Sergeant Thomas Jefferson Hooker is a tough-as-nails veteran police officer with the LCPD who turns his back on a gold badge and goes back to patrolling the streets and training recruits. Along with his young partners in blue, Hooker take on Lake City's toughest criminals.
Where to Watch
Streaming, rent and purchase options
Episodes
1. The Protectors (pilot)
With a crime-wave sweeping the city, a new Police programme has been formed to fast-track recruits to get them patrolling on the streets, and it's up to tough veteran cop Sergeant T.J. Hooker to bring them up to scratch. Trying to cope with his recent divorce and money problems, Hooker struggles with a job that he can't get away from. Meanwhile, the spate of crimes, including robbery, murder and a sniper is quickly getting out of hand. Only Hooker can train the eager but inexperienced young recruits as he leads them in bringing peace back to the streets, but the pursuit of the two murderous armed robbers at the head of the crime-wave inevitably leads to an explosive confrontation.
2. The Streets
While hunting for a mugger who attacks women and leaves a Bible at the scene of his crimes, Hooker and Romano have to escort an overeager, aggressive newswoman. But the reporter's involvement just serves to complicate matters further.
3. God Bless the Child
When a school-mate of Hooker's daughter is found dead, after being pumped full of drugs and pushed off a roof after threatening to expose a drug runner's racket, Hooker realises that it could just as easily have been his daughter, and is determined to nab the culprits.
4. Hooker's War
Hooker and Romano spot a van jumping a red light in a seemingly straight-forward traffic violation, but when they give pursuit they find themselves taking on gun-runners in the firearm-loaded vehicle. The pair go on the trail of the former members of a biker gang who are now involved in the illegal arms dealing, but just who is supplying them?
5. The Witness
An attractive young woman witnesses a murder, but her married boss dissuades her from going to the Police in fear that it will uncover their affair. Hooker must try and persuade the frightened girl to help them and testify against the psychotic killer, but the murderer intends to see that she never makes it that far.
Cast & Crew
William Shatner
Sgt TJ Hooker
Heather Locklear
Officer Stacy Sheridan
James Darren
Officer Jim Corrigan
Story & Production Details
Reviews & Thoughts
I look back at the Twilight Zone sometimes and remember that Captain Kirk could really act and not just play characters. This is T. J. Hooker, this is Shatner playing Captain Kirk on earth in the 1980s. Don't sit down and think you are going to get the man that is paranoid to fly and sees a Gremlin on the wing, or a newlywed obsessed with a fortune telling machine in a cafe... ... This isn't that Shatner, this is Shatner playing Kirk as a cop in the 80s. But, don't think it sucks either, because it does work in an over-the-top cartoonish sort of way, and that was what the show was meant to be. Serious and tongue in cheek at the same time. For those of you my age, Hooker is Sledge Hammer! (1986) if Sledge Hammer! Didn't know it was a comedy. And for entertainment value it works.
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