The following is an episode list for the 1980s police television seriesHunter, starring Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer. In the United States, the show was aired on NBC. The "Pilot" TV movie premiered on September 18, 1984 with the series officially starting 10 days later. The show ended on April 26, 1991 after seven seasons. There are a total of 153 episodes, spanning seven years (1984–1991) of the show's run.
Reunion movies were broadcast on TV in 1995, 2002 and 2003, with a revival series of five episodes (of which only three aired) following in 2003 as well.
Detective Sergeant Rick Hunter is the son of a mobster; who has a hard time keeping a partner because most other cops don't trust to work with him due to his rough methods. The incompetent Bernie Terwilliger (James Whitmore Jr.) is the only one in the squad who accepted to work with him. Hunter decides then to partner up with another maverick cop, "Brass Cupcake" Detective Sergeant Dee Dee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) —against the will of 'Captain Cain' (Michael Cavanaugh)— to set the trap for a brutal serial murderer.
Note:Brian Dennehy guest star in this episode as "Dr. Bolin" the appointed shrink of Hunter's detective division.
When the Police Commissioner's wife is murdered, the commissioner becomes the prime suspect. Hunter and McCall have to investigate despite interference from the top. Guest stars Sam J. Jones.
Hunter and McCall track a bounty hunter who is beating the outlaws he brings in for a reward. Wings Hauser guest stars. Jim Croce sings "You don't Mess Around with Jim"
Hunter and McCall are assigned to protect a sleazy criminal, who has been given immunity for fingering a top criminal. Outraged at having to protect him, Hunter and McCall set out to find someone else who can finger the top criminal.
Hunter and McCall hunt for the person who shot and killed a motorcycle cop with an armor-piercing bullet like the one that was used to kill McCall's husband. Guest stars Shawn Weatherly.
Hunter and an old friend who's a parole officer (Ed O'Neill) get in each other's way while trying to investigate the same case. Guest stars Frances McDormand.
A mentally disturbed surveillance expert attempts to "help" Hunter by killing a suspect and a witness. McCall is kidnapped when the surveillance expert is unhappy that Hunter does not approve of his actions. Guest stars Nancy Stafford.
A cocaine dealer (Lycia Naff) escapes from her police escort while being extradited from New York and Hunter joins forces with NYPD detective Jackie Molinas (Dennis Franz) for a big drug bust while McCall goes undercover. Guest stars Dennis Farina.
The Captain sends Hunter and McCall to serve as technical advisors for a television police show to keep them out of trouble. Unfortunately, the star of the show is killed, placing Hunter and McCall in the middle of another high-profile murder investigation. Guest stars Jesse Ventura.
While investigating a rape and murder at a foreign consulate, McCall finds herself the victim of the same rapist, a diplomat who escapes prosecution for the crime because of diplomatic immunity. Hunter vows to get revenge. Guest Star Richard Yniguez
Hunter takes matters into his own hands after his superiors refuse to fight the diplomat's claim of immunity. After learning of Hunter's intentions, McCall tracks her partner down to talk him out of his plan. Guest Stars Richard Yniguez, Danny Ponce, Michael Ansara, Larry Hankin, Sam Vlahos, Jack Starrett.
Follow up of this episode is "High Noon in L.A." (S03E05).
A friend of Hunter's is accused of killing his wife, but Hunter connects the crime to a man he arrested a long time ago instead. Guest Star William Smith.
A dying criminal sends for Hunter and says that he's the man who killed Hunter's father, and that he was paid to do it by his father's partner. Hunter goes to the man who was originally convicted for the murder and asks him if he did it or not; he says he was just trying to rob the place when the police came and assumed he did it. So Hunter sets out to find if his father's partner did have his father killed. Guest Star Kay Lenz.
Hunter and McCall pursue a couple of young punks involved in a jewelry heist and an underground punk rocker (John Matuszak) suspected of multiple torture murders.
A body disappears from Hunter's apartment, and as he and McCall investigate they find that a Russian defector and Federal agents are connected to the case.
Hunter and McCall investigate a witness' claim that a series of skid row murders are being committed by the reporter (Anne-Marie Johnson) who is covering the story.
Note: First appearance of Pockets (Beah Richards), a friendly vagrant.
A cop is murdered after making arrangements to meet with Hunter. Hunter and McCall are partnered with different partners on Devane's orders, leaving McCall and her new partner to work on the murder.
The brother (George DelHoyo) of the diplomat who raped McCall (in the two-part episode "Rape and Revenge") comes to Los Angeles to exact revenge against Hunter for killing his brother.
Follow up of episodes "Rape and Revenge Part 1" (S02E06) & "Rape and Revenge Part 2" (S02E07)
49
6
"From San Francisco with Love"
Charlie Picerni
S : Ira Besserman & Chris Burrenthal; T : Stephanie Garman & Hollace White
A San Francisco cop (Laura Johnson) joins Hunter and McCall in investigating a case after someone attempts to shoot a deceased millionaire's son. Guest stars Philece Sampler.
50
7
"True Confessions"
Michael Preece
Story by : Jo Montgomery Teleplay by : Rogers Turrentine
When the three men guilty of raping a young woman are released on a technicality, her older sister (Lauren Tewes) vows to make them pay for their crime.
Police informant Sporty James (Garrett Morris) believes that he will receive a large sum of money after witnessing a murder committed by a drug trafficker's henchmen. Guest stars Claudia Christian.
Follow up of this episode is "The Bogota Million" (S04E017).
A group of neo-Nazis rob a gun shop and leave an injured partner (Lar Park Lincoln) behind, who happens to be the daughter of the group's leader. Dean Stockwell and wrestler Big John Stud guest stars.
Hunter travels to Sydney, Australia in an attempt to find clues regarding both the murder of an elderly woman and the disappearance of an old flame three years ago. Guest stars Marina Sirtis and Anthony LaPaglia.
56
13
"Straight to the Heart"
James Whitmore, Jr.
T : John Thomas James; S/T : Michael Berlin & Eric Estrin
While Hunter is on leave preparing to testify before a grand jury, he becomes involved with a woman (Lydia Cornell) who is the girlfriend of the accused.
McCall lands in hot water after she reopens the case her husband was working on when he was killed. This episode retcons the death of McCall's husband from the pilot episode. Guest stars Leslie Hope and Cesare Danova.
McCall goes undercover as a fashion model to bust a ring of thieves hitting lonely business men in their hotels. When Sporty James shows up and inadvertently blows McCall's cover, Hunter attempts to get there in time to keep them from getting killed. Guest stars George Clooney.
Hunter finds that an old girlfriend is being hunted by a cocaine dealer while he is tailing a robbery and murder suspect who was released due to a lack of evidence.
Hunter and McCall are investigating a prostitution ring when McCall is shot and seriously wounded, and her informant friend is killed. The trail soon leads to a pimp named Big Jack Hemmings (Robert Ridgely), who Hunter suspects ordered the hit on McCall. While McCall fights to survive as surgeons prepare to take the bullet out, Hunter confronts Hemmings.
After Hunter leaves Hemmings' mansion, he's arrested by the Beverly Hills police, who are trying to pin a murder charge on Hunter for political reasons. The D.A. decides not to charge Hunter yet, and Hunter soon discovers who the real killer is. It's now a race against time, as Hunter tries to stop the killer from fleeing the country while the Beverly Hills police try to pin the crime on Hunter.
Hunter is kidnapped and presumed dead after he travels to prison to visit a sick family friend. McCall must control her frustration when she is paired up with a fashion-conscious female partner Kitty O'Hearn (Shelley Taylor Morgan). Guest Star Jared Martin.
A skid row murder leads to an unknown victim. The killer knows the identity of the witness and the witness knows the identity of the killer. Guest Star Beah Richards.
Hunter and McCall consider leaving the force when the investigation of the murder of a community leader who has ties to organized crime reveals some disturbing evidence.
Hunter investigates the disappearance of a friend's mail-order bride while he is off duty. The case becomes a homicide investigation when the marriage broker is murdered. Guest Stars James Wainwright, Dirk Blocker.
When Hunter and McCall travel to a mountaintop mansion to investigate a murder, they are trapped there overnight with the victim's entire family in the midst of a massive snowstorm.
Several different stories mesh together in this three-part episode. Hunter and McCall, along with Detectives Brad Navarro (Erik Estrada) and Kitty O'Hearn (Shelley Taylor Morgan), investigate a string of rapes committed against a certain type of female. McCall is accused of entrapment when she busts a prominent judge (Robert Reed) in a prostitution sting operation. Hunter receives a visit from a teenage prostitute who is concerned her missing friend was murdered.
Hunter spends the night at McCall's house after she receives a threatening phone call from the man known as "Bigfoot," whom they were investigating for the rapes. Brad Navarro's wife kicks him out of the house and hits the LAPD with a massive and somewhat humorous lawsuit, claiming their marriage was failing because of Brad's "unusual appetite for sex" due to being paired up with attractive female partners. Hunter's investigation of a missing girl uncovers a local satanic cult, led by the very judge McCall arrested. The LAPD conduct a stakeout in an attempt to catch "Bigfoot," but he outsmarts them and nearly claims Sgt. McCall as his next victim.
McCall's fight to appeal her entrapment accusation uncovers corruption at the hands of the LAPD commander, who resigns amid the controversy. The teenage girl Hunter had been keeping tabs on is murdered by a member of Judge Unger's cult. The judge is arrested by Hunter. Kathy Navarro drops her lawsuit against the LAPD and she and Brad reconcile. Lloyd Fredericks, known as "Bigfoot," is arrested after he beats and nearly rapes Sgt. McCall; Mrs. Fredericks takes her own course of action against him. Guest Star Robert Colbert.
Captain Devane's ex-wife Sarah is convinced that she killed a woman while driving under the influence of alcohol, the car with the body in it disappears, only for the body to turn up on the beach. Later, Sarah is killed..... Guest Stars Vincent Baggetta.
The mobsters are pursuing Sporty James because they think he stole a million dollars from them. The police are pursuing him because they think he killed one of the mobsters.
Follow up of episode "Love, Hate and Sporty James" (S03E08).
Hunter's old partner is murdered and he suspects that a group of officers, who were suspected of stealing money from a drug bust five years prior to the murder, are to blame. Guest Stars Leon Rippy, Robert Colbert.
When Hunter and McCall investigate a series of murders committed with police-issued bullets, the main suspect is closer than they think. Guest stars Leslie Bevis. Last episode executive produced by Roy Huggins.
Hunter puts his job on the line when he defends a female officer, critically wounded in the line of duty, against accusations of employing improper procedures during a Chinatown shooting. Guest Star William Smith and James Hong.
A police task force is established to assist in crime control. A Bonnie and Clyde style couple arrive in LA on a violent spree. McCall goes undercover in a school when a teacher is murdered. Guest stars Robert Vaughn, James Sikking, Cec Verrell and then LAPD chief Daryl Gates.
99
12
"City Under Siege: Part 2"
Jefferson Kibbee
S : George Geiger & Tom Chehak; T : Terry D. Nelson
When a convicted murderer (Henry Brown) is let out on bail pending a new trial in which he intends to defend himself, Hunter puts his career at risk to protect the identity of the informant (Clare Wren) to whom he had promised anonymity seven years earlier.
A suspect is poisoned while Hunter and McCall are investigating a race horse groom's death. They attempt to unravel the revenge and fraud behind the murder in order to find a motive. Guest stars Amy Benedict and Charles Bateman.
McCall is suspected of having shot an innocent man during a shootout in an alley and fights to clear her name with help from Hunter and Sporty James. While helping McCall, they discover a ring of jewel thieves.
When a nurse she recently befriended is killed in a car accident related to alcohol just a few days later, McCall suspects foul play. She is even more convinced of that after learning the nurse was pregnant, and would not have mixed alcohol with the morning sickness medication she was taking.
Boxing turns deadly when the manager of promising fighter Sonny Ruiz (Scott Colomby) and a doctor are both murdered. Hunter to penetrates the world of prizefighting with the help of a trainer named Benny Shaffer (Sammy Davis Jr.).
Note: Second last on-screen appearance of Sammy Davis Jr.
Prostitutes are being murdered by a man who lures them disguised as a police officer. When McCall's friend Debbie Small (from the "City Under Siege" saga) returns to the profession, she may be the next target.
Hunter and McCall try to rescue an undercover female agent who was kidnapped during an investigation into money laundering, and have to deal with interference from the girl's father, who's a cop himself.
Hunter and McCall investigate the murder of an art gallery owner involved in illegal sales of Native American artifacts, and find themselves drawn into a mysterious world of Native American politics.
A radio show host (Erin Gray) is being stalked and the men in her life are being murdered. Hunter pretends to be her lover in order to catch the killer.
Hunter delivers a baby for Cheryl Donavan (Allison Smith), a runaway from San Diego, who decides to name her girl after him. When Cheryl winds up dead, Hunter uncovers a baby-breeding operation that sells infants as though they were property. Guest stars Mary Elizabeth McDonough and Elizabeth Ashley.
Hunter and McCall must track down the leader of the White Supremacists (Richard Lynch) after he escapes from prison. Problems arise when a friend of McCall's, her former training officer (Claude Akins), tries to help and is charged with obstruction of justice. McCall tries to help him overcome his depression over his loneliness, but she is not able to help in time to prevent his suicide.
Overcome with guilt over the suicide of her training officer, McCall quits the force and is kidnapped. Hunter sets out to rescue her before it's too late.
Hunter thinks a Vietnamese-American teenager may be his son, and believes the boy when he claims to be an innocent bystander during a car theft that results in a murder. Guest stars Soon-Tek Oh.
A man is robbing and murdering businessmen when they are taking receipts to the bank. The incompetent rookie assigned to work with Hunter on the case is the son of Hunter's training officer.
Hunter and McCall track down a departmental leak in the investigation of a serial killer targeting homosexuals. A local painter (Michael Champion) confesses to committing all but one of the murders.
A young drug user (Tim Griffin) who accidentally murders his pusher and then steals $200,000 in mob money from him is pursued by the pushers' drug supplier; the user's brother (Mark Pellegrino) tries to save him. Guest stars Gretchen Corbett.
McCall returns home to find her young Latino cleaning lady murdered. Old scars on the young woman's body reveal that she was a torture victim. Guest stars Carlos Carrasco, BarBara Luna, and Kamala Lopez.
121
12
"Broken Dreams"
Michael Preece
S : Mark Lisson & David H. Balkan; T : Terry D. Nelson & Kevin Droney
Hunter attempts to protect his high school sweetheart (Cristina Raines) after she witnesses a murder. Her unemployed husband convinces her to take part in blackmail instead of cooperating with Hunter.
Hunter's investigation of a murdered cop reveals that the victim was the illegitimate son of a Mafia boss (Jerry Orbach) and that the killer was the man's brother.
A child is dead after inhaling fumes from illegally dumped cyanide, and Hunter and McCall work to charge a chemical company with second degree murder. Guest stars Robert Gentry and Kathleen Noone.
Hunter and McCall have unresolved issues with regard to their previous love affair when Hunter's former co-worker is assigned to help with the investigation of a robber turned murderer.
125
16
"Lullaby"
Corey Allen
S : Terry D. Nelson & Kevin Droney; T : Marvin Kupfer & David H. Balkan
Hunter and McCall work with a Scotland Yard inspector (Rosalyn Landor) when the murder of two British prostitutes resembles a string of similar murders in the United Kingdom. Guest stars Gary Sinise.
Hunter and McCall suspect that two murders were committed as an act of revenge by a man who was recently paroled. They become frustrated when they discover that a Catholic priest knows the identity of the killer, but refuses to break his vow of confession and tell them who it is.
McCall and her boyfriend, a judge (John Beck), are held captive in his house by the brother (Harold Sylvester) of a man whom the judge convicted and who had committed suicide in prison.
A man (Tom Villard) claims to have seen two murders in psychic visions. Hunter and McCall are skeptical until he proclaims that McCall is the next victim.
Hunter teams with two Metro officers, one of whom is a former adversary, to locate the missing profits of a murdered black-marketeer, as Devane considers a post in Metro. Guest stars Andreas Katsulas.
An innocent African American teenager is beaten when vigilante crimes cause friction between the police, the press, and a neighborhood watch group. Guest stars Mitch Pileggi.
The companion of a former film star (Nina Foch) turns to a life of crime in order to grant her wish to see the Acapulco beach in the moonlight. Hunter and the city are sued by a suspect who was mistakenly arrested.
A former girlfriend complicates Hunter's investigation of a string of campus murders while Molenski becomes the target of a cop-killer. Hunter tracks down a cop-killer. Guest stars Jeffrey Combs and Frances Bay.
Note: Final appearance of Darlanne Fluegel as Joanne Molenski, and first appearance of Lauren Lane as Chris Novak.
Rick Hunter, now a lieutenant, considers marrying his girlfriend, but she's murdered before he can. He suspects that it's probably her abusive ex-husband who's stalking her, but because the man is a celebrity, Hunter's not sure if he will be tried, much less convicted. But when someone calls Hunter with first-hand information about the murder, he wonders if the ex-husband really did it. Guest stars John C. McGinley, Miguel Ferrer, and Wendie Malick.
On enforced leave following a failed drug bust, LAPD Lieutenant Rick Hunter heads to San Diego, where he catches up with former partner Dee Dee McCall. But upon their reunion, Hunter and McCall become embroiled in a terrifying game of cat and mouse that has its roots in Russia.
Lieutenant Rick Hunter, now of the San Diego Police Department, along with his "new" partner Sergeant Dee Dee McCall, must track down a group of women bank robbers who appear to be behind bars when the crimes occur; simultaneously, he's looking for an ex-con he put away who has just been released and is now on a vengeful crime spree.
When an illegal Mexican teenager is discovered wandering the streets, it leads Hunter, McCall, and the INS to a person smuggling immigrants into the US on the seas, then murdering them off the San Diego coast. However, when Hunter discovers the mass murder was not business as usual for the smuggler, he begins to question it.
When a jockey and his well-known horse are shot moments away from the finish line, Lieutenant Hunter and Sergeant McCall search for a motive for the attack. However, when the professional hitman paid to end this jockey's winning streak finishes the job, Hunter is left searching for mastermind behind the murder.
4
"To Serve and Protect"
Noel Nosseck
Jeff Diaz
Unaired (Unaired)
N/A
Hunter is forced to protect a murder suspect from the victim's father.
5
"Need to Know"
John T. Kretchmer
Jeff Diaz
Unaired (Unaired)
N/A
Hunter and McCall battle the military while trying to solve the murder of a Marine officer at his home.
