The Streets of San Francisco SE01 EP01 - "The Thirty Year Pin"

Episode Name: The Thirty Year Pin
Original Airdate: September 23, 1972

A long-time friend of Michael Stone, and 30-year beat cop, Gus Charnovski, was shot by an individual holding up a jeweler, who got away with $400. Stone and Keller quickly reach the scene, and while the officers there believe Charnovski to be a dead man, Stone declares that he's not going to die, and on the ambulance ride to the hospital, Stone talks to his friend, telling him to hang on, telling him that he still needs to go on that trip with his wife.

Stone with Gus Charnovski

Charnovski's stabilized at the hospital, and an angry Stone demands to take over the case, not believing those currently on it are doing enough to catch the man who shot his friend. In short, it's personal now. Sweating the jeweler for additional small details, Stone learns a bit more about the perp, such as the fact his shoes were scuffed and he's right-handed.

Gus wakes up, and confers with much of the details the jeweler providing, adding that the individual was likely from the neighborhood and more so, that it was probably a junkie, as he robbed $400 without stealing any jewels.

Outside the room, Stone's younger partner Keller scolds Stone for taking the crime personally - he tells him that he has to have a plan and not go around guns blazing. Stone rebuffs Keller, and tells him to stay out of his way.

Stone and Keller arguing

Checking out a known junkie, Harry Jarvis, brings them closer to the discovery of the killer, but before Stone can rough him up, Keller tells him that Gus has been asking for him back at the hospital. Naturally, Stone jets back there.

Gus, sure that he is going to die, speaks alone with Stone, and they reminisce. Stone emotionally embraces his friend, and promises that he'll take care of his wife should the worse happen.

Keller calls him at the hospital, and tells him that while Jarvis has an alibi, he provided some names and a likely suspect, Fisher. Stone says he'll report back in, but is presented with the news that Gus has died, and goes to take down Fisher alone.

After a lengthy chase, with both Stone and Keller participating, they're able to catch up with Fisher - despite his obvious hatred, Stone doesn't rough him up, or worse, and Fisher is arrested, leaving everyone to try their best to move on.

Fisher and Stone

The Thirty Year Pin was a surprisingly good episode, surprising in that it was very emotionally poignant despite it's time period. Not at all like I would have expected.

The friendship between Gus and Stone was very well-portrayed (in the ambulance ride, and the final scene where they embraced, in particular). Stone's quote to Gus, as he was hugging him, being "What happened to the time, Gus? I had so much I wanted to show you," was very much a touching scene, and was done fantastically.

Keller's role in this episode was minimized, but he did get Stone on the right path. If Keller hadn't been there, I'm not so sure Stone wouldn't have killed Fisher. But Keller helped Stone on this case, and more so, came to understand where Stone was coming from. Being the calm one for once must have been an interesting experience, but I doubt that'll remain the case come upcoming episodes.

This was a fine episode, and one I definitely enjoyed. I had some problems with the pilot, but this really alleviated my concerns. This may indeed be a solid series.

Rating: Above Average

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