark Sobel	Mick Curran	January 20, 1988 (1988-01-20)	13.9/24[76]
Eddie is killed by a car while being chased by a gang of boys, Danny Winters,[bq] Bobby,[br] Press,[bs] Slick,[bt] and Streak[bu] who are led by the manipulative and ruthless Shep Morrow.[bv] Morrow's girlfriend Sylvie[bw] ensures their loyalty with money and seduction. Sensing that Danny is troubled, his girlfriend Amy[bx] tries to help. But Morrow turns up at Danny's home to get him ready for a robbery. Amy calls The Equalizer to save Danny from Morrow. Danny's single mother, Irene Winters,[by] is also worried, so she applies some tough love. After Amy and Gage are threatened, McCall sets up Morrow with the help of Gage and a fellow agent.[bz] ^ cast
58	14	"Video Games"	James A. Contner	Peter McCabe	January 27, 1988 (1988-01-27)	13.4/24[77]
Chauffeur Eddie Mason[ca] drives Christine Hayes[cb] to Warren Briggs,[cc] where a receptionist[cd] connects clients with high-end call girls. Briggs blackmails Gina Harper[ce] with her video tape, then pays Christine to be with Serge[cf] while he records them. Afterwards, Eddie pays her to "just talk." His wife Angela meets The Equalizer through Pete at her restaurant. She says Eddie is an investigative reporter who is missing. His boss Rennick tells Gage about Eddie's story on prostitution. Gage pilfers Eddie's notes that lead to a hotel clerk,[cg] who talks about the "stunning broads" Eddie sees. Christine is found strangled to death, with her madam's message on her machine. Gage knows Joy Tang,[ch] who he leverages for her client list. D.A. Francis Scanlon owes McCall, so he tells Gage about the "whore wars" and that Christine was going to testify. Gage follows Eddie driving Suzanne,[ci] and confronts him. Eddie finds his daughter Janelle's tape and attacks Briggs, so Steiner[cj] grabs Eddie. Now, McCall and Gage must rescue Eddie. ^ cast
59	15	"Something Green"	Luis Soto	Kevin Droney	February 10, 1988 (1988-02-10)	11.9/20[78]
Paul Gephardt[ck] tells his mother Anne,[cl] "I spy something red," as she prepares to start her day. Greedy diplomat Raymond Gephardt[cm] plans on keeping ten million dollars he has been laundering for corporate raiders and mobsters. But it's not enough; he also wants to kidnap his son and heir away from his ex-wife. NYPD Detective Lt. Borley[cn] is first on-scene, but he says diplomatic immunity has tied his hands. Anne asks McCall to stop them from leaving the country. Inside the consulate, Paul tells his father, "I spy something blue," but Raymond doesn't understand. Mobsters make an attempt on Raymond. Kostmayer and Gage fire back. Stanley[co] and Vesco abduct Paul from Debra. McCall and Gage pressure Raymond's go-between lawyer Mr. Binder[cp] for the Paul's location. During the shoot-out, Raymond escapes with Paul. "Daddy, I spy something green...is mommy here?" ^ cast
60	16	"The Mystery of Manon"	Bradford May	Coleman Luck	February 17, 1988 (1988-02-17)	11.9/19[79]
61	17				February 24, 1988 (1988-02-24)	9.3/17[80]
Part 1 : Inspector Phillipe Marcel[cq] is summoned to Brighton Park Zoo and, seemingly, shown his long-dead wife, Manon Brevard Marcel.[cr] He sees experiments from 1985, Vladivostok Labor Camp, and Instructions to kill Control and McCall within 24 hours or Manon dies. A newscaster[cs] reports on a timber wolf released from the zoo, as Robert and Jimmy listen. Control delivers bad news about Ben Silva, and good news about Yvette Marcel.[ct] Yvette asks McCall to help her father. Control gets the files on Manon. Scott finds an amnesiac woman. McCall finds a tape with a particular song from Manon's past; he suspects Control planted it. McCall finally tells Scott the truth about Yvette. Control tasks Sterno to find Phillipe. Yvette sees Manon outside McCall's apartment. Phillipe tells Control and McCall to meet him at the zoo; to kill them. But someone shoots Phillipe as Yvette arrives. Phillipe dies telling her the truth about McCall... Part 2 : Scott and Yvette embrace as siblings. Yvette and McCall come to an understanding. The amnesiac woman resurfaces, and Scott finds her beaten and bloody. She sees a photo of Control and McCall and screams; listening in from a bug is Arthur Trent.[cu] Scott, Yvette, Control and McCall compare notes. McCall, Control, and Sterno must discover the true identity of the woman who believes she is Manon, expose the shadowy party controlling her, and rescue Scott who has been taken captive. ^ cast
62	18	"No Place Like Home"	Tobe Hooper	Robert Eisele	March 16, 1988 (1988-03-16)	13.5/24[81]
On a street full of homeless people a raggedy man asks McCall for food. Bill Whitaker[cv] arrives home to find his evicted wife Paula.[cw] While an HRA/DSS social worker finds them shelter, their son Billy calls The Equalizer. A security guard shuffles them to a squalid room. Jim Harding[cx] tries to scam Bill and they fight. McCall warns Harding off, and asks Jimmy to find the owner, while Mickey protects them. While Vegas[cy] surveils, Mrs. Morales says Harding threatened her. The guard prevents entry to reporter Jackie Chenier,[cz] who's doing a documentary on the Alexandria. Mickey shows Bill a homestead renovation; "a chance to work for a place...to call my home." Jimmy reports the hotel was bought (i.e., stolen) by Mr. Amar[da] from Robert Nichols,[db] who McCall talks with next. McCall "makes things very unpleasant for Mr. Amar," by subletting Amar's own apartment, as he's informed by the doorman.[dc] Amar calls Vegas to frame and kill Bill... then McCall. ^ cast
63	19	"Last Call"	Michael O'Herlihy	Robert Crais	March 23, 1988 (1988-03-23)	13.2/24[82]
Psycho rapist Lewis Fipps[dd] leaves a red-light grindhouse followed by his compliant brother Frank[de] as shots are fired by international hit-man Gant.[df] Pete O'Phelan declares, "last call." The young, beautiful Susan[dg] tries to lift a purse from Lucy.[dh] Ben just wants to pay his tab and leave, while Mickey argues with Lucy's husband Joe[di] to let Susan go without pressing charges. Lewis and Frank run in, take everyone hostage, and warns Gant about all the collateral damage inside. Frank tries calling for help, but the line is cut. Mickey suggests an alternate method; enter The Equalizer. Lewis tells him to kill Gant or he'll start killing hostages. McCall asks Woody[dj] to hack Fipps' criminal record, and provide his mercenary contacts. McCall asks Jameson[dk] about Gant's motive; $500,000 payable by the raped and mutilated girl's father, Vincent Brennard.[dl] When neither Gant nor Fipps back down, McCall must intervene before anyone is killed... or raped. ^ cast
64	20	"Regrets Only"	James A. Contner	Robert Crais	March 30, 1988 (1988-03-30)	14.0/25[83]
Susan Foxworth[dm] is walking with Mark and a car follows her. She yells and kicks the car thinking it's her psychopathic, stalker ex-husband, Dr. Gary Edward Foxworth.[dn] Instead, an irate woman jumps out and yells back. At home, Gary calls her again and again. It's "a little hard to believe" for Detective Bishop.[do] Susan calls McCall, who confronts Gary after talking with his assistant Marge.[dp] Gary claims Susan is mentally unbalanced. McCall refers Susan to a counselor. Gary attacks her in the market. After Pete O'Phelan and McCall mull it over, he pleads with Bishop, but she still won't act. Mickey investigates Gary's background, while McCall "pushes back," setting Gary off. A skinhead takes Gary to buy a gun from Young.[dq] Gary hires him to "stomp" someone; himself. McCall is arrested for aggravated assault. Bishop hands McCall a restraining order. Mickey tries to convince Sister Sara[dr] to show him Gary's student files. McCall confronts Bishop with the malicious, vindictive, chilling facts. They act. ^ cast
65	21	"Target of Choice"	Mark Sobel	Kevin Droney	April 6, 1988 (1988-04-06)	14.2/24[84]
Jonathan Grey[ds] gets a surprise party from his son Devin[dt] and wife Marian,[du] who is disabled by multiple sclerosis. Joy fades when flowers arrive from paroled murderer, Willie J. Hawkins.[dv] Hawkins terrorizes Johnny's family in revenge for testifying. Marian calls McCall. Kostmayer tails Hawkins. D.A. Francis Scanlon says Hawkins staged the murder to claim it wasn't premeditated, avoiding murder one (25 to life) to get manslaughter (8 years). Hawkins goes to ground so McCall has Jimmy and Pete guard Marian. Marian visits her doctor Claudia;[dw] Hawkins is already there. Cellmate Roscoe Lee Boyd looks for Hawkins too, but Mickey and Jimmy are prepared. Mickey rattles Hawkins, who pays a hooker[dx] to check out Mickey. McCall confronts Boyd, who goes after Hawkins himself, but Hawkins has a plan. McCall must hurry to save Hawkins' "target of choice" and end the terror. ^ cast
66	22	"Always a Lady"	Marc Laub	Story by : Scott Shepherd Teleplay by : Peter McCabe	May 4, 1988 (1988-05-04)	11.9/21[85]
At his casino, Tony Costa[dy] discovers $800,000 missing. He suspects McCall's former protégé, Meredith Browning.[dz] To find it, he tasks Johnny Sax.[ea] McCall and Pete return from the theater, and Meredith calls for help. McCall's mind flashes back to Honeywell, Southern Control, and Meredith captured. McCall arrives, but apparently, Meredith was murdered. McCall tells Sgt. Alice Shepard she ran a Company "travel agency." Detective Barry Calloway reports, "Shotgun blast to the head... no prints." Wondering, McCall reminisces and calls her name. A hooker, Cynthia[eb], breaks his dream. "For $200 you can call me Meredith all night long." Control sends Mickey and Pete to the funeral. Angela[ec] tells McCall she worked for Meredith in "customer relations" but coworker Donna Morgan was fired. Cousin Jean Carson returns Meredith's bracelet; McCall's gift inscribed, "Always a Lady." Mickey produces the medical examiner's report and says Donna must've skipped town. By request, Alice has Sax arrested. McCall sets a trap for Costa and Sax. Calloway tells Shepard they still haven't found the money. McCall suspects where to look.... ^ cast

Preceded by Season 2

List of The Equalizer (1985 TV series) episodes

Succeeded by Season 4

Notes

1. William Atherton as Martin "Alpha" Loeber
2. Moira Sinise as Linda
3. Sheila Stainback as Anchorperson
4. Telly Savalas as Brother Joseph Heiden
5. Tom Atkins as FBI Special Agent Frank Standish
6. Nicholas Georgiade as FBI Agent #2
7. Elizabeth Franz as Elizabeth Thomas
8. Ted Beniades as a Police Officer
9. Lee Breuer as Benjamin Harris
10. Lynne Thigpen as Cleaning Lady
11. Vincent D'Onofrio as Davy Baylor
12. Ann Wedgeworth as Irene Baylor
13. James Eckhouse as District Attorney
14. Nancy Giles as Bailiff
15. William Converse-Roberts as Will Rattigan
16. John Randolph as Jack Rattigan
17. Oliver Platt as Norm Jameson
18. Paul Perri as Craig Rose
19. Ashley Crow as Samantha Chesborough
20. Patricia Richardson as Sandy
21. Dennis Boutsikaris as C.R. Heaton
22. John Heard as Ron Parrish
23. David J. Steinberg as Freddy
24. Warren Keith as TV Reporter
25. Michael Moriarty as Dr. Peter Kapik
26. Maureen Mueller as Alina Jennings
27. Jamey Sheridan as Wayne
28. Adam LeFevre as Foster
29. Liliana Komorowska as Sarka
30. Noberto Kerner as Emil Polivka
31. Lola Pashalinski as Vera Polivka
32. George Gerdes as Russian Spy
33. Robert Mitchum as Richard Dyson
34. Frankie Faison as Zudo
35. Frances Fisher as Francesca
36. Tobin Bell as Weber/Cronin
37. J. T. Walsh as Andrew Banks
38. Tibor Feldman as Counsel
39. Gerry Bamman as Congressman
40. Paul Calderón as Chacon
41. Tom Klunis as Lyle Murdoch
42. Walter Bobbie as William Virgil
43. Tomas Milian as Renaldo Duran
44. Ethyl Eichelberger as Butler
45. Katherine Cortez as Karen Alden
46. Starletta DuPois as Female Detective
47. Ron Vawter as Lieutenant
48. Toni Kalem as Sarah
49. Sheila Stainback as Herself (credited as Newscaster)
50. Terrence Mann as Shadow Man
51. Paul Hipp as Jarret
52. Tim Cappello as Roadie
53. George Morfogen as Everett Austin
54. Jennifer Van Dyck as Sandra Benning
55. Ned Eisenberg as Josh
56. Chris Cooper as Michael
57. Martin Shakar as Kelly Stigman
58. Dean Norris as Martin
59. Corey Carrier as Mickey Robertson
60. Jacqueline Brookes as Phyllis Robertson
61. Don McManus as Dr. Feinberg
62. David Andrews as Del Larkin
63. George DiCenzo as Bruno Dominic
64. Brooke Smith as Risa
65. Amanda Plummer as Jill O'Connor
66. Matt Mitler as Detective Bates
67. Madeleine Potter as Simone Peters
68. Marilyn McIntyre as Maureen
69. Christopher Collet as Danny Winters
70. Jerry O'Connell as Bobby
71. Frank Whaley as Press
72. Sam Rockwell as Slick
73. Max Casella as Streak
74. Thomas G. Waites as Shep Morrow
75. Frances Ruffelle as Sylvie
76. Lycia Naff as Amy
77. Mary-Joan Negro as Irene Winters
78. Anthony LaPaglia as Agent #1
79. Daniel Davis as Eddie Mason
80. Vanessa Angel as Christine Hayes
81. Andreas Katsulas as Warren Briggs
82. Colleen Flynn as Receptionist
83. Darlene Vogel as Gina Harper
84. Tony Ganios as Serge
85. Paul Zaloom as Hotel Clerk
86. Ching Valdes-Aran as Joy Tang
87. Annabelle Gurwitch as Suzanne
88. Hunt Block as Steiner
89. Macaulay Culkin as Paul Gephardt
90. Lisa Eichhorn as Mrs. Gephardt
91. Jon DeVries as Raymond Gephardt
92. Leon Russom as Lieutenant Borley
93. Neal Ben-Ari as Stanley
94. Ronald Hunter as Mr. Binder
95. Anthony Zerbe as Phillipe Marcel
96. Anne Heywood as Manon Brevard Marcel
97. Roger Grimsby as Newscaster
98. Melissa Sue Anderson as Yvette Marcel
99. Lawrence Dane as Arthur Trent
100. Michael Rooker as Bill Whitaker
101. Kelly Curtis as Paula Whitaker
102. Leo Burmester as Jim Harding
103. Richard Bright as Vegas
104. Valarie Pettiford as Jackie Chenier
105. Michael Lerner as Amar
106. Ed Lauter as Robert Nichols
107. Thomas A. Carlin as Doorman
108. Joe Maruzzo as Lewis Fipps
109. Michael Cerveris as Frank Fipps
110. James Rebhorn as Gant
111. Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick as Susan
112. Kathleen Bates as Lucy
113. David Schramm as Joe
114. Peter Sellars as Woody
115. Tony Azito as Jameson
116. Charles Keating as Vincent Brennard
117. J. Smith-Cameron as Susan Foxworth
118. Philip Kraus as Dr. Gary Foxworth
119. Jean De Baer as Detective Bishop
120. Debra Jo Rupp as Marge
121. Tony Longo as Young
122. Polly Holliday as Sister Sara
123. Michael Parks as Jonathan Grey
124. Lenny Venito as Devin
125. Verna Bloom as Marian Grey
126. Kevin Geer as Willie J. Hawkins
127. Cecily Adams as Claudia
128. Denise Faye as Hooker
129. Joseph Mascolo as Tony Costa
130. Anne Twomey as Meredith Browning
131. Lewis Van Bergen as Johnny Sax
132. Rita Jenrette as Hooker
133. Susan Gibney as Angela