The Equalizer 1985
“If the rules are against you he'll change them. If the odds are against you he'll even them.”
What is The Equalizer?
The Equalizer is an American action crime drama television series that originally aired on CBS from September 18, 1985, to August 24, 1989. The show was co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1985
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 88
- Runtime
- 48 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 18, 1985
- Last aired
- Aug 24, 1989
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- CA, US
- Networks
- CBS
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 88 episodes and an average 48-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
The Equalizer is an American action crime drama television series that originally aired on CBS from September 18, 1985, to August 24, 1989. The show was co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. The series stars Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a retired intelligence agent with a mysterious past. Other cast members include Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing, and Mark Margolis. In the series, McCall operates a private crime-fighting service for victims of the system who have exhausted all other means of seeking justice. As a former agent of a secret government agency, McCall utilizes his professional skills to help threatened clients. By fashioning himself as The Equalizer, he promises to even out the odds for those who have nowhere else to turn. Today, the original 1985 series is considered an action franchise that has become a staple in television and at the multiplex, though it is noted that the original program can be difficult to access for contemporary viewers.
Should you watch it?
“A former secret agent helps victims of the system find justice as a private crime fighter.”
- compelling premise
- justice-focused narrative
- limited information on series specifics
Watch it if you enjoy stories about individuals providing justice for those who have nowhere else to go.
The series focuses on the operations of a private crime fighter helping victims of the system.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about The Equalizer — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is The Equalizer worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Pilot: The Equalizer Mytharc Sep 18, 1985
- E2 China Rain Core Sep 25, 1985
- E3 The Defector Core Oct 2, 1985
- E4 The Lock Box Core Oct 9, 1985
- E5 Lady Cop Core Oct 16, 1985
- E6 The Confirmation Day Core Oct 23, 1985
- E7 The Children's Song Core Oct 30, 1985
- E8 The Distant Fire Core Nov 6, 1985
- E9 Mama's Boy Core Nov 13, 1985
- E10 Bump and Run Core Nov 20, 1985
- E11 Desperately Core Dec 4, 1985
- E12 Reign of Terror Core Dec 11, 1985
- E13 Back Home Core Dec 18, 1985
- E14 Out of the Past Core Jan 15, 1986
- E15 Dead Drop Core Jan 22, 1986
- E16 Wash Up Core Jan 29, 1986
- E17 Torn Core Feb 5, 1986
- E18 Unnatural Causes Core Feb 12, 1986
- E19 Breakpoint Core Feb 19, 1986
- E20 No Conscience Core Mar 5, 1986
- E21 Unpunished Crimes Mytharc Apr 1, 1986
- E22 Pretenders Mytharc Apr 8, 1986
Season 2 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →- E1 Prelude Mytharc Oct 8, 1986
- E2 Nocturne Core Oct 15, 1986
- E3 A Community of Civilized Men Core Oct 22, 1986
- E4 Joyride Core Oct 29, 1986
- E5 Shades of Darkness Core Nov 5, 1986
- E6 Nightscape Core Nov 12, 1986
- E7 Counterfire Core Nov 19, 1986
- E8 The Line Core Nov 26, 1986
- E9 Tip On a Sure Thing Core Dec 3, 1986
- E10 The Cup Core Dec 10, 1986
- E11 Heartstrings Core Dec 17, 1986
- E12 High Performance Core Jan 7, 1987
- E13 Beyond Control Mytharc Jan 14, 1987
- E14 Carnal Persuasion Core Jan 21, 1987
- E15 Memories of Manon (1) Core Feb 4, 1987
- E16 Memories of Manon (2) Core Feb 11, 1987
- E17 Solo Core Feb 18, 1987
- E18 A Place To Stay Core Feb 25, 1987
- E19 Coal Black Soul Core May 6, 1987
- E20 First Light Core May 13, 1987
- E21 Hand and Glove Mytharc May 20, 1987
- E22 Re-Entry Mytharc May 27, 1987
Season 3 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →- E1 Blood & Wine (1) Mytharc Sep 23, 1987
- E2 Blood & Wine (2) Core Sep 23, 1987
- E3 Suspicion of Innocence Core Sep 30, 1987
- E4 In the Money Core Oct 7, 1987
- E5 Encounter in a Closed Room Core Oct 14, 1987
- E6 Mission: McCall (1) Core Oct 28, 1987
- E7 Mission: McCall (2) Core Nov 4, 1987
- E8 Shadow Play Core Nov 11, 1987
- E9 Inner View Core Nov 18, 1987
- E10 The Rehearsal Core Dec 2, 1987
- E11 Christmas Presence Core Dec 16, 1987
- E12 A Dance on the Dark Side Core Jan 13, 1988
- E13 The Child Broker Core Jan 20, 1988
- E14 Video Games Core Jan 27, 1988
- E15 Something Green Core Feb 10, 1988
- E16 The Mystery of Manon (1) Core Feb 17, 1988
- E17 The Mystery of Manon (2) Core Feb 24, 1988
- E18 No Place Like Home Core Mar 16, 1988
- E19 Last Call Core Mar 23, 1988
- E20 Regrets Only Core Mar 30, 1988
- E21 Target of Choice Mytharc Apr 6, 1988
- E22 Always a Lady Mytharc May 4, 1988
Season 4 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 4 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Last Campaign Mytharc Oct 26, 1988
- E2 Sea of Fire Core Nov 2, 1988
- E3 Riding the Elephant Core Nov 9, 1988
- E4 Eighteen With a Bullet Core Nov 16, 1988
- E5 The Day of the Covenant Core Dec 7, 1988
- E6 Splinters Core Dec 14, 1988
- E7 The Making of a Martyr Core Jan 11, 1989
- E8 The Sins of the Father Core Jan 18, 1989
- E9 The Visitation Core Feb 1, 1989
- E10 Past Imperfect Core Feb 15, 1989
- E11 Trial By Ordeal Core Mar 1, 1989
- E12 Silent Fury Core Mar 8, 1989
- E13 Lullaby of Darkness Core Mar 30, 1989
- E14 17 Zebra Core Apr 6, 1989
- E15 Starfire Core Apr 13, 1989
- E16 Time Present, Time Past Core Apr 20, 1989
- E17 Prisoners of Conscience Core Apr 27, 1989
- E18 The Caper Core May 4, 1989
- E19 Heart of Justice Core May 11, 1989
- E20 Race Traitors Core Jun 11, 1989
- E21 Endgame Mytharc Aug 10, 1989
- E22 Suicide Squad Mytharc Aug 24, 1989
Frequently asked questions
Who is Robert McCall?
He is a former agent of a secret government agency.
What does Robert McCall do?
He runs a private crime fighting operation.
What does the title The Equalizer mean?
It refers to McCall's service of evening out the odds for victims of the system.
Who is the target audience for this service?
It is for victims of the system who have exhausted all other means of seeking justice.
Is this series about audio software?
No, the series is about a crime fighter, not audio equalization tools.
■ Ended / Final Season Complete Renewal tracker
Explore The Equalizer
Where to watch Episode ratings heatmap How long to watch Facts & FAQ Similar shows Take the quiz More from CBS
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on The Equalizer.