September 27, 2002 (2002-09-27) – March 13, 2004 (2004-03-13)
Hack is an American crime dramatelevision series created by David Koepp that aired on CBS in the United States from September 27, 2002 to March 13, 2004, having 40 episodes broadcast over two seasons.[1] The series centers on former Philadelphiapolice officer Mike Olshansky (David Morse), who leaves the force after being accused of corruption and works as a taxi driver.[2]
Premise
Mike Olshansky, a Philadelphia police officer, leaves the force after being accused of corruption. Although the charges were never clearly proven, Olshansky, riddled with guilt, considers it his duty to make up for his past wrongs by helping those the police will not help. While working as a taxi driver, Olshansky saves many lives and people by going above and beyond the call of duty, becoming a kind of heroic vigilante.[3]
He receives "inside" help from within the police force from his ex-partner Marcellus Washington, who often comes close to risking his own career. Meanwhile, he tries to repair his relationships and rebuild his life after losing his marriage, his son's admiration, his professional identity and his reputation.[3]
Cast
Cast listed by number of episodes in which they appeared
The series was produced by The Thomas Carter Company, Pariah, Big Ticket Television and CBS Productions. David Morse said of his role as Olshansky; "I think I can really live with Olshansky. We can go a lot of places. And as an actor, being in this kind of production is pretty unheard of. I didn’t even think it was possible. To actually go home every day and see my kids is a great thing... I like being a dad. I like going to the grocery store and cooking every night."[4] Filming took place on location in Philadelphia.[5]
Hack would go on to become one of the last series to air on Saturdays in the United States for over a decade, as during the series' tenure, networks began to remove first-run scripted programming from the prime-time slot on Saturdays.[a]
Broadcast
The show also aired in the United Kingdom on ITV3, being only one of two original dramas to be shown on the channel's launch night on November 1, 2004.[6] The final four episodes of the first season never aired on ITV3, as the network allowed the broadcast rights to lapse before they were shown; however, both seasons later aired in their entirety on CBS Drama and CBS Action, beginning with the first season on February 10, 2015. Episodes were broadcast weekdays at 10:00pm.[7]
On March 8, 2016, CBS Home Entertainment released Hack: Season 1 on DVD in Region 1 via Amazon.com's CreateSpace program. This is a Manufacture on Demand (MOD) release, available exclusively through Amazon.com.[9]
Mike sets a trap for an abusive policeman whose wife and daughter have fled the violence of their home environment and taken refuge at Saint Victor's, but finds that things are not as simple as they appear on the surface.[10]
Mike is accused of a shooting, forcing Mikey into the uncomfortable position of lying on his behalf to provide him with an alibi - and prompting a stinging outburst from Grizz.[10]
Mike decides his friend Vanessa's brother Teddy needs to get off drugs, and enlists Marcellus to help, convincing him they can kill two birds with one stone by nabbing a dealer at the same time, but their efforts ultimately prove fruitless.[10]
Story by : Lynne E. Litt & Liz Friedman & Lawrence Kaplow Teleplay by : Thomas L. Moran & Leonard Dick
November 8, 2002 (2002-11-08)
Soon after taking a job driving for local gangster Jack Shannon, Mike realises he has made a big mistake and quits. His ex-boss attempts to entice him back by offering to call in a favour and restore his tarnished reputation.[10]
Mike endures a hectic night when he tries to return $10,000 to a man who left it in the back of a taxi, having accepted the money to help an immigrant mother find her lost child.[10]
11
11
"Obsession"
Fred Gerber
Liz Friedman & Thomas L. Moran
December 20, 2002 (2002-12-20)
A woman enlists Mike as a bodyguard, explaining that she is being followed - though her stalker has never been seen. The couple begin an illicit affair, but when the former cop decides it has to end, someone takes a shot at him.[10]
12
12
"A Dangerous Game"
Dan Lerner
George Schenck & Frank Cardea
January 10, 2003 (2003-01-10)
Mike tries to help a Department of Justice employee whose sister has been kidnapped by a hitman seeking information about a banker in the witness protection programme, who is a key part of the prosecution's case against a money-laundering drug dealer.[10]
13
13
"Death of Innocence"
Philip Sgriccia
Story by : Lynne E. Litt & Leonard Dick Teleplay by : Lynne E. Litt & Lawrence Kaplow
January 17, 2003 (2003-01-17)
Mike's attempts to mend fences with his father meet with a cool reception and Marcellus's new partner takes some getting used to.[10]
Mike realises the importance of spending more time with his son in the wake of the divorce, while Grizz is surprised by the reappearance of an old flame and Marcellus gets a golden opportunity to put his corrupt behaviour behind him.[10]
Marcellus and his team search for Mike's kidnapper, who is threatening to kill his captive at the same time as his brother is executed by the state.[10]
Heather asks Mike to investigate when a doctor attempts to cover up an error which caused a patient's death and the hospital refuses to take disciplinary action. However, the accusations lose Heather her job and Mike must face the prospect of her moving away with their son.[10]
Mike incurs his father's wrath when he enlists Marcellus' help in an attempt to free a man he wrongly sent to prison. He also has mixed feelings when he learns that Heather is dating Ryan, who is lavishing fatherly affection on Mikey.[10]
20
20
"All Others Pay Cash"
Philip Sgriccia
David Ehrman
April 18, 2003 (2003-04-18)
Mike takes care of his ailing father, while Grizz's growing attraction to Beth, coupled with what he sees as the bishop's lack of confidence and support, prompts him to consider leaving the priesthood.[10]
21
21
"True Lies"
Fred Gerber
Thomas L. Moran
April 25, 2003 (2003-04-25)
As Mike's trial date draws nearer, he investigates allegations that Marcellus had been accepting bribes for years.[10]
22
22
"The Squeeze"
Robert Singer
Lawrence Kaplow
May 2, 2003 (2003-05-02)
Despite Marcellus's recent betrayals, Mike agrees to help him find out why he's being framed for murder.[10]
Season 2 (2003–04)
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
23
1
"See No Evil"
Robert Singer
Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner
September 27, 2003 (2003-09-27)
Mike hopes moving house will help him make a fresh start, but soon finds himself helping a man who witnessed a quadruple murder committed by federal agents.[10]
24
2
"Hidden Agenda"
Philip Sgriccia
David Ehrman
October 4, 2003 (2003-10-04)
Mike and Marcellus help an innocent man falsely accused of being a terrorist by a rogue FBI agent - but Jamie's well-meaning efforts jeopardise everything.[10]
25
3
"Presumed Guilty"
David Platt
George Schenck & Frank Cardea
October 11, 2003 (2003-10-11)
Mike agrees to help clear the name of a man wrongly accused of murder, while Marcellus undergoes minor surgery - and ends up getting shot.[10]
26
4
"Collateral Damage"
Michael Zinberg
Steven Smith
October 18, 2003 (2003-10-18)
Mike manages to identify the man responsible for shooting Marcellus, but the case takes a further deadly twist when another attempt is made on his friend's life.[10]
27
5
"Out of the Ashes"
Kristoffer Tabori
Liz Friedman
October 25, 2003 (2003-10-25)
A traumatised woman sets out to track down and kill the gang who attempted to rape her, convinced it's the only way to prevent them carrying out further attacks.[10]
28
6
"My Fare Lady"
Robert Singer
Eugenie Ross-Leming & Brad Buckner
November 1, 2003 (2003-11-01)
Mike falls in love with a woman who lost her memory following an attempt on her life and helps her piece together the details of her past. Meanwhile, Jamie poses as Marcellus for an online flirtation.[10]
On the anniversary of his brother's death, Jamie meets with Richard in an attempt at reconciliation - but instead finds himself investigating the murder of his estranged father's lover. Mike tries to discover what evidence Marcellus has on the homicide without revealing Richard's affair.[10]
A murder witness asks Mike to protect her from a crooked cop determined to ensure she never testifies, and Marcellus moves out of the family home as his marital problems continue.[10]
Mike tries to help a teenage prostitute escape the clutches of her pimp, and when Liz is reluctant to help, Jamie tries to convince her otherwise. Marcellus strikes a deal with a loan shark to arrest his competition in return for Cal's release from his crew.[10]
Liz asks Mike to investigate the death of her firefighter friend's girlfriend, which leads him into a confrontation with an old enemy.[10]
33
11
"Gone"
Philip Sgriccia
David Morse
December 20, 2003 (2003-12-20)
An assassin with a grudge against Mike returns to Philadelphia and takes Mike Jnr hostage. In exchange for the boy, he wants the ex-cop to locate his next target - a Russian mob boss who's gone into hiding. In desperation, he turns to Marcellus for help, while Liz combs the scene of the kidnapping for clues.[10]
Mike becomes a local hero after killing a mugger in self-defence, but struggles to come to terms with his new-found notoriety. Matters are only made worse when the mother of his attacker decides to sue him. Jamie starts a new job, but worries it is too dangerous and begins carrying a gun during his shifts.[10]
Marcellus learns his wife Deborah has been seeing another man, and Mike investigates claims that some police officers are failing to take action over a spate of hate crimes against homosexuals.[10]
Mike reluctantly agrees to help Liz track down an ex-client's missing child and uncovers an illegal adoption ring trafficking stolen babies. Marcellus realises his jealousy toward his ex-wife's new lover has got out of hand.[10]
Mike discovers one of his passengers has left her mobile phone in his cab and sets out to return her property - only to discover the owner has mysteriously disappeared.[10]
39
17
"One for My Baby"
Robert Singer
Mary Hanes
March 6, 2004 (2004-03-06)
Olshansky reminisces about a case where he searched for a missing hospital patient who disappeared while suffering with an inoperable brain tumour, only to learn that the man's wife was having an affair with her husband's doctor.[10]
40
18
"The Reckoning"
Jim Pohl
Story by : Lawrence Kaplow & Liz Friedman Teleplay by : Lawrence Kaplow and Brad Buckner & Eugenie Ross-Leming
March 13, 2004 (2004-03-13)
A drug dealer convicted on Mike and Marcellus's trumped-up evidence is released from prison and comes looking for revenge, endangering Liz and Jamie.[10]
