SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 49 Min.
Televised on NBC on March 5, 1985, this Sidney Hayers-directed episode depicts a crooked garbage disposal company violently extorting businessman AJ Perry’s small delivery service, Speedy Express, to sell out. A.J. and his blind sister, Lisa, must seek out the A-Team’s help. The team’s subsequent investigation reveals that a ruthless L.A. entrepreneur’s thug squad is secretly pumping toxic waste into local sewers. With ample evidence lurking beneath the Speedy Express office building, the A-Team will need to work fast to put the mobster’s scheme in the garbage.
Col. John “Hannibal” Smith: George Peppard
Sgt. B.A. Baracus: Mr. T
Captain H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock: Dwight Schultz
Lt. Templeton “Face” Peck: Dirk Benedict
Lisa Perry: Stacy Nelkin
A.J. Perry: Joseph Hacker
Ike Hagen: Mitchell Ryan
Jonathan Durcell: Richard Herd
V.A. Nurse: Carrell Myers
Opening Credits Voice-Over: John Ashley (uncredited)
REVIEW:
Besides an amusing play-on-words- title, this underwhelming episode sports three worthwhile elements. First, a poignant single-episode romance between Dirk Benedict’s ‘Face’ and guest star Stacy Nelkin’s ‘Lisa’ suggests potential for further episodes. Yet, to the shock of no one, this likable plot element, like the suave con artist’s other love interests, is forgotten by the next week’s episode. Secondly, the guest players (i.e. Mitchell Ryan, Richard Herd, Joseph Hacker, & Nelkin) are well-cast, as their performances surpass the clichéd script they’re stuck pitching. All too dubiously, this episode’s only gem is the taking-out-the-trash gag of thrashed goons being pitched out a second-floor office window into a waiting dumpster. This effect does little for the actors’ dignity (or more so, their stuntmen), but it’s still an amusing scene. Beyond that, “Waste ‘Em!” is forgettable viewing.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars
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