I just recently pulled out my "Hat Squad" videos (11/03). I was certainly glad I taped the entire series for my future viewing pleasure and it truly is a pleasure.
It's a shame this brilliant show had such an unbrilliant time slot (Saturday night) or it would have become a classic. Ah, but I digress.
The story goes that police officer Mike Ragland and his wife grief counselor Kitty, became foster parents to three unrelated boys who's parents had been murdered. They grew up to follow in their foster father's footsteps and became an elite squad who emulated crime fighters like the Untouchables. This storyline was intreging enough but when you add the emotional attachment and genuine love that brother's share you have a wonderfully entertaining series.
Don Michael Paul played the eldest son Buddy Capatosa. Buddy epitimized leadership and honor. He was a man who was fairly aware of his good looks but never seemed to pay much attention to it. This quality alone, made him simply irristable to women and he usually had no trouble have them flock to him like sheep. Buddy had a long fuse but once it had burned to its end... watch out. But, his charming side was what shone most often and to keep his younger siblings in line, he'd regularly order them to "drop and give him fifty".
Nestor Serrano played the middle son Rafael Martinez. Raffy believed he was devestatingly handsome but this fact did nothing to gain him female companionship of any kind. It became a family joke that poor Raffy couldn't get a date if his life depended on it. But, despite his lack of girlfriends he was a loyal and intense person who despised guns. He used anything he could get his hands on to fight - a magazine, a playing card. Just about anything would do.
Billy Warlock play the next to youngest boy Matthew Mathison. Matty was simply the most comfortable around woman and they did back flips to get his attention. Matty attended law school and was the brains of the trio.
He had it all.
Mike and Kitty also fostered another young boy named Darnell. He was in his early teens and absolutely adored his older foster siblings.
The "Bonanza" connection is that golden formula of the tight family unit that would die for one another. The strongest bond is between straight men and "The Hat Squad" was the just that... three men who loved each other dearly.
The strong cast and storylines were beautifully filmed (obviously in Vancouver) by X-Files Rob Bowman. And the soundtrack... second to none. If you ever get the chance to see an episode, I for one highly recommend it.
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