Martial Law is an American/Canadian crime drama that aired on CBS from 1998 to 2000, and was created by Carlton Cuse. The title character, Sammo Law, portrayed by Sammo Hung, was a Chinese law officer and martial arts expert who came to Los Angeles in search of a colleague and remains in the US. The show was a surprise hit, making Hung the only East Asian headlining a prime-time network series in the United States. At the time, Hung was not fluent in English, and he reportedly recited some of his dialogue phonetically. In many scenes, Hung did not speak at all, making Martial Law perhaps the only US television series in history that featured so little dialogue from the lead character.
Martial Law (Season 1)
Shanghai Express 8.0
Air date: 1998-09-26
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Sammo's comes to America to find one of his colleagues from China who has disappeared whilst infiltrating an international car theft ring. Sammo ends up taking part in a cop exchange programme between USA and China.
Diamond Fever 8.0
Air date: 1998-10-03
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Sammo uncovers a diamond counterfeiting and smuggling operation ran by a major Chinese criminal, Lee Hei.
Dead Ringers 8.0
Air date: 1998-10-10
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: When fighters start dying in an Internet based all-in-fighting competition the LAPD are called in. Louis goes undercover to see whether or not the fighters are being murdered
Funny Money 8.0
Air date: 1998-10-17
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: With the help of a federal agent Sammo and his fellow officers go after a gang who are counterfeiting money.
Cop Out 8.0
Air date: 1998-10-24
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Using his status as a new and unknown member of the LAPD Sammo goes undercover to help the team root out a group of vigilante cops.
Extreme Measures 8.0
Air date: 1998-10-31
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Sammo and his colleagues try to discover the whereabouts a group of White Supremacists armed with heavy weapons.
Trackdown 8.0
Air date: 1998-11-07
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: The murder of a DA leads to Sammo and his colleagues uncovering a lawyer who hires a gang to steal prosecution evidence.
Take Out 8.0
Air date: 1998-11-14
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: A friend of Sammo's owns a restaurant. He refuses to sell to Nathan Babbott, a big businessman, and then gets attacked. To help his friend Sammo begins an investigation into Babbott. Sammo has problems trying to open a checking account at the local bank.
How Sammo Got His Groove Back 8.0
Air date: 1998-11-21
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Terrell Parker, an LAPD press officer, sees his cousin, a rap artist shot by an assassin. His life saved only by the appearance of Sammo and Louis. Terrell tries to get himself involved in the investigation by partnering up with Sammo. Between them they uncover a CD bootlegging operation.
Bad Seed 8.0
Air date: 1998-12-12
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Winship discovers that his niece is involved with a Triad gang and assigns Sammo and Tyrell to track her down. Terrell is now part of the department.
Lock-Up 8.0
Air date: 1998-12-19
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Sammo and Tyrell go undercover to infiltrate a gun-smuggling operation run by prison inmates.
Painted Faces 8.0
Air date: 1999-01-09
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Sammo's nemesis, Lee Hei, is back in the US and attempts to assassinate the mayor of Shanghai.
Substitutes 8.0
Air date: 1999-01-23
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Sammo discovers that a legendary gangster and drugs dealer has left Colombia and come back to Los Angeles, looking for his ex-wife and son.
Wild Life 8.0
Air date: 1999-02-06
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Sammo and Tyrell try to nail an illegal animal trading and hunting ring.
Breakout 8.0
Air date: 1999-02-13
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: A prisoner escapes from jail and goes looking for the $3 million he and his colleagues stole 5 years earlier.
Captive Hearts 8.0
Air date: 1999-02-20
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Sammo and Terrell pursue a sweatshop proprietor suspected of selling babies.
Trifecta 8.0
Air date: 1999-02-27
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Billy Rafferty, Terrell's former partner is found murdered. Terrell and Sammo investigate the last case he was working on, working undercover at a racetrack.
Big Trouble 8.0
Air date: 1999-03-20
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: A gang threatens the supermarket owned by Terrell's mum and step dad. He decides that he is going to help them out and enlists Sammo to aid him.
Nitro Man 8.0
Air date: 1999-03-27
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: During a robbery at Melanie's bank she ends up as a hostage and is kidnapped. Sammo is desperate to find her and save her from danger.
Red Storm 8.0
Air date: 1999-04-24
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: While waiting at the airport for the arrival of his teacher, Master Reng, from China Sammo gets involved with trying to stop a gang of crazed terrorists.
Requiem (1) 8.0
Air date: 1999-05-01
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Lee Hei and his daughter, Lin Pai Chin, are back in America trying to set up a big drug deal to finance their other criminal activities.
End Game (2) 8.0
Air date: 1999-05-08
Runtime: 43 min
Overview: Lee Hei and his daughter continue to cause trouble for Sammo and his fellow cops. This time though they are told that if they don't catch them then their unit could be shut down.
Seasons
Episodes 22
Episodes 22