Let's Take A Closer Look At Willie Gillis/Michael Ontkean

It's time to move on through the cast. I thought of combining the blog regarding Willie and Chris, but then decided that wouldn't be fair, since not everybody is a Danko fan, as I am. Michael Ontkean, aka Officer Willie Gillis appeared in Seasons One and Two of the series. I've heard a lot of reasons about why he quit, was fired or was just replaced, but that's not what I'm here to talk about. I'm just here to talk about Willie. When I moved here to San Antonio in the summer of 1973, I had to make a move to a new school, which resembled a prison (I'm not kidding--there were bars all over the place) and make new friends. I started school with one friend, a girl who lived across the street, but in late September, made a new friend. Rosemary commented on a Tuesday morning that her show hadn't been on the night before. I overheard this and we quickly found we had something in common, our love of The Rookies. However, her love was Willie Gillis, whereas mine was Michael, he of the crazy eyes. We argued about this endlessly and finally just agreed to disagree on why she loved Willie and I disliked him. Willie was cute. I have to admit that. I have a scrapbook full of pictures from teen magazines to prove this point. And, yes, I still have this scrapbook 30 odd years later. However, Willie never grew beyond the smalltown mentality that he had come into the show with. The naivete got a little old after a while. None of his episodes are among my favorites. I can't say that with Terry or even with Chris. There are a few of their episodes that I can watch. Willie's just make me uncomfortable. However, I have enjoyed most of his post-Rookies appearances. He was the only reason I tolerated 'Twin Peaks' as long as I did. I love 'Slap Shot' although I do think Michael looks much better with his clothes on. But then, so does Alan Alda. These are two men who should wear shirts and long pants, at all times. 'Voices' is another of my favorite Michael movies. However, not 'Making Love.' I went to the movies and saw this movie when it came out. Not impressed. Anyway, back to Willie episodes. As I said, none of them are among my favorites. I do like a couple of them when he was teamed up with Terry, such as the Season Two opener 'Cauldron.' The scene where Willie asked Terry if he was going to die, could he have his stereo was great. These two partners also had some great arguments such as the couple they had in 'Concrete Valley, Neon Sky.' I don't remember any great scenes with Mike, but he did have one with Jill in 'The Bear That Didn't Get Up.' He worried to Jill about the possibility that he could get her husband killed. Jill, quite simply, wasn't buying it. But, on the other hand, he had what could only be described as an uncomfortable scene in 'A Matter of Justice.' He couldn't quite get it through his head that Jill wasn't in the mood to talk to anybody. It was one of those moments where a person doesn't know what to say, so they'll just say anything. Anyway, I don't mean to Willie bash. I was hoping that I'd change my mind regarding him the way that I did regarding Terry. Sorry, but it didn't happen. If anything, my opinion only got stronger. Anyway, that's my opinion. Please give me yours.