As happens in this series from time to time, Joe has a hunch. Despite all the evidence, Joe sticks to it and eventually prevails. A former crook, now a cop, looks like the obvious suspect in a killing and robbery. Joe drives up from LA to take a look at the request of the chief of police played by Robert Lansing in his second of two outings on this series. Joe tracks his friend through the wife and mother. Despite threatening calls, a whack on the head, and a supposed suicide attempt, he proves the man is innocent and finds the real crook.
Some observations: For a small to midsize town, they have a large airport. Joe needs to trade in the convertible. Too easy for people to sneak up on him. We've seen that a couple of times now. When setting the trap for the bad guy, why is Joe the only one there? Wouldn't you have a couple of cops in the closet or something? Once you accept that Joe is right, there is only one man who can be the bad guy so not a lot of guessing in this episode.
The guest cast does well. I like Robert Lansing but he is an intense actor better at playing take-charge authority types than the semi-victim he played in his first Mannix appearance. The tragic Brenda Benet is good as the loyal wife befuddled by it all. Ruth Roman steals her scenes as the Mom looking for love in all the wrong places. The two bad guys are suitable bad although one folds like a cheap card table when the police grab him. Peggy is in one scene so Joe can hang up on her.
Joe gets knocked out and, sure enough, he doesn't get paid yet again.
Review of The Judas Touch
