In Bay City, California, there is a shooting in which two teenage lovers are killed. District Attorney Mark Henderson (Albert Morgenstern) thinks the intended targets were Detectives David Michael "Dave" Starsky and Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson, because the car the victims were shot in is identical to Starksy's red and white Ford Gran Torino. Starsky and Hutch are told by local criminal Fat Rolly (Michael Lerner) that there's a contract out on Starsky. All indications point to Frank Tallman (Gilbert Green), a local crime lord awaiting trial, where Starsky and Hutch are the main prosecution witnesses. But Tallman denies it, claiming someone is trying to frame him. With the help of their regular informant, Huggy Bear, Starsky and Hutch track down the hitmen, a pair of professionals named Zane (Richard Lynch) and Cannell (Michael Conrad), only to learn that one of the actual victims, 19-year-old Patricia Talbot (Karen Lamm), was indeed the intended target. Starsky and Hutch begin to suspect that Zane and Cannell were hired by someone inside the police department.

Henny Wilson (Arthur Peterson) and his wife Sarah (Hope Summers), an elderly couple, are desperate to draw attention to the appalling living conditions in their convalescence home, the Eastside Home For The Aged. Despite spending two years complaining to the city council, this falls on deaf ears. The angry couple rig their car with a time-bomb, using fifty sticks of dynamite and a timer, planning to set it off outside City Hall. But after stopping at the local diner, the car is stolen by Wilbur Sloane (Edward Walsh) and Gregg Morton (Bob Delegall), two armed robbers, who are unaware that the car is loaded with explosives. Detectives Starsky and Hutch are put on the hunt for Sloane and Morton, with a 5 o'clock deadline when the bomb is set to explode. They learn Sloane is a gambling addict, who resorts to robbery when he owes money to the bookies, who threaten to kill him if he doesn't pay.

At 5am one morning, wealthy used-car dealer Zack Tyler (Med Flory) and his wife Emma Lou (Alta Christopher) stop to help two men, John Brown Harris (Charles Napier) and Little Huey Chaco (George Loros), who are having car trouble, only for them to rob the couple, with Harris raping and fatally strangling Emma Lou. Starsky and Hutch are assigned to the case, going all-out, using their underground contacts to track down Harris and Chaco, learning that they are heroin addicts. But the two detectives don't realize that once they've found Harris and Chaco, an understandably enraged Zack plans to take his own revenge on the felons.

Starsky and Hutch, along with three highly experienced detectives -- Kalowitz (Bill Sorrells), Burke (Paul Benjamin), and Corman (Richard Venture) -- are involved in a large-scale drug bust, where pure cocaine with a street value of $4,000,000 is seized. Following the successful raid, Starsky and Hutch come under suspicion when $1,000,000 worth of the cocaine mysteriously disappears. Captain Dobey gives them 48 hours to clear their names and those of Kalowitz, Burke, and Corman, who they assume to be innocent, and nail Stryker (Gilbert Green), the drug kingpin behind everything. Captain Dobey REALLY wants to nail him because Stryker was the killer of Captain Dobey's best friend and former partner Elmo Jackson years ago -- his body found hung on a hook in a meat factory. Now, Starsky and Hutch's informant, Marty Crandell (George Dzundza), is found dead, and throughout the case, Hutch keeps spotting a Dalmatian that seems to appear whenever danger lurks nearby.

Hutch is dating Jeanie Waldon (Leigh Christian), who was formerly associated with big-time crime boss Ben Forest (Robert Loggia). He is then abducted by the jealous Ben, who gets him addicted to heroin to get him to confess to where Jeanie is located, which he does in his drug-induced stupor. Hutch escapes from the mobsters and is found by Starsky, noticing the needle marks on Hutch's arm. He and Huggy Bear secretly nurse Hutch back to health from the terrible withdrawal symptoms of the addictive substance. Ben, now furious that Hutch escaped, tells his right-hand man, Allen "Monk" Philos (Geoffrey Lewis), to make sure he is killed. Hutch tells Starsky that the henchmen who abducted him wanted to escape with Jeanie in tow. Starsky heads out to find the mobsters, and the determined Hutch heads out a short time later to do the same thing, despite his slow recovery from the heroin earlier.

When Starsky and Hutch respond to an armed robbery, one of the masked robbers, 22-year-old Joseph Tramaine (Gregory Rozakis), gets away with $200, and Starsky is forced to fatally shoot the other robber in self-defense -- and the robber that Starsky shot turns out to be 16-year-old Lonnie Malcolm Craig. Lonnie's mother Eunice (Hilda Hayes) is devastated, and Starsky feels extremely guilty. A coroner's inquest is then opened: Tramaine turns out to be a drug-addict who commits robberies to get money to feed his addiction with. The case gets the attention of George A. Prudholm (Stephen McNally): a thoroughly enraged man with a grudge against Starsky. George calls the station and warns them that if Starsky is cleared, then the cops will pay in spades. Starsky is cleared of any wrong-doing, and he and Hutch want to find whoever supplied Lonnie with the gun. Because Starsky was cleared, George starts killing cops while demanding Starsky's resignation, promising that the killings will continue until Starsky complies. Two years prior of the occurrence, Starsky and Hutch's first assignment after being promoted out of uniform, was working an undercover narcotics investigation at McKinley High School: Starsky arrested George's 19-year-old son, Gary Vincent Prudholm, for drug-dealing, who then got stabbed to death in the city jail. George was devastated, and he has always blamed Starsky for Gary's death. George wants Starsky to pay in spades by being forced resign, and get his name dragged through the mud before George gets his chance to kill Starsky.

Starsky's ex-girlfriend Helen Davidson, a fellow cop, is found murdered, with her body bizarrely wrapped in radio antenna wire. As Starsky and Hutch investigate, it is revealed that Helen had been working undercover as a go-go dancer at the Mellow Yellow to stop a violent burglary ring, and she had been undercover for two months. The Mellow Yellow, owned by Ruby Solenko (Victor Argo),is to be the ring's de facto headquarters. Two days before Helen was killed, she spotted someone tailing her, and was afraid that her cover was blown. There are several suspects as to the killer's unknown identity, as the detectives realize that they're up against a serial killer.

Starsky and Hutch are put on the case when Captain Dobey and his family are terrorized by Leo Moon (William Watson), a crooked ex-Cop who has just escaped from prison and is determined to make Dobey pay in spades for putting him away. Dobey and Moon went through the police academy together. About five years ago, Moon was convicted of extortion and murder. Dobey was instrumental in putting Moon away, and now Moon wants to make Dobey pay in spades for that. But Dobey is trying to solve a cold case -- the murder of civil rights leader Isaac Douglas, who was one of Dobey's best friends and was killed a little over a year ago. Starsky and Hutch gets a lead on a company called Woodfield Industries, whose CEO is C. J. Woodfield (Lester Rawlins). Starsky and Hutch suspect that Woodfield might be involved up to his neck in Douglas's murder because Woodfield Industries was one of the companies that Douglas named as getting special treatment on city contracts. Starsky and Hutch figure out that Douglas had the goods on Woodfield, so he had Douglas killed. Dobey re-opens the murder investigation, heating things up for Woodfield, so the corrupt CEO had Moon sprung from prison to kill Dobey for him, to which Moon would be all too happy to do.

Starsky and Hutch are tracking down a dock-worker suspected of murdering Officer Ed Jamieson (Joe Warfield), an undercover cop investigating a series of waterfront heists. Hutch's childhood friend, Nancy Blake (Sheila Larken), is preparing to get married, and it seems that her groom-to-be, Billy Desmond (Stephen McHattie), might be involved in the heists.

John Colby (Art Hindle), an old academy friend of Starsky and Hutch, had ended up leaving the department and going into the Air Force. Now, John shows up with a story about being presumed dead while spending five years in a POW camp in Vietnam, asking them to help him find his ex-wife Karen (Suzan Gailey) and young son Corey. Starsky and Hutch are happy to help out an old friend, but when they locate Karen, she says she's never seen John before in her life. As it turns out, John's actually an imposter named Mike, a hit-man hired by local crime boss Nate Garvin (Gene Darcy). Karen is now the wife of Warren G. Karpel (Peter Brandon), a former chief accountant who previously worked for Nate Garvin. Warren, now a federal witness willing to testify against Garvin, Mike is the assassin hired to kill Warren.

After the particularly long and awkward interrogation with a suspect who has been accused of putting a 19-year-old woman in a coma, Starsky and Hutch decide to unwind for the evening by going for a meal at Giovanni's, an Italian restaurant down by the docks. But the evening out is hardly the relaxing time that they had anticipated: the mostly empty restaurant is taken over by Tom Lockly (Albert Paulsen) and Joey Martin (Steven Keats), two hit-men planning to kill powerful mob boss Vic Monte upon arrival at the restaurant. Theresa De Fusto (Jess Walton), who runs the restaurant, set Monte up for revenge for having her teenage brother killed. In addition, Joey and Tom have threatened to kill Theresa's mother if her daughter does not help them. Among the hostages are a hapless comedian, Sammy Grovner (Norman Fell), and his companion, Robin Morton (Barbara Rhoades). In the initial commotion, Joey shoots Starsky in the back, leaving him severely wounded. Hutch must try to keep Starsky alive, while appeasing the killers and making sure no harm befalls any of the other hostages.

Starsky and Hutch do a favor for a waitress at the local diner where they have their breakfast, and stumble upon the body of a murdered security guard. This leads them to discover a plot to rob an armored car by an experienced gang, who is not only holding hostage driver Tom Cole (John Ritter), but his pregnant wife, Ellie (Linda Kelsey), threatening to kill her if he fails to obey their orders.

Six months ago, for five weeks, down-on-his-luck jazz pianist Vic Rankin (Dane Clark) played piano at the GW, a jazz club, owned by Gil White (Arthur David Roberts), who never paid him, owing Vic $2000. After being assaulted by White's right-hand man, Gordon Foote (Zitto Kazann), Vic steals $2000, unaware that the money is actually counterfeit. In over his head, Vic finds himself a pursued man on the run. White, who is connected to the Mob, sends his heavies out to retrieve the money, as well as kill the man who dared to steal it. It's a race against time for Starsky and Hutch to find Vic before White and his men find him.

After a retired ex-cop and friend is murdered at his new job running the concession business at a sports arena, Starsky and Hutch are drawn into the world of Professional Wrestling.

Starsky and Hutch run afoul of federal agent Bettin, when his scheme to collar crime kingpin Dombarris puts the psychopathic serial rapist Jojo back on the streets. Starsky and Hutch are then determined to put him away for good.

A Junior High School classmate of Starsky, who found fame as a high fashion model, suffers an emotional breakdown from a series of personal tragedies and the pressures of stardom. Fleeing to a rough part of Bay City, she then falls into a downward spiral of depression and alcohol abuse. When she is victimized by a burglar, who murders any witnesses to his crimes, Starsky is inadvertently drawn back into her life. Against the very strong objections of his partner Hutch, Starsky relocates her to his residence and attempts to help her get back on her feet. As Hutch reluctantly covers for his partner, the depraved individual committing the burglaries, is closing in on her.

Starsky and Hutch are temporarily assigned to the Las Vegas Police Department to assist in the capture of a serial killer targeting Vegas Showgirls. After arriving in the city the detectives learn that the assignment was not random and Hutch may have ties to the prime suspect in the murders.

Detective Sergeant Hutchinson enters into a passionate relationship with a beautiful and cultured woman Gillian (Karen Carlson). While investigating a brutal daylight murder that occurred near an infamous sex shop, Starsky inadvertently discovers that Gillian is working as a prostitute for a crazed gangster and his domineering mother (Sylvia Sidney).

After the mysterious late night murder of an exotic dancer, the investigation reveals that elements of vampirism and sanguivorism are present in the crime when the victim is found drained of her blood. While the city is gripped in fear, Starsky and Hutch investigate a lead from an occultist, involving the detectives in a disturbing subculture of Satanism and the supernatural. When a connection is made between two of the attack victims and a dance school, the disabled dance instructor (John Saxon) becomes the prime suspect. Both detectives then make an effort to prevent any further attacks and apprehend the criminal.

Molly "Pete" Edwards, a young girl living with her alcoholic, ex-con father, finds herself suddenly orphaned just before Christmas. Starsky and Hutch attempt to help her when her father's partners-in-crime come looking for her... and a hidden cache of stolen diamonds.

Informant Huggy Bear goes into business on his own with the help of Turkey, an aspiring private eye.

Sue Ann Grainger, a country and western singer, is stalked by a gravelly-voiced psychopath who insists that she owes him $10,000. Stalling the investigation is her resistance to Starsky and Hutch's offer to help track down the extortioner.

A set of a Western movie is the site of a murder, another in a series of killings targeting members of its star, Steve Hanson's, Wolf Pack club. Starsky and Hutch go undercover as stuntmen to protect Steve and find out who the murderer really is.

A pair of Starsky and Hutch look-a-likes, hired by a shady lawyer to discredit the detectives, hit the streets in an imitation Striped Tomato Gran Torino, terrorizing informants and extorting money from citizens. The real Starsky and Hutch must try to clear their names and nab the impostors, before their badges are revoked and their reputations ruined.

The boys are tasked with investigating Voodoo Island. The island is owned by billionaire William Thorne. A series of deaths has attracted the attention of the authorities; they believe the appearance of Johnny Doors, a high ranking crime syndicate figure may indicate an attempt to take over the financial empire by the Mob.

Starsky arranges to be committed to a mental asylum, where Hutch has been planted undercover as a male nurse, to investigate why this particular hospital is suddenly having such a high fatality rate.

When their schoolteacher friend, Carol Wade, discovers a terrible secret about one of her students, she turns to Starsky and Hutch for help. They learn about the challenges facing the Child Abuse Unit.

Reporter Chris Phelps rides along with Starsky and Hutch in order to research an article on "the counter-culture cops, the new breed", as they investigate pushers who are cutting their drugs with strychnine.

An acrophobic former child star, turned loan shark, suddenly finds herself working with a new collector with a hidden agenda.

When a friend of theirs is severely beaten due to gambling debts, Starsky and Hutch go undercover as high rollers to investigate illegal gambling at the Marlborough Health Club.

Starsky & Hutch are lured into a trap by an ex-con seeking revenge for the death of his brother, which he blames on Hutch. They discover a stowaway in the Torino, which complicates matters.

A weekend trip to Captain Dobey's cabin turns sinister for Starsky & Hutch when they discover a Satanic cult across the lake and try to determine why the sheriff and the local people of the nearby small town are treating them so strangely.

Starsky and Hutch work undercover in a beauty salon in order to set a trap for an international jewel thief.

James Marshall Gunther, the businessman who was the lead villain in "Targets Without a Badge" two shows earlier, returns to put out a murder contract on Starsky & Hutch. Starsky is critically wounded and seems to be dying (Hutch took cover & remained unscathed; he told Starsky to get down but it wasn't in time). Hutchinson wants revenge, but can't seem to find Gunther -- until Gunther unexpectedly hands him a present -- the corpse of his own lawyer Bates in Gunther's office.