Huge nostalgia! A great character study... I loved this show like anything when I used to watch it at night in my teens when it first aired. I didn't understand much of the Shaolin wisdom at that time but I truly watched it for the great cast and their relationship and value system that they portrayed. Not gonna lie when I say that I had a huge crush on Peter Caine. But its his bond with his biological father and his foster father & his family that kept me glued to the series in all its entirety. Paul Blaisdell was my favorite character on the show besides Peter and Kwai Chang Caine. His effortless charm, his devotion to his blind wife, his love for his children including Peter and the way he ran 101 precinct as the Police Chief were something to learn from. He was one person who commanded respect and love because he was like a father figure not only to Peter but to the entire police squad of his. Peter despite his reputation of being a hot shot who acted more on impulse than on thought never questioned any order of Blaisdell and that speaks volumes for the man he called 'father' in the absence of Kwai Chang Caine. I somehow loved the entire Blaisdell family which to me was instrumental in having a very positive effect on Peter when he grew up with all that anger and feelings of abandonment. My other favorite character on this show was obviously Peter himself for being a fabulously flawed young man that he was, because somehow every action of his reflected the big heart that he had. He was rash, impulsive, reckless, brave but underneath it all he had this huge heart and a need to help all those who were weak. To me he was the perfect police officer strong enough to take on anyone, a perfect son to both his biological & foster fathers, a kind brother to Blaisdell sisters as was shown on multiple occasions in different episodes, a doting son to his blind mother (Blaisdell's wife) and a perfect lover (though I never liked any of his love interests haha except perhaps the girl who sang at the bar in the very first episode of this series. Wish they had continued with her as his love interest throughout. Kwai Chang Caine was awesome in his wisdom and its only now when I watch the re-runs that I understand much of what he stood for and the wisdom that he imparted... a treat to watch and listen to. Besides these leading men, I also liked Lo Si, Strenlich, Annie & Caroline Blaisdell & Detectives Skalany & Jodie. All in all a beautiful show which focused on human relationships, the values in the police system especially because it was administered by men of conscience and a lot of spiritual wisdom. I honestly didn't care for the martial arts stunts as I was all for the characters and the stories and to me this show was a solid 10 on 10. Still is. Miss it...
