Barnaby Jones (TV Series) Counterfall (1975) User Reviews

Wrapped up tight...like a Christmas package.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 14 July 2021]

The story begins outside a courtroom. While lots of reporters are lined up and waiting to interview a judge, a poor schnook is waiting there as well. Apparently, he's been subpoenaed as a witness to a court case...and he has no idea why he's there, as he hasn't witnessed anything. Well, the reason he's there is soon apparent. The judge is shot and the gun is planted in the schnook's pocket....and immediately the schnook reacts badly and runs.

Shortly after this, Barnaby gets in his car and the schnook is in the backseat waiting for him. He hires Barnaby to investigate and he insists he did NOT shoot anyone. Can Barnaby prove the man is innocent....even though the case against him is wrapped up tight, as he clearly has been set up.

This is a really expertly crafted episode....well written, intelligently made and well worth your time. A clever episode.

SHOOT FIRST... ASK QUESTIONS LATER!

[tcchelsey · 9/10 · 12 December 2023]

There's no question this is a very familiar story, but it's been re-worked, and very nicely, for Barnaby Jones.

A judge, destined to be a Supreme Court justice, is shot right outside his courthouse --and an innocent man is very easily made a suspect for the crime. There are some related threads here, if you are a Hitchcock fan, as Joel Murcott wrote this story. Joel wrote many fine tales for Hitch's tv show. Sound familiar? Frame Game.

I agree with the last reviewer, the best part is having the poor guy turn up in the back seat of Barnaby's car asking for help -- and with 5,000 dollars! In today's market, that would be about $28,000, not a bad day's pay for Barnaby! I have often wondered how many "real" private detectives did a double take over that scene.

Great support from two popular tv actors; Mitchell Ryan and Robert Mandan, who could both play the best of the bad or good in one easy lesson.

If you know the story, then watch this for some fine acting. Always a treat, and to see Barnaby fake out another villain. SEASON 5 EPISODE 16 remastered CBS dvd box set.