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Season 1 – The Handler

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Handler Sep 2003 Crime Drama Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 11 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
An FBI agent trains and handles agents who go under cover to solve crimes at all levels of Los Angeles' diverse society, interacting with government and local law enforcement agencies that come to him for help with both long-term and quick sting operations.
The Handler — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

What it lacks in originality, The Handler makes up for with an effortlessly cool performance from Joe Pantoliano and a healthy dose of street tough thrills.

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Critics Reviews

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Tom Shales Washington Post 03/12/2020
The show runs around in circles -- and right into a wall. Go to Full Review Tim Goodman San Francisco Chronicle 12/11/2019
"The Handler" isn't breaking new ground, nor is it gritty and intense, like "NYPD Blue" or "The Wire." Yet [Joe] Pantoliano sells this character's coolness in a way we haven't seen on TV in ages. Go to Full Review Alessandra Stanley New York Times 12/11/2019
Mr. Pantoliano is both louche and likable in the lead role, and he is well cast as a sociable loner. Go to Full Review Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 03/03/2020
With so many new crime dramas being added to the existing glut, there's really no good reason for this show to exist. Go to Full Review Scott D. Pierce Deseret News (Salt Lake City) 03/03/2020
There's a bit of suspense and some surprises. And [Joe] Pantoliano is always watchable. Go to Full Review Jacqueline Cutler Zap2it.com 12/11/2019
[W]hat also helps is a cast of convincing characters, a terrific soundtrack and gritty camera angles showing the seedy underbelly of a city. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
The Handler — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Joe Pantoliano

Joe Renato

Anna Belknap

Lily

Hill Harper

Darnell

Lola Glaudini

Heather

Tanya Wright

Marcy

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Guest Star

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 26, 2003 Pilot FBI agent Joe Renato trains crime-fighting operatives to infiltrate all levels of society; Joe mourns the loss of one of his own as the dangers of the job become all too real. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 3, 2003 It's Only Rock and Roll Darnell poses as a carjacker and infiltrates a drug-abusing gang of bank robbers; Lily goes under cover as a bartender in a case involving a corrupt federal judge. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 10, 2003 Bruno Comes Back Joe must slip into one of his old undercover roles when he accidentally runs into a fugitive he used to work with. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 17, 2003 Body of Evidence Heather goes under cover as a prostitute to stop a murderous pimp (Peter Weller); Darnell and Lily pose as a bickering couple in order to stall a bar owner while the FBI installs a bug in his car. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 24, 2003 Under Color of Law Joe suspects the police are involved in the murder of one of his agents assigned to an undercover task force. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 31, 2003 Dirty White Collar Posing as an assassin, Joe gains the trust of a corporate raider who wants to take a hit out on a former colleague. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 7, 2003 Jar of Spiders Joe must investigate a fellow handler (Lou Diamond Phillips) who is linked to the death of a politician. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 14, 2003 Hardcore Joe and his agents pose as pornographers to ensnare a bar owner suspected of killing his pregnant wife for her multimillion dollar insurance policy. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 21, 2003 Big Stones Joe and his team infiltrate a gang of thieves who plan to rob multiple jewelry exchanges across the United States. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 5, 2003 Homewrecker's Ball Agents try to recover millions of dollars stolen during a DEA mission gone bad; Elena checks into a drug rehabilitation center to befriend an addict (Laura San Giacomo). Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 12, 2003 Off the Edge Joe enlists the help of his former handler (Rita Moreno) when two of his agents disappear during a dangerous mission. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 9, 2004 Bleak House Lily works under cover as a nanny in a widower's household to probe the mysterious disappearance of her predecessor. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 16, 2004 Acts of Congress Agents go under cover to investigate the murder of a college intern who was romantically linked to a U.S. congressman. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 30, 2004 Give Daddy Some Sugar Joe sends his agents under cover as a veterinarian, a groomer and a horse owner to bust a trainer suspected of killing horses. Details Episode 15 Airs undefined The Wedding Party Lily's mission to infiltrate a crime family goes awry when the boss' son falls in love with her and proposes marriage. Details Episode 16 Airs undefined The Big Fall Joe and his agents infiltrate a dating service to catch a woman (Annabella Sciorra) suspected of murdering wealthy suitors. Details

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Season Info

Director
Mick Jackson, Jean de Segonzac, Stephen Surjik, Leon Ichaso, Bryan Spicer, Lou Antonio, Rob Bailey, J. Miller Tobin, Rick Rosenthal, Alex Zakrzewski, Stuart Margolin, Jeremy Kagan
Executive Producer
Chris Haddock
Screenwriter
Jim Kouf, Chris Haddock, Gwendolyn M. Parker, Alan Di Fiore, Frank Military, Ken Solarz, Laurie McCarthy
Network
CBS
Rating
TV-PG (L|V)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Action, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 26, 2003