Reading a one-sentence description of this episode on the DVD box didn't make it sound too exciting.....but it is. It's a very good season-opener, a two-part story about nailing a brutal loan shark and the people he has in his back pocket.
What's really good about this episode is the film noir feeling of tension and the great guest cast. Michael V. Gazzo is not name a lot of people may know but film buffs know him well as "Frankie Pentangelli." in The Godfather series. He's the main villain and has a distinctive high voice.
Eli Wallach, who has the most interesting role ("Lee Curtin") is fascinating as always, and Murray Abramson, as "Solly," is terrifying as the thug who collects the payments and makes the physical threats.
Also contributing is mustached-Jerry Orbach who went on years later to be a big star in the TV show, "Law and Order." The dread in part one turns out to be real in the second part. There is a good mixture of talk and action in this 100-minute opening episode and it's well worth your time to watch. I've found the Kojak seasons to get better and better as they go on.
What's really good about this episode is the film noir feeling of tension and the great guest cast. Michael V. Gazzo is not name a lot of people may know but film buffs know him well as "Frankie Pentangelli." in The Godfather series. He's the main villain and has a distinctive high voice.
Eli Wallach, who has the most interesting role ("Lee Curtin") is fascinating as always, and Murray Abramson, as "Solly," is terrifying as the thug who collects the payments and makes the physical threats.
Also contributing is mustached-Jerry Orbach who went on years later to be a big star in the TV show, "Law and Order." The dread in part one turns out to be real in the second part. There is a good mixture of talk and action in this 100-minute opening episode and it's well worth your time to watch. I've found the Kojak seasons to get better and better as they go on.