You Need Friends Like Mr. T’s Friends

I grew up watching The A-Team. I never missed an episode and the theme song remains in my bones. So I was thrilled to discover that all episodes of The A-Team can be enjoyed for free on The Roku Channel (one of many reasons I’m long-term bullish on Roku’s business model and stock).

Last week I introduced my three sons to The A-Team. I’m reliving my childhood with my boys as we watch this team of friends embark on crazy missions to rescue vulnerable people in danger and bring justice to the bad guys. This is classic 80s TV, when life was simpler (and better?).

The other night we watched season 1, episode 4: “Pros and Cons.” A short sentence from B.A. Baracus (Mr. T) struck me hard. I want you to think about the power of this five-word sentence. B.A. has just learned that his old friend, Jace, has been unlawfully imprisoned by a prison warden who forces fight-to-the-death boxing matches. It’s Jace’s young brother who tells B.A. this news, B.A. needs to do something, otherwise Jace will die.

B.A. is worked up with passion, anger, and determination. He storms into a restaurant where his friend and the leader of the A-Team, Hannibal, is sitting down having an important meeting. B.A. says five words to Hannibal:

“Let’s go, I need you.”

Immediately—zero questions asked and zero delay—Hannibal gets up from his restaurant table and follows B.A. out of the restaurant, they gather the rest of the team (their friends), and off they go to rescue Jace.

You and I need friends like Mr. T’s friends. You need a handful of friends where you can immediately show up at their door, or interrupt their important meeting, or text/call them to say: “Let’s go, I need you.” And, with no questions asked, they stand up and go with you to meet you in your need. That’s what friends are for.