Ep 8. The Big Ripoff

Jim Rockford is back and ready to help on another case. In season 1 episode 8 of The Rockford Files, titled "The Big Ripoff," Jim is hired by a woman named Andrea to investigate her husband, who she suspects of cheating on her and embezzling from his employer. Jim takes the case and begins to gather evidence on the husband's activities.

As he digs deeper, Jim uncovers a larger plot involving several individuals, including Andrea's husband and his boss, who are involved in a major embezzlement scheme. Jim's investigation leads him to a wealthy businessman named Prescott, who seems to have his hands in the scheme as well.

Throughout the episode, Jim uses his wit and cunning to gather evidence, often having to resort to his street smarts to get the information he needs. He enlists the help of his friend and police officer Dennis Becker, as well as an old acquaintance from his prison days named Angel.

The case takes a dangerous turn when Jim and Andrea are kidnapped by some of the individuals involved in the scheme. They are taken to Prescott's estate, where they must find a way to escape and bring the criminals to justice.

Throughout the episode, we see Jim's personal life come into play as well. His father Rocky visits him and tries to encourage him to settle down and find a steady job, but Jim is unable to shake his love for his work as a private investigator. We also see Jim's relationship with his ex-girlfriend Beth continue to develop, as the two share a sweet moment near the end of the episode.

Overall, "The Big Ripoff" is a thrilling episode of The Rockford Files that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat. James Garner delivers a fantastic performance as Jim Rockford, showcasing his charm, intelligence, and perseverance as he tries to solve the case at hand. The action is fast-paced, the dialogue is witty, and the characters are well-developed. Fans of classic detective dramas will not want to miss this episode.