This episode never seemed to go anywhere. The writers used an extremely complex story to describe a simple plot leaving the viewer puzzled. So much time was dedicated to the selling of the circus and trying to discredit one character that the main plot was lost. Thus making it more of a disappointment than what the summary of the episode predicted. Another problem is the casting of Douglas Henderson as a clown. That was odd from the very start.
The story involves the Curtis-Franklin Circus. At the beginning of the show we see the main clown, Felix Heidemann and his new bride Lisa Franklin. They had just married and was breaking the news to one of the owner, Jerry Franklin, when Lisa accidentally let a leopard escape and it mauls owner Jerry Franklin.
The scenes switch to five years later and for some reason Lisa is now married to Jerry Franklin. (I guess she felt bad for the mauling) However she never got a divorce from Felix. (which is just a few strange things about this episode). ---- Anyway the two owners Jerry Franklin and Judd Curtis are trying to buy each other out of their half of the circus. And each is having a hard time coming up with the money that is needed.
During a circus performance which is attended by the entire cast of the show- including Perry, Della Paul and Lt Tragg-- Felix is to perform his clown act in full garb. During the act the clown points a gun that is thought to contain blanks at owner Judd Curtis and shoots. However the gun contained real bullets and kills Mr Curtis. The clown flees the tent before anyone can catch him.
Since a host of people saw the performance that was to be Felix's clown act- and now Felix is nowhere to be found-- Lt Tragg issues a murder warrant on Felix and Perry will defend him in court.
The part of the episode about the clown performance and the shooting was a point of interest. However, much of the show was spent on other minor details. And when we get to the final courtroom scene, we get slighted by strange courtroom confession.
This episode never lived up to expectations. A simple plot that was over-written.