n the landscape of classic television, few shows captured the turbulent spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s with the same raw energy as The Mod Squad. Airing on ABC from 1968 to 1973, this Aaron Spelling and Danny Thomas production was more than just a crime drama; it was a cultural touchstone that brought the counterculture into mainstream American living rooms. For private investigators and enthusiasts of the genre, The Mod Squad remains a fascinating case study in undercover work, social commentary, and character-driven storytelling.
The Premise: The Hippie Cops
The concept was as innovative as it was simple: three young offenders, each representing a different facet of 1960s youth, are recruited by the tough yet fair Captain Adam Greer (Tige Andrews) of the Los Angeles Police Department. In exchange for avoiding incarceration, they become an undercover unit. Their youth and appearance, once symbols of rebellion, become their most effective tools, enabling them to infiltrate circles that traditional law enforcement cannot reach. The show’s unofficial mantra, “One black, one white, one blonde,” was a revolutionary casting choice for the era.
The Squad: A New Breed of Investigator
- Pete Cochran (Michael Cole): The archetypal troubled youth from a wealthy background, Pete was arrested for grand theft auto. His insider knowledge of the affluent and their often-hidden transgressions provided the squad with a unique advantage in a world of privilege and power.
- Linc Hayes (Clarence Williams III): A product of the inner city, Linc was arrested during the Watts Riots. His character was a significant breakthrough for African American representation on television. Far from a token sidekick, Linc was the calm, intelligent, and often fiery heart of the team. At a time when only a handful of primetime shows featured black actors in leading roles, Williams’ portrayal was both influential and groundbreaking.
- Julie Barnes (Peggy Lipton): The “canary with a broken wing,” Julie was a runaway arrested for vagrancy. Her empathetic nature allowed her to connect with the vulnerable and exploited, often providing the crucial emotional intelligence needed to crack a case. Lipton’s performance earned her a Golden Globe award in 1971.
By the Numbers: Ratings and Representation
The Mod Squad was a solid performer for ABC, enjoying strong ratings for most of its five-season, 123-episode run. Its success demonstrated the commercial viability of socially relevant television.
- 1969-1970 Season: The show broke into the top 30, landing at #28 with a 20.4 Nielsen rating.
- 1970-1971 Season: The Mod Squad surged in popularity, climbing to #11 with a 21.5 rating.
- 1971-1972 Season: It remained a top-25 show, securing the #25 spot with a 19.8 rating.
The show’s commitment to a diverse cast was not just a gimmick; it was a reflection of a changing America. In the late 1960s, a 1968 study revealed that only 5.4% of characters in primetime television were black. By putting Clarence Williams III in a prominent, heroic role, The Mod Squad was at the forefront of a slow but steady shift towards more inclusive programming.
Thematic Relevance: A Mirror to Society
What truly set The Mod Squad apart was its willingness to tackle the pressing issues of the day. The series delved into storylines involving the anti-war movement, drug abuse, police brutality, and systemic poverty. While the resolutions were often tidy enough for episodic television, the show never shied away from the complexity of these social problems. For the modern investigator, the series serves as a time capsule, offering insights into the criminal and social dynamics of a pivotal era in American history.
List of Mod Squad Episodes by Season
For those looking to study the classics of the PI genre, the complete series of The Mod Squad is available on DVD.
The series ran for five seasons, comprising a total of 124 episodes. The following is a list of episodes for each season.
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Mod Squad// Complete Collection/all 5 seasons,124 episodes |
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Season 1
- The Teeth of the Barracuda
- Bad Man on Campus
- What a Pretty Bus
- Smitty Comes Marching Home
- You Can’t Tell the Players Without a Programmer
- A Time to Love, A Time to Cry
- Find Tara Chapman
- The Price of Terror
- Quiet Weekend in the Country
- Love
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Starlet
- The Guru
- The Sunday Drivers
- Hello Mother, My Name Is Julie
- Flight Five Doesn’t Answer
- Shell Game
- Fear Is the Bucking Horse
- A Hint of Darkness, A Hint of Light
- The Uptight Town
- Reign of Guns
- Run for the Money
- Child of Sorrow, Child of Light
- Keep the Faith, Baby
- Captain Greer, Call Surgery
- Peace Now Arly Blau
- Seat by the Window
The first season has a total of 26 episodes:
Season 2
The second season has 26 episodes.
- The Girl in Chair Nine
- My Name Is Manolette
- An Eye for an Eye
- Ride the Man Down
- To Linc with Love
- Lisa
- Confrontation!
- Willie Poor Boy
- The Death of Bill Hannachek
- A Place to Run, A Heart to Hide In
- The Healer
- In This Corner, Sol Albert
- Never Give the Fuzz an Even Break
- The Debt
- Sweet Child of Terror
- King of Empty Cups
- A Town Called Sincere
- The Exile
- Survival House
- Mother of Sorrow
- The Deadly Sin
- Time for Remembering
- Return to Darkness, Return to Light
- Call Back Yesterday
- Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot?
- The Loser
Season 3
The third season has 24 episodes.
- Long Road Home
- See the Eagles Dying
- Who Are the Keepers, Who Are the Inmates?
- A Is for Annie
- Song of Willie
- Search And Destroy
- Just Ring the Bell Once
- Welcome to the Human Race, Levi Frazee!
- A Far Away Place So Near
- Time of Hyacinths
- Judas Trap
- Fever
- Is There Anyone Left Is Santa Paula?
- A Short Course in War
- Kicks Incorporated
- Bummer for RJ
- Hot, Hot Car
- Suffer, Little Children
- Is That Justice? No, It’s Law.
- A Double for Danger
- Welcome to Our City
- The Comeback
- We Spy
- Price of Love
Season 4
The fourth season has 24 episodes.
- Sentinels
- Cricket
- Home Is the Streets
- Survival
- The Color of Laughter, Color of Tears
- The Medicine Men
- Sands of Anger
- The Poisoned Mind
- Exit the Closer
- Whatever Happened to Linc Hayes?
- And a Little Child Shall Bleed Them
- The Loser
- Death of a Nobody
- Feet of Clay
- Am My Brother’s Keeper
- Deal with the Devil
- Kill Gently, Sweet Jessie
- Shockwave
- No More Oak Leaves for Ernie Holland
- The Cave
- Wild Weekend
- Tangled Web
- Outside Position
- Big George
Season 5
The fifth season has 24 episodes.
- The Connection – Part 1
- The Connection – Part 2
- The Thunder Makers
- Yesterday’s Ashes
- Gift for Jenny
- Taps, Play It Louder
- Eyes of the Beholder
- Good Times Are Just Memories
- Corbey
- Can You Hear Me Out There?
- Another Final Game
- Crime Club
- The Twain
- Belinda End of Little Miss Bubble Gum
- Kristie
- Sanctuary
- Run, Lincoln, Run
- Don’t Kill My Child
- Death in High Places
- Put Out the Welcome Mat for Death
- Scion of Death
- Night Holds Terror
- Cry Uncle
- And Once for My Baby
Watch a preview of the show:
Ratings and Reviews
The Mod Squad has a rating of 7 out of 10 stars on IMDB and 7.9 out of 10 stars on TV.com. The DVDs are rated 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com.
Legacy and Availability
The Mod Squad‘s influence is evident in numerous undercover and team-based police dramas that followed. Its blend of action, character development, and social commentary set a new standard for the genre.
Sources:
- Wikipedia: The Mod Squad
- Classic TV Hits: TV Ratings
- “Black representation on US television in the 1960s” by C. H. Sterling and J. M. Kittross
More Information
For more information about the series, please visit the Wikipedia page. You can also check out other Police Crime Dramas on DVD.