When the show begins, a man overhears his wife's conversation with her lover over the phone. Not surprisingly, he shows up to the place where the lovers are to meet. However, he finds his wife dead and the boat on which they were to meet explodes. Obviously he's been setup--and the only witnesses see him not the guy who ran away shortly before he exited the boat. Tom Farnon is obviously some patsy--but who is going to believe it? Yep--Mannix! The case just seems too cut and dry--like a setup. I could say more but the bottom line is that it's up to you to see this one unfold yourself. It's very well written, has some excellent twists and doesn't rely on "Mannix" clichés such as seeing Joe bashed over the head or run off the road! Well done and very interesting.
4 Reviews
Well done outing
Guad4210 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Ed Flanders (Tom Farnon) played many roles as the desperate guy caught up in something bad and so it is here. His wife is having an affair and he goes to catch her in the act only to find her dead. Then the boat where she is blows up. Farnon turns to Mannix for help and is arrested in Mannix's office. As usual in the last several episodes, Lt Malcolm works at all hours. Despite the evidence, Mannix goes with his gut and thinks it is all too pat. The fact a man is following him only confirms his opinion. He interviews Robert Colbert (Carl Blake), Farnon's business partner. The man vouches for Farnon. During the interview, Blake shoots the pursuer who is setting up his own shot from outside Blake's study. Blake's deadeye shooting skill rivals Joe himself! There follows a private detective who has gone bad and a secretary who is not a secretary. She fools Joe and that is not easy. Eventually, we get to the villain and the showdown. Peggy proves she is smarter than the average crook and comes through in the clutch. Gail Fisher is a fine actress who deserved a better career. The police arrive a bit late but it all works out. Two things I wonder about. Why didn't the police go to the door with Peggy or at least cover her? Why do people keep talking about a "yellow sports car" and never say it's a Porsche? Minor quibbles about a good episode.
Joe doesn't get knocked out or shot and he gets paid for this case. He should give Peggy a raise.
The killer is obvious
pkfloydmh6 November 2021
This one is about a guy who hires Joe to find out who killed his wife.
The plot is interesting and intricate and the performances from the cast are solid and there aren't any obvious plot holes, but the problem is it's plain as day who the killer is because there's only one person it could be because all of the other possible suspects are dead, so there's no mystery here.
Joe gets shot at but doesn't get slugged in the head.
The total body count is three.
Once again at the end we have the overused cliché where the police rush in to wrap everything up.
This episode is still better than average because of the intriguing plot but is taken down a few notches because of the lack of any mystery as to who the killer is and the clichés.
The plot is interesting and intricate and the performances from the cast are solid and there aren't any obvious plot holes, but the problem is it's plain as day who the killer is because there's only one person it could be because all of the other possible suspects are dead, so there's no mystery here.
Joe gets shot at but doesn't get slugged in the head.
The total body count is three.
Once again at the end we have the overused cliché where the police rush in to wrap everything up.
This episode is still better than average because of the intriguing plot but is taken down a few notches because of the lack of any mystery as to who the killer is and the clichés.
THE BOAT EXPLODES... THE MYSTERY BEGINS!
tcchelsey1 September 2022
The similarities between MANNIX and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE were quite common, particularly when it came to explosions and wild car chases, this due to the fact both shows were filmed on the Paramount lot at the same time.
Who better to direct than Paul Krasny, also associated with M. I. He knew how to lite the fuse and make it look real. As you will see...
Ed Flanders (best known for playing President Harry Truman) is well cast as Tom Farnon, a guy who walks into a super trap and gets accused of killing his wife. I agree with the last reviewer; guessing who set him up his easy --everyone else is dead! Nevertheless, the story will keep your attention as you watch a rather desperate killer. Flanders appeared numerous times on HAWAII FIVE O and, of course, starred on ST. ELSEWHERE, but surprisingly never won an Emmy.
Jeanne Cooper (a regular on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) lends great dramatic support, playing Emma Rand. Likewise, one of the more popular supporting actors on tv, Lonny Chapman (versatile in good guy/bad guy roles) turns up as a fellow private eye. Edward J. Lakso wrote the story, also a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE alumnus and MOD SQUAD. He was one of the few tv writers to score music, for such shows as CHARLIE'S ANGELS.
Watch Joe piece this one together, yes, there are some intriguing twists. Mike Connors in later years said MANNIX was a contemporary noir series, and this episode may be the best example. Partly filmed at the beautiful Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch at Long Beach, which features horses, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks on seven and a half acres of land.
I agree with the production notes; Joe walks a different path from his garage to the front door of his office. It could be that the place was taken apart so many times (due to garage explosions) and re-designed this way. You have to admit, the good folks behind the scenes were a creative and resourceful bunch. We salute them.
SEASON 5 EPISODE 20. CBS/Paramount restored dvd box set.
Who better to direct than Paul Krasny, also associated with M. I. He knew how to lite the fuse and make it look real. As you will see...
Ed Flanders (best known for playing President Harry Truman) is well cast as Tom Farnon, a guy who walks into a super trap and gets accused of killing his wife. I agree with the last reviewer; guessing who set him up his easy --everyone else is dead! Nevertheless, the story will keep your attention as you watch a rather desperate killer. Flanders appeared numerous times on HAWAII FIVE O and, of course, starred on ST. ELSEWHERE, but surprisingly never won an Emmy.
Jeanne Cooper (a regular on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) lends great dramatic support, playing Emma Rand. Likewise, one of the more popular supporting actors on tv, Lonny Chapman (versatile in good guy/bad guy roles) turns up as a fellow private eye. Edward J. Lakso wrote the story, also a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE alumnus and MOD SQUAD. He was one of the few tv writers to score music, for such shows as CHARLIE'S ANGELS.
Watch Joe piece this one together, yes, there are some intriguing twists. Mike Connors in later years said MANNIX was a contemporary noir series, and this episode may be the best example. Partly filmed at the beautiful Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch at Long Beach, which features horses, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks on seven and a half acres of land.
I agree with the production notes; Joe walks a different path from his garage to the front door of his office. It could be that the place was taken apart so many times (due to garage explosions) and re-designed this way. You have to admit, the good folks behind the scenes were a creative and resourceful bunch. We salute them.
SEASON 5 EPISODE 20. CBS/Paramount restored dvd box set.
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