"The Rockford Files" really hit its stride with this two-part episode. Jim's trailer is parked where we'll see the rest of its seasons, the relationships with Rocky, Beth and Dennis are all clarified and solidified, Jim gets beat up and arrested, and doesn't even know what's going on.
The episode begins with Ned Beatty as Leon Fielder, the head of Fiscal Dynamics in a setting very much like the one he was in in "Network". He's very effective as the head of a powerful corporation.
Rockford gets involved when the computer programmer from Fiscal Dynamics comes to him for help. Jim's in the midst of trying to fix his garbage disposal, which seems like a little bit on inconsequential funny business, but in the end turns out to have a key role in the story.
The man who came to him is suddenly taken by force and Jim is beat up and left unconscious. Rocky finds him and we have a key scene that completes the transition of the Rocky character from grifter (as he was written in the pilot and several first season episodes) to mother hen and concerned dad. He's upset, concerned and angry with Jim and Noah Berry plays it very well.
Rockford's in for a surprise when he reports the man kidnapped. The man shows up unharmed and denies the whole story. Fiscal Dynamics presses the police to come down hard on Rockford and nail him for filing a false report. Jim goes to work to find out what in the world he's suddenly involved in.
Among the highlights is the scene between Beatty and Garner in which Fielder tries to intimidate Rockford with his powerful handshake, which Rockford later gets even. Dennis is still a police lieutenant in this episode, and Beth makes a brief appearance getting Jim out of jail. Gretchen Davenport looks sexier and more fetching than ever. A side note--Tracy Bogart, who appears in this episode, also appeared on Garner's previous series, "Nichols".
There's a good mix of mystery, action and humor in this episode that makes watching it again a pleasure.
The episode begins with Ned Beatty as Leon Fielder, the head of Fiscal Dynamics in a setting very much like the one he was in in "Network". He's very effective as the head of a powerful corporation.
Rockford gets involved when the computer programmer from Fiscal Dynamics comes to him for help. Jim's in the midst of trying to fix his garbage disposal, which seems like a little bit on inconsequential funny business, but in the end turns out to have a key role in the story.
The man who came to him is suddenly taken by force and Jim is beat up and left unconscious. Rocky finds him and we have a key scene that completes the transition of the Rocky character from grifter (as he was written in the pilot and several first season episodes) to mother hen and concerned dad. He's upset, concerned and angry with Jim and Noah Berry plays it very well.
Rockford's in for a surprise when he reports the man kidnapped. The man shows up unharmed and denies the whole story. Fiscal Dynamics presses the police to come down hard on Rockford and nail him for filing a false report. Jim goes to work to find out what in the world he's suddenly involved in.
Among the highlights is the scene between Beatty and Garner in which Fielder tries to intimidate Rockford with his powerful handshake, which Rockford later gets even. Dennis is still a police lieutenant in this episode, and Beth makes a brief appearance getting Jim out of jail. Gretchen Davenport looks sexier and more fetching than ever. A side note--Tracy Bogart, who appears in this episode, also appeared on Garner's previous series, "Nichols".
There's a good mix of mystery, action and humor in this episode that makes watching it again a pleasure.