‘CHiPs’ Retro Recap: ‘Wheels of Justice’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​It wasn’t all that long ago, that I more or less declared season four of CHiPs, to be the beginning of the decline of the saga. Wherein the stories would start sliding into campier territory, Ponch would take the center stage and all of this would lead up a woefully inconsistent sixth season, the one that finally put the series to bed. But as it turns out, I was wrong and arrogant to assume that this season would signal a downward trend for the series. Because for several episodes now, this series has been bringing its A-game to the table storytelling wise, and challenging the audience like never before and well, the need to offer up a mea culpa today, stems from the fact that the next episode in this saga, is one of the finest that the series has offered up to date.
 
For ‘Wheels of Justice’ accomplished a great many things storytelling wise. For starters, it offered Ponch and Jon their biggest challenges yet when it comes to their never-ending battle against bad drivers and criminals, by giving them a bevy of Creeps of the Week to deal with. For there was Stan West, who was a mild-mannered accountant by day, turned road rage monster by night; and this dude loved to hit cars and flee the scene. Plus, there was also Arthur Holmes, who was a habitual drunk driver, one that was ready to lose his license and went the extra mile to keep that from happening. And of course, there was the worst Creep of all; their lawyer. Because Ted Stern did everything and anything to keep his boys out of court, something that would backfire badly by the end of the episode.
 
However, before we dive into all of that. We do need to take a moment and discuss the fact that this episode did a fine job of showing us a little depth in regard to Jon Baker. Because he was dating the Assistant D.A. in this tale, and it was unique to see him let down his guard and point out how hard his job is, and how sometimes folks in her position make his job difficult with the legal games they play. If anything, it was just bold to show frustration from an officer on the law, on a series where everything is always hunky dory. But while it was refreshing to see this side of Jon, it’s time we discuss what we learned about our COTWs and where their stories took them. Because through them, the series dove into some realistic and sobering territory, the kind that definitely hangs heavy in the air once the episode comes to a close.
 
Because the people that Stern chose to defend, were awful people. In fact, Stan West almost caused great harm to an ambulance filled to the brim with infants, and it turns out that he was lying at every turn and using fake identities to get out of paying for his numerous tickets, and that lovely discovery finally put him behind bars. And as for Arthur Holmes, well this guy actually had the nerve to make his wife switch places with him and claim she was driving, after he caused an accident while under the influence, and he did not learn a single lesson from that event. For in the closing moments of this tale, he got behind the wheel, sauced to the gills once again, and he paid the ultimate price for his arrogance. Because in the midst of a high-speed chase with Ponch and Jon, he ejected his wife from the car, killing her instantly and this was just a powerful and incredible way to end this episode.
 
After all, this is the kind of stuff that happens in real life, the kind of stuff that CHiPs usually just flirts with. But they went all out here, and truly showed us the horrors of drunk driving and I have to tip my cap to everyone involved in the making of this one. Because that’s bold direction to take on a series that keeps things light, and it and everything that preceded it made for an engrossing and fascinating tale, one that gave the audience plenty to chew upon. If anything, it just goes to show that there is still plenty of life left in this series, and they’re pulling out the big guns now, and that definitely leaves me wondering what kind of daring storytelling awaits me in the days to come as season four rolls along. Because wow, this really was something else and I really am in awe of everything this story had to offer. Until next time.   

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