43 minSeason 6 • Episode 12
LatestIn the series finale, Jim Rockford drives off into a California sunset in his wounded Firebird, after being ensnared in a small-town council battle with big implications. While trout fishing in the mountains, the vacationing PI becomes the emergency proxy for a fellow angler, an environmentalist councilman, felled by appendicitis. But the seemingly-innocuous proposition for a Parma city park, attracts a trailer load of New Jersey mobsters who urge Rockford to keep his vote green, or sleep with the fishes. Meanwhile, this town council in the land of endless propositions, acts to force their temporary member Rockford to go fishing under the moonlight, but not in Parma.
Cranky but likable L.A. PI Jim Rockford pulls no punches (but takes plenty of them). An ex-con sent to the slammer for a crime he didn't commit, Rockford takes on cases others don't want, aided by his tough old man, his lawyer girlfriend and some shady associates from his past.
Acting
James Garner's wounded charisma defines reluctant hero for all time.
Writing
Cannell's scripts let Rockford lose fights and still win our hearts.
Production
That trailer by the beach — peak '70s California melancholy.
Creators
Roy Huggins, Stephen J. Cannell
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Rockford's answering machine messages became a series trademark — over 120 unique recordings, often the best jokes in each episode.
Garner's own Korean War injuries meant he couldn't do standard fight choreography; Rockford's 'run first, lose second' style was born from physical necessity.
US
