Original subtitles

Theodore Carlton Hunsacker? That's quite a mouthful.

Family came over on the Mayflower, huh?

They wanted to, but they missed the boat by about 222 years.

What should I call you

TC. We got a speeder coming up on the right, Jon.

Yep.

They said you were good before you transferred from cruisers.

Good

I don't even know why Getraer bothered

to have Jon ride him around.

Everybody gets ridden around when they go from cars to bikes.

You're on probation.

- Yeah.

Well, in Hunsacker's case, it was just a formality.

The guy never makes mistakes.

Hey, everybody makes a mistake.

I don't care how great they are sooner or later.

- Yeah.

Well, if this were a pool, I'd take later.

Latest.

Oh, I'll take sooner, Grossy.

He's bound to mess up at least once by the end of next week

say...Friday morning.

- Gotcha. Friday a.m... - Okay.

Hey, I think we got something going here.

I don't know.

You guys really want to bet

on how quick a new guy does something wrong?

We're not talking about anything big.

I mean, a guy with Hunsacker's reputation..

He doesn't do that kind of foul-up.

He'd better not, Grossy.

He's out with my partner.

Okay, what's the fastest way..

...the Eastbound Ventura Freeway to Hollywood Freeway North.

The off-ramp to the right-hand lane on Riverside drive

Amarillo Street exit.

Watch out, Jon! Look out!

That was no accident. You alright?

Y-yeah, I'm alright.

I'll call it in on the radio.

Stay on your box so your backup

will know your 20, alright?

You sure you're alright?

I'm alright. Come on, TC, go on before you lose him.

Go on!

15-Mary-3...I need backup for..

...Mary-3-Adam..

...Eastbound Foothill...Roxb..

'All units, vicinity of Foothill Boulevard and Roxbury.'

'7-Mary-3 is involved in a possible 11-99.'

'May need assistance.'

'Units responding, identify.'

7-Mary-4 responding. Did Jon say what the trouble is?

'Negative, Mary-4. Transmission broken. Unable to copy.'

What happened to Mary

Mary-3-adam in pursuit of hit-and-run suspect.

Larkland Terrace, heading West.

'Backup units can intercept where Larkland hits Fairborn.'

- Nothing's broken.

As far as I can tell.

Jon? Hey, Jon.

Jon, it's me, Ponch.

Jon, can you hear me?

Yeah. Give me a hand, Ponch.

No, no. Don't move, alright? Just stay put.

Don't push it, alright?

Suspect turning right onto Clarington.

Lady, will you move it? It's a hit-and-run driver.

It's stalled.

- I'm in reverse.

- Alright, ma'am. - I'm sorry.

Mary-3-Adam.

Suspect last seen doubling back

off of Clarington onto Hungerford Avenue.

- Breaking off. - I feel terrible.

If the radio hadn't been turned up so loud

I probably could have heard you, and I could have stopped.

Come on, let's roll. I'll escort.

Is it bad?

Why didn't you stick around to find out?

He was on his feet when I left him, Ponch.

He told me to go after the guy, he'd call it in.

And he didn't look hurt to you or anything, huh?

Shaken up, yes. Hurt? He said he--

Don't you have any instinct?

Walking wounded, they call them.

He's been Baker's partner how many years?

I'm sure he'd have the instincts.

I got to take Jon at his word.

Look, uh, don't worry about it, okay?

Well, I guess I'd be a little jumpy if it was my partner, too.

Take it easy.

It worked like a charm.

Your timing was perfect.

I know.

Did you kill him?

The bike hit him pretty hard.

But I'm not sure.

I wish I saw it.

Robert saw it.

Oh, yeah. I forgot.

- Your eyes are his TV camera. - Don't get smart.

I'm just trying to get you to feel

what's it's like to be identical.

You didn't have a pain every time Robert had a pain.

I had a pain when he died.

Okay, so we faked that Corsican brothers stuff a lot.

We had a lot of laughs.

And when those two cops ran him into that wall..

I hurt, too.

I was his wife.

But you don't hear him talking to you

in the middle of the night, like I do.

And I promised him... they'd pay.

The both of them.

See? I told you, Grossy. It's not so simple, is it?

I'll get it.

See this red piece here? All I have to do is turn it around.

Alright.

Oh, I'm not so sure about that.

No?

Hmm.

You want to try it?

That thing's had me climbing the walls for two days.

How'd you do that?

Don't work so hard on the trees, Grossy.

Concentrate on the forest.

Hi, everybody.

- Hey. - Hey, Ponch.

How's Jon?

Slight concussion, shoulder sprain, they said.

He should be out of there by tomorrow.

Great. I'm glad to hear that, Ponch.

Listen, TC, I was a little hard on you out there.

Jon did tell me he told you to go after that turkey.

And, well...I guess I didn't win the pool on you, after all.

You guys are betting on me to mess up?

Well, we just figured your reputation

was a little exaggerated.

How many are in this pool?

Let's see, um..

Nearly everyone on the shift.

What's left?

Tuesday afternoon and..

...Friday afternoon.

I'll take Friday.

Hope you don't feel insulted.

No, flattered is what I feel.

'Is that modest?'

Is that gracious?

No wonder Bon's making him guest of honor

at her Sunday barbecue.

Barbecue?

A welcome-to-the-squad celebration.

We eat about 6:00.

Uh-oh. I'm gonna have to be a little late. Hope that's okay.

Sure, if that's the way it's got to be.

President wants him in Washington

to advise him on the Middle East.

No, look, there's this concert--

Right. Bob Seger's at Hollywood Bowl.

No, they're broadcasting a Symphony concert from London

and I-I just got to be home to tape it.

You're gonna be late because of Beethoven?

Havergal Brian's "Gothic Symphony".

Well...that makes a difference.

- Havergal. - Yeah, "Gothic Symphony".

Old Havvy.

Must be some symphony.

Half the state of California's supposed to be in the choir.

Sounds loud.

I hope he's not one of those guys

that go around putting on airs.

Never did put anything on me.

And he didn't talk about opera or anything?

Never had a chance. We were too busy.

Then my secret admirer showed up in his van.

Wasn't his van. License check turned it up stolen.

Yeah, I'm real surprised.

Hey, I got to go.

I gotta pick up Karen

and get out to Bonnie's barbecue.

Karen...ahem...Karen Bannister?

You finally got a date with her, huh?

And it only took me three months, man.

Yeah? Well, have a good time, would you?

Get well.

Is this where they're honoring what's-his-name

that brilliant, easygoing, erudite, yet humble--

- TC. - Yes.

Come on in.

I think you probably know everybody..

...or almost everybody.

- And the food's right here. - Thank you.

Except what's on Grossy's plate.

Oh, my, my.

- Thanks a lot. - Excuse me.

TC, you're here sooner than expected.

What did they cancel the concert or something?

No, it's only two hours long.

- TC!

Hey, have a good time.

TC Hunsacker, Karen Bannister.

- Hello. - Hi.

What's only two hours long?

Oh, the, the "Gothic Symphony".

It's a very rare piece of classical music.

Yeah, by Havergal Brian.

He has those marvelous choral movements.

I thought they were broadcasting that next Friday.

No. Sorry. It was tonight.

Oh, no. Did you tape it, I hope?

I sure did. Reel-to-reel and cassette.

'Oh, was it beautiful?'

'It was great!'

Um, would you like me to run a little interference?

I bet you I could get him into the kitchen somehow or another.

'And I had to miss it.'

No, let 'em talk, Bonnie.

I'm the one that's taking her home.

Ponch!

Hey...I just wanted to tell you

I think I let that conversation I had with Karen

go on way too long

and I just, uh..

Hey, hey, I enjoyed listening to all that.

I learned something, alright?

- Thanks.

Don't start the car, Ponch. Get Karen out of there.

Come on, man, what now?

Last time I saw this was in the army. Demolition.

It's the insulation off a detonator wire.

Get out of the car, Karen.

- Honey, get out of the car.

Combination plastique and dynamite.

'There's enough explosive here, Frank'

'to create a crater 10 feet wide.'

TC thinks it was wired by a pro

maybe somebody in military demolitions.

Yeah. It's worth considering.

Look, uh...give me some names, you know?

People you've arrested

people who said they'd get even

or...well, I don't know, you tell me.

What do you think I've been thinking about

all weekend, sarge?

We figured we'd go over it during our patrol this morning.

Uh-uh, Baker's gonna be in the file room this morning

and he's gonna be there this afternoon and all week

if need be.

He's going over every single case

you and he ever worked on.

The computer could do that.

A computer can't tell us

who might be carrying a grudge for you.

Jon's really gonna like being cooped up down there.

Should've heard him when he was in the hospital.

Look, he took a pretty rough tumble out there.

I don't think I want him on the road for a while.

Anyway, let's let our friend think

he's halfway home for a while.

Sure, why not?

I'll be playing target out there on the beat.

Well, Hunsacker will back you up.

Okay.

Well, Frank, try to show a little enthusiasm.

This is the officer that saved your life.

Don't get me wrong, sarge. He's as good a cop as they come.

Uh, then what's the wrinkle?

Does he have to be as good as they come all the time?

Uh...I don't get it.

Well, the guy graduates at the top of his academy class.

On the pavement, it's like he's got eyes

in the back of his head.

And if you want to know about something, he'll tell you.

More than you wanted to know.

I mean, if he wasn't so perfect

maybe the rest of us would feel more comfortable.

Uh-huh.

So, uh, you mean having such a good example

around is cramping your style.

No, that's not it.

We're not machines out there, sarge. We depend on each other.

A little snafu now and then kind of makes us feel human.

Kind of puts us in touch with each other.

I read you.

I just hope when TC does fumble out there

that you treat him just like everybody else.

You know I will.

Hey, Ponch! TC's gonna come bowl with us tomorrow night.

That's terrific.

Yeah, and you better watch out.

He promised to sharpen up my game.

Looks like you got your work cut out for you.

Hey, thanks a lot.

Hey, well, listen, it's been a while

since I rolled a line, so don't expect too much.

Sounds like a setup to me.

Aw, catch you later.

I just figured something out.

If you were just a little arrogant

a little self-centered

you'd be a little easier to take, you know?

Well, maybe--

What are you, crazy?

That's the last shot he's gonna take at me.

Ponch, wait.

Ponch!

- Ponch, he's just a deuce. - Let me see.

I spotted him, I spotted him weaving while we were talking.

Whoa..

Ponch, stop it!

He could still be the guy that came at Jon!

Ponch, different face, different man.

How many guys do you think are after you?

Maybe you better take this one.

I better.. I better call it in.

Alright, over you go.

Put your right hand on top of your head.

- Hey, Jon. - Hey, sarge.

Any possibles yet?

Yeah, a lot of possibles, but not many logicals.

Since when is murder logical?

Oh, yeah. How's Ponch doing?

He and TC thought they had a suspect

this morning but they didn't.

Well, at least they're out in clean air and sunshine.

Oh, I don't know, Jon.

At least you don't have any vans coming at you in here.

Thanks.

Feel like lunchtime?

Definitely.

- Today, I buy. - I accept.

But I choose the restaurant.

Alright, but please, TC

I'm always open to expanding my horizons, you know

but nothing too fancy.

Trust me.

Ah, TC! TC, amigo!

How are you doing?

Great, just great. Meet a friend.

Frank Poncherello. Frank, meet Paco.

My pleasure, senor.

I smell the aroma of a kitchen

where things are made from scratch.

Gracias, senor.

We don't need those.

Si, comprende, comprende.

Dos carnes a la tampiquena.

You got it.

Alright! How often do you eat in this place?

As often as I can.

You don't look like Grossman.

Well, you hang out at the donut shop, you look like Grossman.

How are you feeling?

I'm better. Thank you.

Got one question, though.

You were so sure that deuce in the van wasn't coming for me.

I told you, I saw him weaving.

Yeah, well, he could've been setting up an alibi.

Manslaughter pays a lot less than murder-one.

Your man's not gonna come after you in a van again, Ponch

not after missing Jon.

Now he's clairvoyant.

'No, it stands to reason.'

The van didn't work for the guy.

He's too aggressive to try the same thing twice.

Hot?

Well, it's all a matter of taste.

Oh.

'I'm gonna drive this car'

to the open field alongside foothill Boulevard.

Yeah, I know where that is.

And then leave it.

- Right.

Then I'm gonna take this package

and wire it on the inside.

The minute Poncherello goes

to open up the door, check out the car..

...boom.

How can you be sure it'll be him?

Because you... are gonna lead him there.

Hey, partner! How you doing, Jon?

Hey, Ponch, sit down. I want to show you something, okay?

'Here it is. Beck!'

Remember Robert Beck?

We chased him after he robbed that mom-and-pop grocery store

near the cypress on-ramp.

When was that? Three years ago?

Four years ago. Remember he lost control, hit the wall on fifth?

'Yeah, but he can't be after us now.'

'He was dead on arrival at County General.'

Yeah, he was...but his twin brother wasn't.

Then that's it.

He said it was all our fault

because we went after his brother

in the first place.

Yeah. He was screaming for justice.

And he knows explosives.

Army demolitions.

TC scores again.

'Well, there's a good chance, but..'

...sarge is gonna check it out with all the other possibles.

Listen, I gotta go. Catch you later.

'Hey, Ponch..'

...did TC make a winner out of anybody yet?

You kidding? You would've heard about it.

Good. That means I still have a chance, then.

I got to go. See you later.

Alright.

Tell me, Ponch, when do I get a chance

to corrupt your taste with a trip to that Picasso exhibit?

Hey, I don't think I'm quite ready for 3-eyed women yet.

Let's go for it, man.

I'll take it.

We're gonna need your license and registration, ma'am.

I admit I was going fast, officer, but I do have a reason.

You're allowed to plead guilty

with an explanation when you appear in court.

But...don't you want to hear why I had to drive like that?

'If it's a matter of life or death, yes, I do.'

Is it life or death?

No, officer.

I couldn't really say it was life or death.

Please drive under the speed limit then.

It's your life, too.

Thanks.

- I think I know that woman. From where?

I can't remember.

I saw an exhibit like this once, at the museum of modern art.

"Abandoned Dream." laid out a couple of million for it.

Bet they wouldn't pay much for this one.

You know it's funny.

That lady could've pulled over

a couple hundred yards back.

Yeah, but she didn't.

She just kept right on moving

till she got to here... by this car.

I got it.

She was the lady in the station wagon

that cut in front of me when I was chasing

that van that swiped Jon.

Same woman?

'Pretty good at faces, Ponch, and I remember the glasses.'

The door handle.

That was the door handle?

Hey, I'm just warming up.

It's a nice night.

You sure you want to try bowling with that shoulder?

Oh, yeah. And I promise you I won't ask you for a handicap.

Well, let's hear it.

What did you uncover on Robert Beck's twin brother?

Uh...he's dead, Ponch.

I figured that one had fizzled.

He was killed in some sort of industrial accident

not two months after his brother hit that wall.

That's great. Perfect.

Some jerk's out there gunning for us

and we don't have the slightest idea why.

Yeah. It really gives you a secure feeling, doesn't it?

I'll tell you one thing I'm gonna do

before I roll ball one down that alley is ask TC

to check that nobody put plastique in the thumbhole.

And then I'm gonna bowl my usual 220..

...and make him look like an ordinary human being

like the rest of us.

There you go.

It's them.

Right.

Okay, Robert...this is gonna be it. This is for you.

Just do it!

- Move it, move it! - Come on!

We'll wait till they come out.

'Go get 'em, Frank!'

- Terrific! - Keep it up.

- You might top 220. - Of course, TC will top 280.

Garbage again.

But it's consistentgarbage.

You got a natural hook.

Yeah, well, too bad the lanes aren't curved.

No, look...all you have to do is compensate on your delivery.

And relax. Don't choke up, huh?

Thanks a lot, Harlan. You made my day.

Harlan's analysis is right, but I suggest you forget it.

That's the best suggestion I've heard all evening.

Now, look...think Zen.

The mind becomes the target, the will becomes the motion.

Look...they're already falling.

I can do it.

You already have.

That's a boy! Good form, Grossy.

There's nothing you're not good at, is there?

Oh, sure, there is. Lots of things.

Astrophysics, molecular biology..

I never did get a handle on pre-Socratic metaphysics.

Yeah, we'll take your word for it.

And there's another thing.

I don't have much luck keeping friends.

No...I don't have much luck making friends.

I don't know... my shoulder's a little stiff.

Oh, that's a snow job.

'Good job!'

Go ahead. I need all my concentration.

Thanks.

It's just a matter of watching and waiting now.

This time, Lina, we're gonna get him for sure.

For the millionth time, how was I supposed to know

that Poncherello would have the same partner Baker did?

Don't forget, I want him dead as much as you do.

Where are you going?

To get some cigarettes. Do you mind?

- Don't you want me to-- - No, you just stay right here.

Alright?

I'll be right back.

Well, Jon, I'm putting you back on the road tomorrow.

Hey, thanks, sarge.

I figure anybody who can beat me at bowling

can handle himself on the highway.

- Alright. - See you later.

What does it take to make you die?

'Maiden name, Lina Williams.'

Married Robert Beck August 8, 1974.

So you weren't so far off

when you thought it had to be Robert Beck's brother.

I guess we just don't think of women as being so deadly.

She seems to have learned about explosives

from books and her late brother-in-law.

Anyway, this pretty much closes this case.

Have fun on the freeways, fellas.

Hey, wait a minute, sarge.

How could she have been driving the van that ran me down

the one that TC Chased?

Because she was the woman in the station wagon, right?

We're way ahead of you, boys.

Lina Beck was asked

that exact question pretty early on.

Well, go on, sarge. Keep us on the hook.

The driver of the van was somebody she paid.

A family friend from back East

who got cold feet and flew home fast.

We have inquiries with the police back there

but until we get confirmation..

...don't drop your guard, huh?

You know what I feel like?

I feel like the world is back in one piece again.

I'd just like to hear the final word on that Beck woman's story.

Right, but I was thinking about you and me.

I hate to admit it, but I'd much rather ride the beat with you

than be stuck in some file room.

Well, I think it calls for a little celebration, partner.

Yeah

Exactly!

And I'll bet you know just the spot.

Now, how'd you guess that, huh?

Hey, I thought you knew all the good salsa spots.

Chalk up another one for TC.

Last time I saw TC, he was under 300 tons

of paperwork this morning.

Lot's of pencil time to get through

when you finish probation.

Mm-hmm. Hey, are these hot?

Like TC says, it's a matter of taste.

Oh, is that a fact?

One..

Two..

- Three! - Three!

What, uh.. What was that dish you ordered?

Carne a la tampiquena.

Carne de lay campiterra?

- Yeah.

Well, remind me not to order it again, would you?

Hey, by the way, how's your shoulder?

It's a lot better.

Sarge, I completed my evaluation reports

everything in triplicate.

New York informs us that all Lina Beck's statements

about her accomplice are bogus.

- Doesn't make sense. - No, not at all.

Hope everything's in order.

Triplicate.

- Triplicate..

Triplicate. Don't you get it?

Get what?

Oh, I'm surprised at you. Triplets!

We have to get in touch with a certain county

registrar back East.

To see if the late Robert Beck had one

identical brother or two.

Right.

"98, 97.."

We got a speeder of 70-plus coming up on the right.

'Hey, behind us, Ponch.'

It looks like the same van that hit me!

Slow down and let him pass.

Mary-3 and 4 in pursuit of reckless van.

2-10 East of Yard now.

Are you sure?

Thanks. Right!

Jon, we think there's a Beck brother

still out there gunning for you.

Do you read?

Both of them are dead.

You're not gonna believe this

but we have confirmation of a third brother. A triplet.

Keep your eyes and ears open.

Got it.

Ponch, you leave your saddlebag unlatched?

No way.

Bomb!

Let's do it...now, while the road is clear.

Put your left hand on your head.

Put your hand on your head!

Look familiar?

Three of a kind.

Well, remember this face, 'cause you're gonna see it again.

We can wait the 20 years.

Want to call it in?

With pleasure.

Well, TC, you now have official class-one status

as a motor officer.

Beginning to feel like home around here.

Okay, now for something really important.

Yeah, like who won the pool?

Well, I can't tell you who won

but I can tell you when TC made a real beaut.

When?

Come on, sarge, let's have it.

Well, you have to admit that I just about laid that

triplet idea in your lap

and you didn't even pick up on it.

Well, what can I say?

You should've come up with it in the first place!

Well, who won?

Ah, yes. Friday afternoon..

Grossy..

The winner is..

...Theodore Carlton Hunsacker.