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The Equalizer

546 statements
107 feature instances
87 referencing feature instances

The Equalizer	type	TVTItem
The Equalizer	label	The Equalizer
The Equalizer	page	TheEqualizer
The Equalizer	comment	An action-adventure television series originally broadcast on the CBS Network between 1985 and 1989. It starred British actor Edward Woodward as Robert McCall aka 'The Equalizer', a retired spy who assists people in need by way of atoning for his past actions as a premier agent of the... er... 'Company'. Yeah, that's the ticket.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 honorable 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 Stewart Copeland soundtrack — check out the intro.)In keeping with this dedication to the grey areas, the Equalizer's clients are usually average New York City citizens seeking protection from stalkers, neighborhood hoodlums, abusive husbands, corrupt politicians, crooked businessmen, and other largely untouchable villains. The show is the epitome of The Big Rotten Apple, 1980s New York in the grip of the crack/AIDS epidemic and is depicted as having Uzi-wielding gang members on every corner ready to prey on the populace. His fees are nominal and frequently waived altogether, while his services inevitably go far beyond simple bodyguarding.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.He is helped in his investigations by contacts acquired during his intelligence years, ranging from scientists to mercenaries. Notable among these — more so in later years, when health problems forced actor Woodward to slow down — is recurring sidekick Mickey Kostmayer (Keith Szarabajka), a junior agent who doesn't quite understand what drives McCall's crusade but is ferociously loyal anyway (it's stated in one episode that Mickey had been convicted of fragging his superior officer, and McCall proved his innocence). McCall also reluctantly does assignments for his former boss, known only as Control (Robert Lansing), who in payment turns a blind eye to this wholesale 'borrowing' of Agency personnel.As of 2016, all 4 seasons have been released on DVD in both US and Europe. However, the US release has many of the songs, and some of the score removed, or replaced (copyright stuff).A film of the series, with Denzel Washington starring as McCall, was released in 2014. Two sequels were released in 2018 and 2023. Since 2021, CBS has aired a modern reboot of the show starring Queen Latifah as a gender flipped McCall.
The Equalizer	fetched	2024-02-03T01:16:10Z
The Equalizer	parsed	2024-02-03T01:16:10Z
The Equalizer	processingComment	Dropped link to BluffTheImposter: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN
The Equalizer	processingComment	Dropped link to Mad: Not a Feature - ITEM
The Equalizer	processingUnknown	BluffTheImposter
The Equalizer	isPartOf	DBTropes
The Equalizer / int_133f1c12	type	The Spymaster
The Equalizer / int_133f1c12	comment	The Spymaster: Control.
The Equalizer / int_133f1c12	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_133f1c12	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_133f1c12
The Equalizer / int_173909	type	Brainwashed and Crazy
The Equalizer / int_173909	comment	Brainwashed and Crazy: In "Splinters", the KGB kidnap Mickey Kostmayer to test this trope on, figuring that if they can break the Undying Loyalty of these Fire-Forged Friends, their brainwashing technology will work on anyone. After an extensive Mind Rape, Mickey is waiting with a gun when McCall turns up to rescue him. Fortunately The Power of Friendship proves greater.
The Equalizer / int_173909	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_173909	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_173909
The Equalizer / int_18d15922	type	Title Drop
The Equalizer / int_18d15922	comment	Title Drop: In the classified ad, as well as people who answer the ad when they first meet McCall
The Equalizer / int_18d15922	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_18d15922	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_18d15922
The Equalizer / int_1af4728b	type	Floorboard Failure
The Equalizer / int_1af4728b	comment	Floorboard Failure: Comes up as the Equalizer is being menaced by the villain on a building site. He warns the villain not to come any closer because there are broken boards between them; of course the bad guy doesn't trust this, so steps onto the broken boards and falls to his death.
The Equalizer / int_1af4728b	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_1af4728b	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_1af4728b
The Equalizer / int_1bf3170b	type	The McCoy
The Equalizer / int_1bf3170b	comment	Control also, the only person in the series to out-Spock McCall and to whom McCall could look like The McCoy next to.
The Equalizer / int_1bf3170b	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_1bf3170b	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_1bf3170b
The Equalizer / int_1c4e308e	type	The Spock
The Equalizer / int_1c4e308e	comment	The Spock: McCall is very much this but has tempered it some on his own by choosing to stick to ideals he had put away for the greater good when he was part of The Agency. He always prefers logic, rationalism, and hard facts to intuition, never allows emotion to control him, is always calculating and manipulating the odds, and willing to pay the cost himself to save someone's life. Control also, the only person in the series to out-Spock McCall and to whom McCall could look like The McCoy next to.
The Equalizer / int_1c4e308e	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_1c4e308e	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_1c4e308e
The Equalizer / int_1c5002bc	type	The Stoic
The Equalizer / int_1c5002bc	comment	The Stoic: Dyson, of the Shell-Shocked Veteran kind. He couldn't compartmentalize like McCall could, so he ended up burying his feelings as deep as he could and rarely shows more than shadows of any emotion other than bitter cynicism.
The Equalizer / int_1c5002bc	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_1c5002bc	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_1c5002bc
The Equalizer / int_21f7ff0f	type	Knight in Sour Armor
The Equalizer / int_21f7ff0f	comment	Knight in Sour Armor: McCall is cynical in the extreme, but he's got a soft spot for people in trouble; hence his current occupation. He's also still an idealist (albeit a very jaded one), who is trying to do what it is he signed up for originally when he got into the army and espionage, i.e. protect people innocent people from those who would do them harm.
The Equalizer / int_21f7ff0f	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_21f7ff0f	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_21f7ff0f
The Equalizer / int_23ff95fb	type	Brutal Honesty
The Equalizer / int_23ff95fb	comment	Brutal Honesty: McCall doesn't usually sugarcoat it, even at his most gentle.
The Equalizer / int_23ff95fb	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_23ff95fb	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_23ff95fb
The Equalizer / int_245a7c37	type	Enraged by Idiocy
The Equalizer / int_245a7c37	comment	Enraged by Idiocy: If there is one way guaranteed to get under McCall's skin it is by being idiotic; if it is simple stupidity which at worst puts you in danger, you are almost guaranteed some sort of scathing remark, however if your idiocy endangers someone else you may well be in for a Reason You Suck Speech.
The Equalizer / int_245a7c37	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_245a7c37	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_245a7c37
The Equalizer / int_266a9dd6	type	Heel–Faith Turn
The Equalizer / int_266a9dd6	comment	Heelâ€“Faith Turn: Brother Joseph Heiden in "Blood and Wine" used to be a terrorist until he saw the light. McCall is understandably skeptical about the transformation. One of McCall's former assets was the head of the Cuban secret police, until he became a Christian and defected.
The Equalizer / int_266a9dd6	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_266a9dd6	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_266a9dd6
The Equalizer / int_27a42ebc	type	Spiritual Successor
The Equalizer / int_27a42ebc	comment	Spiritual Successor: To Callan, another crime series starring Edward Woodward. It's not impossible to imagine Robert McCall as an older Callan who quit the spy game and went freelance.
The Equalizer / int_27a42ebc	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_27a42ebc	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_27a42ebc
The Equalizer / int_28e79337	type	Stepping Out for a Quick Cup of Coffee
The Equalizer / int_28e79337	comment	Stepping Out for a Quick Cup of Coffee: Smalls does this sometimes.
The Equalizer / int_28e79337	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_28e79337	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_28e79337
The Equalizer / int_2bdb6280	type	The Big Rotten Apple
The Equalizer / int_2bdb6280	comment	The Big Rotten Apple: Just like in real life at the time, New York City was certainly NOT the safest place in the world in the 1980's. Robert McCall's services at the very least, help make NYC safer for individuals who ask his help.
The Equalizer / int_2bdb6280	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_2bdb6280	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_2bdb6280
The Equalizer / int_2d9e89f7	type	We Help the Helpless
The Equalizer / int_2d9e89f7	comment	We Help the Helpless: McCall's method of advertising; see the page quote.
The Equalizer / int_2d9e89f7	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_2d9e89f7	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_2d9e89f7
The Equalizer / int_2ee59bb1	type	Never Be a Hero
The Equalizer / int_2ee59bb1	comment	Never Be a Hero: Scott sometimes tries to copy his father's methods, but usually ends up making an idiot of himself.
The Equalizer / int_2ee59bb1	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_2ee59bb1	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_2ee59bb1
The Equalizer / int_33fd5904	type	Demolitions Expert
The Equalizer / int_33fd5904	comment	Demolitions Expert: Mickey.
The Equalizer / int_33fd5904	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_33fd5904	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_33fd5904
The Equalizer / int_362461f6	type	Sex Slave
The Equalizer / int_362461f6	comment	Sex Slave: in the episode 'The Lock Box' a tourist family arriving in New York have their luggage stolen by a fake cabbie, are given an appalling hotel room rather than the expensive one they paid for and have their virginal teenage daughter kidnapped by Adam Ant and sold into prostitution at an "anything goes" brothel. ALL IN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES OF THE SHOW!
The Equalizer / int_362461f6	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_362461f6	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_362461f6
The Equalizer / int_372bc105	type	Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism
The Equalizer / int_372bc105	comment	Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism: An in-depth exploration of this is pretty much the entire point of the series.
The Equalizer / int_372bc105	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_372bc105	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_372bc105
The Equalizer / int_38d02d44	type	Batman Gambit
The Equalizer / int_38d02d44	comment	Batman Gambit. McCall is a master manipulator and uses psychological warfare very effectively.
The Equalizer / int_38d02d44	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_38d02d44	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_38d02d44
The Equalizer / int_3f7a958b	type	Secret Test of Character
The Equalizer / int_3f7a958b	comment	Secret Test of Character: Comes up sometimes as McCall's method of getting clients to stand up for themselves by the end of a particular Mind Screw on once-untouchable bad guys. Used on occasion with episodes involving McCall and Control regarding the spy agency, trying to determine who among their associates could be trustworthy. Especially in one memorable episode where Control is put on trial by the agency only for the trial to have been set up by Control to see which of his subordinates would go through 'executing' him on questionable evidence. All of them do, and fail the test.
The Equalizer / int_3f7a958b	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_3f7a958b	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_3f7a958b
The Equalizer / int_40c57041	type	Manipulative Bastard
The Equalizer / int_40c57041	comment	Manipulative Bastard: Control, of the coldly analytical type. Could count as a Magnificent Bastard on charisma and never knowing quite where he's coming from alone, but YMMV.
The Equalizer / int_40c57041	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_40c57041	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_40c57041
The Equalizer / int_44ba9580	type	The Snark Knight
The Equalizer / int_44ba9580	comment	The Snark Knight: Robert McCall, though with Control and Mickey sometimes get in a few zingers in return.
The Equalizer / int_44ba9580	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_44ba9580	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_44ba9580
The Equalizer / int_461038e6	type	Mistaken for Spies
The Equalizer / int_461038e6	comment	Mistaken for Spies: "Dead Drop" and "No Conscience" involve the client being mistaken for the next chain in a ring of spies.
The Equalizer / int_461038e6	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_461038e6	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_461038e6
The Equalizer / int_4720744e	type	Cut Phone Lines
The Equalizer / int_4720744e	comment	Cut Phone Lines: In five episodes: The Children's Song, Torn, The Cup, The Rehearsal and Last Call
The Equalizer / int_4720744e	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_4720744e	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_4720744e
The Equalizer / int_47d35854	type	Intergenerational Friendship
The Equalizer / int_47d35854	comment	Intergenerational Friendship: McCall (who is old enough to be Mickey's father) and Mickey became friends after having been assigned missions together while McCall was still with The Company. They tend to look and act rather like a Studentâ€“Master Team when they work together, but just hang out and joke around when not on a job.
The Equalizer / int_47d35854	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_47d35854	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_47d35854
The Equalizer / int_49fb5ccb	type	Combat Pragmatist
The Equalizer / int_49fb5ccb	comment	Combat Pragmatist: While capable of using firearms, he prefers psychological warfare on his opponents, and is willing to work with cops given the right situation. He avoids direct fights whenever possible, and when he has to fight, he relies on his skills more than his weapons.
The Equalizer / int_49fb5ccb	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_49fb5ccb	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_49fb5ccb
The Equalizer / int_4de1a4f7	type	Improvised Weapon
The Equalizer / int_4de1a4f7	comment	Improvised Weapon: One episode has McCall accidentally held hostage, whereupon he proceeds to kill the terrorists using a coat-hook screw rammed through the jaw and strangulation with a tie.
The Equalizer / int_4de1a4f7	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_4de1a4f7	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_4de1a4f7
The Equalizer / int_4ef92d0b	type	The Atoner
The Equalizer / int_4ef92d0b	comment	The Atoner: McCall helps people partly to expunge his guilt over the amoral things he did as part of The Firm.
The Equalizer / int_4ef92d0b	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_4ef92d0b	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_4ef92d0b
The Equalizer / int_4f23ab52	type	Friend in the Black Market
The Equalizer / int_4f23ab52	comment	Friend in the Black Market: Usually when McCall needs a particular piece of equipment that is impossible or difficult to get legally or needs to be untraceable, he goes to Jimmy.
The Equalizer / int_4f23ab52	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_4f23ab52	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_4f23ab52
The Equalizer / int_4f84cdef	type	Smug Snake
The Equalizer / int_4f84cdef	comment	Smug Snake: Jason Murar, an up and coming agent in the Agency.
The Equalizer / int_4f84cdef	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_4f84cdef	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_4f84cdef
The Equalizer / int_50f66629	type	Crazy-Prepared
The Equalizer / int_50f66629	comment	Crazy-Prepared: McCall set up a whole protocol Scott should follow if he (McCall) should be captured, including instructions for contacting Control, instructions for where to go should Control either choose not to or be unable to help which contained instructions to go to Mickey who has further instructions on who to go to for help, and, of course, instructions on where to go and what to do should they be unable to prevent his death (i.e. where his will is and his money).
The Equalizer / int_50f66629	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_50f66629	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_50f66629
The Equalizer / int_52488c54	type	Drowning My Sorrows
The Equalizer / int_52488c54	comment	Drowning My Sorrows: Notably by McCall in one episode. Though he often goes into smaller ones of these after having to kill someone.
The Equalizer / int_52488c54	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_52488c54	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_52488c54
The Equalizer / int_52d4cd25	type	Anonymous Ringer
The Equalizer / int_52d4cd25	comment	Anonymous Ringer: 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 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.
The Equalizer / int_52d4cd25	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_52d4cd25	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_52d4cd25
The Equalizer / int_566f1565	type	10-Minute Retirement
The Equalizer / int_566f1565	comment	10-Minute Retirement: After one case ends badly, McCall decides to give up his We Help the Helpless 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.
The Equalizer / int_566f1565	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_566f1565	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_566f1565
The Equalizer / int_59907e4f	type	Police Are Useless
The Equalizer / int_59907e4f	comment	Police Are Useless: Albeit presented sympathetically as hamstrung by the larger justice system. It's also downplayed as McCall often has the police arrest the villains at the end, once he's sorted out the original problem.
The Equalizer / int_59907e4f	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_59907e4f	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_59907e4f
The Equalizer / int_5bca5a56	type	Surprise Incest
The Equalizer / int_5bca5a56	comment	Surprise Incest: Averted. When Scott first meets Manon's daughter, Yvette they feel an attraction to each other. McCall has to warn him off. Of course, this angers Scott with the revelation that he has a half-sister he knew nothing about. She thinks another man is her father, so she doesn't know and isn't told.
The Equalizer / int_5bca5a56	featureApplicability	-1.0
The Equalizer / int_5bca5a56	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_5bca5a56
The Equalizer / int_5beef860	type	Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?
The Equalizer / int_5beef860	comment	Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: McCall (to his chagrin and embarrassment) is deathly afraid of heights (to Mickey's puzzlement, as they've parachute-dropped together). However, it rarely impedes his competency.
The Equalizer / int_5beef860	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_5beef860	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_5beef860
The Equalizer / int_5d3e7c6	type	Kangaroo Court
The Equalizer / int_5d3e7c6	comment	Kangaroo Court: In "Trial by Ordeal", McCall has to act as defense advocate for Control, who's being tried by a secret court used for intelligence agents accused for treason, with immediate execution if he's found guilty so he can't publicly reveal any classified information. He has a jury of his peers, but as they're all underlings who'll be promoted if Control is killed, their motives are questionable when they find him guilty. The whole thing turns out to be a Secret Test of Character by Control to see who among his underlings is loyal.
The Equalizer / int_5d3e7c6	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_5d3e7c6	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_5d3e7c6
The Equalizer / int_5e2e55e4	type	The Casanova
The Equalizer / int_5e2e55e4	comment	The Casanova: Harley Gage. And in "No Conscience", a compulsive womanizer is mistaken for a cut-out in a spy ring; he has to hire McCall to help him track down every woman he's dated recently to find out who the real spy is.
The Equalizer / int_5e2e55e4	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_5e2e55e4	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_5e2e55e4
The Equalizer / int_5f60b45a	type	In Harm's Way
The Equalizer / int_5f60b45a	comment	In Harm's Way: Mickey loves being in on any sort of danger; the riskier the better. He lampshades it himself in his first appearance; McCall comes to ask him for his help (meeting Mickey while Mickey is fishing) but doesn't ever get that far before Mickey starts packing up his fishing gear
The Equalizer / int_5f60b45a	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_5f60b45a	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_5f60b45a
The Equalizer / int_62ac3f93	type	Sinister Subway
The Equalizer / int_62ac3f93	comment	Sinister Subway: Also shown in the Title Sequence.
The Equalizer / int_62ac3f93	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_62ac3f93	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_62ac3f93
The Equalizer / int_64e975cf	type	Manly Tears
The Equalizer / int_64e975cf	comment	Manly Tears: McCall when recalling the death of his daughter, which is obviously still a very present pain. He also cries them when imagining confronting his father over his mother's death and when confessing to his girlfriend that he realises that he is the killer angel society needs.
The Equalizer / int_64e975cf	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_64e975cf	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_64e975cf
The Equalizer / int_66bee5ea	type	Shooting Gallery
The Equalizer / int_66bee5ea	comment	Shooting Gallery: In "Reign of Terror", McCall is shown on a shotgun range in which silhouettes of shoot/no shoot situations are projected on the walls, while he discusses with a former member of the Cuban secret police the decisions he's made in life. He ends up accidentally shooting two silhouettes of men with their hands raised in surrender.
The Equalizer / int_66bee5ea	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_66bee5ea	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_66bee5ea
The Equalizer / int_6eef5fc6	type	Temporary Substitute
The Equalizer / int_6eef5fc6	comment	Temporary Substitute: After Edward Woodward suffered a heart attack that forced him to cut down on his acting for awhile, the 'Equalizer' role was temporarily shared with Richard Jordan and Robert Mitchum (also playing former members of the Agency).
The Equalizer / int_6eef5fc6	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_6eef5fc6	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_6eef5fc6
The Equalizer / int_7043a964	type	Grammar Nazi
The Equalizer / int_7043a964	comment	Grammar Nazi: McCall. Though he usually (with great forbearance) tolerates it from friends and clients (unless utterly terrible), bad grammar from baddies quickly irritates him and often causes him to snarkily or snappishly correct them.
The Equalizer / int_7043a964	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_7043a964	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_7043a964
The Equalizer / int_704a3bbb	type	Real Men Cook
The Equalizer / int_704a3bbb	comment	Real Men Cook: McCall is quite an accomplished chef.
The Equalizer / int_704a3bbb	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_704a3bbb	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_704a3bbb
The Equalizer / int_714019ac	type	Coffin Contraband
The Equalizer / int_714019ac	comment	Coffin Contraband: In "Joyride", a coffin in a hearse is filled with crack cocaine. Two boys take the hearse for the title joyride.
The Equalizer / int_714019ac	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_714019ac	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_714019ac
The Equalizer / int_7230cfe	type	Shoe Phone
The Equalizer / int_7230cfe	comment	Shoe Phone: In "Breakpoint", McCall has been taken hostage and the NYPD try to smuggle him a .22LR pen gun. Unfortunately the terrorist leader recognises it because "We use these too" and uses the pen gun to shoot the fake doctor who delivered it. However given the Stale Beer flavor of McCall's past as an espionage agent, the trope was downplayed; the few spy gadgets he used were mostly stuff you could buy commercially at the time.
The Equalizer / int_7230cfe	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_7230cfe	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_7230cfe
The Equalizer / int_75538142	type	Friend to All Children
The Equalizer / int_75538142	comment	Friend to All Children: McCall is generally very fond of children (despite sometimes covering it up with empty gruffness or irritation), and children tend to gravitate to him. Also, see Berserk Button for what happens when McCall gets involved in a case where someone harms a child.
The Equalizer / int_75538142	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_75538142	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_75538142
The Equalizer / int_7758b2c5	type	Protectorate
The Equalizer / int_7758b2c5	comment	Protectorate: Anyone McCall accepts as a client and/or whoever that client might think needs protection or extraction from a bad situation.
The Equalizer / int_7758b2c5	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_7758b2c5	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_7758b2c5
The Equalizer / int_775a1af6	type	Married to the Job
The Equalizer / int_775a1af6	comment	Married to the Job: Well, he sort of had to be with the sort of job he had, but McCall apparently didn't realize that it (and the secrecy involved) would be a leading cause in his divorce with Scott's mother and major factor in his inability to maintain a steady relationship afterwards (even after becoming The Equalizer because he'd gotten so used to not trusting himself with anyone that he doesn't open up easily even if he wants to).
The Equalizer / int_775a1af6	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_775a1af6	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_775a1af6
The Equalizer / int_7a143509	type	Shell-Shocked Veteran
The Equalizer / int_7a143509	comment	Shell-Shocked Veteran: McCall is very haunted man, having witnessed, gone through, and perpetrated terrible things, and he mentions he can't sleep for more than a couple of hours before the nightmares of those things wake him.
The Equalizer / int_7a143509	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_7a143509	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_7a143509
The Equalizer / int_7a2d9301	type	Pop-Cultural Osmosis Failure
The Equalizer / int_7a2d9301	comment	Pop-Cultural Osmosis Failure: 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 The Twilight Zone 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 Equalizer / int_7a2d9301	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_7a2d9301	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_7a2d9301
The Equalizer / int_7aa858c1	type	Consummate Liar
The Equalizer / int_7aa858c1	comment	Consummate Liar: I Lied is practically Control's catchphrase. McCall is also extremely good at lying, however he only does so in the interests of protecting people.
The Equalizer / int_7aa858c1	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_7aa858c1	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_7aa858c1
The Equalizer / int_7d89315b	type	"The Reason You Suck" Speech
The Equalizer / int_7d89315b	comment	"The Reason You Suck" Speech: McCall is quite masterful at giving these.
The Equalizer / int_7d89315b	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_7d89315b	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_7d89315b
The Equalizer / int_7f413791	type	Wall of Weapons
The Equalizer / int_7f413791	comment	Wall of Weapons: Hidden behind a tool board in his apartment's workshop. In "China Rain", McCall has a trunkful of weapons laid out for Kostmeyer.
The Equalizer / int_7f413791	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_7f413791	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_7f413791
The Equalizer / int_86b21114	type	Badass Boast
The Equalizer / int_86b21114	comment	Badass Boast: McCall gives too many to list, all of them terrifying.
The Equalizer / int_86b21114	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_86b21114	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_86b21114
The Equalizer / int_87ab7f69	type	Sharp-Dressed Man
The Equalizer / int_87ab7f69	comment	Sharp-Dressed Man: McCall dresses impeccably throughout the show; whenever he doesn't, it's significant in some way. Occasionally includes Waistcoat of Style.
The Equalizer / int_87ab7f69	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_87ab7f69	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_87ab7f69
The Equalizer / int_8a295a46	type	Cool Car
The Equalizer / int_8a295a46	comment	Cool Car: McCall drives a black Jaguar XJ6, much to the dismay of clients who naturally assume his services are expensive.
The Equalizer / int_8a295a46	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_8a295a46	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_8a295a46
The Equalizer / int_8a4988bb	type	Mind Rape
The Equalizer / int_8a4988bb	comment	Mind Rape: A favourite tactic of McCall's, and has been known to completely reduce a villain to a quivering jelly. Also used to brainwash Mickey into (almost) assassinating him in "Splinters".
The Equalizer / int_8a4988bb	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_8a4988bb	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_8a4988bb
The Equalizer / int_8e20b0f7	type	Private Detective
The Equalizer / int_8e20b0f7	comment	Private Detective, Spy Fiction, Vigilante Man: The series draws on tropes from all of these genres.
The Equalizer / int_8e20b0f7	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_8e20b0f7	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_8e20b0f7
The Equalizer / int_90e31482	type	Laser-Guided Karma
The Equalizer / int_90e31482	comment	Laser-Guided Karma: Often invoked deliberately by McCall; examples include a man who was robbing deaf people temporarily losing his hearing after McCall blasts him with a sound weapon, and a slum landlord almost losing his life in a fire set by his own hired arsonists.
The Equalizer / int_90e31482	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_90e31482	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_90e31482
The Equalizer / int_94332264	type	Busman's Holiday
The Equalizer / int_94332264	comment	Busman's Holiday: In "The Children's Song", Robert goes on a camping trip with his son Scott. Sure enough, they encounter a woman in danger from a gang of hoodlums.
The Equalizer / int_94332264	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_94332264	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_94332264
The Equalizer / int_9723e2cd	type	Where Does He Get All Those Wonderful Toys?
The Equalizer / int_9723e2cd	comment	Where Does He Get All Those Wonderful Toys?: The question of how McCall can afford his Cool Car, expensive Manhattan apartment, and equipment is lampshaded several times, but never answered directly. It's implied that McCall was in a position to make a large amount of money during his time with the Agency.
The Equalizer / int_9723e2cd	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_9723e2cd	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_9723e2cd
The Equalizer / int_97d97c28	type	Revenge Before Reason
The Equalizer / int_97d97c28	comment	Revenge Before Reason: Averted in "Torn" when McCall is tipped off by Jason about a double agent who betrayed his Love Interest to the Soviets during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Unfortunately at the same time, McCall's client is attacked by her abusive separated husband. McCall chooses to protect his client and successfully talks the man out of harming his daughter. The double agent escapes, and Jason makes a point of telling McCall that his girlfriend was executed by the Soviets minutes after her betrayal.
The Equalizer / int_97d97c28	featureApplicability	-1.0
The Equalizer / int_97d97c28	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_97d97c28
The Equalizer / int_984763bb	type	555
The Equalizer / int_984763bb	comment	555. The phone number on the Equalizer's newspaper advertisement. Spoofed on the Late Show when David Letterman rang the number and ends up talking to a woman in Information.
The Equalizer / int_984763bb	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_984763bb	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_984763bb
The Equalizer / int_9a3b7208	type	The Needs of the Many
The Equalizer / int_9a3b7208	comment	The Needs of the Many: Control's reasoning for being willing to trade McCall for the return of several American agents. To be fair, he says he did have a plan to rescue him.
The Equalizer / int_9a3b7208	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_9a3b7208	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_9a3b7208
The Equalizer / int_9b5516f0	type	Showy Invincible Hero
The Equalizer / int_9b5516f0	comment	Showy Invincible Hero: While McCall seems unbeatable (see Escapist Character) it's still fun to watch him take out the bad guys and help people because he does it in the most unique and awesome ways, viewer's generally like watching depraved assholes get what they have coming to them, and McCall is a pretty good guy who's generally soft-spoken and friendly that you really don't want to piss off.
The Equalizer / int_9b5516f0	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_9b5516f0	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_9b5516f0
The Equalizer / int_9eb229d9	type	Cynical Mentor
The Equalizer / int_9eb229d9	comment	Cynical Mentor: Dyson tends to act like this to Scott.
The Equalizer / int_9eb229d9	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_9eb229d9	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_9eb229d9
The Equalizer / int_9f7769a2	type	The Gunslinger
The Equalizer / int_9f7769a2	comment	The Gunslinger: Several characters, but notably Kostmayer, who always carries a handy Uzi or Ingram submachine gun.
The Equalizer / int_9f7769a2	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_9f7769a2	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_9f7769a2
The Equalizer / int_a1b76006	type	Nerves of Steel
The Equalizer / int_a1b76006	comment	Nerves of Steel: McCall. Even the one time he did find emotions getting in the way of his cold reasoning and planning ( he found out that a girl he was trying to protect and had gotten abducted, was his daughter) he still (after admitting it to himself and Mickey) managed to go through with the elaborate chess game he had planned before the emotions had clouded his judgment.
The Equalizer / int_a1b76006	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_a1b76006	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_a1b76006
The Equalizer / int_a863ef67	type	Cultured Warrior
The Equalizer / int_a863ef67	comment	Cultured Warrior: McCall is sophisticated, well read, regularly contributes articles on military history to journals of considerable repute, has an eclectic taste in music (though generally running towards classical and swing/jazz in genre), is an appreciator of fine art, prefers sports cars and tasteful clothes, and is an ex-black ops agent who can efficiently end you should you be foolish enough to come up against him.
The Equalizer / int_a863ef67	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_a863ef67	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_a863ef67
The Equalizer / int_a9eb984b	type	Warrior Poet
The Equalizer / int_a9eb984b	comment	Warrior Poet: McCall is prone to think think deeply about - and incorporate into his life - poetry and music, and to discuss life, death, and war through them.
The Equalizer / int_a9eb984b	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_a9eb984b	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_a9eb984b
The Equalizer / int_add9abb3	type	The Missus and the Ex
The Equalizer / int_add9abb3	comment	The Mister and the Ex: McCall is on the ex end of things when he has to protect his ex-wife and her husband (who he actually ends up getting along with quite well).
The Equalizer / int_add9abb3	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_add9abb3	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_add9abb3
The Equalizer / int_ae3d6438	type	Deadpan Snarker
The Equalizer / int_ae3d6438	comment	Deadpan Snarker: McCall is the undeniable master in the series.
The Equalizer / int_ae3d6438	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_ae3d6438	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_ae3d6438
The Equalizer / int_af6eb874	type	Precap
The Equalizer / int_af6eb874	comment	Precap: Every episode had a brief trailer before the Title Sequence.
The Equalizer / int_af6eb874	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_af6eb874	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_af6eb874
The Equalizer / int_b198142	type	Forgot to Gag Him
The Equalizer / int_b198142	comment	Forgot to Gag Him: If one is going to hold Control captive, one must gag him or one may as well say he's not captured at all.
The Equalizer / int_b198142	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_b198142	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_b198142
The Equalizer / int_b892dd2d	type	Girl of the Week
The Equalizer / int_b892dd2d	comment	Girl of the Week: McCall generally has somewhere between two and four per season. It's usually implied that they have been or do date for a considerable amount of time but you never see each one beyond one episode, rather implied to be because even though McCall wants to have a steady relationship he's still not very good at maintaining one.
The Equalizer / int_b892dd2d	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_b892dd2d	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_b892dd2d
The Equalizer / int_bb53d08	type	Tear Jerker
The Equalizer / int_bb53d08	comment	Tear Jerker: when McCall is attempting to rescue a kidnap victim he realises one of the kidnappers is the man who killed his father during the 1950s conflict in Egypt. He gets drunk and tearfully imagines confronting his father, a British Army officer (played by Edward Woodward's son, Tim) for forcing him to remain at boarding school rather than let him visit his mother who was dying of cancer. Woodward described this as his favourite scene in the series, not only getting to work with his son but finding the emotional heart of the character beyond the tough guy image.
The Equalizer / int_bb53d08	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_bb53d08	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_bb53d08
The Equalizer / int_bc74ef27	type	Berserk Button
The Equalizer / int_bc74ef27	comment	Berserk Button: Rape and hurting or exploiting children will send McCall into a rage that may overcome his usual iron control over how far he will go to punish or see that the perpetrator(s) don't ever do anything of the like again.
The Equalizer / int_bc74ef27	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_bc74ef27	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_bc74ef27
The Equalizer / int_be6f7ae7	type	Brief Accent Imitation
The Equalizer / int_be6f7ae7	comment	Brief Accent Imitation: McCall imitates a NooYawk accent for comedic effect to Mickey, repeating and mocking a very irritating and unhelpful New Yorker he was hoping would give him information.
The Equalizer / int_be6f7ae7	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_be6f7ae7	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_be6f7ae7
The Equalizer / int_bf110089	type	Break Them by Talking
The Equalizer / int_bf110089	comment	Break Them by Talking: McCall is quite masterful at this, hitting every emotional and psychological weak point he can find in his enemies.
The Equalizer / int_bf110089	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_bf110089	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_bf110089
The Equalizer / int_c24c1556	type	Dramatic Chase Opening
The Equalizer / int_c24c1556	comment	Dramatic Chase Opening. Subverted. The opening credits are a collection of dramatic chase openings, but they're so many that they get switched before the actual chases begin.
The Equalizer / int_c24c1556	featureApplicability	-0.3
The Equalizer / int_c24c1556	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_c24c1556
The Equalizer / int_c4842ab1	type	Appropriated Appellation
The Equalizer / int_c4842ab1	comment	Appropriated Appellation: In the first episode an associate of McCall says; "I saw your ad. I thought I was the only one who called you the Equalizer."
The Equalizer / int_c4842ab1	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_c4842ab1	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_c4842ab1
The Equalizer / int_c75df49a	type	Shout-Out
The Equalizer / int_c75df49a	comment	Shout-Out: McCall's troubled past clearly draws on Edward Woodward's title role in the 1967-72 British Series Callan about a reluctant killer in the murky world of espionage. His Walther PPK is an obvious reference to that most famous British spy, James Bond.
The Equalizer / int_c75df49a	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_c75df49a	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_c75df49a
The Equalizer / int_cb9aeb6a	type	Vigilante Man
The Equalizer / int_cb9aeb6a	comment	Vigilante Man: The series draws on the vigilante justice issues raised by Death Wish and the Goetz trial (as seen in the MAD spoof where Robert McCall, Charles Bronson and Bernard Goetz argue over who should shoot a subway mugger). Sometimes the case of the week involves a vigilante or McCall trying to talk of victim of crime out of becoming one. McCall however denies that he is one, presumably because he never does a Vigilante Execution, preferring to use psychological warfare to inspire a confession (though quite a few villains conveniently pull a gun so McCall can shoot them in self-defense).
The Equalizer / int_cb9aeb6a	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_cb9aeb6a	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_cb9aeb6a
The Equalizer / int_d01cffbc	type	Badass Longcoat
The Equalizer / int_d01cffbc	comment	Badass Longcoat: It's pretty much McCall's trademark piece of clothing; see picture above. Lampshaded in the episode "Christmas Presence" in the following exchange between Harley Gage (an associate of McCall's) and a little boy who's obsessed with The Equalizer You can pretty much tell how much of a badass a Company agent (at least one that has a significant part of the story) is by how long his or her coat is. McCall, Control (when he wears one), and Dyson wear the longest coats and they are three people who worked in The Agency who really, really shouldn't be messed with.
The Equalizer / int_d01cffbc	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_d01cffbc	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_d01cffbc
The Equalizer / int_d39e327f	type	What the Hell, Hero?
The Equalizer / int_d39e327f	comment	What the Hell, Hero?: McCall is sometimes on the receiving end of this from Scott, and has given out some to cops and to Control. Control tends to be on the receiving end of these a lot.
The Equalizer / int_d39e327f	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_d39e327f	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_d39e327f
The Equalizer / int_d7fc9fd0	type	Vitriolic Best Buds
The Equalizer / int_d7fc9fd0	comment	Vitriolic Best Buds: McCall and Dyson.
The Equalizer / int_d7fc9fd0	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_d7fc9fd0	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_d7fc9fd0
The Equalizer / int_dbbba507	type	Handguns
The Equalizer / int_dbbba507	comment	Handguns: McCall carries a stainless steel Walther PPK/S with Pachmayr grips. He's also seen using the .357 Desert Eagle, and the Uzi in its SMG or pistol variants.
The Equalizer / int_dbbba507	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_dbbba507	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_dbbba507
The Equalizer / int_e24a1629	type	Sugar-and-Ice Personality
The Equalizer / int_e24a1629	comment	Sugar-and-Ice Personality: With friends and most clients McCall is kindly, soft-spoken, possessed of a sharp and mischievous wit, and (extremely) occasionally reveals flashes of endearing vulnerability; with everyone else he tends to be very formal, aloof, brusque, prone to be easily irritated, and quite sharp-tongued.
The Equalizer / int_e24a1629	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_e24a1629	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_e24a1629
The Equalizer / int_e52a0409	type	Calling the Old Man Out
The Equalizer / int_e52a0409	comment	Calling the Old Man Out: McCall's estranged son Scott doesn't hesitate to express how he feels about his dad being gone for most of his life. Neither is he impressed when he later finds out what McCall did for the Agency (like helping set up brutal dictatorships).
The Equalizer / int_e52a0409	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_e52a0409	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_e52a0409
The Equalizer / int_e5421161	type	Expy
The Equalizer / int_e5421161	comment	Expy: If it weren't for their considerably different backstories, there are many occasions during the series in which Woodward is basically playing an older version of his earlier spy character Callan. Made most explicit in an early episode when Robert breaks down and admits his job is simply to kill people, a major ongoing trope in Callan. What also helps this theory is that the name 'David Callan' isn't the character's real name, which is not revealed in the show.
The Equalizer / int_e5421161	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_e5421161	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_e5421161
The Equalizer / int_ebb900a7	type	Resignations Not Accepted
The Equalizer / int_ebb900a7	comment	Resignations Not Accepted: Subverted. McCall "rewrote the rules." McCall used three factors to his advantage to resign. (1) His 'friendship' with Control, who would rather not kill him and is savvy enough to realise he might still get some use out of McCall if he doesn't push too hard. (2) His loyalty has never been in question and Control knows McCall will hold the classified information he has unto death. (3) McCall is just so badass that it would be far more trouble than it would be worth to try to kill him.
The Equalizer / int_ebb900a7	featureApplicability	-0.3
The Equalizer / int_ebb900a7	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_ebb900a7
The Equalizer / int_f005bd1c	type	Friend on the Force
The Equalizer / int_f005bd1c	comment	Friend on the Force: Lt. Jefferson, Lt. Mason Wells and Lt. Isidore Smalls, who rotated in and out throughout Season 1. Unlike usual for this trope however, they vary as to actual friendship, often disapproving of McCall's vigilantism and Mysterious Past, and cooperating only because he's useful to them. Detective Alice Shephard appears in Season 2 takes on the role in Season 2 and turns out to be a bit more supportive.
The Equalizer / int_f005bd1c	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_f005bd1c	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_f005bd1c
The Equalizer / int_f16da697	type	Undying Loyalty
The Equalizer / int_f16da697	comment	Undying Loyalty: Mickey to McCall.
The Equalizer / int_f16da697	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_f16da697	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_f16da697
The Equalizer / int_f5a3e496	type	Suspiciously Similar Substitute
The Equalizer / int_f5a3e496	comment	Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Throughout Season One, McCall's contacts in the NYPD are Lieutenants Jefferson, West and Smalls, who are all black, all reluctant to accept McCall's help (but grateful anyway) and in the cases of West and Smalls, possessors of an impressive Porn Stache.
The Equalizer / int_f5a3e496	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_f5a3e496	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_f5a3e496
The Equalizer / int_f76f8943	type	Bruiser with a Soft Center
The Equalizer / int_f76f8943	comment	Bruiser with a Soft Center: Harley Gage is a tough bad-boy sort who tends to poke fun at McCall for his idealistic mission, but you get him around kids or someone who is in trouble and his tough outer shell gives way pretty quickly despite all his protests to the contrary.
The Equalizer / int_f76f8943	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_f76f8943	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_f76f8943
The Equalizer / int_f8a7ff7e	type	Sudden Principled Stand
The Equalizer / int_f8a7ff7e	comment	Sudden Principled Stand: McCall's quitting The Agency.
The Equalizer / int_f8a7ff7e	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_f8a7ff7e	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_f8a7ff7e
The Equalizer / int_f9b5dabc	type	Spies In a Van
The Equalizer / int_f9b5dabc	comment	Spies In a Van: Quite a few of these. Sometimes they are The Agency, sometimes The Opposition, and sometimes McCall and/or people he's working with.
The Equalizer / int_f9b5dabc	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_f9b5dabc	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_f9b5dabc
The Equalizer / int_f9f2c33	type	Running Gag
The Equalizer / int_f9f2c33	comment	Running Gag: Harvey the pharmacy deliveryman who is constantly trying to get McCall into whatever ultra-health food, pill, or fad he's into at the moment.
The Equalizer / int_f9f2c33	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_f9f2c33	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_f9f2c33
The Equalizer / int_fae64ace	type	Heroic Neutral
The Equalizer / int_fae64ace	comment	Heroic Neutral: Dyson. Had his idealism beaten out of him by years in the Company: seeing friends die, having to do terrible things, and being hurt time and time again by 'caring too much', and once out of the Agency takes considerable steps to make sure he's left alone by friend and foe alike.
The Equalizer / int_fae64ace	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_fae64ace	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_fae64ace
The Equalizer / int_fd176af9	type
The Equalizer / int_fd176af9	comment	"Well Done, Dad!" Guy: McCall really wants to build a good relationship with his son.
The Equalizer / int_fd176af9	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_fd176af9	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_fd176af9
The Equalizer / int_fdbd6162	type	With Friends Like These...
The Equalizer / int_fdbd6162	comment	With Friends Like These...: McCall and Control often snark and butt heads (especially over Agency actions), but the other is usually who they turn to when they're in trouble or need someone to talk to. Can go into Who Needs Enemies?, especially on (but not limited to) Control's end.
The Equalizer / int_fdbd6162	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_fdbd6162	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_fdbd6162
The Equalizer / int_fed93e1b	type	Dark and Troubled Past
The Equalizer / int_fed93e1b	comment	Dark and Troubled Past: While his past is kept mysterious, McCall is clearly not proud of the things he did as a spy, to the point that he helps his clients (almost always for free) as atonement for his past.
The Equalizer / int_fed93e1b	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_fed93e1b	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_fed93e1b
The Equalizer / int_name	type	ItemName
The Equalizer / int_name	comment
The Equalizer / int_name	featureApplicability	1.0
The Equalizer / int_name	featureConfidence	1.0
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Equalizer / int_name
The Equalizer / int_name	itemName	The Equalizer

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

The Equalizer	seeAlso	The Equalizer
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Accidental Pervert / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Bad Habits / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Badass Longcoat / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Bathroom Break-Out / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Big Applesauce / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Boxed Set / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Brief Accent Imitation / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Bus Full of Innocents / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Camera Spoofing / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Cassandra Gambit / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Coffin Contraband / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Confess in Confidence / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Confessional / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Conspiracy Thriller / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Constructive Body Disposal / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Cool Car / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Corporate Samurai / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Cultured Badass / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Cut Phone Lines / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Danger Room Cold Open / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Dead Drop / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Dead Man's Switch / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Definite Article Title / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Ditch the Bodyguards / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Dramatic Chase Opening / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Driver of a Black Cab / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Epic Rocking / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Forgot to Gag Him / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Gang Initiation Fight / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Go Among Mad People / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Going by the Matchbook / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Government Agency of Fiction / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Hero Stole My Bike / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Hulk Speak / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	I Got You Covered / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Impersonating an Officer / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Inside Job / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Instrumental Theme Tune / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	It Was Here, I Swear! / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Job Title / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Killer Cop / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Laser Sight / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Mission Control / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Mistaken for Spies / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Near-Death Experience / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Non-Indicative First Episode / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Not My Driver / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Not of This Earth / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Off the Grid / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Percussive Pickpocket / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Pillow Pistol / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Pop-Star Composer / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Public Secret Message / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Race Against the Clock / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Rock Star Parking / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Scales of Justice / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Shared Fate Ultimatum / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Shocking Voice Identity Reveal / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Shoe Phone / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Shoot Out the Lock / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Shooting Gallery / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Show Some Leg / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Signs of Disrepair / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Sinister Subway / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Sins of Our Fathers / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Sound-Only Death / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Spies Are Despicable / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	10-Minute Retirement / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Terror Hero / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Casanova / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Fagin / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Kindnapper / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Peeping Tom / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Spock / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Spymaster / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	The Stakeout / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	This Ain't Rocket Surgery / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Vigilante Man / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Wall of Weapons / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	We Help the Helpless / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	We Need a Distraction / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	What's In It For Me? / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	While You Were in Diapers / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Will Talk for a Price / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Wire Dilemma / int_7e88ac08
The Equalizer	hasFeature	Floorboard Failure / int_7e88ac08

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