This is one of the all-around best episodes of the show, featuring a terrific script, both humor and serious conflict, a decent mystery, a good performance by all our regulars and a great guest shot.
Rockford is confused when he's called in to testify by the Grand Jury about union boss Frank Sorvino. He's never met Sorvino or talked to him. Yet prosecutor Gary Bevins (William Daniels, being far more "obnoxious and disliked" than he ever was in "1776") seems to think Rockford is the key to Sorvino's disappearance. He is arrogant and treats Rockford like he's a criminal. Jim first ends up in jail on contempt of court charges, then is freed to finds out what's really going on.
William Daniels is quite memorable as Bevins and makes a great opponent to Rockford, bringing out some of the best acting James Garner has had the opportunity to do in the series. The two scenes where he tells Bevins off in court are real highlights. It's too bad they didn't try and bring Bevin back sometime. You get the feeling he probably plays cards with Lt. Diehl and Chapman.
There's a great scene in a trucking yard (the same one used in "Gearjammmers") where a couple of union thugs try and lean on Jim but he escapes on a passing semi, and Angel (Stuart Margolin) has a terrific scene as he visits Jim in prison. Jim's brother Jack appears as the court's bailiff.
In a Rockford Files rarity, we get to see Beth (Gretchen Corbett) Davenport's office as she tries to help Jim with his testimony and around the contempt charges. Judging by the way they interact, Beth and Jim appear to be "just friends" again. (Friends with benefits?)
I also have to point out what a deft job director Jannot Szwarc does with the show's direction, switching between comedy and drama (especially the scenes with Jim in the prison laundry) and keeping the entire episode at an electric pace.
Rockford is confused when he's called in to testify by the Grand Jury about union boss Frank Sorvino. He's never met Sorvino or talked to him. Yet prosecutor Gary Bevins (William Daniels, being far more "obnoxious and disliked" than he ever was in "1776") seems to think Rockford is the key to Sorvino's disappearance. He is arrogant and treats Rockford like he's a criminal. Jim first ends up in jail on contempt of court charges, then is freed to finds out what's really going on.
William Daniels is quite memorable as Bevins and makes a great opponent to Rockford, bringing out some of the best acting James Garner has had the opportunity to do in the series. The two scenes where he tells Bevins off in court are real highlights. It's too bad they didn't try and bring Bevin back sometime. You get the feeling he probably plays cards with Lt. Diehl and Chapman.
There's a great scene in a trucking yard (the same one used in "Gearjammmers") where a couple of union thugs try and lean on Jim but he escapes on a passing semi, and Angel (Stuart Margolin) has a terrific scene as he visits Jim in prison. Jim's brother Jack appears as the court's bailiff.
In a Rockford Files rarity, we get to see Beth (Gretchen Corbett) Davenport's office as she tries to help Jim with his testimony and around the contempt charges. Judging by the way they interact, Beth and Jim appear to be "just friends" again. (Friends with benefits?)
I also have to point out what a deft job director Jannot Szwarc does with the show's direction, switching between comedy and drama (especially the scenes with Jim in the prison laundry) and keeping the entire episode at an electric pace.