SILK STALKINGS: PILOT {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The pilot in this drama series about a pair of detectives in Palm Beach who investigate society murders. This episode begins with Lieutenant Chris Lorenzo arriving at model Deidre Snow's mansion to investigate her murder, quickly learning that she was about to get divorced from her husband, volleyball player Gator Ramsey. Chris calls his partner, Lieutenant Rita Lee Lance, for help and she leaves the office of her doctor boyfriend, Mark Dennison, who cautions her about headaches. The detectives head to Barefoot Bar & Grill where Chris waits outside while Rita makes a seductive move on Gator at the bar. He laments that his wife just threw him out before Rita discreetly reads him his Miranda rights. However, he rebuffs Rita, claiming he wants to make his marriage work. Outside, the police arrest him though Rita tells Chris that she thinks Gator is "clean." DA Susan Harner questions Rita on her tactics in investigating Gator. Captain Ben "Hutch" Hutchinson asks Chris what was found at the model's autopsy. Chris reveals that the model had intercourse and Gator's blood type was found in her. That night, Chris and Rita break into Gator's home to search for clues. They find a newspaper article about accused rapist Willie Abbott as well as a bug on one of Gator's lamps. After taking pills for another headache, Rita tells Chris that she was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, though surgery could result in paralysis or death. The next day, Chris visits with glamorous socialite Roxanne "Roxy the Doxy" Dockweiler, asking her if she can help get him into a pool party at the Abbotts' house. She agrees, though chastising Chris for having once arrested her on cocaine charges. Meanwhile, Rita goes to the residence of Butch Lonigan, the man Chris believes made the bug they found in Gator's home. She picks the lock and finds Butch dead. Later, Rita tags along with Chris and Roxy to the pool party. There, the detectives question Roxy about Willie and the Abbotts' security expert Arthur Whitman, a former CIA operative. Rita approaches Willie, who invites her down to his yacht, Reel Fantasy. On his boat, Willie gets aggressive with Rita and she tries to flee. He pulls a knife and attempts to rape her. She pulls her gun and puts it down his pants until he makes an admission about a past rape victim. The next day, Chris is angry at Rita for going off alone. Chris makes Rita apologize to Susan before revealing that she thinks Willie raped Deidre on the Reel Fantasy. Then, Rita meets with the Abbotts' attorney, Karl Westerland, stating that the Abbotts owed Butch $200,000 according to an invoice found at Butch's office. They also state why they believe that Willie killed Deidre, and how Karl could be tied in to subsequent murder charges. Chris notices a bug in Karl's office, which he believes had been planted by Arthur. That night, Chris and Rita stake out a meeting between Karl and Arthur. Karl accuses Arthur of killing Deidre. Arthur counters that Willie killed her, though admitting that he handled "damage control" with Butch. Arthur pulls a gun on Karl before Chris rushes in to stop him. Rita assists and the two detectives arrest Arthur, then ensure that Willie is arrested for Deidre's murder. Finally, Rita and Chris flirt on the beach, but note that they'll never pursue romance while being partners. Rita also says that she's not telling Hutch about her "blood bubble" and will continue to live her life as normally as possible. Commercials deleted. (Network affiliation varies; series also aired on USA from 1993-1999.)
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: November 7, 1991 11:35 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:45:43
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:57576
- GENRE: Drama, police/detective
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, police/detective
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1991-1993
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David Peckinpah … Executive Producer
- Stu Segall … Executive Producer
- Sanford Hampton … Co-Producer
- Jefferson Kibbee … Co-Producer
- Bruce Golin … Associate Producer
- Don Edmonds … Director
- Stephen J. Cannell … Created by, Writer
- Mike Post … Music by
- Rob Estes … Cast, Chris Lorenzo
- Mitzi Kapture … Cast, Rita Lee Lance
- Ann Turkel … Cast, Roxanne Dockweiler
- Todd Eric Andrews … Cast, Willie Abbott
- Lindsey Ginter … Cast, Mark Dennison
- Susanna Thompson … Cast, Susan Harner
- Gary Hudson … Cast, Gator Ramsey
- Patrick Anderson … Cast, Arthur Whitman
- Ben Vereen … Cast, Ben Hutchinson
- Cindy Ambuehl … Cast, Vonnie Talbot
- David Schall … Cast, Karl Westerland
- Virginia Watson … Cast, Karen
- Mickey Manners … Cast, Wiliam Abbott, Sr.
- Navarre Perry … Cast, Coroner
- Steve Tom … Cast, TV Announcer
- Michael Schwarz … Cast, Policeman
- Larry Walke … Cast, Beach Guy
- Avalon Anders … Cast, Beach Girl