Story Structure — 7 Plot Phases
Season 1: Foundation & Loyalty
Hunter and McCall are paired, forge a protective pact, and navigate early departmental interference while establishing their core investigative dynamic.
Key Events
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Pilot Partnership — Hunter and McCall are paired to investigate a serial killer, establishing their core dynamic. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: LAPD Headquarters
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Loyalty Pact — After McCall is nearly killed, Hunter and McCall swear protectiveness and loyalty. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Crime Scene
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Commissioner Suspect — Hunter and McCall investigate despite interference from the Police Commissioner. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Police Commissioner Office
Season 2: Crisis & Immunity
High-stakes undercover operations, diplomatic immunity conflicts, and personal vendettas test their loyalty and professional boundaries.
Key Events
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Jail Inmate Threat — Hunter is locked up with a killer inmate; McCall must clear his name. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: City Jail
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Surveillance Expert Kidnapping — A disturbed expert kidnaps McCall after disapproving of Hunter's actions. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Safe House
Season 3: Rotation & Reopening
Command interventions force partner changes, McCall reopens her husband's case, and ethical dilemmas challenge their operational cohesion.
Key Events
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Drug Bust Alliance — Hunter teams with NYPD detective Jackie Molinas for a major drug operation. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: New York Extradition Route
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Porn Star Murders — McCall goes undercover after porn stars are found dead. Characters: Dee Dee McCall
Location: Underground Club
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Diplomatic Immunity Crisis — Hunter vows revenge after McCall is targeted by a diplomat with immunity. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Foreign Consulate
Season 4: Crisis & Protection
McCall's severe shooting, Hunter's confrontation with the hitman, and departmental political pressures push their partnership to its limits.
Key Events
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Witness Murder Blame — Hunter is blamed for the murder of a government witness they were protecting. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Government Facility
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Father's Murder Investigation — Hunter investigates whether his father's partner ordered his father's murder. Characters: Rick Hunter
Location: Old Crime Scene
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TV Show Advisor — Hunter and McCall serve as technical advisors for a police TV show. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Film Set
Season 5: Task Force & Oversight
Departmental task force deployments, high-level administrative oversight, and complex syndicate investigations refine their strategic approach.
Key Events
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Russian Spy Confrontation — Hunter and McCall investigate adultery and homicide linked to Russian spies. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Safe House
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Partner Murder Reopening — Hunter recognizes a murder victim as the mistress of a man suspected of killing his partner. Characters: Rick Hunter
Location: Police Archive
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Informant Introduction — Informant Sporty James appears, providing crucial street-level intelligence. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Skid Row
Season 6: Transition & Separation
McCall's temporary departure, rank advancements, and independent investigations create operational shifts and emotional reflection.
Key Events
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Informant Introduction — Informant Sporty James appears, providing crucial street-level intelligence. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Skid Row
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Reporter Accusation — A television reporter accuses Hunter of unnecessary firearm discharge. Characters: Rick Hunter
Location: Police Station
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Partner Rotation Order — Devane orders partner rotations, separating Hunter and McCall for a murder investigation. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall, Charlie Devane
Location: Captain's Office
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Husband Case Reopening — McCall reopens the case her husband was working on, landing in hot water. Characters: Dee Dee McCall
Location: Police Archive
Season 7: Senior Leadership
Both achieve senior ranks, transitioning from field partners to strategic leaders focusing on departmental policy and complex case management.
Key Events
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McCall Shooting Crisis — McCall is shot and seriously wounded; Hunter confronts the suspected hitman. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: Hospital
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Beverly Hills Arrest — Hunter is arrested by Beverly Hills police trying to pin a murder charge on him. Characters: Rick Hunter
Location: Beverly Hills Police Station
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Kidnapping and Presumed Death — Hunter is kidnapped and presumed dead after visiting a sick family friend. Characters: Rick Hunter
Location: Prison Visit
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Task Force Deployment — A police task force is established to assist in crime control during a violent spree. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall, Daryl Gates
Location: LAPD Command Center
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Leave of Absence — Hunter takes leave to testify before a grand jury, becoming involved with an accused's girlfriend. Characters: Rick Hunter
Location: Grand Jury Room
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Undercover Model Sting — McCall goes undercover as a fashion model to bust a ring of thieves. Characters: Dee Dee McCall
Location: Fashion District
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Retirement Decision — McCall weighs the decision to marry and quit the force after rekindling a romance. Characters: Dee Dee McCall
Location: Private Residence
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Lieutenant Promotion — Hunter is promoted to Lieutenant, working alongside Sergeant McCall on high-profile cases. Characters: Rick Hunter, Dee Dee McCall
Location: LAPD Headquarters
Hunter is an American police drama television series created by Frank Lupo, and starring Fred Dryer as Sgt. Rick Hunter and Stepfanie Kramer as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall, which ran on NBC from 1984 to 1991. However, Kramer left after the sixth season to pursue other acting and musical opportunities. In the seventh season, Hunter partnered with two different women officers. The titular character, Sgt. Rick Hunter, was a wily, physically imposing, and often rule-breaking homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. The show's main characters, Hunter and McCall, resolve many of their cases by shooting dead the perpetrators.
The show's executive producer during the first season was Stephen J. Cannell, whose company produced the series.
