First off, it is true that the episode starts with Rockford on a case somewhere in Europe. But he is NOT hired by Suzanne Sommers (as another reviewer claimed) and it is not (initially) a missing person case. He is hired by the girlfriend (played by Nedra Deen) of a man who supposedly died in a plane crash to go to Europe and track the man's wife (Suzanne Sommers) and prove that the wife killed him for the insurance money.
Also, Rockford does get beat up, but the actor is NOT Scott Glenn (as another reviewer claimed), but instead it is Warren Vanders who, to be fair, did bear some resemblance to Glenn.
That having been cleared up . . .
This is one of my favorite episodes from the first season, for the following reasons.
The opening scene between Garner and Sommers in Europe is devoid of any dialog . . . and utterly charming! Sommers is at her most gorgeous, but I believe she has no lines at all in this episode. The main female character is played to perfection by Jill Clayburgh just before she became a big star and her performance is reason enough to make this episode stand out.
The main plot idea is conventional, but there is a very original twist that sets everything on its ear.
We get many of the classic Rockford patterns, too. He gets stiffed by TWO clients! He gets beat up - bad. You have to go back to 1974 to appreciate how very different this was than every other TV detective in that era. And we find out the reason he keeps his gun in a coffee can.
But my favorite part is at the very end, where Rockford FINALLY gets a well-deserved break.
Overall, one of the strongest episodes in the first season, and a must-watch for any Rockford fan.
Also, Rockford does get beat up, but the actor is NOT Scott Glenn (as another reviewer claimed), but instead it is Warren Vanders who, to be fair, did bear some resemblance to Glenn.
That having been cleared up . . .
This is one of my favorite episodes from the first season, for the following reasons.
The opening scene between Garner and Sommers in Europe is devoid of any dialog . . . and utterly charming! Sommers is at her most gorgeous, but I believe she has no lines at all in this episode. The main female character is played to perfection by Jill Clayburgh just before she became a big star and her performance is reason enough to make this episode stand out.
The main plot idea is conventional, but there is a very original twist that sets everything on its ear.
We get many of the classic Rockford patterns, too. He gets stiffed by TWO clients! He gets beat up - bad. You have to go back to 1974 to appreciate how very different this was than every other TV detective in that era. And we find out the reason he keeps his gun in a coffee can.
But my favorite part is at the very end, where Rockford FINALLY gets a well-deserved break.
Overall, one of the strongest episodes in the first season, and a must-watch for any Rockford fan.