The Equalizer Movie - What We Know (Conclusion)

Our Equalizer introduction wraps up with the episodes you must watch before seeing the movie. Our discussion of all things The Equalizer concludes with a look at some of the best episodes of the series.

As audiences prepare to see Director Antoine Fuqua's vision for the 1980's iconic television series The Equalizer, all this week we're looking back at the characters, episodes, and other aspects of the show that helped to define it. In our final article, we'll discuss several memorable episodes, and explain how some of their themes could fit into the film's storyline.

The Equalizer originally aired on CBS from 1985-1989 and was part of a series of new dramatic offerings that looked inside the world of spycraft and beyond the stylized Roger Moore James Bond movies. While shows like Scarecrow and Mrs. King used spies as a means to drive the romantic storyline, The Equalizer took a darker path, emphasizing the personal cost our heroes pay for defending others. The series featured McCall battling everyone from street thugs to cold-blooded killers, but it was at its best when his former life came into violent contact with his current one. Based on what we've seen from the trailers and various clips, we offer these episodes in the hope you might come to understand why a relatively unknown series was greenlit into a major movie starring an iconic American actor.

Season One
The Distant Fire

Plot: A woman from McCall's past and a deadly assassin return to wreck havoc on his life. Why We Love It: Just 8 episodes in, the series had already garnered attention for Actor Edward Woodward's laser-like delivery of the impassioned but cold-blooded McCall. Seeing him in a different light - as both the defender and the victim - put him in a unique situation, and audiences reaped the rewards. As the killer's identity is released, we see McCall for more than the guns and intricate plans, and as a man hurting - and regretting - the decisions he's made.

Unnatural Causes

Plot: A serial killer is targeting lonely women and leaving an orchid at the scene of each crime, while McCall protects a wanna-be actress from a dangerous pimp.
Why We Love It: A classic whodunnit mixed with the elements of a gentleman spy, this one appeared near the end of Season One. McCall enlists the help of a former spy to act as bait, while dispensing justice against the pimp in classic style. By this time, the series had found its stride, and had already been renewed for a second season.

Breakpoint

Plot: A wedding reception turns deadly as an unarmed McCall fights terrorists who have kidnapped an Islamic philanthropist.
Why We Love It: Perhaps as close to the upcoming movie in terms of using limited assets, this instant classic was also its most tense. Suggestions of rape and brutal violence are scattered throughout this episode as McCall prepares to take out the team without his famous sidearm. Monk's Tony Shaloub plays an absolutely cutthroat terrorist, and the finale is straight-up buttery delight.

Pretenders

Plot: An aspiring reporter learns her neighbor is far more deadly than she realizes, forcing McCall to take drastic steps to ensure her safety.
Why We Love It: The thrilling conclusion to Season One sees McCall and Control battle it out when the neighbor turns out to be an assassin who's being protected by The Company. It's one of many instances where the duo clash over philosophy, and where McCall sets out to right a Company wrong. The action-packed finale is equaled only by the terrific dialogue between the two, throwing in bits of levity along the way.

Season Two
Beyond Control

Plot: McCall seeks to protect Control from the KGB's top agent while unraveling a pattern of disturbing behavior involving his newest 'client.' Why We Love It: This is the best episode of The Equalizer, bar none and perhaps one of the best television episodes ever. It features a richly-textured story of intrigue and deception, as McCall learns that Control knows more than he claims about a dead Company employee and the secrets he was planning to sell to the Russians. As the climax arrives, we hear the haunting tones of Composer Stewart Copeland's trademark keyboards, while McCall searches a casket factory for the agent. But when he learns of Control's deception in the shocking last scene, we realize just how dark McCall's former boss can be. It not only delivers as an episode, but it sets up every spy-driven series after it.

Season Three
Mission: McCall

Plot: After McCall is kidnapped, his family and friends search desperately for him. Why We Love It: Sadly, Woodward had suffered a heart attack during this season, and his appearance and effectiveness in early episodes was limited. However, this two-parter still shows no signs of wear, as Scott assembles a team of McCall's current and former associates, including tough-guy Robert Mitchum as friend/foe Richard Dyson. And just like every good Equalizer episode, Scott and Mickey learn that Control might be involved in McCall's disappearance. And while this isn't directly related to the movie, its themes of friendship and Company deception might find their way in there after all.

Shadow Play

Plot: An on-the-mend McCall must protect a government witness from a deadly assassin, who will use anything to see his target eliminated. Why We Love It: A classic shoot-em-up with some terrific performances, even a post-heart attack Woodward can't keep him down. Harley Gage (Richard Jordan) returns to help Kostmayer, but the two find themselves in the assassin's crosshairs during a classic Act Four. Listen to Composer Stewart Copeland's soundtrack during this sequence. Of course, McCall makes a dramatic entrance at the end, all leading to a huge plot twist that's sure to satisfy.

Season Four
Riding the Elephant

Plot: McCall must protect two Thai nationals from a brutal racketeer with ties to The Company.
Why We Love It: Another classic example of Control's 'enemy of my enemy' belief system getting in the way of McCall's plans. This episode features memorable chemistry by McCall's clients who run into trouble with the local gang, but also seem to have connections to none other than Control himself. As we move towards a surprising ending, one member of the family pays the ultimate price, leaving McCall to wonder if his 'friend' really does have a heart.

Trial By Ordeal

Plot: When Control is brought up on charges of treason by The Company, McCall must defend him.
Why We Love It: An absolute classic courtroom drama, Ordeal is one of those 'come home to roost' episodes, where all the dirty deals Control has made come back to haunt him. By this time, the series had demonstrated its willingness to turn any major character into one of McCall's clients, and this one certainly didn't disappoint. Using scenes from previous episodes as 'evidence' in Control's trial, this is one of the first times I can remember a show establishing connections to other episodes as a means of creating a pseudo-arc. The twisty ending is so memorable and so well played by the duo that it ranks among my favorite episodes of all time - make sure you stick around for them.


Conclusion

While these character developments represent great places for Director Antoine Fuqua to base his film, it appears that much is being reshaped for the big screen. Melissa Leo will appear as McCall's former handler/Control, but it's not clear whether they will represent different Company philosophies or not. However, we can say this: just like in comic book movies, it's clear that the studios prefer to see television shows reworked rather than copied. Therefore, don't be surprised to see a very different Robert McCall from the one we've introduced to you.

The Equalizer movie blasts its way into theaters on September 26th.

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