Mill Creek Entertainment
Release date: Jan 19th, 2010
MSRP: $14.98
Stars: Fred Dryer, Stephanie Kramer
Debuting, on NBC, in 1984, Hunter was hyped as a sort of Dirty Harry for television. Detective Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) was a maverick cop that often broke the rules to ensure justice is served. Often clashing with his superiors, Rick is committed to protecting the citizens of Los Angles, no matter what the cost. As the series begins, he has been assigned a new partner Sgt. Dee Dee McCall (Stephanie Hunter). Hunter’s partners don’t generally last too long, but McCall wins him over and they begin a partnership that lasts for the first several seasons.

I have to admit, I was surprised a bit by season one. My own memories are of the later seasons, in which the show is a tad softer. This season is more violent and Hunter is an edgier character, with some family ties to organized crime. I am sure there were good reasons for softening the show, but I found season one hella fun.
The show certainly feels dated (clothes and McCall’s hair for started), but the stories still hold up well. Hunter and McCall have chemistry. And while Hunter can be brutal and rough, they do enough to show his more human side and that makes it easier to become emotionally invested in him.
As with the previous Mill Creek/Canell releases, this is a bargain release. Some of the original music is missing and the extras are minimal. But the price is right for those that are looking to revisit some prime 80s television.
Order first season of HUNTER.
Jeremy