Thomas Banacek(George Peppard) investigates a strange case involving some security certificate plates that were somehow stolen from an elevator in motion! The guard protecting it was found unconscious, and is a suspect, but Banacek thinks him innocent. The plates belong to a successful seafood franchise fronted by "Cap'n" Jack Osburn(played by Andrew Duggan) whose daughter Erica(played by Jessica Walter) tags along with Thomas for 5%(and protect her father),potentially undercutting his standard 10% of the reward. Can he dodge her and solve this mystery himself? Interesting characters and premise here with the expected clever resolution.
4 Reviews
GREAT EPISODE
rms125a16 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Wonderful episode. Genuinely intriguing. You think "How'd they do it" before you even think, "Who did it?" The explanation at the end makes sense and explains why the glorious Jessica Walter's character, Erica -- the seemingly dicey, pleasure-seeking daughter of one of the main characters -- doesn't really seem to have much of a sense of humor and what her real reason is (well, primarily) for hanging around Banacek as he investigates -- but, never fear, it's not ALL business.
There are some great red herrings that threw me off, anyway. The thuggish hostility of the main suspect's brother towards Banacek, whose investigation could clear his brother, for example. And the scene in which an apparently drunken woman, with cause for hostility (over a man, of course) towards Erica slaps the latter could also have been staged, especially since Erica asks when the show begins. Hanrahan's fainting spell, which was amazingly coincidental, is viewed with suspicion by more than one person. But all is explained.
There are some great red herrings that threw me off, anyway. The thuggish hostility of the main suspect's brother towards Banacek, whose investigation could clear his brother, for example. And the scene in which an apparently drunken woman, with cause for hostility (over a man, of course) towards Erica slaps the latter could also have been staged, especially since Erica asks when the show begins. Hanrahan's fainting spell, which was amazingly coincidental, is viewed with suspicion by more than one person. But all is explained.
Good...but not among the best of season one.
planktonrules22 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"The Two Million Clams of Cap'n Jack" is a decent episode of "Banacek", though compared to other episodes of season one, it's a bit weak. Banacek seems to be guessing a bit and the duplicate elevator gimmick isn't among the best. But you will enjoy seeing the great TV character actors of the era, including: David White, Andrew Duggan, Jessica Walter, William Schallert, Jason Evers and Liam Dunn.
The story begins with some plates for stock certificates being stolen. From the time the elevator left and arrived without stopping in the basement, there was no lag....so who did it and how were the plates stolen?
Nothing wrong about this episode...it is enjoyable. But as I mentioned above, the solution seemed a bit familiar. Additionally, this marks the debut of a new regular character, Carlie....which was NOT at all welcome. After a few episodes, she became tiresome...and was apparently intended as a stereotype of an annoying, humorless feminist! Still, it's worth seeing despite these shortcomings.
The story begins with some plates for stock certificates being stolen. From the time the elevator left and arrived without stopping in the basement, there was no lag....so who did it and how were the plates stolen?
Nothing wrong about this episode...it is enjoyable. But as I mentioned above, the solution seemed a bit familiar. Additionally, this marks the debut of a new regular character, Carlie....which was NOT at all welcome. After a few episodes, she became tiresome...and was apparently intended as a stereotype of an annoying, humorless feminist! Still, it's worth seeing despite these shortcomings.
Not enough investigation on the robbery
beeblebrox-26 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Lots of side story with various misc. Characters and not nearly enough of Banacek trying to figure out how the robbery was done. We see precisely zero investigation by our insurance sleuth of the underside of the elevator or the sourcing of the materials for the fake elevator. To top it off, Banacek doesn't even recover the stolen goods.
I like Peppard no matter what but I give this a "lame" on the mystery scale.
I like Peppard no matter what but I give this a "lame" on the mystery scale.
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