Ep 5. Death Is a Red Rose

In Peter Gunn season 2 episode 5 titled "Death Is a Red Rose," viewers are introduced to a new and complex case for private investigator Peter Gunn. The episode opens with a wealthy socialite named Augusta Dearborn contacting Gunn to request his assistance in finding her missing daughter, Madeline. Gunn initially turns down the case, as he is wary of getting involved with cases that involve the wealthy and powerful. However, when Madeline's body is found beaten and strangled in a rundown apartment, Gunn is drawn back into the case.

The investigation quickly becomes complicated when Gunn discovers that Madeline had been living a secret double life as a nightclub singer under the name Rose Del Monte. Rose had been involved with a number of men, including a local gangster named Frank Zenko and a wealthy businessman named William Barton. Both men become suspects in Madeline's murder, and as Gunn tries to unravel the truth, he is pulled into a web of greed, betrayal, and blackmail.

Gunn's investigation takes him to some of the seediest places in the city, including a run-down hotel, a strip club, and a dive bar. He faces danger at every turn, narrowly escaping an assassination attempt and getting into a brutal fistfight with one of Zenko's henchmen. But Gunn refuses to give up on the case, and with the help of his loyal informant, Mother, and his ex-girlfriend Edie, he slowly pieces together the truth.

The tension builds as Gunn discovers that Madeline had been planning to run away with Barton, and that Zenko had found out and blackmailed her into staying with him. He eventually confronts Zenko and Barton, revealing the shocking twist that at the center of Madeline's murder is not one, but two killers. The episode culminates in a thrilling chase scene, as Gunn tracks down the second killer and gets into a high-speed car chase through the city streets.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to the iconic jazz soundtrack that Peter Gunn is known for, as well as the gritty, film noir-inspired visuals that were a hallmark of the series. The dialogue is sharp and witty, reflecting the show's influence on future detective shows like Magnum P.I. and The Rockford Files.

Overall, "Death Is a Red Rose" is a standout episode of Peter Gunn that showcases the show's strengths in storytelling, characterization, and atmosphere. As always, Peter Gunn proves to be a tough and resourceful detective who is not afraid to take on the toughest cases, no matter how dangerous they may be.