The Equalizer Season 1 Episode 7: The Children's Song
Aired on CBS: October 30, 1985
Written by: Howard Chesley
Directed by: Richard Compton
Robert McCall and his son Scott (William Zabka) are off to a cabin to chop some wood and have a special talk. But soon they have to protect a hitchiking woman (Dana Barrow, Audrey Griswald!) -- and themselves! -- from a bunch of country hoodlums (led by Bradley Whitford!). Also Ed O'Neil and Kelso from Scrubs! The story is narrower in focus than previous episodes, but that just makes the plotholes that much bigger.
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The Distant Fire

The Equalizer aired on CBS from 1985 to 1989. It inspired two Denzel Washington movies and a reboot with Queen Latifah, but the original series with Edward Woodward is largely forgotten (It can be streamed on nbc.com or the NBC Roku app. Your move, Peacock). In a perfect world, it would receive all the nostalgic love of your MacGyver, your Magnum PI, your A Team, your Knight Rider. The premise - a retired special agent puts an ad in the paper to help those who feel the odds are against them (take that, paper clips and talking cars). Never heard of it? Not a problem. Vince, Chris, and Chuck take a deep dive into the show one episode at a time - incredibly absurd plots, well-known guest stars in every episode (sometimes 4 or 5!), and all other aspects of this show that make it a true hidden gem.
Note: This is pure episodic TV, very few larger plots and themes, so no need to listen in order. This podcast, like say the celebrated show Parks+Rec, had a gestation period, and our full crew kicked in on season 1 episode 16, so you might want to skip ahead.
Photo Credit: Bill Heck