Kojak (TV Series) Mojo (1974) User Reviews

The Telltale Wheeze

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 3 December 2012]

As we learn in this Kojak episode, heisting a shipment of pure morphine is an unusual situation because we're a little stricter and less corrupt than other countries and facilities for turning the stuff into heroine are few and far between. Therefore reasons Telly Savalas this stuff is being ransomed and the morphine which is a legal shipment to a pharmaceutical outfit is insured.

Which brings us to a tangled mystery involving an inside man in Dennis Patrick's company. This also involves Kojak going undercover as a chemist to see if they're really buying back the real deal.

What gives it all away is a telltale wheeze from the asthmatic inside man who wheezes while Kojak is blindfolded and playing the chemist. It's when Savalas recognizes the wheeze that it all comes together.

Nicely done and pay particular attention to Ed Lauter who is the country good old boy mastermind of the heist.

Good but the casting really gave away the twist.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 15 September 2018]

This episode of "Kojak" features two very familiar actors, Ed Lauter and Dennis Patrick. While I love seeing these two, the decision to cast Patrick really gave away the plot twist to me, as BOTH these actors played villains in practically everything they did. So, while you know all along that Lauter's character is evil...folks who were watching a lot of TV in the 60s, 70s and 80s will also realize that the supposedly good guy played by Patrick is also evil.

The episode concerns a truckload of morphine stolen from a pharmaceutical company. One of the thieves, Floyd (Lauter) is a real piece of work...and he seems more than willing to kill or betray his partners to ensure he gets away with the crime! Kojak not only investigates, but poses as a chemist sent by the insurance company to buy back the drugs from the thieves.

Overall, an enjoyable and solid episode....provided you don't know that Patrick is going to be a baddie. Otherwise, it's still watchable but lacks the same level of suspense. Why so watchable still? Because Lauter is always spellbinding...and this is no exception.

Mojo

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 30 June 2022]

A haul of rare, unrefined morphine is hi-jacked. Why? Even on the underworld drugs market no one would dare to sell the stuff. Kojak goes undercover here, disguised as a chemist. The bad guys allow him to verify the goods - it's a big risk for kojak as they know he's a cop, but luckily they play along. A brisk pace and some neat plotting as well as a nasty villain in Ed Lautner makes this one very watchable. The end could've had a longer shootout. Ed Lautner plays such a nasty villain he deserved to be put through the wringer.

I got ripped off in Roanoke

[kapelusznik18 · 5/10 · 20 October 2017]

***SPOILERS*** After a shipment of morphine was stolen from the pharmaceutical company run by the wheezing and suffering from asthma CEO Clay Dexter, Dennis Patrick,Let. Kojak, Telly Savalas, feels that it's an inside job and decides to go undercover. That in Kojak acting as the company's chemist to check the "Stuff" out and see if it's legit-which it turns out it is- to pay the hijacker Floyd, Ed Lauter, the ransom he wants for its return. As things turn out Floyd has other plans for the morphine shipment and that's screwing his partner in crime,???, out of his share of the loot.

With one of Floyd's partners the drug addicted Marty, Russell Wiggins, almost overdosing on the morphine Kojak put the squeeze on him while he's recuperating in the hospital to spill the beans on who's behind the crime. Marty keeping his mouth shut didn't help him with Floyd who later knifed him to death, in an alley, and thus exposing himself to both Let. Kojak and the NYPD in being the man behind the robbery.

***SPOILERS*** Just as Floyd was about to knock off his partner in crime he was caught red handed by Let. Kojak & Co in a deserted Queens junk yard before he could finish the job. It was Floyd's attempted escape that in the end did him in by him sipping on a pile of junk and ending up almost breaking his neck as Let. Kojak made the pinch on him. As for Floyd's accomplish he ended up getting the worst of both worlds in his partner screwing him out of his share of the loot and Let. Kojak having him sent away-for 10 to 15 years- for his part in the robbery.