Statistically, you’re actually better off calling the cops when someone you care about has been kidnapped. Even if they say no cops. Jim’s right; people do always say that. And I’m not going to claim the cops have a perfect record. However, just a run of the numbers says, yeah, they’ve got a better chance than you do. Of course, kidnappings for ransom are pretty rare; the perception we have of kidnapping in the US is informed more by TV and movies than by Department of Justice statistics.
Jim is, however, helping a friend of Rocky’s, Peter Preli (Dabbs Greer), whose granddaughter, Houston (the absolutely tiny Lane Bradbury), is missing. Pete is then murdered. Jim had been to Houston’s house, and it looked like a tornado had been through there—but he returns there with the cops, and the place is pristine. Jim doesn’t understand it, and Lieutenant Diel (whose name is spelled one way on IMDb and another in the captioning and Jesus, I don’t know) decides this proves that Jim was the murderer.
Seriously, why do people think beating Jim up is going to make him walk away? I mean, okay, I guess it works for most people. It’d probably work for me. Of course, that’s one of the many reasons I’m not a private investigator. I’m not suited to the job. If Jim walked away every time he was threatened, he wouldn’t have much work. You’ve got to figure anyone who would go into Jim’s line of work would expect to have that sort of thing happen now and again. What’s nice is that he’s that tough and is open about crying when he feels the need to cry.
One of the recurring joys of this show is the Dennis reaction shot. Jim says or does something to another cop, or a fed, or a DA, and Dennis just looks pained. He’s Jim’s friend. He likes Jim a lot. But he understands Jim’s attitude. Jim doesn’t like being pushed. He mostly mouths off to people who are mistreating him. Okay, he’s also big on friendly banter, but if he thinks you’re being rude, he’ll be rude back, whether Dennis likes it or not.
The other recurring joy that’s on this episode is Rocky’s attitude toward Jim. I’m sure it’s not exactly an unadulterated joy to Jim, of course. Now, it is definitely true that Rocky is thrilled to bits that Jim is willing to help him find out who murdered his friend. Especially because he thinks it’s to help him. On the other hand, when Houston meets him, she said, “Your daddy’s told me all about you—you’re an investment banker or something.” There are people all over California who have some pretty skewed ideas of what Jim does for a living.
Take Care of Rockford Files: “Rockford will be taken care of.” They then take care of him by beating him up a bit. Car chase. Held at gunpoint.