Ep 11. Forced Retirement

The Rockford Files season 4 episode 11, titled "Forced Retirement," follows private investigator Jim Rockford as he investigates the suspicious death of his friend, a retired policeman named Earl. As Rockford delves into the case, he discovers a web of corruption and deceit within the police department.

The episode begins with Earl retiring from the police force and visiting Rockford to catch up. However, their conversation is cut short when Earl receives a mysterious phone call and abruptly leaves. Later that night, Rockford receives a call from Earl's wife, informing him that Earl has died in a car accident. However, something about the circumstances of Earl's death doesn't add up, and Rockford decides to investigate.

As Rockford looks into the case, he discovers that Earl was involved in an investigation into a corrupt police officer. The officer in question, Lieutenant Levin, is suspected of taking bribes from local criminals. Earl had apparently been working with an undercover officer named Frank Billings to gather evidence against Levin, but now Billings has disappeared.

Rockford begins to suspect that Earl may have been killed because he was getting too close to the truth. As he digs deeper, he finds evidence of a cover-up within the police department. Rockford's investigation puts him in danger, and he is forced to outsmart corrupt police officers in order to continue his investigation.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to the classic Rockford style of detective work: Rockford uses his wits and charm to gather information from various sources, including a bartender, a car mechanic, and even a suspect in the case. He also relies on his network of contacts, including his lawyer and his police friend Dennis, to help him solve the case.

One of the strengths of "Forced Retirement" is the way it handles its suspenseful elements. The audience is given just enough information to piece together what happened to Earl, but there are still enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. There are also several tense moments where Rockford is in danger, including a nail-biting car chase scene.

Another standout quality of the episode is its exploration of corruption and the abuse of power in law enforcement. The story is compelling because it doesn't shy away from the idea that some police officers are capable of doing the wrong thing. At the same time, it also portrays characters like Earl and Billings as good cops who are trying to do the right thing, even at great personal risk.

Overall, "Forced Retirement" is a solid episode of The Rockford Files that showcases the series' strengths: a likable lead character, an engaging mystery, and some insightful commentary on societal issues. Fans of the show will enjoy seeing Jim Rockford in action once again, and newcomers to the series will be able to appreciate the show's unique blend of humor, drama, and suspense.