Hill Street Blues (TV Series) Can World War III Be an Attitude? (1981) User Reviews

Excellent episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 30 July 2010]

The street gangs retaliate and plan to attack Hill Station after the President cancels his walking tour. Meanwhile, LaRue ((Kiel Martin) tries to clear his name and Furillo (the always terrific Daniel J. Travanti) asks Davenport (the equally fine Veronica Hamel) to represent LaRue in court. The delightfully radiant Barbara Babcock returns as enticing and spirited decorator Grace Gardner and once again butts heads with Esterhaus (Michael Conrad, who brings a wonderfully appealing warmth to his role); their confrontation scenes are a treat to watch. Esterhaus also displays his tender side in a moving scene with Lucy Bates (Betty Thomas), who's insulted after Hunter (an exquisitely deadpan James B. Sikking) asks her to join his elite emergency task force squad for all the wrong reasons. Guest star Charles Fleischer, who's best known as the voice of Roger Rabbit, nearly steals the whole show with a funny and likable performance as Malibu, a hip would-be car thief and electronics fix-it whiz who repairs various faulty things in the station after he's arrested by Renko (Charles Haid) and Hill (Michael Warren). Martin as LaRue really shines in this episode, with a conversation with his partner Washington (Taurean Blacque) about him being possibly corrupt rating as the definite highlight. Dan Hedaya simply oozes as shrewd and slippery dirty cop Ralph Macafee. Moreover, there's a pretty tense and gripping sequence when all the power gets cut off at the station and the show overall nicely explores the theme of loyalty among police officers.

"It's a dog-eat-dog world, counsellor. No-one's going to eat me."

[Hey_Sweden · 8/10 · 11 February 2020]

This is another very entertaining episode of the series, with the usual assortment of story threads intermingling. We don't see Belker or Fay this time around, but the other characters have plenty to deal with. Things threaten to get ugly when the President cancels his walking tour, and all the local gangs get angry. Interior decorator Grace Gardner (the lovely Barbara Babcock) makes another appearance, and it won't be much longer before she wears down Esterhaus' resistance. LaRue continues to cope with the investigation into his supposed misdeeds. And, in the episodes' most humorous and ingratiating touch, a habitual car thief, Malibu (guest star Charles Fleischer), endears himself to the men and women of Hill Street Station with his ability to fix just about anything.

The regular cast all continue to do excellent work, but it's guest stars like Fleischer and Babcock that truly bring this latest episode to life. You can't help but like Malibu, and this viewer even felt the urge to cheer him on when he makes an escape attempt from the station. You sympathize with Officer Bates (a wonderful Betty Thomas) after a conversation she has with insufferably macho Sgt. Hunter (a typically amusing James Sikking). Once again, guest star Dan Hedaya, as the crooked Macafee, provides a real case study in not-so-subtle sleaziness. (Furillo realizes that Macafee is lying, and then vows to help LaRue any way he can, even trying to convince Joyce to take his case.) Things come to a head with a tense climax as the power goes out at the station.

A delightful, light finish to the episode, too, with Furillo and Joyce enjoying a quiet moment at home.

Eight out of 10.

"Can World War III Be an Attitude?" is a pretty good early ep of "Hill Street Blues"

[tavm · 7/10 · 5 April 2018]

After what happened in the previous ep, LaRue is now being investigated for his conduct. Grace Gardner returns as the precinct decorator and she and Sgt. Esterhaus don't seem to get along much but not for long. And a car thief Hill and Renko arrest also seems to be an expert mechanic. Oh, and the President cancels his planned visit to Hill Street...Not as entertaining as previous eps but writers Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll still provide many good dramatic and comedic moments like future Roger Rabbit voice actor Charles Fleischer as that car thief/mechanic. Also appearing is future ex-husband of Carla Tortelli on "Cheers", Dan Hedaya in his second "HSB" ep, as the slimy cop who turned in LaRue. Can't wait to watch the next one after "Can World War III Be an Attitude?"...

Try to Keep Track of It All

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 5 July 2021]

When the President cancels his trip, the gangs believe they've been hoodwinked. Crime has been down but when word gets out, all hell breaks loose. There are three deaths and massive destruction takes place. Larue has to face IAD after being set up by a crooked cop with aspirations to control Furillo's precinct. We also get to know Malibu, a great character who can fix anything but whose main talent is car theft. Frank needs to negotiate with Davenport.