History Series / TheEqualizer

* TenMinuteRetirement: After one case ends badly, [=McCall=] decides to give up his WeHelpTheHelpless gig. Then a sobbing woman is heard begging for help on his answering machine. The episode ends on [=McCall=] picking up the phone to offer his services.

[[Film/TheEqualizer A film of the series]], with Creator/DenzelWashington starring as [=McCall=], was released in 2014, and had [[Film/TheEqualizer2 a sequel]] in 2018. In 2020 CBS ordered a reboot of the show starring Queen Latifah.

* OutOfOrder: Some networks aired the second episode "China Rain" first instead of the pilot episode "The Equalizer", presumably because it concentrates on a single case and has an action-packed climax, making it a better audience hook.

* FriendOnTheForce: Lt. Jefferson, Lt. Mason Wells and Lt. Isidore Smalls, who rotated in and out throughout the first series.

* GovernmentAgencyOfFiction: [=McCall=]'s former employer is only referred to as "The Agency" or "The Company", both well-known nicknames for the CIA. Not actually ''calling'' it the CIA gets around the issue of [[AcceptableBreaksFromReality how the mysterious Agency can legally operate inside the United States]]. One shot of Control's New York office shows an out of focus plaque that is still recognisable as being the CIA seal.

[[Film/TheEqualizer A film of the series]], with Creator/DenzelWashington starring as [=McCall=], and also featuring Creator/ChloeMoretz, Melissa Leo and Martin Csokas was released on September 26, 2014 and was a commercial success with a sequel in the works.

* BadassGrandpa: While Robert [=McCall=] has a son who is about 20-25 years old, he doesn't seem to have any grandchildren. Regardless, he is still definitely a Badass Old Guy.
** Dyson as well.

A standard episode generally begins with the Equalizer convincing his reluctant client that hiring what appears to be a Brit-accented Charles Bronson is a good idea -- or, occasionally, explaining why 'just shooting them all' is ''not'' the answer -- and ends with the execution of a complex (and often cruelly ironic) extended mindgame that leaves his opponents so crazed that they're either sobbing for mercy or forcing [=McCall=] to shoot them in self-defense. There is not a lot in the way of redemption, on this series, and what there is has been hard-earned.

* BruceWayneHeldHostage: In "Breakpoint", an unarmed [=McCall=] is held hostage by terrorists attacking a wedding reception (their target is one of the guests).

* VigilanteExecution: Averted. [=McCall=] never shoots anyone in cold blood, as noted preferring to use [[TryingToCatchMeFightingDirty psychological warfare]] to inspire a confession or attitude-adjustment (though quite a few villains conveniently [[VillainBall pull a gun at the climax so [=McCall=] can kill them in self-defense]]).

* PopCulturalOsmosisFailure: [=McCall=] and Mickey often miss each other's references, so often so that there is a rather amusing moment where [=McCall=] enthusiastically recounts an episode of TheTwilightZone in the expectation that Mickey never saw it and Mickey letting him go the entire way through before revealing he ''had'', amusingly slightly disconcerting [=McCall=].

The character's past is never fully revealed to the audience, but is implied to be full of amoral shadows and secrets. He is a ruthless and pragmatic man, a killer many times over -- but also a sensitive and honourable man, whose humanity has somehow survived years of terrible disillusionment. The series' expert juxtaposition of all of these elements -- and the flat refusal to apologise for ''or'' justify any of them -- is what has made it a cult classic. (Well, that and the cool [[Music/ThePolice Stewart Copeland]] soundtrack - [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g87nDBIyqeU check out the intro]])

* ImprovisedWeapon: One episode has [=McCall=] [[RightManInTheWrongPlace accidently held hostage]], whereupon he proceeds to kill the terrorists using a coat-hook screw rammed through the jaw and stranglation with a tie.

[[Film/TheEqualizer A film of the series]], with DenzelWashington starring as [=McCall=], and also featuring Creator/ChloeMoretz, Melissa Leo and Martin Csokas was released on September 26, 2014 and was a commercial success with a sequel in the works.

* FiveFiveFive. The phone number on the Equalizer's newspaper advertisement. Spoofed on the Late Show when Creator/DavidLetterman rang the number and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMfsLySxIzA ends up talking to a woman in Information]].

* BowtiesAreCool: Control seems to think so, the only times you ever see him without one it's because someone forcibly took it off him or he has to meet someone higher on the food chain.

* TenMinuteRetirement: After one episode ends badly, [=McCall=] decides to give up his WeHelpTheHelpless gig. Then a sobbing woman is heard begging for help on his answering machine. The episode ends on [=McCall=] picking up the phone to offer his services.

* TenMinuteRetirement: After one episode ends badly, [=McCall=] decides to give up his WeHelpTheHelpless gig. Then a sobbing woman is heard begging for help on his answering machine. The episode ends on [=McCall=] picking up the phone to offer his services.

In keeping with this dedication to the grey areas, the Equalizer's clients are usually average New York citizens seeking protection from stalkers, neighborhood hoodlums, abusive husbands, corrupt politicians, [[CorruptCorporateExecutive crooked businessmen]] and other largely untouchable villains. His fees are nominal and frequently waived altogether, while his services inevitably go far beyond simple bodyguarding.

* WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys: The question of how [=McCall=] can afford his CoolCar, expensive New York apartment, and equipment is lampshaded several times, but never answered directly. It's implied that [=McCall=] was in a position to make (or perhaps skim) a large amount of money during his time with the Agency.

The character's past is never fully revealed to the audience, but is implied to be full of amoral shadows and secrets. He is a ruthless and pragmatic man, a killer many times over -- but also a sensitive and honourable man, whose humanity has somehow survived years of terrible disillusionment. The series' expert juxtaposition of all of these elements -- and the flat refusal to apologise for ''or'' justify any of them -- is what has made it a cult classic. (Well, that and the cool [[Music/ThePolice Stewart Copeland]] soundtrack - [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g87nDBIyqeU check out the intro]])

* [[CutPhoneLines]]: In five episodes: ''The Children's Song'', ''Torn'', ''The Cup'', ''The Rehearsal'' and ''Last Call''

->''"Got a problem? Odds against you? Call [[TitleDrop the Equalizer]]."''

* RevengeBeforeReason: Averted in "Torn" when [=McCall=] is tipped off by Jason about a double agent who betrayed his LoveInterest to the Soviets during the Hungarian revolution. Unfortunately at the same time, [=McCall=]'s client is attacked by her abusive father. [=McCall=] chooses to protect his client and successfully talks the man out of harming his daughter. The double agent escapes, and Jason [[KickTheDog makes a point]] of telling [=McCall=] that his girlfriend was executed by the Soviets minutes after her betrayal.

* FiveFiveFive. The phone number on the Equalizer's newspaper advertisement. Spoofed on the Late Show when DavidLetterman rang the number and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMfsLySxIzA ends up talking to a woman in Information]].

The character's past is never fully revealed to the audience, but is implied to be full of amoral shadows and secrets. He is a ruthless and pragmatic man, a killer many times over -- but also a sensitive and honourable man, whose humanity has somehow survived years of terrible disillusionment. The series' expert juxtaposition of all of these elements -- and the flat refusal to apologise for ''or'' justify any of them -- is what has made it a cult classic. (Well, that and the cool [[Music/ThePolice Stewart Copeland]] soundtrack - [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1NiNKwueE check out the intro]])