An everlasting devotee who has not missed one episode of the four-season series, I had been longing for a DVD release since such digital standard replaced the analogue VHS in home entertainment. Prior to the release of this six-DVD box set, many fellow aficionados had to settle for a three-cassette VHS box set that comprised the best episodes of the four seasons, which, much to our chagrin, was never followed by further instalments. Despite the fact that it has been almost a year since the release of this prospective first chapter, I am adamant in my conviction that the second season set will come out sooner or later, relying upon the fact that a collection of each episode in the first series - not just the foremost ones - is likely to be completed with three more sets that comprise all episodes, thus presenting us nostalgic fans with an ultimate collection.
In my personal opinion, 'The Equalizer' can be regarded as one of the television shows that has best portrayed the socio-political situation in the 1980s, both in its depiction of the apogee of the Cold War between the United States of America and former Soviet Union, and in its delineation of the protagonist Robert McCall, a retired agent for an unnamed agency - most likely to be the CIA, although it is not explicitly mentioned - who is tormented by the atrocities he had been forced to commit as an asset to the company, and who tries to expiate the lingering shadows of his past by lending his help to people in need, ordinary citizens who contact him through the newspaper advertisement that later became an identifying symbol for the series: "Odds against you? Need Some Help? Call the Equalizer".
As the reviewer before me very correctly pointed out, 'The Equalizer' has truly stood the test of time. Whereas the political background of the series, the Cold War and the fear of a nuclear disaster, are themes much too obsolete for today's audience, the masterful portrayal of Robert McCall (played to perfection by our Edward Woodward), and of the multifarious metropolitan reality of New York City, seen through the repenting eyes of the protagonist, as well as through the eyes of all those who contact Robert McCall seeking his help for disparate reasons, is a true cinematographic jewel that has carved its niche in this industry, never paling in comparison to other contemporary programmes and setting the pace for its 1990s and 2000s successors.