‘CHiPs’ Retro Recap: ‘Ponch’s Angels – Part 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​The last time we settled in to discuss CHiPs, I kinda, sorta, definitely gave the show the business about potentially copping out with a garbage ending. Because ‘Ponch’s Angels – Part 1’ really ended on a disappointing note, with Ponch and Officer Melanie Mitchell sharing a forbidden kiss, making it seem as though the second half of this story was going to be full of stereotypes and clichés revolving around how women and men cannot work side by side without needing to be romantically involved and how Melanie wouldn’t be able to find fulfillment without Ponch being at her side. Which may be some extreme thinking on my part, but that’s basically what the 1980s offered audiences on a regular basis. But oddly enough, I actually do owe this show quite the apology for assuming I had any idea where this story was headed.
 
Because ‘Ponch’s Angels – Part 2’ ended up being quite the pleasant surprise. For this particular tale picked up mere moments after that forbidden smooch and wouldn’t you know it? Ponch saw the light. He realized this was something that couldn’t happen, and that it was bad for both of their careers. So, he took action. He apologized for the kiss, traded trainees with Jon and rode with Paula instead and started acting like a training officer and well, professionalism became quite the important theme in this part of the tale. Because Paula and Melanie also needed to understand that despite their desire to be motor officers as quickly as possible, the rules still applied to them as well. Prompting Jon to take disciplinary action for their loose cannon actions when he stood in for an ailing Getrear and, the lessons present here served everyone well since it humbled the team and allowed for them to focus and that allowed for the ladies to accomplish some wonders.
 
After all, there were still some serious Creeps of the Week floating about the city and the first ones to be dealt with in this tale, were the snatch and grab duo that had been ripping off people at the Marina left and right. And they were so difficult to catch, simply because they used disguises and misdirection to both hide and evade the authorities. But like all dumb criminals this duo got greedy, super greedy in fact. Because they thought they could score big by ripping off a bank in sneaky fashion. But an abandoned clue and a familiar scent within it, immediately flagged Melanie’s memory when the girl of this thieving duo rode by her on roller skates, prompting her to call for help and spring into action. And thanks to Melanie’s sharp senses and detective skills they were able to bring this duo down at last.
 
Yet there was still the matter of the escaped criminals we were introduced to in ‘Part 1’, and while our characters were getting their attitudes refocused, these guys were working toward their ultimate goal. For their leader had taken the time to bury treasure in a well many moons ago, silver coins to be exact, and these guys were digging them up so they could eventually get themselves on easy street. But of course, their boldness brought them into the direct path of the CHP on several occasions, and their inability to give a crap about the law allowed for them to get away since they went the extra mile to escape pursuit and well, it took some serious teamwork to bring them down in the end. In fact, it took Turner to flush them out, thanks to Paula and Melanie spotting them, and Bonnie to assist those two in a high-speed chase, the kind that ended with these sleaze balls in handcuffs.
 
But while that was cool to watch, there was one last question hanging over this particular tale in that, did the ladies do enough to warrant becoming full time motorcycle officers? And thankfully, they did, and that led to a lovely celebration and a lovely ending to this tale. Because Paula and Melanie both showed that they belonged on a motor, and that they were qualified officers through and through and presenting these officers in positive and competent light is precisely where I was hoping this particular two-part story was going to go. Granted, it took a lot longer to get there than originally expected. But the end was worth the wait and it was great to see some badass female motorcycle officers bringing down crooks left and right and see the show preserve its wonderful reputation for telling bolder and progressive stories. And I am just so happy the story righted itself and I am so looking forward to seeing what other great tales await us as we enter the back end of season four. Until next time.  

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