List of Spenser: For Hire episodes

Spenser: For Hire lasted for three seasons (1985–1988) and was followed by four made-for-TV movies (1993–1995), all starring Robert Urich, and Avery Brooks.

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
123September 20, 1985 (1985-09-20)April 8, 1986 (1986-04-08)
222September 27, 1986 (1986-09-27)May 9, 1987 (1987-05-09)
321September 27, 1987 (1987-09-27)May 7, 1988 (1988-05-07)

Episodes

Season 1 (1985–86)

The two-hour pilot movie was an adaptation of the fourth novel in the book series, Promised Land.

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1
2
1
2
"Promised Land"Lee H. KatzinJohn WilderSeptember 20, 1985 (1985-09-20)
Spenser is hired to find the runaway wife of a wealthy businessman (Geoffrey Lewis).
33"No Room at the Inn"John WilderJohn WilderSeptember 27, 1985 (1985-09-27)
Spenser is hired by the police department to protect a witness who may not be who she claims.
44"The Choice"Richard CollaDaniel FreudenbergerOctober 4, 1985 (1985-10-04)
A pair of young thrill-killers target Spenser, accidentally shooting a bystander.
55"Children of a Tempest Storm"William WiardRobert HamiltonOctober 11, 1985 (1985-10-11)
Spenser kills a would-be thief in the course of thwarting a robbery.
66"Original Sin"Harvey HartRobert HamiltonOctober 18, 1985 (1985-10-18)
Spenser investigates the apparent suicide of a young nun, and stumbles onto a corrupt landlord.
77"Discord in A Minor"Harvey HartStory by: David Abramowitz
Teleplay by: Janet Kapsin
October 25, 1985 (1985-10-25)
Spenser is fired from a bodyguard job after his young charge is kidnapped.
88"The Killer Within"Don ChaffeyRobert Malcolm YoungNovember 12, 1985 (1985-11-12)
Spenser is hired to protect a woman's identical twin sister from assassins.
99"Autumn Thieves"William WiardJerry ZiegmanNovember 19, 1985 (1985-11-19)
Spenser stumbles onto a ring of thieves while investigating a relic stolen from a museum.
1010"Blood Money"TBATBANovember 26, 1985 (1985-11-26)
The wife of a kidnapped oil tycoon hires Spenser to deliver $1 million in ransom money.
1111"Resurrection"Virgil VogelRichard CollinsDecember 3, 1985 (1985-12-03)
Spenser investigates a crooked vice cop involved in the mugging of one of Susan's friends.
1212"Internal Affairs"Richard CollaBruce MurkoffDecember 17, 1985 (1985-12-17)
Marital infidelity and suspected involvement in a gambling ring lead to Lt. Quirk's suspension.
1313"Death by Design"TBATBAJanuary 7, 1986 (1986-01-07)
Spenser walks into a death trap when a beautiful university scientist hires him to track down her gigolo boyfriend.
1414"A Day's Wages"TBATBAJanuary 14, 1986 (1986-01-14)
Spenser and Hawk blame themselves for failing to protect their respective clients from the clutches of the underworld.
1515"A Madness Most Discreet"Ray AustinRobert HamiltonJanuary 21, 1986 (1986-01-21)
Spenser is dazzled by the beauty and grace of a former Bolshoi ballerina who appeals for his help and tempts him with her love.
1616"Brother to Dragons"Sutton RoleyHoward Gordon & Alex GansaFebruary 4, 1986 (1986-02-04)
Spenser goes undercover at a private high school to investigate heroin use on campus, but discovers something far more serious.
1717"When Silence Speaks"Ray AustinRobert HamiltonFebruary 11, 1986 (1986-02-11)
Spenser is retained to locate a missing scientist by a deaf newspaper columnist (Phyllis Frelich) with whom the scientist had been corresponding.
1818"In a Safe Place"Virgil VogelWilliam Robert YatesFebruary 14, 1986 (1986-02-14)
Spenser and Susan look for a Mexican labor organizer who has suspiciously disappeared.
1919"Angel of Desolation"Ray AustinRobert HamiltonMarch 4, 1986 (1986-03-04)
While working for a wealthy woman, Spenser is caught up in a deadly murder mystery complete with an illicit love story.
2020"She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not"Virgil VogelDaniel FreudenbergerMarch 11, 1986 (1986-03-11)
Sgt. Frank falls in love with a white supremacist.
2121"At the River's Edge"David WhorfRobert HamiltonMarch 25, 1986 (1986-03-25)
Spenser is hired by a 12-year-old to investigate the murder of her older sister.
2222"Rage"TBABruce MurcoffApril 1, 1986 (1986-04-01)
A teenage girl's agitated condition following a rape gets her into deeper trouble when she's kidnapped by an ex-con bent on shooting Spenser.
2323"Hell Hath No Fury"Virgil VogelDaniel FreudenbergerApril 8, 1986 (1986-04-08)
The father of a boy killed in the collapse of an apartment takes a politician hostage to protest lax inspection charges.

Season 2 (1986–87)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
241"An Eye for an Eye"William WiardStephen HattmanSeptember 27, 1986 (1986-09-27)
New D.A. Rita Fiori tries to prosecute Spenser for blackmail.
252"Widow's Walk"William WiardStory by: Joe Smoke
Teleplay by: Juanita Bartlett
October 4, 1986 (1986-10-04)
A small fishing family hires Spenser to investigate the death of their father.
263"White Knight"Virgil VogelDaniel FreudenbergerOctober 18, 1986 (1986-10-18)
While Spenser and Hawk are in a small town to view a boxing match, Hawk is arrested.
274"Rockabye Baby"Virgil VogelDavid AbramowitzOctober 25, 1986 (1986-10-25)
A mobster's pregnant teenage girlfriend tries to keep her unborn son from his father.
285"And Give Up Show Biz?"William WiardRobert BielakNovember 1, 1986 (1986-11-01)
Spenser protects a man suffering from amnesia.
296"The Long Hunt"Virgil VogelDavid CarrenNovember 8, 1986 (1986-11-08)
A young criminal's father attacks a bus transporting convicts to the state prison.
307"Home Is the Hero"William WiardShel WillensNovember 22, 1986 (1986-11-22)
Rita hires Spenser to investigate a troubled teenager.
318"One if by Land, Two if by Sea"Virgil VogelWilliam Robert YatesNovember 29, 1986 (1986-11-29)
A friend of Spenser's is shot and killed while portraying Paul Revere during a Revolutionary War re-enactment.
329"Shadowsight"Cliff BoleGerry DayDecember 13, 1986 (1986-12-13)
A girl who apparently has the unique ability to 'see' through both space and time, enlists Spenser's help to solve a rash of arsons.
3310"The Hopes and Fears"TBATBADecember 20, 1986 (1986-12-20)
With the help of Hawk, a disgusted Spenser is determined to get rid of thugs who are terrorizing his Boston neighborhood.
3411"Among Friends"Cliff BoleDaniel FreudenbergerJanuary 10, 1987 (1987-01-10)
Hawk is the main suspect when Lt. Quirk is shot, due to a recent fracas between the two.
3512"I Confess"Winrich KolbeStory by: Rudolph Berecht
Teleplay by: Robert Malcolm Young
January 17, 1987 (1987-01-17)
A wealthy man is murdered and, surprise, an innocent man is arrested.
3613"Murder and Acquisitions"Harry HarrisAlex Gansa & Howard GordonJanuary 24, 1987 (1987-01-24)
Spenser investigates the apparent suicide of a philandering financier about to turn state's evidence to bring down insider trading.
3714"Personal Demons"Cliff BoleCynthia DarnellFebruary 7, 1987 (1987-02-07)
Spenser and Rita go after a corrupt ruler.
3815"Mary Hamilton"Winrich KolbeStory by: Norma Safford Vela
Teleplay by: David Carren
February 14, 1987 (1987-02-14)
A girl (Melissa Leo) comes to Boston looking for her estranged father. Spenser decides to help her.
3916"Trial and Error"David WhorfStory by: Nelson Costello
Teleplay by: Robert Bielak & Nelson Costello
February 21, 1987 (1987-02-21)
A pimp is wrongfully arrested for the murder of one of his girls. Spenser agonizes between pursuing the real murderer or letting the pimp take the rap.
4017"One for My Daughter"Winrich KolbeStory by: Joan H. Parker
Teleplay by: Robert B. Parker
March 7, 1987 (1987-03-07)
Spenser and Hawk protect a man (Larry Riley) who owes money to men of dubious ethics.
4118"My Brother's Keeper"Michael VejarAlex Gansa & Howard GordonMarch 14, 1987 (1987-03-14)
Spenser becomes embroiled in the seamy Vietnamese organized crime racket after a Vietnamese crime boss uses Spenser to track down a former soldier.
4219"The Road Back"Winrich KolbeStephen HattmanMarch 21, 1987 (1987-03-21)
Spenser loses all feeling in his right arm after he's shot while guarding a politician.
4320"If You Knew Sammy"Bruce BilsonLee Goldberg & William RabkinApril 4, 1987 (1987-04-04)
NRA poster-boy Sammy Backlin (Sal Viscuso) breezes into town for a book signing, unwittingly involving Spenser in a shoot out.
4421"The Man Who Wasn't There"Charles PicerniMichael PetryniMay 2, 1987 (1987-05-02)
Rita and her old college friends are reunited when a fictional person they created 20 years ago is found dead in his apartment.
4522"The Song of Orpheus"Winrich KolbeDaniel FreudenbergerMay 9, 1987 (1987-05-09)
A prison inmate with a grudge against Hawk hires outside muscle to rub him out. Last episode to feature Carolyn McCormick as Rita Fiori.

Season 3 (1987–88)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
461"Homecoming"Winrich KolbeStory by: Joan H. Parker
Teleplay by: Robert B. Parker
September 27, 1987 (1987-09-27)
Spenser tries to settle a feud between a mobster (William Hickey) and a judge. Susan returns from California.
472"My Enemy, My Friend"Virgil W. VogelAlex Gansa & Howard GordonOctober 4, 1987 (1987-10-04)
A streetwise young kid (Kadeem Hardison) gets involved over his head in the underworld.
483"Heart of the Matter"Winrich KolbeNorma Safford VelaOctober 11, 1987 (1987-10-11)
Lt. Quirk faces his mortality when he suffers a heart attack. This is the last episode to feature Richard Jaeckel as Marty Quirk.
494"On the Night He Was Betrayed"David M. WhorfMichael FisherNovember 1, 1987 (1987-11-01)
Spenser helps an old friend, an alcoholic priest (James Rebhorn) who tries to help homeless teenagers, when he gets involved over his head.
505"Sleepless Dream"David M. WhorfWilliam Rabkin & Lee GoldbergNovember 8, 1987 (1987-11-08)
Spenser becomes obsessed with an apparently suicidal woman after a chance encounter on the street.
516"Consilium Abditum"Winrich KolbeStephen HattmanNovember 15, 1987 (1987-11-15)
Spenser is arrested when he intervenes in a fight.
527"Thanksgiving"Richard CollaWalter BroughNovember 29, 1987 (1987-11-29)
Spenser runs into an old friend while visiting a recreation of a Puritan village.
538"Gone Fishin'"Bruce BilsonTom ChehakDecember 6, 1987 (1987-12-06)
Spenser's fishing trip is interrupted when he has to protect a young man who's not allowed to marry the girl he loves.
549"Child's Play"Richard CollaWilliam Robert YatesDecember 20, 1987 (1987-12-20)
A sniper takes some shots at Spenser and Susan, and a young boy ends up dead in the crossfire.
5510"Skeletons in the Closet"Winrich KolbeDon Nardo & Peter Jones & Robert B. VerduccioJanuary 3, 1988 (1988-01-03)
Spenser and Hawk find themselves on opposite sides of the same case.
5611"The Siege"Bill DukeAndrew SipesJanuary 10, 1988 (1988-01-10)
Susan and an injured Hawk are trapped inside a post office when a disgruntled postal worker takes hostages.
5712"Arthur's Wake"Winrich KolbeJerome CoopersmithJanuary 16, 1988 (1988-01-16)
Spenser protects an old friend, Arthur, after he's assaulted and robbed.
5813"To the End of the Line"Harry HarrisNelson CostelloJanuary 23, 1988 (1988-01-23)
When Frank's niece (Cady McClain) dies of a drug overdose, Spenser and Frank go after the men responsible.
5914"Play It Again, Sammy"Bruce BilsonLee Goldberg & William RabkinJanuary 30, 1988 (1988-01-30)
Sammy Backlin calls Spenser for protection when he's being hunted by a 'vicious horde of bloodthirsty assassins'.
6015"The Big Fight"Winrich KolbeJonathan DayFebruary 6, 1988 (1988-02-06)
One of Spenser's old trainers (Cliff Gorman) lures Spenser to a deserted warehouse where Spenser is supposed to be killed, to get out from under a gambling debt.
6116"Substantial Justice"David M. WhorfJohn Jay Osborn Jr.February 13, 1988 (1988-02-13)
Spenser protects a theater owner from gangsters, but begins to suspect she's not as innocent as she appears.
6217"Company Man"Winrich KolbeNorma Safford VelaMarch 12, 1988 (1988-03-12)
Spenser suspects insurance fraud when a building blows up. Susan has a possibly cancerous mass removed.
6318"Watercolors"Winrich KolbeRonald D. BrownMarch 19, 1988 (1988-03-19)
Spenser protects a child artist after the child witnesses a mob execution while painting in the forest.
6419"Hawk's Eyes"David M. WhorfTom ChehakMarch 26, 1988 (1988-03-26)
Spenser investigates the death of a friend apparently involved with white supremacists. Hawk is rendered blind by an explosion.
6520"McAllister"Harvey HartWilliam Robert Yates & Steven HattmanApril 30, 1988 (1988-04-30)
Spenser assists a lawyer in proving the innocence of his client, a Navy seaman accused of murdering the captain's daughter.
6621"Haunting"David M. WhorfMichael FisherMay 7, 1988 (1988-05-07)
Spenser investigates an old child kidnapping case when he tries to track down a teenage girl's biological parents.

TV movies

During the early 1990s, Urich and Brooks reunited for four made-for-TV films, produced by the Lifetime cable network. The movies were based on four of Parker's novels. Parker and his wife Joan co-wrote the first two screenplays and the two movies kept to the spirit of the series. To keep production costs down Barbara Stock was replaced as Susan Silverman in the first two movies by Barbara Williams and in the other two by veteran actress Wendy Crewson (Air Force One) and Frank Belson was played by J. Winston Carroll. Parker's son Daniel appears in all four movies as a waiter in Spenser's favorite restaurant. Unlike the series which was filmed in Boston, the new movies were filmed in Toronto to take advantage of the lower production costs. The first two movies were still set in Boston (parts of Toronto easily passed for Boston), with the second two rewritten to be set in Toronto, and drifted away from the tone of the show entirely.

TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
"Spenser: Ceremony"Paul Lynch, Andrew WildRobert B. Parker & Joan H. ParkerJuly 22, 1993 (1993-07-22)
Spenser is hired to locate April Kyle, the missing daughter of Harry Kyle, millionaire and candidate for Governor.
"Pale Kings and Princes"Vic SarinRobert B. Parker & Joan H. ParkerFebruary 2, 1994 (1994-02-02)
One of Susan's former patients, a news reporter, is killed, Spenser investigates.
"Spenser: The Judas Goat"Joseph L. ScanlanNahum Tate, Carol Daley, Monte StettinDecember 1, 1994 (1994-12-01)
Spenser is hired out by Hugh Dixon to track down the killers of his wife and daughters.
"Spenser: A Savage Place"Joseph L. ScanlanNahum Tate, Carol Daley, Donald MartinJanuary 4, 1995 (1995-01-04)
Candy Sloane, a news reporter that Spenser used to date, hires him out as backup while she investigates a credit card fraud ring.

References

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