Rockford is looking for a missing person when his brakes go bad outside of a small town called Pastoria. Fortunately there's a tow tuck driver passing by who gives him a tow in to town. Unfortunately the tow truck driver is part of a scam that the town uses to shake down passing tourists. Before you know it, Jim is in jail facing charges of Grand Theft Auto, possession of drugs, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, bribery--whatever else you can think of.
Rockford calls on his dad, who sells his truck (!) to get bail to get Jim out of jail. The lovely Beth Davenport (Gretchen Corbett) is also quickly on hand to help. But before you know it, THEY'RE in jail too. Jim has to find someone who's not in on the scam to get his friends and himself out of trouble.
This is a very well written episode and features good performances pretty much all around-- most notably from Corbett (her scene where she is angry and frustrated about how the law is abused is a good one for her), Bill Quinn is as solid and reliable as ever and Warren Kemerling is great as the old retired sheriff who's been muscled out by the new guy (Richard Herd). Jack Garner appears briefly as the court clerk. The stunt that ends the show is nicely done as well.
While Dennis is mentioned, he does not appear in this episode, though it is his voice on the answering machine at the show's opening thanking Jim for helping him with his taxes and asking whether he wants to be on hand for the audit!
Rockford calls on his dad, who sells his truck (!) to get bail to get Jim out of jail. The lovely Beth Davenport (Gretchen Corbett) is also quickly on hand to help. But before you know it, THEY'RE in jail too. Jim has to find someone who's not in on the scam to get his friends and himself out of trouble.
This is a very well written episode and features good performances pretty much all around-- most notably from Corbett (her scene where she is angry and frustrated about how the law is abused is a good one for her), Bill Quinn is as solid and reliable as ever and Warren Kemerling is great as the old retired sheriff who's been muscled out by the new guy (Richard Herd). Jack Garner appears briefly as the court clerk. The stunt that ends the show is nicely done as well.
While Dennis is mentioned, he does not appear in this episode, though it is his voice on the answering machine at the show's opening thanking Jim for helping him with his taxes and asking whether he wants to be on hand for the audit!