Ep 3. The Countess

In season 1 episode 3 of The Rockford Files, titled "The Countess," private investigator Jim Rockford is hired by a wealthy woman named Countess Lucinda Carstairs to help her recover a valuable piece of jewelry that was stolen from her home. The countess claims that the necklace is worth $200,000 and she wants Rockford to do whatever it takes to find it.

Rockford quickly discovers that the countess is not telling him the whole truth. He meets with her ex-husband, a man named Alex Justin, who tells him that the countess is a pathological liar who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Justin also reveals that the necklace in question is actually a fake and is probably only worth a few hundred dollars.

Despite this revelation, Rockford decides to stay on the case and begins investigating the theft. He discovers that the countess's butler, Robert, has a criminal past and may be involved in the theft. He also meets with a local fence named Freddie Beamer, who seems to know something about the stolen necklace.

As Rockford continues his investigation, he finds himself fighting off a number of threats from the countess's associates, including a hired hitman and an enforcer named Lenny. Despite these setbacks, Rockford remains determined to uncover the truth.

As the episode progresses, Rockford's investigation takes him to a number of different locations, including a pawn shop, a seedy motel, and even a high-end jewelry store. With each new piece of information he uncovers, Rockford gets closer to solving the case.

At the same time, Rockford must also deal with his own personal issues, including his strained relationship with his father and his ongoing financial struggles. These elements add depth and nuance to the character of Jim Rockford and help to make the show more than just a typical detective drama.

In the end, Rockford is able to track down the stolen necklace and expose the countess's deceit. The episode concludes with Rockford reflecting on the case and the lessons he learned along the way.

Overall, "The Countess" is a thrilling episode of The Rockford Files that showcases the show's strengths as a character-driven detective drama. With its engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and expertly crafted suspense, it's a must-watch for fans of the genre.