Must see TV.
Perhaps one of the best episodes of the season, and superbly directed by series master Walter Grauman. He and Buddy Ebsen made a great team. Much credit is due.
This intriguing story is in two parts; first Barnaby has to find a suicidal woman who claims he wrongly accused her husband of a kidnapping. -- Next the introduction of new evidence in the case. I agree with the last reviewer, it's rare, crossing the line for tv sleuths and detectives, to see Barnaby make a mistake that has consequences.
Barnaby has a lot on his hands, and yes! -- needs a shot of whiskey. Be realistic, drinking milk could only go so far, right? Although, Barnaby DID have a shot of booze a few seasons back during another tough case.
If you're a true cop show fan, you'll notice the COLUMBO connection. Very cleverly, series writer Gerald Sanford had the famous children's song "Mulberry Bush" playing in the background from an ice cream truck, in the neighborhood where the suicidal woman lives. I agree with the last reviewer, back in the day (even without the internet) it would be nothing short of a miracle to reach the right ice cream company who has a truck in Los Angeles that plays that song... Poetic license 101, shades of MANNIX.
The song angle was used in a COLUMBO episode called "The Most Crucial Game" (1972), starring Robert Culp, only the ice cream truck music was connected to a murder.
Superior cast, lead by rugged bad guy Robert Webber (as Gene), lovely Marj Dusay as Jennifer, Susan Sullivan as Linda, tv star Sherry Jackson (DANNY THOMAS), not to forget Dabney Coleman and Bradford Dillman, a staple in Quinn Martin productions.
If you dig deep enough, this is a story that has the feel of a CANNON episode, and one that may have been an outline proposal for Quinn Martin that was shelved after the series ended production in 1976. A distinct possibility, and especially with this exceptional cast. This had to be the most impressive cast the series had in many seasons.
Classic Barnaby.
SEASON 6 EPISODE 18 remastered color/CBS dvd box set. 6 dvds. Released June 2018.