Review of Charlie's Angels

Excellent pilot episode to the long-running ABC detective series wastes no time in plunging the trio of Angels into danger and disguise. The missing owner of a large vineyard in Northern California is presumed dead, but the case has cooled without evidence. The owner's second wife and her foreman-lover have just a few days until the man's last will goes into effect, which the scheming spouse will benefit from unless her long-lost stepdaughter should happen to turn up and complicate legal matters; she does. Jaclyn Smith's Kelly handles the first part of the case with aplomb, at first pretending to be the missing heiress but then--after she's purposefully exposed as a fraud--claiming to be a mercenary after some $20 million hidden on the property. Kate Jackson's Sabrina also arrives under the guise of the rightful heir, with Farrah Fawcett-Majors' Jill in tow as her secretary. David Doyle as Bosley is actually second in command at Townsend Investigations, with most of the leg-work done by David Ogden Stiers (his character of Scott Woodville was jettisoned once the show got picked up, although he's a fine addition here). Tommy Lee Jones has a small part as a childhood friend of the elusive daughter, while Bo Hopkins and Diana Muldaur are perfect as the shady couple running the business. We learn a few interesting things about the Angels this first time out: Sabrina is an accomplished horse-rider, Kelly can ride a motorcycle, and Jill has a crush on boss Charlie (even though he only communicates with the ladies via telephone). Extremely well-written by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts, well-produced and with an exciting action climax in a swamp. Be sure to stay through the end-credits to hear Farrah's sexy come-on! Who wouldn't want more after this?