"WRECKING CREW" Flash Bang October 9, 1996

by
Gordon Hom

This is another episode shot last season. Nash fans can tell because of the cast credits, the appearance of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the old Rotunda location, and the old production crew. There's a load of these episodes upcoming which we'll refer to as "the Rotunda episodes" from now on.

This one's an action-packed blast fest right from the get-go. The tease is a bank robbery in progress which moves right to guns blazing. Evan is seriously wounded by the hard-core professional "Wrecking Crew" reminiscent of the Michael Mann film HEAT. If all that sounds familiar, don't be surprised that Michael Mann was the executive producer of MIAMI VICE. The storyline is a well-known one to crime drama fans centering on the criminal activity known as the caper. The precision and daring execution of the caper contrasts to the folly and foibles of its all too human participants. All doesn't go like clockwork as the criminals turn on each other and fall prey to the police.

The other storyline which intertwines with the caper is the search for the baseball star's Ford Pinto. The parallels to Nash are tenuous but we'll try. Both stars have a sentimental attachment to their cars - Rondell's reminds him of his humble beginnings, Nash's remind him of his brother Bobby. The precious car is trashed or destroyed - Rondell's is crashed through a building, shot full of holes, and blown up. Nash's car was damaged last season by a suicidal bomber - but will we ever see the lovely 'Cuda totally trashed? Let's hope not. When the Ford Pinto blows up - what the heck was in the gas tank - napalm?

There's almost too much going on in this episode - Evan getting shot, an almost peripheral appearance of Cassidy thinking about delaying college, but the pyrotechnics (the shoot-out, the Pinto/napalm explosive) take over. The flash bang special effects just outweigh the human drama. What the heck has happened to Nash's second ex-wife Kelly? Kelly appears to have been a fling, a pro-longed "Woman of the Week" appearing in several episodes. "Wrecking Crew" appears to have been slated for an early episode line-up (possibly as Episode number 3 or 4 because the early gag of the San Francisco quake is present. A mini-quake shakes the Rotunda headquarters as Joe dives under the table. Also the reference to Joe Dominguez's former employer as the source for their freelance job of locating the Ford Pinto dates "Wrecking Crew" solidly to last season. Last season Joe's status was uncertain - Joe was introduced as a retired cop turned private investigator, then Joe returned to the police force.

With these Rotunda episodes, at least we get to see more the dynamic Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Lt. A.J. Shimamura. Savor these episodes, as Tagawa possibly won't be returning when the new episodes start.

For more, see synopsis for Episode 12

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