A Coffin for Starsky

Season 1, Episode 21, Aired
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Episode Summary

A masked assassin breaks into Starsky's apartment in the middle of the night, and injects him with a deadly poison. With the lethal drug quickly taking its hold, the rapidly ailing Starksy has less than 24 hours to live unless Hutch and himself can find the antidote in time. And to identify the exact poison in order to find the right antidote, they must first find the would-be killer...moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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  • "You're my pal, Hutch"

    9.9
    "Superb"
    By xtexan86, Nov 21, 2007 Report Abuse
    Any fan of this series knows this episode by heart. Watch any You Tube fan vid on Starsky & Hutch and you will probably see some part of this episode used. I will have to admit at this point that as a high schooler, I had a BIG crush on this show. Well, not only the show but Starsky's character and, of course, the car. So when this show aired I was just on cloud nine and climbing. I find it interesting then, 30 years later and seeing the episode again on DVD, that I don't feel embarassed about my first impressions and love for this series. In case no one has realized, this was damn fine acting by two people who had that rare gift of chemistry in a TV series. Even now, it's hard to imagine a TV show where two men can show such caring for one another without being labeled as gay This episode's storyline wasn't all that original, and though I can't personally name a similar episode in another series, I'm sure somebody had done it, in some format, before. What makes the storyline work is Glaser's convincing performance of someone who is living their last day and Soul's refusal to accept that fact. No other episode has Starsky telling his partner about how much he's hurting or that he's "scared", and I will admit I was surprised probably as much as Hutch was when Starsky shot Bellamy dead on the roof top. We know how things ended, but it would have been great if the producer could've thrown in one more line or two as both detectives are sitting at their desk near the end. I would have loved to have heard Hutch's answer to Starsky's offer of his car. Thanks, but no thanks? Anyway, great episode, great acting - thanks guys!moreless

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  • In this episode, a burglar broke into Starsky's house, drugged him, and then injected him with a poison that would kill him in 24 hours unless an antidote was found. When Starsky ended up to weak to go on, Hutch was left to save his partner's life.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By argvewife, Aug 29, 2005 Report Abuse
    I found this episode to be extremely nerve-wracking which is one reason I enjoyed it. I mean, the whole time, you're thinking "Poor Starsky. I feel so sorry for him. I hope they find the antidote and save his life." This one was one of my favorite episodes.

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • The main plot idea for this episode is based on the 1950 film noir classic D.O.A. This movie was remade in 1988, starring Dennis Quaid, and some scenes are quite similar to S&H. Edit
    • In the original script, the scene at the desk, right after they learn they have no more leads to follow, was more gut wrenching. Starsky even asks Hutch if he wants his car and then says "there are some other things at home too". Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Nellie Bellflower returns as Sweet Alice, the southern hooker first seen earlier in the season in 'The Hostages'. Edit
    • Although shown last but one, this episode was actually the last filmed for the first season. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Starsky: You're my pal, Hutch. Edit
    • Starsky: You know, if this was a cowboy movie I'd give you my boots. Edit
    • Hutch: Well, that's 12 hours gone. Starsky: Yeah. The pessimist says the bottle's half empty and the optimist says it's half full. But it hurts, Hutch. Oh God, it hurts. Edit

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