William Farr
This was a show that was lost and thrown out like yesterdays newspaper. Unfortunately I didn't think to tape most of the episodes. I checked out the website or Michael Madsen and there was nothing there. Someone mentioned that they were able to see it in Europe. Did anyone think to tape these? I think I have a few of these episodes on VHS. Does anybody else? Maybe if enough people make some noise about this they will finally realize that there is some interest and produce them on DVD. I would be very interested in that if it comes to pass. I recently found the entire series of COMBAT on DVD, it only took 40 years for that. Hope it doesn't take that long.
moviez101
I'm going to be the first in line when this comes out on DVD!! Though the show is reminiscent of the 1985 Series, STINGRAY with Nick Mancuso, (which also suffered the SAME only 1 season, no renewal curse) it stressed less on clothing and a cool car, and more on devilishly delicious plots, scams, and every twist in the book in order to nab the bad guy all the while messing with their heads and even sometimes there lifestyle/livelyhoods. Every episode had their evil deeds displayed to them in the most original, moral dilemma, make 'em squirm, way that makes Mr. Chapell's "One Liners" more enjoyable than a Schwarzenegger flick that only Mr. Madsen can deliver. "I had my fingers crossed. The whole time. The entire time. (moves his fingers to normal) OhhH!! I was beginning to cramp!" Or the ending of "Dishonorable Discharge" about how he feels about his job "Yeah, its very rewarding, even when you don't get to see the results in person" as the scene cuts away to the criminal taking his first shower in prison and a moment later 4 bald tough regular prisoners enter the room, bullettime slow motion, with the music "It's Raining Men" Halaluya!!! This was just a sampler of what each new episode had to bring to the plate. Storyline over guns and ammo, thou they were used time to time to when it helped move the story forward. A well placed dead hooker here, and a briefcase switcheroo there, and justice was almost always served best, in reverse for the villain in the end. Sometimes using the very tools that got them off scott free, against them, confusing themselves and the viewer to ask out loud "What are you talking about?" just to see the final dominoes all fall in place in the nick of time. Making an exit that usually meant that the "Favour" was payed in full and...."I'm out of your life...Forever" answered back with "THANK GOD!!" Or the one million dollars...... ;-)
jclarkeaw
Once in a while there comes along a show or movie where everything just comes together like Silence Of The Lambs, this show is one of them. It's like it was made just for Michael Madsen who was perfect casting. The show was fantastic and the writing and casting was also. The main reason it was not picked up is it was against Friends and ABC didn't stand by it as they should have but never do, the least they could have done is move it. ABC actually screwed the show and producers by hanging them up and not making a decision until the last moment, there were other networks interested in it but ABC wouldn't make a decision until the last minute and then it was to late to get it on another network. There was a big amount of people on the WB Vengeance web page trying to get it to stay on and the producers and creators actually wrote pieces on there updating the news. What a shame and what a waste of great talent and a loss for the viewing public.
suzsavoie
Have to agree with the previous post. This was a great series that never got a chance. Truthfully, I think it was the name. Everyone I talked to about it said the name really turned them off. So people missed out on the truly witty words and diabolic twists that made this a very interesting and enjoyable hour of television each week. A shame!I waited anxiously every week for Mr. Chapel's next case. And regretted greatly that all the mystery surrounding him was never explained. Who was he? Where did he come up with the wonderful payment plan of one million in cash or a favor? What started his quest for justice? Though similar in many ways to The Equalizer, which I also thoroughly enjoyed, this had a dark side and edginess absent in The Equalizer, and it also had a twisted sense of humor that just can't be beat.