I took this down one star only because -- Joe's clients again are big, fat liars! Mannix is supposed to be looking for someone's son, although the lost bohemian turns out to be a clever con who just swiped a counterfeit gang's plates.
Joe naturally gets put on the top of the hit list as these goons want their money makers back, naturally believing he's part of the plan. The clever twist here is that the lost son may just be an angle to sucker Joe into the chase. Very clever. As one reviewer noted, and it is rare, Mannix gets to pull off some judo on one of the creeps. This may have been inspired by CANNON, who was always quick to chop a bum across the back and neck.
Series regular director Reza Badiya, returns(!) for Season 8, with a flair for black eyes, broken bones and lots of ammo. For all of us spot the famous face fans, there's a terrific list; Scatman Carothers, and Russell Johnson (GILLIGANS ISLAND), as a guy named Brasher?
Two seasoned veterans are also on board; Anna Lee (THE PRIZE, 1963) who always reminded me of Angela Lansbury, playing the atypical worried mother! And everyone's favorite fall guy Elisha Cook, Jr, who should have been on the series more often. A fantastic way to spend a late night. SEASON 8 Episode 5. CBS dvd box set.