Gideon Oliver
Gideon Oliver (Louis Gossett Jr.) is an anthropology professor at Columbia University. While
this may seem to be a profession not inherently action filled just think of Indiana Jones in
modern day New York City. The short lived series was part of ABCs revolving Monday Night
Mystery and lasted only five episodes. It was the brain child of Dick Wolf, creator of the
fabulously successful Law & Order franchise. A lot of what makes Law & Order work can be seen
in embryonic form here. Wolf takes sensational headlines and incorporated them into the story
lines, the start of his ‘ripped from the headlines’ style. The two hour pilot is shown here
and it is excellent. Oliver’s long time friend and fellow professor is murdered on the
streets. The manner of killing looks like several others but the police are reluctant to call
it a serial killing. The professor is approached by a detective that used to be on the task
force and who believes that it is the work of a highly organize group of Satanist. He goes so
far as to forward the idea that the Son of Sam killings in 1977 where also the work of this
group. This show not only provides a look at the early style of Dick Wolf but this episode has
some notable guest stars including Cynthia Nixon, Anthony LaPaglia, Tom Sizemore, Jenny Wright
and a cameo by Marcia Gay Harden.
Gideon Oliver was one of three
rotating series telecast in 1988-89 under the umbrella title The ABC Monday Mystery Movie; the
other components were B.L. Stryker and old reliable Columbo. When Mystery Movie was picked up
for a second season, Gideon Oliver was not retained.
Cast & Characters
Louis Gossett Jr.
Michael Rooker
Cynthia Nixon
Anthony LaPaglia
Marcia Gay Harden
... Gideon Oliver
... Detective John Quinn
... Allison Parrish Slocum
... Raskin
... Lila
