‘CHiPs’ Retro Recap: ‘Karate’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Over the course of the past four seasons, we’ve really been able to celebrate some incredible storytelling in regard to the police serial CHiPs, thanks to the fact that the writers’ room and the production team really worked hard to do something special with this series when all is said and done. But while we have been privy to some thoughtful stories, the kind that have stayed with us long after they went to black, these Retro Recap have exposed one important flaw when it comes to this series in that; it really didn’t focus all that often, on what made our characters who they are today.

Which may sound silly since we know that Jon Baker is from Montana and a former Vietnam Vet, and that Frank Poncherello is a former troubled youth from the streets who turned his life around, but really think about how we came to make those discoveries. For most of these tidbits have come about by way of casual conversation on the series, with only a handful of episodes actually taking the time to show us some genuinely important moments from their past and while that’s not a horrible thing, since we know these two men are good human beings deep down, it’s never a negative thing to truly learn more about what formed Ponch and Jon’s moral center and that’s what made the next episode in this series such a genuine treat.

Because ‘Karate’ took the time to venture into a tougher part of town, one where a crime boss ruled the streets and the CHP had to step in to help deter criminal activity. And as it turns out, this particular place was Ponch’s old stomping ground and bringing him back home allowed for us to learn a great deal about him in regard to his youth. For example, we came to discover that Ponch was badly bullied when he was younger, to the point where he earned the nickname ‘Punchy Puncherello’ by the lead bully that knocked him around. But all fascinating facts about Ponch aside, what mattered more is that he wanted folks who were still struggling in this part of the city, to have the opportunity at the better path that he walked down, and that prompted him and most of his pals at Central to step in and offer up youth activities at the Rec Center to give some of the local kids focus and a sense of hope.

Which is something that actually produced some positive results, and it started to pull kids away from the aforementioned local crime boss, a fellow named Andy Macedon. And he turned out to be the bully that used to smack Ponch around and Frank’s actions, prompted Andy to step in and ruin Ponch’s rep with the kids in order to draw them away from the Rec Center so he could keep them on his payroll and keep his empire rolling. Which sadly is a plan that worked like a charm and well, it also prompted Frank to finally confront his past in healthy fashion. Because it was clear that the only way to take down Andy was to embarrass him in front of others and when he was off duty, he challenged his old bully to a fight in front of his cadre of kids and despite taking some serious lumps, Ponch eventually bested Andy and closed a chapter in regard to his past and this really was one heck of an episode for certain.

Because we finally were able to learn some solid facts about Ponch and his past and how important it is to him that he rose up from his troubled days in that part of town. But more importantly, this really was a grand exploration of Ponch’s moral center and how it was formed, and it was fascinating to learn that he really believes that people can be more and that hope, and an opportunity will inspire them like never before. Plus, it was equally as incredible to see him stand up to his bully and close an important chapter on yesterday and this is hands down, my favorite episode of season four to date. Because it was so unique, and I am truly a sucker for any story that offers up incredible character development and this had plenty of that in spades and well, if this is how the home stretch of season four is going to go, then sign me up for more. Until next time.

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