Ever since season one, Jim Rockford and Beth Davenport have had more than a lawyer-client relationship. So when Beth shows up fussing over client Dave Devarow (John Saxon)Jim is a little confused, then immediately suspicious. At first he refuses to work for him, but Beth convinces him against Rockford's better judgment.
This is an extremely well written episode that explores the Rockford-Davenport relationship--what it is and what it isn't, and gives both Garner and Corbett a couple of great opportunities to do more than just solve crimes and get Jim out of jail. They both come through big time. Corbett is just great when she discovers the new guy she's interested in is a crook and probably a murderer. Garner shows he's more than a wise cracking detective as he suddenly realizes for the first time Beth was really in love with Dave and tries to console her. Cudos to Cannell too for writing a terrific scene for Beth as she confesses the way she feels for Jim and how she got involved with Dave.
The mystery itself is kind of secondary, involving $2 million in stolen cashier's checks, but there's good scenes throughout including when Rockford first meets Dave (watch how uncomfortably Corbett plays it!); a scene in which Rockford pulls a con to get a look at the cashier's checks; another where Diehl and Agent Shore fight over who gets to arrest Rockford; and another where Rockford meets Beth and Dave in a fancy restaurant and he's forced to wear a tie (watch how he subtly steals Beth's drink when he discovers the champagne bottle is empty!).
There's also a nice/sweet ending involving a portrait of Beth. This episode is a MUST see for fans of Gretchen Corbett and reminds me how much this series lost when she moved on (this is the first time she's billed with a "special appearance by" credit). It's too bad she and Jim didn't get back together as a couple in the CBS Made for TV Rockford movies in the 1990's.
This is an extremely well written episode that explores the Rockford-Davenport relationship--what it is and what it isn't, and gives both Garner and Corbett a couple of great opportunities to do more than just solve crimes and get Jim out of jail. They both come through big time. Corbett is just great when she discovers the new guy she's interested in is a crook and probably a murderer. Garner shows he's more than a wise cracking detective as he suddenly realizes for the first time Beth was really in love with Dave and tries to console her. Cudos to Cannell too for writing a terrific scene for Beth as she confesses the way she feels for Jim and how she got involved with Dave.
The mystery itself is kind of secondary, involving $2 million in stolen cashier's checks, but there's good scenes throughout including when Rockford first meets Dave (watch how uncomfortably Corbett plays it!); a scene in which Rockford pulls a con to get a look at the cashier's checks; another where Diehl and Agent Shore fight over who gets to arrest Rockford; and another where Rockford meets Beth and Dave in a fancy restaurant and he's forced to wear a tie (watch how he subtly steals Beth's drink when he discovers the champagne bottle is empty!).
There's also a nice/sweet ending involving a portrait of Beth. This episode is a MUST see for fans of Gretchen Corbett and reminds me how much this series lost when she moved on (this is the first time she's billed with a "special appearance by" credit). It's too bad she and Jim didn't get back together as a couple in the CBS Made for TV Rockford movies in the 1990's.
