Spenser: For Hire, Season 2

Spenser: For Hire’s sophomore season ushered in some changes for the gourmet gumshoe: new faces, new challenge, and more mysteries around the streets of Boston, from Fenway backalleys to Beacon Hill townhouses. Foremost among them is Boston’s new Assistant DA, Rita Fiori (Carolyn McCormick), looking to rein in the freewheeling private detective, regardless of the chummy relationship that Spenser (Robert Urich) enjoys with Lt. Quirk (Richard Jaeckel). So it’s a good thing Spenser still has the extra-legal assistance of Hawk (Avery Brooks) when out on Beantown’s bad side. Spenser’s thirst for knowledge and yearning for justice see him framed for blackmail, meeting mad mountain men and coming to the aid of modern a Salem witch, all the while staying true to his personal code. Second-season guests include Marg Helgenberger, Samuel L. Jackson, Ed O'Neill, Spalding Gray, Laurence Fishburne and Ruby Dee.