I don’t know how this show isn’t more infamous. I don’t know how this cliffhanger isn’t still talked about. Before randomly coming across this show I had never even heard of it. The fact that it’s a serialized mob drama period piece is itself fascinating. Add in Michael Mann to the mix? This should be a well known show.
But the season 1 cliffhanger is…wow. Ok. So the first season starts in Chicago and ends in Las Vegas. The show is a little like The Untouchables meets Casino with some slick Miami Vice 1980s coolness mixed in(even though it takes place in the early 60s). You’ve got your cops and your criminals.
So how does season 1 end? Without explaining the entire show, In 1960s era Las Vegas our main criminal character is almost killed before he’s saved at the last minute by his trusty friend who takes his injured buddy to a safe house he’s found, out in he middle of nowhere.
Our injured main character wakes up and thanks his buddy for saving his life. His buddy is extolling the virtues of this safe house. It’s got running water, it’s in the middle of nowhere. And when he found it, all these mannequins were inside. He figures maybe whoever built this place put mannequins here so they didn’t get lonely? Who knows. Our main character chuckles, thinking it’s just an odd detail. He moves a seated mannequin ever so slightly and spots text written on the chair reading “PROPERTY OF ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION”
Yeah. This serious serialized mob drama from Michael Mann pulls an Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on us. As a cliffhanger.
They run out of the building, get in a car and then BOOM. A NUCLEAR BOMB is detonated. We see various shots of the blast and that’s how season 1 ends. We don’t know if they live or die.
Here’s a link to the season 1 finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTY_jiySC6A
Shit goes down circa @ 44:40 mark
by MrGittz
9 Comments
great show – used to be on at one in the morning in the UK – used to catch it on way in from the pub.
Had me at the opening music, never let up.
When this aired in Denmark it was called Chicago Cop. Which was unfortunate because during the first season it moved to Las Vegas. Great show regardless.
Aaaahhhhh!!!! How does it resolved?! This post is a cliffhanger of its own.
I’m just realizing today that they were (probably) parodying this with the [first season finale of Sledge Hammer!](https://youtu.be/XGoU7urNTbI?si=c-N_6OKcTreUfA5s), which aired a few weeks later.
That show was awesome. One of the few the kids and my dad all liked.
Watched this as a teenager, loved it.
And the pilot episode was directed by Abel Ferrara.
I loved that show! Always wanted more.