User reviews

This episode begins with a drunk having an accident. He crawls into a nearby Catholic church looking for a priest to hear his dying confession. However, only a nun is there and so he tells her that he helped convict an innocent many and it's been weighing on his conscience--but before he can say more, he dies. The priest and nun from the parish call in Mannix to look into Al Murphy's claim that he made before he died. The problem, however, is that after doing some digging, he learns that Murphy had testified in a case years ago-- but the man he testified against plead guilty! But there is a chance the man in prison is lying and he didn't kill anyone--as there is an interesting paper trail. Additionally, lots of folks start behaving as if there is a conspiracy--especially when they force him off the road! Eventually the trail leads towards a super- rich guy named Taggert-- a man who is obviously modeled after Howard Hughes considering that the man hasn't been seen in many years. What exactly IS going on here?!

This is an interesting and complicated plot. Aside from folks trying to kill Mannix (when ISN'T this happening?!), it's all pretty fresh and interesting...and worth seeing.

This one is about a dying man who claims he framed somebody.

This is an excellent episode with an intriguing and well-written plot with lots of twists and turns and a unique ending to say the least. You should avoid looking at the trivia section here on the IMDB page, however, before watching the episode because it partially gives away the ending.

I really liked Robert Mandan's performance as Noble. He's a great villain and plays it perfectly. This is his first of two appearances on the show.

There's a nice car chase but unfortunately all of it is reused footage from Cold Trail and The Glass Trap, both from earlier this season.

Joe doesn't get whacked in the head but does get shot at.

There's a good action scene at the end, which includes Joe jumping onto a roof from a moving helicopter. There's a good fight scene at the end too.

This is one of the best episodes of the season, with an ending that is certainly original. It's really something to see.

Brooke Bundy (who we all watched grow up on tv) plays Sister Costello who has the tough luck of listening to a dying man who claims he helped convict the wrong person in a murder case. There are shades here of the famous Hitchcock thriller I CONFESS, only this time with a nun. The guy in prison, by the way, is sitting on some explosive stuff, which even surprises Joe.

Brooke got her start in westerns, like GUNSMOKE, and was a tv favorite for years, usually playing a young woman in a mess. She's in quite a dilemma here and needs help ASAP.

Dan Mullally wrote the story, who got his start with the classic detective show, MR AND MRS NORTH also RICHARD DIAMOND. At this time he was also writing for IRONSIDE. True, there's some fastballs tossed in, however, it all comes together and that's the fun.

There's another car chase and the Dodge goes off a cliff with Mannix --but both are back in service? You have to be a TRUE fan of the show to accept this, reminiscent of Steve McQueen in BULLIT.

Robert Mandan plays Ed and veteran Arthur Franz plays a man of the cloth, Father Vale. Usually Franz played businessmen or baddies. Question: Was that comedian Eddie Quillan as the dying man in the opening? It sure looked like him. Eddie (after decades in films) began a new career on tv, and although many of the young casting directors did not know him, he was cast frequently and proved quite popular in smaller roles. Perhaps as a dead guy?

Caution: the WEIRD ending may stick with you awhile. Beware, without giving further details.

SEASON 5 EPISODE 14. Remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set. 21 hrs total. Nice box cover sketch of Joe.