The opening answering machine jokes are throwaway, though I used to get very annoyed when the series was on a streaming channel that would automatically skip the opening credits and make me rewind to catch them. However, every one in a while, you’ll get a running theme on them. This is one that involves Jim’s dentist, who comes up pretty regularly for a while. Jim’s avoiding the dentist—well, it’s an established fact that Jim is not a fan of pain, and a root canal is going to hurt. But it’ll keep going from there.
Jim is investigating a fall at a gym. There’s a damaged diving board. Another guy at the gym is Murray Rosner (Michael Lerner), who immediately pegs Jim as a cop because of his clothing. Jim’s locker at the health club is searched; so is his trailer. The men Murray is dealing with keep assuring him that there are no cops involved, and Murray doesn’t believe them. Jim doesn’t help the situation when he goes to Dennis to complain about being clubbed.
Clothes snobbery is ugly business no matter who it’s from. “You can’t put things in pockets because it’ll ruin the lines” is the step before “you don’t get functional pockets,” which women are finally fighting against. Jim’s not a wealthy man, so he buys inexpensive clothes. There’s nothing wrong with doing that. I get that it can literally be your business, but even then, you should be understanding of people who don’t have the advantages you do.
It’s Jim’s own fault that Dennis automatically believes Jim is the one conning people when someone comes up to him claiming that Jim told them things. If Jim didn’t want Dennis to trust that sort of thing, he wouldn’t take advantage of Dennis the way he does. Oh, sure, Jim’s helped Dennis out a few times over the course of the series, and goodness knows there are plenty of people taking responsibility for their crimes who would’ve gotten off free and clear if Jim weren’t involved, but that doesn’t necessarily make Dennis look better. Even when Dennis gets credit for the collar.
Southern California for Tourists: I have no idea what a Palm Springs tan is. They keep referring to a guy as having one, and it’s a term I think I’ve only heard in this episode. A little light Googling suggests it’s a spray tan. Spray tanning was invented in 1957 and was becoming more popular in those days because it was being established that using the Sun to tan could cause cancer. This is in the days when spray tans were a lot more orange than they are now, too, not that I’ve ever used one.
Take Care of Rockford Files: Clubbed in the back of the neck. Shot at by people who don’t know he’s there! Held at gunpoint. Car chase.