Spenser: For Hire
(1985)Streaming Episode Guide
Season 3
Haunting
Episode 21 - 5-07-1988
47m
Spenser investigates an old child kidnapping case when he tries to track down a teenage girl's biological parents.
8.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
McAllister
Episode 20 - 4-30-1988
49m
Spenser assists a lawyer in proving the innocence of his client, a Navy seaman accused of murdering the captain's daughter. The only witness is a missing Polish sailor.
7.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Hawk's Eyes
Episode 19 - 3-26-1988
46m
Spenser investigates the death of a friend apparently involved with white supremicists. Hawk is rendered blind by an explosion.
7.7/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Watercolors
Episode 18 - 3-19-1988
47m
Spenser protects a child artist after the child witnesses a mob execution while painting in the forest.
7.8/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Company Man
Episode 17 - 3-12-1988
47m
Spenser suspects insurance fraud when a building blows up. Susan has a possibly cancerous mass removed.
7.5/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Substantial Justice
Episode 16 - 3-05-1988
1h 0m
Spenser protects a theater owner from gangsters, but begins to suspect she's not as innocent as she appears.
7.5/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
The Big Fight
Episode 15 - 2-06-1988
48m
One of Spenser's old trainers lures Spenser to a deserted warehouse where Spenser is supposed to be killed, to get out from under a gambling debt. Spenser survives, then turns around and protects his trainer from the goons now after him.
6.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Play it Again, Sammy
Episode 14 - 1-30-1988
1h 0m
Sammy Backlin calls Spenser for protection when he's being hunted by a 'vicious horde of bloodthirsty assassins'.
6/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
To the End of the Line
Episode 13 - 1-23-1988
49m
When Frank's niece dies of a drug overdose, Spenser and Frank go after the men responsible.
7.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Arthur's Wake
Episode 12 - 1-16-1988
50m
Spenser protects an old friend, Arthur, after he's assaulted and robbed. In the course of his investigation, Spenser comes across disturbing information connecting Arthur with racketeering.
7.7/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
The Siege
Episode 11 - 1-10-1988
49m
Hawk and Susan along with other people are held captive in a post office. Richard Brooks later seen on Law and Order during Season's 1 & 2 plays one of the hostage takers.
7.1/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Skeletons in the Closet
Episode 10 - 1-03-1988
49m
Spenser and Hawk find themselves on opposite sides of the same case. Spenser is hired to retrieve a stolen journal containing information damaging to a judge's career. Hawk is hired by the thief to extort money from the judge.
7.8/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Child's Play
Episode 9 - 12-20-1987
48m
A sniper takes some shots at Spenser and Susan, and a young boy ends up dead in the crossfire. Spenser sets out to determine why such a tragedy happened and track down the shooter.
7.8/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Gone Fishin'
Episode 8 - 12-06-1987
48m
Spenser's fishing trip is interrupted when he has to protect a young man who's not allowed to marry the girl he loves.
7.7/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Thanksgiving
Episode 7 - 11-29-1987
49m
Spenser runs into an old friend while visiting a recreation of a Puritan village. Spenser does everything in his power to exonerate said friend when he's accused of a brutal slaying. As he uncovers more and more, Spenser begins to think it might be hard to clear the name of a guilty man.
7.3/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Consilum Abditum
Episode 6 - 11-15-1987
49m
Susan is in trouble when her claims of sexual harassment lead her college counselor to retaliate by hiring a hit man to keep her quiet. Spenser gets arrested for getting involved in a fight.
8.1/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Sleepless Dreams
Episode 5 - 11-08-1987
47m
Spenser becomes obsessed with an apparently suicidal woman after a chance encounter on the street.
7.7/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
On the Night he Was Betrayed
Episode 4 - 11-01-1987
47m
Spenser helps an old friend, an alcoholic priest who tries to help homeless teenagers, when he gets involved over his head.
7.6/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
The Heart of the Matter
Episode 3 - 10-11-1987
48m
Lt. Quirk faces his mortality when he suffers a heart attack. Spenser and Hawk protect him from revenge-minded villains as he recovers.
8.2/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
My Enemy, My Friend
Episode 2 - 10-04-1987
48m
A streetwise young kid gets involved over his head in the underworld. Spenser and Hawk try to protect him from would-be killers.
7.9/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Homecoming
Episode 1 - 9-27-1987
1h 0m
A cop who helped send a gangster's son to prison years ago has been hiding, cause the gangster wants to get him. But now he wants to come home, so he and his father, asks Spenser to act as intermediary. While the gangster is unwilling to settle for nothing less than seeing him dead. Spenser tries to see what he can do. At the same time Spenser has to deal with Susan, who came back to town, and would like to see if they have a future, but this case is taking up all of his time.
7.8/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Season 2
Song of Orpheus
Episode 22 - 5-09-1987
48m
A prison inmate with a grudge against Hawk hires outside muscle to rub him out.
8.1/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
The Man Who Wasn't There
Episode 21 - 5-02-1987
47m
Rita and her old college friends are reunited when a fictional person they created 20 years ago is found dead in his apartment.
8/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
If You Knew Sammy
Episode 20 - 4-04-1987
46m
NRA poster-boy Sammy Backlin breezes into town for a book signing, unwittingly involving Spenser in a shoot out. Spenser agrees to protect Sammy from gangland thugs.
7.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
The Road Back
Episode 19 - 3-21-1987
Spenser loses all feeling in his right arm after he's shot while guarding a politician.
8.2/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
My Brother's Keeper
Episode 18 - 3-14-1987
1h 0m
Spenser becomes embroiled in the seamy Vietnamese organized crime racket after a Vietnamese crime boss uses Spenser to track down a former soldier.
7.6/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
One For My Daughter
Episode 17 - 3-07-1987
48m
Spenser and Hawk protect a man who owes money to men of dubious ethics. When their client, Bo Braxton tries to blackmail his creditors, he and his alcoholic teenage daughter go on the run.
7.6/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Trial and Error
Episode 16 - 2-21-1987
48m
A pimp is wrongfully arrested for the murder of one of his girls. Spenser agonizes between pursuing the real murderer or letting the pimp take the rap.
8.2/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Mary Hamilton
Episode 15 - 2-14-1987
48m
A girl comes to Boston looking for her estranged father. Spenser decides to help her.
7.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Personal Demons
Episode 14 - 2-07-1987
47m
Spenser and Rita go after a corrupt African.
8/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Murder and Acquisitions
Episode 13 - 1-24-1987
49m
Spenser investigates the apparent suicide of a philandering financier about to turn state's evidence to bring down insider trading. Rita has problems of her own when an old boyfriend shows up. Belson hires Spenser to find his missing wallet containing a winning lottery ticket.
7.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
I Confess
Episode 12 - 1-17-1987
48m
A wealthy man is murdererd and, surprise, an innocent man is arrested. If you've seen one Spenser, you've seen them all.
7.5/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Among Friends
Episode 11 - 1-10-1987
Hawk is the main suspect when Lt. Quirk is shot, due to a recent fracas between the two. Spenser suspects a new man in town, trying to take Hawk down to make a name for himself.
7.9/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
The Hopes and Fears
Episode 10 - 12-20-1986
48m
With the help of Hawk, a disgusted Spenser is determined to get rid of thugs who are terrorizing his Boston neighborhood.
7.2/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Shadowsight
Episode 9 - 12-13-1986
48m
A girl who apparently has the unique ability to 'see' through both space and time, enlists Spenser's help to solve a rash of arsons.
7.1/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
One if by Land, Two if by Sea
Episode 8 - 11-29-1986
47m
A friend of Spenser's is shot and killed while portraying Paul Revere during a Revolutionary War re-enactment.
7.6/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Home is the Hero
Episode 7 - 11-22-1986
Rita hires Spenser to investigate a troubled teenager, yet another 'Spenser helps a misguided youth' episode.
8/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
The Long Hunt
Episode 6 - 11-08-1986
A young criminal's father attacks a bus transporting convicts to the state prison.
7.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
And Give Up Show Biz?
Episode 5 - 11-01-1986
48m
Spenser protects a man suffering from amnesia.
7.6/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Rockabye Baby
Episode 4 - 10-25-1986
48m
A mobster's pregnant teenage girlfriend tries to keep her unborn son from his father.
7.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
White Knight
Episode 3 - 10-18-1986
47m
While Spenser and Hawk are in a small town to view a boxing match, Hawk is arrested, ostensibly for carrying a concealed weapon, but Spenser suspects racism may be involved.
7.5/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Widow's Walk
Episode 2 - 10-04-1986
A small fishing family hires Spenser to investigate the death of their father. Spenser suspects a rival fishing family, the Almeidas.
7.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
An Eye for an Eye
Episode 1 - 9-27-1986
48m
New District Attorney Rita Fiori tries to prosecute Spenser for blackmail.
8/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Season 1
Hell Hath No Fury
Episode 23 - 4-08-1986
Partnering with an attractive TV news reporter, Spenser investigates the reason a newly constructed building collapsed killing a boy. He suspects the building company after data samples show suspect concrete core strength results.
Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Rage
Episode 21 - 4-01-1986
47m
When Spenser is trying to locate a runaway. The girl meets a psychotic man but Spenser saves her but the man escapes. He then wants to get back at Spenser and he starts by holding Susan hostage.
7.6/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
At the River's Edge
Episode 20 - 3-25-1986
47m
Spenser witnesses an ex convict murder a 19 year girl then kill himself. The girl's wealthy younger sister hires Spenser to find out why her sister was killed. Clues lead Spenser to a crusading preacher that had a secret relationship with the 19 year old.
7.5/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not
Episode 19 - 3-11-1986
48m
Detective Belson's ex-partner is murdered during his daughter's wedding reception. The dead cop is suspected of being involved in criminal activities, so Lt. Quirk asks Spenser to investigate the dead man and find out if Belson is dirty too.
7.6/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Angel of Desolation
Episode 18 - 3-04-1986
48m
Spenser is hired by the fashion model wife of a rich bank owner who says her life is in danger. After multiple attempted murders and one successful murder, Spenser realizes that the wife is not the target. When the wife's past comes to light, the investigation takes a whole new direction.
7.9/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
In a Safe Place
Episode 17 - 2-14-1986
48m
Spenser searches for the father of an undocumented boy killed by an unhinged unemployed man. The trail leads Spenser into a conspiracy involving the exploitation of undocumented workers on the waterfront.
7.2/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
When Silence Speaks
Episode 16 - 2-11-1986
49m
A deaf woman hires Spenser to find a man she had been corresponding with who had gone missing. As Spenser investigates, he realizes that the missing man is somehow involved with a gang of thieves who are trying to kill Spenser in revenge for busting up their diamond heist.
6.8/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Brother to Dragons
Episode 15 - 2-04-1986
48m
Spenser is going skiing with Susan, but when he picks her up at Smithfield High School where she works, he finds out one of her students died of a heroin overdose. Spenser gets hired by the superintendent and goes undercover as a teacher at her school to find out where the drugs are coming from. He obviously gets into it with the dealers.
7.4/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
A Madness Most Discreet
Episode 14 - 1-21-1986
48m
Spenser tries to protect a former Russian ballerina, when she hires him to help her find stolen papers, but he gets more than he bargained for once he discovers that she is a person of interest to dueling government agents employed by American and Russian forces.
7.8/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
A Day's Wages
Episode 13 - 1-14-1986
48m
A young ex-con named Louis Harper steals from his boss, John Brady. Brady hires Spenser to prove it and Harper hires Hawk to protect him from leg-breakers. Spenser and Hawk team up to solve Louis' murder.
7.4/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Death By Design
Episode 12 - 1-07-1986
47m
Spenser and Hawk blame themselves for failing to protect their respective clients from the clutches of the underworld, and vow to settle the score with a big-time racketeer and his henchmen.
7.1/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Internal Affairs
Episode 11 - 12-17-1985
48m
Marital infidelity and suspected involvement in a gambling ring lead to Lt. Quirk's suspension. Belson is shot during a raid. Spenser works to clear Quirk's name and catch Belson's would-be killer.
7.5/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Resurrection
Episode 10 - 12-03-1985
1h 0m
Spenser investigates a crooked vice cop involved in the mugging of one of Susan's friends.
7.6/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Blood Money
Episode 9 - 11-26-1985
47m
The wife of a kidnapped oil tycoon hires Spenser to deliver $1 million in ransom money to a ring of terrorists while police have the drop-off area surrounded.
7.6/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Autumn Thieves
Episode 8 - 11-19-1985
47m
Spenser stumbles onto a ring of thieves while investigating a relic stolen from a museum.
7.6/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
The Killer Within
Episode 7 - 11-12-1985
48m
Spenser is hired to protect a woman's identical twin sister from assassins, only to discover his employer suffers from a split personality.
7.1/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Discord in A Minor
Episode 6 - 10-25-1985
47m
Spenser's been hired by a conductor to find his daughter who ran away with her boyfriend. When he finds them, she tells him that her father has been molesting her. Spenser then tells her father what she said which he denies. After Spenser leaves, he calls Hawk, who once did a job for him, to do something for him.
7.3/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Original Sin
Episode 5 - 10-18-1985
48m
Spenser investigates the apparent suicide of a young nun, and stumbles onto a corrupt landlord.
7.3/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Children of a Tempest Storm
Episode 4 - 10-11-1985
47m
Spenser kills a would-be thief in the course of thwarting a robbery. He and Susan take in the man's two children while investigating his past. Susan discovers she's pregnant.
6.7/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
The Choice
Episode 3 - 10-04-1985
1h 0m
A old man whom Spenser and Hawk knows is shot. They discover that the killer are a couple who comes from an affluent background, which they hide behind. It turns into a cat and mouse game for Spenser and Hawk, who are determined to take them down.
7.7/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
No Room at the Inn
Episode 2 - 9-27-1985
48m
Spenser's apartment burns down, but he's allowed to move into an old fire station as thanks for saving a firefighter's life. Meanwhile, Spenser and Hawk are hired to protect the life of grand jury witness. When it starts to look like someone on the inside might be trying to have the witness killed, and that the witness may not be who she says she is, things get convoluted.
7.5/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Promised Land
Episode 1 - 9-20-1985
2h 0m
Spenser is hired to find the runaway wife of a wealthy businessman. Based on a story by Spenser novelist Robert B. Parker.
7.9/10Where to watch
Buy
Haven't Seen
Top 5 Highest Rated Episodes 8.4/10
8.2/10 8.2/10 8.2/10 8.1/10
Haunting
Episode 21 - 5-07-1988
47m
Spenser investigates an old child kidnapping case when he tries to track down a teenage girl's biological parents.
8.4/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Trial and Error
Episode 16 - 2-21-1987
48m
A pimp is wrongfully arrested for the murder of one of his girls. Spenser agonizes between pursuing the real murderer or letting the pimp take the rap.
8.2/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
The Road Back
Episode 19 - 3-21-1987
Spenser loses all feeling in his right arm after he's shot while guarding a politician.
8.2/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
The Heart of the Matter
Episode 3 - 10-11-1987
48m
Lt. Quirk faces his mortality when he suffers a heart attack. Spenser and Hawk protect him from revenge-minded villains as he recovers.
8.2/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Song of Orpheus
Episode 22 - 5-09-1987
48m
A prison inmate with a grudge against Hawk hires outside muscle to rub him out.
8.1/10Where to watch
Haven't Seen
