The Farnsworth Stratagem

This episode explains much of the reasons why Dennis Becker is constantly doing favors for Jim Rockford, tracing license plates, etc. at the LAPD. Rockford does him a real solid in this episode, saving his life's savings which Joe Santos and wife Pat Finley invested in 2% of a resort hotel. No rooms or perks come with this, Santos gets 2% of lobby privileges.

With the help of another investor, Linda Evans Rockford rounds up the other investors and 'purchases' mineral rights under the ground from the investors and then moves in and starts drilling for oil.

Of course it all eventually works, but not without a few bumps along the way. Evans is working her own agenda. Rockford gets the help of Noah Beery, Jr., Stuart Margolin and of course Gretchen Corbett checking all the legalities.

It could have been a much better episode, but Evans's character is poorly written with poor motivations. James Garner pulled off other and better cons in the series.

This episode finds Rockford and Becker driving together on vacation. Becker has purchased a 2.5% share in a resort hotel, apparently worth a million dollars, and he wants to impress Rockford by getting preferential treatment as an "owner". The hotel is indeed impressive, but when they try to check in it becomes apparent that Becker has been conned and he doesn't own much of anything for his $7500 investment. He "hires" Rockford to figure out a way to get his money back, and Rockford reluctantly agrees.

This episode has a lightweight feel to it, a softer edge than earlier Rockford episodes. Rockford arranges one of his more elaborate cons to help Becker recover his investment. It involves Angel, Rocky and about a dozen of their friends, with Rockford playing an oilman from Oklahoma. It isn't bad, but somehow the writing is not on par with the better episodes. We never feel that Rockford is in any real danger, and many things just "happen" a bit too easily. The ending also seems a bit contrived.

This episode also features Linda Evans in her second and final appearance on the series, and we are introduced to Becker's wife Peggy (Pat Finley). Worth watching for series fans, but not the best.

Right off the bat, I'm not normally a big fan of the "con" episodes, mainly because Rockford isn't really Rockford, but this one was an exception, even though I doubt this elaborate "con" could actually be pulled off, but if anyone could, it would probably be Rockford. There are some familiar faces, including a deep-voiced Linda Evans, John Crawford(The Enforcer), Pat Finley, Paul Jenkins, and a young Gerald McRaney; as another reviewer mentioned, this is Finley's first appearance as Dennis Becker's wife. There is some very cool scenery on very sunny days, such as indoor/outdoor trailer shots, the beach, Rockford driving the Firebird, and some nice shots of a fancy condo. Since I'm a fan of golf(as was James Garner), it was nice seeing Dennis carry a golf bag, as he and Jim were probably going to hit the links shortly; that is, until Dennis realizes he's been duped, and then hires old pal Jimbo to help recover a huge down payment. Dennis says a funny line about Lloyd(Jenkins)to Jim that "he can make a zebra lose its' stripes" after finding out that he's been had; he also enlists Jim because he's the only guy that can "one-up" someone like the clever Lloyd. Let me also mention some cool scenes with both Rocky and Angel, who help Rockford pull off the scheme. I do have to wonder why the cops didn't get involved when the condo dwellers complained about the noise? Anyway, this is a fine episode just as the show was gaining steam.

It's not surprising that this episode is rated among the best of the series. It's pure fun. Sure, there are plot holes. Rockford seems out of character at times and there is a general air of absurdity to it all but that is what makes it work. It's a refreshing change from the dark and bloody ground that they usually cover. If you don't try to analyze every move it's very enjoyable to watch Rockford perform his magic when he does his con. He enlists the help of a number of people, some of which, are regulars on the series. It's no wonder why Becker owes Jim in later episodes as he literally saves Becker's financial life. So sit back and enjoy Rockford as he cons the con men.

Jimmy at his best. Helping friend Dennis Becker get out of a a group of investors in a what later would be called a "timeshare." Jim becomes JW Farnsworth -an oil tycoon from Oklahoma that has bought the mineral rights to the investors "to good to be true" Bradley Hotel-a hotel and condominiums to get Dennis's money back , along with the other investors that he brought in. Linda Evans guest stars as both a key investor to bring in investors. Linda Evans stars as Audrey Wyatt, an investor and and organizer for Dennis's friends to buy into. Jim discover that Audrey is really work g for the "Syndicate " as a roper to lure investors perspective clients so the mob can live off others investment without paying for any properties themselves. Jim realizes he may be over his head and danger. He turns Audrey in order to double back on her past employer and Jimmy has to work a perfect scheme to stay one step ahead of everyone.