Hunter

By Bryce O'Guinn

At first glance, Hunter is classified as a detective show. However, in reality it is much more. It is the story of two detectives (one male and the other female), who share a bond that goes far deeper than a marriage. Their names are Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) and Dee Dee McCall (Stephanie Kramer). They investigate bizarre homicides with an original twist of motives and events.

Over a six year period, Hunter and McCall have watched each other's backs, and saved each other's lives on a number of occasions. In a conversation during a three part episode entitled "City of Passion," Hunter says to McCall "...think about the wedding vows. They’re a distant second to the unspoken bond between partnered police officers. I mean you and I are supposed to die for one another right?" This very statement illustrates the nature of the relationship between the two detectives.

They are more than just partners, though. They are best friends, who are there for one another each time one of them gets their hearts broken or worse. Sometimes far worse. An example of this is when McCall was raped in a two part episode entitled “Rape and Revenge.” It was in this difficult time that she turned to Hunter for emotional support. This was perhaps one of the most dramatic episodes ever made in this exceptional series.

One thing about this show is that its theme changed dramatically from season to season without losing the unique bond that Hunter and McCall shared. Sadly, McCall got married and left the show at the end of season six. Even though I enjoyed the seventh season, it truly lost an important element without McCall. They tried two different female partners in season seven, but McCall was irreplaceable. Perhaps they should have just ended the series at the end of the sixth year, or had Hunter promoted to Lieutenant and just continued with him and Captain Devane, the other remaining star from the show. Despite the loss of McCall though, the seventh season is still worth watching.

Hunter on DVD!

Share Your Memories!

Do you have a favorite episode of Hunter? What do you remember about the series? Share your stories with the world! (We print the best stories right here!)

		Your Memories Shared!

"Hunter was and still is the best. Mike Post's themes really rocked the show and continued until the end of the seventh year. Fred and Stephanie were a great team who should not have broken up. Yes there were a few episodes which did not have the magic but the series was powerful in most of the episodes. It was a constant for Saturday night and we Hunter fans miss it a lot!!
Thanks."

--David

"Hunter accomplished what almost no other M/F partners on TV could. They kept the relationship tight, let them care for and about each other without being overly dramatic. They took care of each other, respected each others abilities and Hunter never treated McCall like a helpless female. On the other hand, McCall never shunned his support or expressions of concern. She was able to be tough yet vunerable. Hunter was macho and sensitive and funny.

They solved the obvious sexual tension by showing - in the 6th season - that they had consumated their relationship in flashback a few years previously.

The show was and is a GREAT show, with exciting stories, awesome music, perfect lead characters and it all started with a pilot movie beyond compare. Stepfanie Kramer and Fred Dryer were dead on from the get-go.

Works for me"

--Barb

Hunter

Share Your Memories!

Your Memories Shared!