Look the episode starts off looking its going to be another Peggy-centered episode but no. Not the first time the eps turned into something pretty-different than how they started. My beef is that when Mannix is having a conversation about the Vietnam War he does not mention stuff like Ho Chi Minh being a mass-murderer (Minh became so in 1956 with an extremely deadly land reform in North Vietnam). Or at least Mannix should have mentioned containing the communist contagion (that is more commonly understood than the true fact about the very deadly land reform).
6 Reviews
So-So ep but not because of Peggy's semi-disappearance in it
belanger7514 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I HAVE A FRIEND.. . WHO HAS FRENEMIES??
tcchelsey3 December 2022
Good idea, but... there's a few things missing, like Peggy? In this story, Peggy gets a "little" exposure as she meets up with her cousin (Berlinda Talbert) and her husband. The problem is her husband has a Vietnam buddy who prefers to remain anonymous, leading to instantanious death! On this show, there is no other choice.
Veteran Frank Telford wrote this story, long associated with such cop shows as IRONSIDE and HAWAII FIVE O. I agree with the last reviewer that as Joe takes over the case, Peggy and her cousin kind of, sort of... disappear. It would have been better had Peggy gotten a larger role, which viewers definitely would have preferred. We do get to see Toby, who has grown up fast, especially since the last season. That all said and done, Telford still was a good tv writer.
Good acting on the part of pretty Berlinda Talbert, appearing on the JEFFERSONS at the time, and probably wanted to do some dramatic work. Also watch for the terrific character actress Lurene Tuttle, who reminded me of Jeanette Nolan, playing either tough cookies or somebody's kindly grandma.
Curiously, this was the only episode directed by famous Don Weis. Don should have written a book as he was everywhere. He was associated with the famous 60s bikini movies, such as the GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI, and a ton of classic tv shows. He was always on the go, and probably a cool guy to work with. We lost Don in 2000.
There's a crazy biker scene (with chains) going after Mannix, and its fun, though Joe could have knocked 'em all down in a row by just driving over the losers! Look for the famous Scheerer House on Carroll Avenue (not too far from Dodger stadium), an excellent example of classic LA architecture, a beautiful old homestead. As I have said, the location scouts had the best job of all, searching for pictureque landscapes or buildings.
You have to admit, Hollywood has some beautiful neighborhoods that have stood the test of time.
Not really that bad (as I am a long time fan), but you be the judge. SEASON 8 EPISODE 15 remastered CBS dvd box set.
Veteran Frank Telford wrote this story, long associated with such cop shows as IRONSIDE and HAWAII FIVE O. I agree with the last reviewer that as Joe takes over the case, Peggy and her cousin kind of, sort of... disappear. It would have been better had Peggy gotten a larger role, which viewers definitely would have preferred. We do get to see Toby, who has grown up fast, especially since the last season. That all said and done, Telford still was a good tv writer.
Good acting on the part of pretty Berlinda Talbert, appearing on the JEFFERSONS at the time, and probably wanted to do some dramatic work. Also watch for the terrific character actress Lurene Tuttle, who reminded me of Jeanette Nolan, playing either tough cookies or somebody's kindly grandma.
Curiously, this was the only episode directed by famous Don Weis. Don should have written a book as he was everywhere. He was associated with the famous 60s bikini movies, such as the GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI, and a ton of classic tv shows. He was always on the go, and probably a cool guy to work with. We lost Don in 2000.
There's a crazy biker scene (with chains) going after Mannix, and its fun, though Joe could have knocked 'em all down in a row by just driving over the losers! Look for the famous Scheerer House on Carroll Avenue (not too far from Dodger stadium), an excellent example of classic LA architecture, a beautiful old homestead. As I have said, the location scouts had the best job of all, searching for pictureque landscapes or buildings.
You have to admit, Hollywood has some beautiful neighborhoods that have stood the test of time.
Not really that bad (as I am a long time fan), but you be the judge. SEASON 8 EPISODE 15 remastered CBS dvd box set.
Mannix cures a little girl from her autism!
glitterrose8 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Funny to me she touched his face and then the next scene she was talking a blue streak! What a miracle worker.
Silliness aside, I do enjoy the episode. I think it helps that the episode talks about the Vietnam war instead of acting out battle scene shots. Not too crazy about war storylines tbh.
I enjoyed the characters and quite a lot of the performances in the episode. Felton Perry was in another "Mannix" episode and he plays a pretty good jerk in both episodes. I enjoyed the performance from the actress playing Peggy's cousin. She did a great job as a grief stricken widow. I also enjoyed the performance from Geoffrey Deuel and liked how sympathetic the character was. He wanted the money for his daughter and he looked like he was the only parent on the scene. I'm watching MeTV airings so I'm not sure if there's a cut scene where it's talked about Jeanine's mother dying or abandoning the family, etc.
I noticed in the trivia section that this might be one of the earliest mentions of autism in a tv series. Have no idea if that's true or not. I'm honestly not sure if that storyline might make you turn the tv off in disgust or not. And let me explain that comment. A person can be glad something like autism is getting attention but it might leave you feeling disgusted if the source handles the topic poorly. I think the dad is very protective of his daughter and he defends the daughter to Mannix and probably to many other people that make comments about the little girl not saying anything. Don't think she's shy or dumb and he talks about her talking a blue streak. But no scenes are shown of her talking a blue streak to her dad or to the lady that takes care of her while her daddy's at work. Even Felton Perry's character makes a remark about the girl not being talkative and the look on the daddy's face when his daughter says "Daddy" makes me think she wasn't really talking a blue streak in private. So yeah, you might be disgusted that everything's wrapped up in a tidy little bow and the non verbal little girl is now saying "Daddy". You might snark on it like I'm doing in the header and the opening of the review. I'm not sure if the writers or anybody on the series thought of it the way I just did or not. They might've meant for the "daddy" scene to be heartwarming instead of people interpreting as Mannix curing a girl from autism just from her touching his sexy face.
Silliness aside, I do enjoy the episode. I think it helps that the episode talks about the Vietnam war instead of acting out battle scene shots. Not too crazy about war storylines tbh.
I enjoyed the characters and quite a lot of the performances in the episode. Felton Perry was in another "Mannix" episode and he plays a pretty good jerk in both episodes. I enjoyed the performance from the actress playing Peggy's cousin. She did a great job as a grief stricken widow. I also enjoyed the performance from Geoffrey Deuel and liked how sympathetic the character was. He wanted the money for his daughter and he looked like he was the only parent on the scene. I'm watching MeTV airings so I'm not sure if there's a cut scene where it's talked about Jeanine's mother dying or abandoning the family, etc.
I noticed in the trivia section that this might be one of the earliest mentions of autism in a tv series. Have no idea if that's true or not. I'm honestly not sure if that storyline might make you turn the tv off in disgust or not. And let me explain that comment. A person can be glad something like autism is getting attention but it might leave you feeling disgusted if the source handles the topic poorly. I think the dad is very protective of his daughter and he defends the daughter to Mannix and probably to many other people that make comments about the little girl not saying anything. Don't think she's shy or dumb and he talks about her talking a blue streak. But no scenes are shown of her talking a blue streak to her dad or to the lady that takes care of her while her daddy's at work. Even Felton Perry's character makes a remark about the girl not being talkative and the look on the daddy's face when his daughter says "Daddy" makes me think she wasn't really talking a blue streak in private. So yeah, you might be disgusted that everything's wrapped up in a tidy little bow and the non verbal little girl is now saying "Daddy". You might snark on it like I'm doing in the header and the opening of the review. I'm not sure if the writers or anybody on the series thought of it the way I just did or not. They might've meant for the "daddy" scene to be heartwarming instead of people interpreting as Mannix curing a girl from autism just from her touching his sexy face.
Peggy Bait and Switch
rkrossfan5 December 2017
I was so excited when this one started. An intriguing premise involving Peggy's family so looks like we're gonna get another Peggy-centric episode. Yes!! However it wasn't to be.
Peggy's cousin and husband are coming to visit. But when they stopover at a bus stop the husband runs into an old army buddy from Vietnam that quickly leads to him getting killed and Peggy's cousin almost run down. Once the episode really gets going Peggy and her cousin just disappear and aren't mentioned again. We also get to see Toby for the final time and boy has he grown! Toby is now a MAN!!! The story shifts to the army buddy and his autistic daughter who are mixed up in a heroin smuggling plot.
Not much else to report as this one wasn't very involving or interesting. There is a good action-packed scene where Joe is chased by chain-wielding thugs on motorcycles. There's also some decent expositions on the war in Vietnam and it's affect on soldiers but all in all a mediocre episode.
Peggy's cousin and husband are coming to visit. But when they stopover at a bus stop the husband runs into an old army buddy from Vietnam that quickly leads to him getting killed and Peggy's cousin almost run down. Once the episode really gets going Peggy and her cousin just disappear and aren't mentioned again. We also get to see Toby for the final time and boy has he grown! Toby is now a MAN!!! The story shifts to the army buddy and his autistic daughter who are mixed up in a heroin smuggling plot.
Not much else to report as this one wasn't very involving or interesting. There is a good action-packed scene where Joe is chased by chain-wielding thugs on motorcycles. There's also some decent expositions on the war in Vietnam and it's affect on soldiers but all in all a mediocre episode.
Full of Holes
steelblue5516 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This one just didn't work. Peggy's sister and husband are traveling to LA and during a bus stopover he sees an old army buddy - Vietnam this time. They talk and then he sees another guy from the unit but when he yells the guy keeps walking. The friend then says that wasn't who he thought he was, because that guy is in Singapore and wanted for going AWOL. Next thing that guy walks in on the husband in the restroom and kills him. Then Joe gets a call the sister is in danger and shows up to stop her and Peggy from being run down. After that we never see Peggy's sister again.
Joe goes to see the friend and it almost is the "small town syndrome" where bikers and a bar owner try to run Mannix off. There's a side drama with the friend and his daughter with autism, and how he's helping the other guy bring drugs in by military channels, and a speech or two about why the guy deserted.
One small highlight in this one is when the bikers try to attack Joe in a car. That's in movies a lot and always seemed stupid, pretty easy for a car to run them over. This time Joe swerves near one and he crashes, and the rest turn around to check on that guy. A funny part was when a guy with a rifle tells Joe to drop his gun as "you don't want to take on this rifle with a pistol do you" or something like that. He didn't see the other 20 episodes where Joe ducks and shoots from ankle high to hit someone way far off!!! This time Joe drops the gun only to outwit the motorcycle idiots again.
The big problem with this one was the beginning. The husband had no idea anything was going on, yet the friend volunteers that the other guy is AWOL, giving him a reason to kill the husband and wife. And he plans to get the drug money in a day or two anyway, so even if the guy reported it he would likely be long gone.
Joe goes to see the friend and it almost is the "small town syndrome" where bikers and a bar owner try to run Mannix off. There's a side drama with the friend and his daughter with autism, and how he's helping the other guy bring drugs in by military channels, and a speech or two about why the guy deserted.
One small highlight in this one is when the bikers try to attack Joe in a car. That's in movies a lot and always seemed stupid, pretty easy for a car to run them over. This time Joe swerves near one and he crashes, and the rest turn around to check on that guy. A funny part was when a guy with a rifle tells Joe to drop his gun as "you don't want to take on this rifle with a pistol do you" or something like that. He didn't see the other 20 episodes where Joe ducks and shoots from ankle high to hit someone way far off!!! This time Joe drops the gun only to outwit the motorcycle idiots again.
The big problem with this one was the beginning. The husband had no idea anything was going on, yet the friend volunteers that the other guy is AWOL, giving him a reason to kill the husband and wife. And he plans to get the drug money in a day or two anyway, so even if the guy reported it he would likely be long gone.
Not as good as it should have been
Guad4210 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
As pointed out by others, this had the feeling of a Peggy-centric story and then it wasn't. Too bad. I won't cover the plot as others have done it.
Kudos for mentioning autism. It is a bit of a plot device as it makes Clint Williams (Geoffrey Deuel) a sympathetic crook, but the condition is put out there with some context as described by Williams. The bikers seem like a weird addition here. Why would a guy sneaking drugs into the country have idiots like them on his side? If you want Joe out of the way, kill him. Chasing his car and then, later, doing circles around him does nothing. When Joe runs away, the bikers just drive off. Really? You never get the feeling these are Hell's Angels types here.
The cast is good. Deuel, brother of Peter Deuel, plays it suitably conflicted and then decides not to go through with the crime. The bad guy (Felton Perry) is totally rotten. The excuse of "I fought in a bad war so I am entitled to do bad things" is a line that will appear in many cop/PI shows for about ten years. In the beginning of the episode, why would Williams and the bad guy meet in a public place with a lot of flow through traffic? Considering what they talked about, a phone call would have done the job so why meet at all. A last complaint - Peggy gets military background information on several people in this case with a few phone calls. That would never happen in real life but then we all know about Peggy's phone magic so maybe.
Joe doesn't get paid. The police are no help. The usual stuff. All in all, a mediocre outing.
Kudos for mentioning autism. It is a bit of a plot device as it makes Clint Williams (Geoffrey Deuel) a sympathetic crook, but the condition is put out there with some context as described by Williams. The bikers seem like a weird addition here. Why would a guy sneaking drugs into the country have idiots like them on his side? If you want Joe out of the way, kill him. Chasing his car and then, later, doing circles around him does nothing. When Joe runs away, the bikers just drive off. Really? You never get the feeling these are Hell's Angels types here.
The cast is good. Deuel, brother of Peter Deuel, plays it suitably conflicted and then decides not to go through with the crime. The bad guy (Felton Perry) is totally rotten. The excuse of "I fought in a bad war so I am entitled to do bad things" is a line that will appear in many cop/PI shows for about ten years. In the beginning of the episode, why would Williams and the bad guy meet in a public place with a lot of flow through traffic? Considering what they talked about, a phone call would have done the job so why meet at all. A last complaint - Peggy gets military background information on several people in this case with a few phone calls. That would never happen in real life but then we all know about Peggy's phone magic so maybe.
Joe doesn't get paid. The police are no help. The usual stuff. All in all, a mediocre outing.
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