Faucette makes a strong argument for the series as a distinctive artifact of a time in US history that witnessed profound changes in culture, politics, and economics, one that will excite not only scholars and students of television and media studies but any die-hard fan of gripping police procedurals.

Brian Faucette teaches film and English composition courses at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. He is the co-author of Cop Shows: A Critical History of Police Dramas.