The Case of the Renegade Refugee

A newspaper journalist visits Space Associates Ltd. with a bit of information concerning that one of their employees is an ex-Nazi criminal named Max Keinermann. The journalist just needs a little time to find out exactly which employees is the one that wrote a note from the company to his dying wife.

One employee, Harlan Merill, has a past that he wants hidden and becomes the main suspect of the investigation. During a religious retreat for the employees of Space Associates, the journalist ends up dead and all the evidence points to Harlan Merill as the murderer. It is apparent to all that Mr Merrill has a secret that he does not want revealed.

Perry will defend Merrill is court against not only the murder but also the Nazi claim. And with many witnesses this will prove difficult. But with help from Paul Drake, Perry will get to the bottom of Merrill's past and reveal his hidden identity.

The episode is full of suspense and surprises. This show proves to be more than just a murder case but also revealing of war memories. Some of the memories may have been faded but by the end of the show all will be well in the office of Perry Mason. Very good show.

Definitely one of the best episodes of the season..! A good, many layered mystery kept taut with good performances. The exchange between Harlan and Perry in the interview room was very well done. As a Catholic myself, I also much enjoyed the backdrop of the Fransiscan retreat and religious overtones, especially Fr Paul's recital of the story of Francesco Bernardoni -- St Francis of Assisi. The prospect of the disguised former Nazi in the works was a worthy side plot. The only negative points were the overused embezzlement and blackmail schemes. All-in-all it played out very well. A satisfying episode.

This episode brings Perry into some dark stuff involving Nazis and war crimes. It is fraught with emotions and full of angst. I rather enjoyed it, even though the conclusion was a bit contrived.

An error in procedure by Karl Held clerking in Perry Mason's office sends him after a potential client to correct an error. That client is Dick Foran who scurries off to a religious retreat sponsored by the top executives of his company. When a nosy reporter starts hanging around the retreat looking for a Nazi war criminal, he is killed and its Foran whom Wesley Lau arrests for the deed.

Of course Foran is not a murderer but he does have his dirty little secret which has to be ferreted out. And I can say he's not a murderer since Perry Mason doesn't defend the guilty.

The writers might have been a little too convoluted in keeping to the Perry Mason parameters. Still this one good cast and the story does hold your interest until the end.

The question you always here is, "Why don't men talk about the war?' .... and any war applies. There are many reasons - what horrors they saw, what they did or were forced to do, what they didn't do and should have done, what their job/rank was, what it could have been, what pain and suffering they endured, and saw. This episode explores one aspect of experience in the war and how it affects the man for the rest of a life. If you are a combat veteran of a war, you will understand. If you are a friend or a loved one of a combat veteran, this episode will help you to understand. All the other criticisms of reviewers may be valid. But if you fall into either of the categories above, it is well worth your time.