The Hawaiian Headache

Admittedly a pretty lame excuse to give the cast and crew of 'The Rockford Files' a free vacation to Hawaii at NBC/Universal's expense, just as the series was winding down. I recall Jack Klugman from 'Quincy' complain about this on one of the talk shows around that time. Where was the free vacation for those who worked on his show? Well, guess what Jack? THE ROCKFORD FILES was a fabulous series, one of the best, and 'Hawaiian Headache' is a very funny episode. After watching it enough times to remember whole chunks of dialogue, I still laughed out loud a half dozen times while watching it again. Sure, it's contrived, feels slightly out of place in the Rockford cannon. And there is a risk in making your hero a hapless putz, as Cannell does here. But Stephen J. Cannell was a clever, brilliant writer. I frequently marvel at his talent. Could you have done any better? Not me. And the cast - especially Ken Swofford - make it very enjoyable. I'm sure I'll watch it again, sometime.

The title is misleading, because this episode lacks Hawaiian Punch and any semblance of Rockford's Paradise Cove. I had a negative feeling about this episode before I watched, but I decided to give it a go because this is the last original 1970's Rockford Files episode ever filmed. It's too bad, unless they weren't yet aware that the show was ending, because this episode shouldn't have been the last filmed; this series deserved a much better and proper send off. As the other reviewer said, the appearance of Angel seemed just a convenient way to get him in the finale, although Dennis actually had something to add. The actual last episode the audience got to see is called Deadlock In Parma, but it wasn't the last filmed. Anyway, this plot revolves around Jim running into an old Korean War buddy, who Jim owes a favor to. It has something to do with being a middle man delivering $100,000 in a suitcase to someone else, and naturally things go awry. The conclusion isn't exactly memorable either, rather just slightly convenient.

Edit: After 4 years, I decided to watch this episode once more, especially because it's the last one they filmed, and to see if I could be a little more objective than my original review, which wasn't flattering. Some of the faces include Ken Swofford(Col. Smith),and James Murtaugh. Rocky had many scenes, and this was probably the only episode where Jack Garner(James Garner's brother)had quite a few lines, and screen time, even though he acted differently than usual. I was really annoyed when Angel made an appearance, as it seemed too forced, as he wasn't needed here at all. It's sad that this was the final act of a great series, it deserved much better.

This is the fifth last episode of The Rockford Files series, after which it took 14 years for James Garner to return in telemovies. Anyway, here Rockford and his father head off to Hawaii for what's seemingly a free trip, but there's no such thing as a free lunch. There's no harm watching this for the beautiful scenery.

This was the last "Rockford Files" episode to be shot and it was a chance for all the regulars to make one last appearance and get a trip to Hawaii.

Like many episodes, Rockford is convinced to help out an old friend, in this case his former commander in Korea, in a seemingly simple task that will become far more dangerous as it unfolds.

Rocky gets a chance to complain about his son not appreciating him. Angel shows up briefly just to be his usual sleazy self. And Dennis Becker appears and gets to complain about doing a favor for Rockford.

Like many "Rockford" stories, the reasons for just why everything happened just gets tossed in at the end. The episode is really more about the characters and not the storyline.

As the Rockford Files was winding down things just seems to remain the same for Jim Rockford. No matter where he is or what he does, some how he will get involved in some kind of trouble. There will always be someone coming from out of his past to involve him in some kind of jackpot.

In this case it's the CIA as personified by Ken Swofford, bluff, hale, and hearty as always who was his commanding officer in Korea and who saved his life. Poor Rockford thinks he won some kind of all expense paid Hawaiian vacation for two for which he's taking along his ever loving and patient father Rocky. But as he gets off the plane there's Swofford who asks him to be a courier at some money drop and Rockford just can never say no, just like he can never say no to Stuart Margolin in many episodes.

Before it's over James Garner is involved in all kinds of intrigue including a pair of murders. And wouldn't you know it, Stuart Margolin also shows up figuring to horn in on the all expense paid vacation that his good buddy from the big house is allegedly enjoying.

The episode is a bit forced, I'm not sure why Swofford even needed Rockford for this mission to go through all this charade. But any opportunity to see Stuart Margolin as my favorite conman Angel makes it always a special Rockford Files story.