Have you ever noticed anything about the cinematography for this episode? Starsky & Hutch isn't known for its style in the same way as Miami Vice or The X-Files. For the most part, its look and feel is pretty pedestrian. What made it special was the chemistry between David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser, not the angle of the shots or the way the actors were lit. And yet, there is a kind of theme in this episode that gradually became apparent to me, an emphasis the episode's director, Ivan Nagy, seemingly had wanted to make. I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed it before. Perhaps it had escaped you as well. Check out the visuals.
Nagy's specific focus in The Collector is introduced slowly, subtly. If you didn't know what you were looking for, you might miss it entirely.
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| Here, the boys dash up the stairs to discover who might have killed our friendly neighborhood Collector. |
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| And here they're leaving the scene. |
| Notice anything yet? |
| Perhaps this will help you see a trend. |
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| An iconic shot, familiar to all S&H fangirls, regardless of whether you're a Starsky Sweetie or a Hutch Honey. |
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| This is an interesting shot because the audience is watching Starsky, who is watching Hutch. |
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| Here, we get a better view of what has caught Starsky's eye. He seems to be appreciative, as are we. |
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| Even Danny DeVito ogles a bit (you'll be happy to know I refrained from including shots starring young Mr. DeVito). |
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| Shame those track pants weren't just a wee bit more form fitting. |
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| Even Captain Dobey gets into the act (why does it look as if Starsky is moments away from goosing his boss?). |
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Hutch has always looked good in black, especially even from behind. |
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| Double your pleasure, double your fun. |
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| Someone explain to me why Starksy feels bending over will make him less noticeable in broad daylight. On second thought, don't. |
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| Before watching this episode, I don't think I've ever fully appreciated what a flight of stairs can do for a person's bum. |
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Given this shot, I think we've established Ivan Nagy is a Hutch Honey.
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And with that divine close-up, I think this is a good place to end my little discussion.
End it. Get it?
Never mind.
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