..the fact that the Martial Arts element of this episode is not an essential part of the plot. Without the Karate/Judo scenes, this show could have easily played out as a HALF HOUR standard crime drama. But the karate element gives us a couple of good action scenes -- by Peter Falk and his stunt doubles.
The Karate/judo scenes take up quite a bit of screen time, including a couple of explanations of self-defense--in the opening narration, then later as an instructor explains the art and its philosophy to Parker and Arcaro. It's interesting, but totally incidental. ALSO-- James Rosin's book on "Naked City" DOESN'T EVEN MENTION the Martial Arts component in his plot summary!!
Falk is, as always, a superb, menacing presence--calm, collected, almost non-chalant, but ready to spring into action with deadly efficiency. However (once again) most of his action stuff is done with stand-ins.
Except for the Martial Arts element, the script is rather routine, and the ending is weak.. even more so because the Karate/Judo is revealed to be pointless. I expected it would somehow be used to tie things together at the end--but no. We certainly could have used a scene early on with the extortionist/lawyer or his henchmen threatening the Ganoulians; as it is, they only talk about the threats, which doesn't make for very compelling viewing. BY THE WAY--- there was ample time to have included such a scene, since the running time of this episode is short and, as a result, we are treated to the L-O-N-G-E-S-T final credit sequence imaginable, with Billy May's closing theme music played at the S-L-O-W-E-S-T- possible tempo.
A few other observations:
1.) The Japanese actors who have fairly prominent roles are not given screen credit.
2.) Both William Hansen (Mr. Ganoulian) and William Duell (the goofy desk clerk near the end) created roles in the very successful musical "1776" in 1969, in both the stage and film versions (Hansen was the cancer-stricken Delaware delegate Cesar Rodney, Duell the caretaker McNair).
3.) Highly amusing scene in Act 1 between the three series regulars (Burke, MacMahon, and Bellaver)-- with Adam Flint desperately trying to get out the door to start his vacation. Clever dialogue, blocking and timing, phones ringing, etc.... like a regular, old vaudeville routine. I think it might be my favorite part of this episode. LR