Hunter
Payback
TV Flash files “Payback” as hour 94 of 152 in the TV Flash guide — Hunter (1984–1991) on NBC, season 5, episode 8, aired 1988-12-17, 60 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S05E08: listed hour 94 of 152 in the Hunter guide, hour 8 of 22 in season 5. It aired 1988-12-17 (60 min). The listed hour before it is “Honorable Profession” (S05E07). Next is “Partners” (S05E09).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Hunter and McCall try to solve a bank robbery and murder, while attempting to cope with the double and triple-crossing schemes of a small time criminal who once saved Hunter's life and won't let him forget it.
Viewer FAQ
Where does Payback sit in the Hunter guide?
S05E08 is listed hour 94 of 152 — hour 8 of 22 in season 5, season 5 episode 8.
When did Hunter S05E08 air?
Payback aired 1988-12-17 and is listed at 60 minutes.
Is there a serial plot or just cases?
Action-forward cases with partner chemistry. You can sample. The long game is Dryer and Kramer — dirty streets, one-liners, a little romance, no paperwork poetry.
In the series
Why this series still plays
Straightforward 1980s badge grit with Dryer/Kramer chemistry and zero prestige pretension. Ex-NFL hardcase cop and partner McCall, dirty streets, clean one-liners, post-Dirty Harry TV without apology. Solid cop-show meat and potatoes. Syndication made it immortal; do it to them before they do it to you was weather, not motto.
Sgt. Rick Hunter doesn't have time for your paperwork — or your crooks. Fred Dryer, the ex-NFL hardcase, partnered with Stepfanie Kramer's Dee Dee McCall on NBC's Hunter (1984–1991) for dirty-streets policing with one-liners and romantic tension. Frank Lupo's creation, post-Dirty Harry TV without apology. Action-forward cases, partner chemistry, little patience for bureaucracy. **Do it to them before they do it to you was less motto than weather report.** The museum guard wants prestige grit. The flash is an…
Filed against
- Fred Dryer as Sgt. Rick Hunter
Fred Dryer worked dirty streets as Sgt. Rick Hunter on Hunter — 1980s badge grit, partner McCall, clean one-liners, post-Dirty Harry television without apology or prestige pretension. Syndication made it immortal. TV Flash files him as…
- Stepfanie Kramer as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall
Stepfanie Kramer partnered Hunter as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall — 1980s badge grit, Dryer chemistry, dirty streets and clean one-liners, post-Dirty Harry television without apology. Cop-show meat and potatoes. TV Flash files her as…