Part 7/11:
Remington Steele didn’t burst into popularity overnight but steadily won viewers and critics alike. Early seasons garnered awards and high ratings, eventually cracking the Nielsen top 25 by 1985. However, by the late season five, ratings declined due to scheduling shifts and network competition.
In a bid to boost ratings, the producers staged a fake marriage between Laura and Steele in the season finale, Bonds of Steel. Despite plans for a more significant development in later seasons, both lead actors declined to marry on-screen, and tensions rumored between Brosnan and Zimbleist were reported but downplayed by both actors, who later spoke positively of each other's professionalism.