Airdate: September 12, 1975
Written by: Stephen J. Cannell
Directed by: Lou Antonio
On his way to pick up Rocky so that they can go meet former foster child Aaron Ironwood (James Hampton), Jim is held at gunpoint and forced into a Cadillac. The passengers obviously don’t mean him well, but the driver has trouble getting the engine to turn over. A couple of bystanders stop to see what’s wrong, and Jim makes his getaway, “borrowing” a neighboring pizza place’s delivery Bug in the process.
After meeting Aaron at the airport, Jim and Rocky attend one of his scammy motivational speaker pitch meetings. Aaron talks privately to Jim, confessing his troubles. A while back a lonely Aaron visited a prostitute, and his indiscretion was caught on camera. Now the men who have the film are threatening to expose him to his wife Sue Ann if he doesn’t sell his company at a loss. To get out of this jam Aaron proposes that he give his company to Jim, which he hopes will make the blackmailers lose interest.
When they meet with the prospective buyers Jim learns that they’re the same goons who tried to abduct him in the beginning, led by the previously unseen Vito (Jerome Guardino). Self-preservation demands that Jim sell them the company, if at a slightly higher price than Aaron had agreed to.
It doesn’t take long for Aaron’s story to start falling apart. Jim calls Aaron’s beloved wife Sue Ann and finds out she’s been an ex-wife for two years. On top of that, the company is worthless, drowning in debt, and Aaron’s scheme of repeatedly selling his nonexistent assets has drawn the attention of FBI Agent Patrick (Ken Swofford). Vito, on learning he’s been left holding the bag, dispatches his right-hand man Nino (Jonathan Lippe) to kill both Aaron and Jim. The two targets fight off the gangsters until the police arrive, although this also means that Aaron is on his way to prison.
The Aaron Ironwood School of Tropes:
- Awesome, but Impractical: The Caddy the gangsters get around in looks cool but has trouble starting, and Jim outmaneuvers it in a Volkswagen Bug.
- Blackmail: Subverted. Aaron’s original story is that he’s being pressured to sell so that his wife doesn’t find out he cheated on her, but it turns out they’re already divorced.
- Bullying a Dragon: Conning organized crime figures into buying your worthless company? Sound plan.
- Can Always Spot a Cop: Jim recognizes Agent Patrick as an FBI man, although Patrick is too ornery to show his badge.
- Changed My Jumper: Rocky is on Jim’s case for not dressing up or wearing a tie to meet the (allegedly) successful Aaron. Rocky himself looks quite dapper in his suit and tie.
- Combat Pragmatist: Aaron—short, paunchy, and not a practiced fighter—pulls unexpected moves to beat Jim in an alley fight and hold off Nino.
- Consummate Liar: Aaron has been a smooth talker since he was a foster kid living in the Rockford home, and Jim is still taken in by some of his spiel even though he knows this.
- Easily Forgiven: There are no real hard feelings at the end between Jim, Rocky, and Aaron, despite his scam almost getting Jim killed. Of course the feds don’t seem to be as lenient.
- Everybody Lives: While there are some close calls here, no one gets killed.
- "Hey, You!" Haymaker: Jim taps the shoulder of the driver guarding the car before knocking him out.
- Rank Up: Discussed. Dennis is in a rare good mood because he just passed the lieutenant’s exam, (although it will be another three seasons before he’s actually promoted).
- They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!: FBI Agent Patrick doesn’t like Jim calling him “Pat”, which is of course why Jim does it.
