Ep 4. White on White and Nearly Perfect

After a three-year hiatus from the small screen, James Garner returns as Jim Rockford in the fifth season of The Rockford Files. In this episode, titled White on White and Nearly Perfect, Rockford is hired by a wealthy art collector, Marcus Hayes, to investigate a series of paintings that have been disappearing from his private collection.

The paintings in question are all of the same artist, a mysterious Italian named Macrio Vitali. Vitali's paintings are highly sought after, and Hayes's collection is considered one of the finest in the world. When Rockford starts digging into the case, he discovers that several of the stolen paintings have turned up at auction houses and galleries all over the world, and each time they have been sold under suspicious circumstances.

Rockford's investigation leads him to a young artist named Julie Rivers, who is known for her skill in replicating Vitali's style. Rivers is a struggling artist in desperate need of money, and Rockford suspects that she may have been involved in the theft of the paintings.

As he spends more time with Rivers, however, Rockford begins to believe that she is simply a talented artist who has been caught up in a dangerous game of art theft and deception. He decides to help her clear her name and find out who is really behind the theft of the paintings.

As Rockford delves deeper into the case, he discovers a dark web of lies, deceit, and greed. He uncovers a plot involving a wealthy and powerful businessman who will stop at nothing to get his hands on Vitali's paintings, even if it means stealing them from one of the most prominent art collectors in the world.

In the end, Rockford brings the thief to justice and helps Julie Rivers to regain her artistic integrity. The episode ends with Rockford returning the stolen paintings to Hayes's collection and walking off into the sunset, his job done and his client satisfied.

Throughout the course of the episode, Garner delivers another standout performance as Jim Rockford, the wily private investigator with a heart of gold. The show's trademark blend of action, humor, and suspense is in full swing, and the episode's tight script and strong direction keep the audience engaged from beginning to end.

Overall, White on White and Nearly Perfect is a standout episode of one of the most beloved television shows of the 1970s. With its intriguing plot, strong performances, and impeccable production values, it is a must-watch for fans of classic detective dramas and anyone who appreciates excellent storytelling.