User Reviews

When the story begins, four college students are robbing some office building late at night. Soon a guard arrives...shooting one of the four. After disabling the guard, the four leave. However, the gang leader, Chris, is a real sociopath...and firmly in control of the rest. He insists they do NOT take Toby to the hospital and instead they take him to a cabin...where they try treating him themselves. Soon, Toby dies from lack of real medical care.

Toby's family is concerned he hasn't been seen for several days and they hire Barnaby Jones to investigate. The trail leads right to this group of college friends....but things get much worse before Barnaby can get a handle on the case.

This is a good episode about a charismatic leader and how those within the group respond to his firm control. An interesting show.

This story always reminded me of a HAWAII FIVE O episode, and who better to write it than BW Sandefur, who wrote many stories for that show, also for BARNABY JONES. His list of credits was extensive.

Here, John Rubenstein, in an outstanding performance, plays Chris Garrison, the bold leader of a twentysomething gang of thieves who happen to be doing a dishonest night's work when they are surprised by a guard. One of his comrades is shot, but Chris refuses to take him to a hospital and he soon dies.

Barnaby is hired by the young man's family, and so begins another neat game of cat and mouse. It's got that HAWAII FIVE O psychological feel, if not psyche out slant. Rubenstein was at his best, playing sly, tricky types, the guy you loved to hate. His style was very close to that of Andrew Parks, who also appeared on the series in similar roles.

This is great stuff, and well acted by a dependable cast. Hilly Hicks plays Warren, who had a recurring role on the sitcom ROLLOUT, which was an all black version of MASH. He was very popular in the 70s, now a minister in Los Angeles, and probably with a lot of fond tv memories. Also Katherine Cannon (as Michelle), who later appeared several times on CHIPS. Best of the best is Dennis Patrick, playing Thurston, who we will always remember as the detective in DARK SHADOWS.

Worth keeping the late night tea going. From SEASON 3 EPISODE 17 remastered CBS dvd box set.