In this opening season episode from this terrific series, it was clear to me that there are some rough edges and the show was still trying to find the formula which we all know and love. This is a decent entry, although hardly a great one, revolving around Rockford helping a lady friend of Rocky's, who's son was a cop believed to have died in an accident, but she has her doubts. The mother(Kate), played by Edith Atwater, at times talks so fast that I could hardly understand her, and is devoid of much emotion; there's a few familiar faces in Frank Campanella, and John Quade(Any Which Way But Loose), who's characters are more interesting, but they don't get as much face time. Dennis, Angel, and a very fine performance by Tom Atkins as Diel, also have several scenes, especially the latter when it comes to a rather heated conversation between he and Rockford when it comes to dirty cops. It's amazing how much father and son have aged during the run of this series, as the 2 look very young in this episode, but in only a few years later, they almost look like old men. The plot eventually boils down to the woman's son being murdered by the mobster's(Campanella)goons because he had a crooked partner and knew too much I guess. Look for Jim's Firebird exchanged for a rental Monte Carlo, as his car's in the shop after damage done in a chase. This isn't a very memorable episode, let alone a very good one, but the show is rounding into shape and many better ones are around the corner.
Review of The Four Pound Brick
