NBC’s Ironside, which aired from 1967 to 1975, presented a unique twist on the police procedural. The series centers on Robert T. Ironside, a former San Francisco Police Department Chief of Detectives, portrayed with a steely resolve by Raymond Burr. After being paralyzed by a sniper’s bullet, Ironside is forced into a wheelchair, but his intellect and determination remain undiminished. Rather than retire, he continues his career as a special consultant, operating out of a converted police van, effectively turning his disability into a different kind of strength.
The premise allowed the show to explore not only criminal cases, but also the social attitudes and architectural barriers experienced by those with disabilities. Ironside is never presented as a victim. Instead, he becomes a symbol of resilience. He uses his sharp mind to solve complex cases, often relying on the assistance of his team, including Detective Sergeant Ed Brown, a dependable and slightly cynical partner brought to life by Don Galloway, and the young, idealistic Officer Eve Whitfield, played with warmth by Barbara Anderson.
The group dynamic is a huge part of the program’s success. Ironside is often the center, but he’s not the only figure. The team also includes Mark Sanger, played by Don Mitchell, a former delinquent whom Ironside mentors and who contributes his street smarts to their investigations. The interplay between the characters, their mutual respect, and their individual approaches to law enforcement add a lot of depth to the weekly mysteries. While the cases are often intriguing, it’s the development of these relationships and the exploration of Ironside’s character that truly sustains the program across its eight seasons. The show uses its setting of 1960s and 70s San Francisco effectively, incorporating the cultural and political elements of that period into its narratives, making the stories relevant and reflective of the times.
The writing and direction of Ironside often take on unconventional approaches to storytelling for a network program at the time. The program allows for slower pacing and a focus on dialogue and character interaction, differentiating it from more action-oriented police procedurals. This method also allows the program to explore broader societal themes, making the program not just an exercise in crime-solving, but a look at human experience. The series isn’t perfect. Some story arcs are handled with more impact than others, and occasionally the societal commentary feels a little on the nose. But the strong performances from the cast, coupled with the unique focus on a protagonist with a disability, make it a very interesting and memorable watch. The show’s approach to representation was unique for its era and created a character who is a figure of strength and intellect, rather than an object of pity.
Ironside aired on NBC.
Years ran: 1967-1975
Number of Episodes: 199
Creators: Collier Young
Cast: Raymond Burr, Don Galloway, Barbara Anderson, Don Mitchell.
