Mr. Chapel
Created by John McNamara and David Simkins

In this one-hour series from the 1998 TV series, starring Michael Madsen starred as the enigmatic yet charming, and possibly very sick puppy, MR. CHAPEL, a man with a macabre sense of humour and and a provocative sense of justice who hand-tailors some rather peculiar and unique punishments for criminals who have managed to so far outsmart or elude the legal system. His fee? A million dollars, or a favor. Imagine an Equalizer for the nineties, harder and tougher and certifiably more twisted than anything Edward Woodward ever dreamed of. And that's the thing. With his sly smile, and humourous asides, Mr. Chapel may be enjoying his work a bit too much. When asked why he does what he does, his reply is "let's just say I once had a really bad Monday."

Helping out Chapel, and reining him in when he goes too far, is K.C., a beautiful, young law clerk who's fascinated by Mr. Chapel.Together they seek out those victims who need heir help the most - offering restitution and peace of mind.

Originally, when I first heard of this show, I was wondering whether it would be closer to The Equalizer or Dellaventura. But now that I've seen it, I think we're striking some pretty new, or at least fresh, ground here. The show acknowledges the past--the retro-noir opening credits, and Chapel making his home in the Paladin Hotel (see Have Gun-Will Travel), etc.---and Madsen is a compelling actor who's proven himself countless times in this genre (Donnie Brasco, Reservoir Dogs, etc.), and his turn his as a hardboiled avenger is by turns chilling, hilarious and fascinating. There's a real giddy sense of noir on this one. The only mystery is why it's on at eight o'clock. They should put it on at ten and pull out all the stops. Vengeance Unlimited really is a challenging show, and so far, hasn't bothered to play it safe. The plots aren't really great, but the concept could be a real contender. I can see multi-episode storylines and twisted, complicated layers of betrayal and subterfuge as Mr. Chapel tries to nab the bad guys...a sort of noir version of Mission Impossible...

And how many shows have included a scene suggesting a prison rape scene set to "It's Raining Men"? Hallelujah!

EVIDENCE

• "Budget corn. I like it."
  (Mr. Chapel on his prefered, and inexpensive, munchies)
  .
• "I'm not going to hurt him. He won't feel a thing."
  (Chapel reassures K.C.)
  .
• "Stay tuned. It's gonna get stranger."
  (ABC commercial break slogan for Vengeance Unlimited)
  .
• "Don't touch that tinsel." (Seasonal commercial break slogan)

UNDER OATH

• "Finally caught Vengeance Unlimited last week. Haven't laughed that much in a long time. It's The Equalizer on Acid! It makes the willing suspension of disbelief of Mission: Impossible seem like nothing. It worked for me as a comedy (except for Chapel's tear at the end, although that wasn't a lease breaker). I can't resist a man who'll shred two million bucks and torch the rest of the swag. This show, more than Buddy Faro, may be the one that's too hip for the room. Funniest show I've seen since Maximum Bob.
  .
  I liked the look of VU; the switch between color and black & white worked for me. In part, I think, because they're having fun with, but not completely making fun of, the noir look. I'd like to catch it again. Let's hope it sticks around.
  .
  I was also pleased to see Jim Frawley associated with VU as director and co-executive producer. He's a very versatile, stylish director, a former actor who started out, I believe, directing episodes of The Monkees (may have won an Emmy for one) but whose later work has encompassed everything from Columbo to Law & Order.
  .
  By the way, there may only be three ways to do a PI show on television: 1) A combo of
  Hip/retro/humor (like Faro and VU); 2) a period piece; or 3) something deliberately low-key, character-based (à la Lew Archer or Marsh Tanner) with soft jazz and a strong, quiet empathetic lead. You know, sorta like a good PI novel. (On second thought, the last option wouldn't work. It would demand too much of the viewer."
  (Ted Fitzgerald)
  .
• "You are right in calling this show to The Equalizer of the 90's. This is the best show Warner Bros. has put out since Maverick. I love the connection to Have Gun-Will Travel? Remember when they when they went to the Hotel Paladin looking for a suspect? A very obvious reference to Paladin (Richard Boone). And what about the cards Mr. Chapel hands out, about being out of your life forever?...A very clever, well-written thouroughly entertaining show."
  (Sharon Daniels)
  

TELEVISION

• VENGEANCE UNLIMITED
  (1998-99 ABC)
  Premiered October 1, 1998
  16 60-minute episodes
  Created by David Simkins and John McNamara
  Writers: David Simkins, Charles D. Hallerd, John McNamara, Gary Rieck
  Directors: James Frawley
  Executive Producer John McNamara
  From McNamara Paper Product in association with Warner Bros. Television
  Starring Michael Madsen as MR. CHAPEL
  and Kathleen York as K.C.
  Guest Stars: Dini Merrill, Todd Allen
  

• "Cruel and Unusual" (September 29, 1998)
• "Victim of Circumstance" (October 1,1998)
• "Eden" (October 8, 1998)
• "Bitter End" (October 15, 1998)
• "Justice" (October 22, 1998)
• "Ambition" (October 29, 1998)
• "Security" (December 10, 1998)
• "Dishonorable Discharge" (December 17, 1998)
• "Noir" (December 24, 1998)
• "Vendetta" (January 7, 1999)
• "Confidence" (January 14, 1999)
• "Judgment" (January 21, 1999)
• "Clique" (January 28, 1999)
• "Critical" (February 4, 1999)
• "Legalese" (February 11, 1999)
• "Friends" (February 25, 1999)

Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.