The Checklist: Renegade (S1 Ep20) “Vanished”
We are just a week removed on what would have been Stephen J. Cannell’s 83rd birthday. I am sure I have talked about it before, but it bears repeating… Cannell was a television genius creating a multitude of television shows that went on to become classics.
One of my favorite Cannell creations was the Lorenzo Lamas led Renegade. So in honor of the late, great Stephen J. Cannell, I decided to randomly select an episode from Season 1 of Renegade and put it to The Checklist test. I landed on Episode 20, titled “Vanished”, that originally aired in first run syndication on May 3, 1993.
#1. Did the cold open have a good hook?
Assistant District Attorney Harry Wells returns home after a long day at work, to find out his daughter Dawn, is leaving home and running off with her roadie boyfriend, Luther. Things get even worse when it is apparent that Luther has hooked Dawn on a new designer drug, Harry tries to step in, but to no avail. This looks like it is going to be a job for Harry’s old friend, Reno Raines! 1/1
#2. Were there any notable guest stars?
This question was answered in the cold open… ADA Harry Wells was played by none other than Grand L. Bush of Die Hard and Street Fighter fame. “Vanished” would mark the third appearance of Bush’s Harry Wells, who appeared in the very first episode of the series, as well as Episode 12.
Luther, the bad influence boyfriend of Harry’s daughter, was played by Michael Jai White of Black Dynamite and Blood and Bone fame. Not gonna lie, the minute I saw MJW, I was dreaming of a Lorenzo Lamas vs. Michael Jai White fight!
Tony Longo played Bugs, Luther’s fellow roadie for the rock band, Triple Cross. I’ll always remember Longo for his work in Suburban Commando and Rapid Fire. And while I’m talking Triple Cross, I can’t leave out the manager of the band, Janet, played by Patricia Charbonneau of Shakedown and RoboCop 2 fame… who turns out to be the sister of the “chemist” that ADA Wells is set to prosecute for his designer drugs. 2/2
#3. Did Reno have to go undercover using his alias Vince Black?
Reno briefly gets into the Triple Cross roadie business using his Vince Black alias. Cheyenne (Kathleen Kinmont, Final Impact) preceded Vince getting a job with the rock band… which eventually puts her and Dawn in harm’s way. Once Luther discovers Vince Black isn’t who he claims to be and is in fact a bounty hunter… there’s plenty of trouble coming Reno’s way too, including getting drugged and nearly getting arrested! 3/3
#4. Did Lorenzo Lamas manage to get his shirt off?
Lorenzo kept his shirt on for the entire episode, although Michael Jai White and shirt buttons did not go hand in hand in this episode. Perhaps Lorenzo felt that was enough eye candy for one episode?! 3/4
#5. Did we get the Lorenzo Lamas vs. Michael Jai White battle?
The two action stars tangle briefly when Reno attempts to rescue Dawn… but for the final battle, it’s Harry Wells who steps up and kicks the shit out of the bastard who was drugging his baby girl! That sets up the perfect ending, with Harry being touted as a hero in the newspapers and Dawn introducing him to her new and improved boyfriend. Partial credit for this one. 3.5/5
- Final Score = 3.5/5 (70%) Like many series, Renegade was still finding its way in the first season, which is not to say this was not a good episode. There was plenty for Reno Raines, Bobby Sixkiller (Branscombe Richmond) and Cheyenne to do. There were also plenty of notable guest stars and even some comic relief in the form of Triple Cross lead singer (played by Adam Gifford), who ends up becoming an essential part of the climatic rescue mission.
