Categories & segments

Vietnam echoes and 1986 Hollywood conventions

The overwhelmingly white cast

Opening credits, young stars, pre-surveillance life and pre-OJ Los Angeles

Folgers coffee and the difficulty of coordinating investigations across cities are the two explicit 1970s markers; the discussion then turns to the film as Gen X art looking back on that era.

The Datsun truck narrowly leads nurses’ caps, transistor-radio news, walkie-talkies, and razor-blade candy as the most 1981 element.

1994 Martin Scorsese was the preferred “most 1994” element; Rob Morrow’s top billing was the other nominee.

Chris Isaak’s conspicuous SWAT cameo wins; workplace harassment, Senator Martin’s hair, profiling without DNA, and helping a stranger move a sofa are alternatives.