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The Best Episodes of The Rockford Files Season 1

Every episode of The Rockford Files Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Rockford Files Season 1!

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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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 1 - The Kirkoff Case
    7.7/10(713 votes)

    #1 - The Kirkoff Case

    S1:E1

    Rockford is hired by Larry Kirkoff to find the identity of his parents killer. There are a number of possible suspects including Travis Buckman and Tawnia Baker who were lovers of Mrs. and Mr. Kirkoff respectively. The police actually suspect Larry of the crime, but, lack of evidence prevents them from making a case against him. Rockford's investigation runs him afoul of some pretty bad men who want everyone to go on thinking Larry killed them.

    Director:Lou Antonio
    Writer:Stephen J. Cannell

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  2. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 2 - The Dark and Bloody Ground
    7.6/10(569 votes)

    #2 - The Dark and Bloody Ground

    S1:E2

    Jim reluctantly agrees to work for Beth Davenport. His job is to help her prove her client, Ann Calhoun, is innocent of the crime she is accused of; murdering her husband Kevin Calhoun. Jim's investigation takes him to the town of Parker, Arizona, where the Calhouns are from. He digs up info someone doesn't want found out and is almost killed trying to return to L.A. Socialites Clyde Russell and Elizabeth Gorman, who were throwing a party the Calhouns attended, are also investigated. Jim's investigation is making someone nervous as another attempt is made on his life.

    Director:Michael Schultz
    Writer:Juanita Bartlett

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  3. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 3 - The Countess
    7.6/10(565 votes)

    #3 - The Countess

    S1:E3

    Jim is helping a Countess avoid a blackmailer but is then charged for the Blackmailer murder...

    Director:Russ Mayberry
    Writer:Stephen J. Cannell

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  4. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 4 - Exit Prentiss Carr
    7.5/10(482 votes)

    #4 - Exit Prentiss Carr

    S1:E4

    Jim finds the murdered body of Prentiss Carr in his hotel room and after reporting the incident to the police learns it has been classified as suicide...

    Director:Alexander Grasshoff
    Writer:Juanita Bartlett

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  5. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 5 - Tall Woman in Red Wagon
    7.9/10(523 votes)

    #5 - Tall Woman in Red Wagon

    S1:E5

    Jim helps a journalist trace the whereabouts of her friend and has to adopt a series of covers in order to obtain the information, as well as contend with a mobsters goons and a Treasury Agent...

    Director:Jerry London
    Writer:Stephen J. Cannell

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  6. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 6 - This Case Is Closed
    7.5/10(495 votes)

    #6 - This Case Is Closed

    S1:E6

    While investigating the fiance of Warren Jamison's daughter, Jim experiences some strange events which include kidnapping by the mob and the FBI who are anxious to get a statement - it all relates back to Jim recent trip to Newark...

    Director:Bernard L. Kowalski
    Writer:Stephen J. Cannell

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  7. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 7 - The Big Ripoff
    8.1/10(521 votes)

    #7 - The Big Ripoff

    S1:E7

    Suspecting her ex-lover was killed by his wife, a woman hires Rockford to jet to Europe to compile evidence. After a fling with the widow, Rockford suspects Steve Nelson faked his death.

    Director:Vincent McEveety
    Writer:Robert Hamner

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  8. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 8 - Find Me If You Can
    7.7/10(462 votes)

    #8 - Find Me If You Can

    S1:E8

    Rockford reluctantly takes a unique assignment: a beautiful mystery woman wants him to find her, to see if someone she fears could also track her down. With a check poised to bounce, the ex-con PI needs the retainer to balance his always-challenged checking account. When Rockford checks with a local police department, he worms out a chilling piece of data: she's been dating Denver Mafia capo-regime, hot-tempered Ralph Correll. But the more Barbara Kelbaker strings along Jim Rockford, the more he's charmed into helping the desperate 30 something.

    Director:Lawrence Doheny
    Writer:Juanita Bartlett

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  9. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 9 - In Pursuit of Carol Thorne
    8.1/10(470 votes)

    #9 - In Pursuit of Carol Thorne

    S1:E9

    Jim tails a woman just released from prison. She was involved in a robbery of a Marine Payroll. The mastermind of the crime and his henchman follow her as well. They search for the remaining robber who wound up with the loot.

    Director:Charles S. Dubin
    Writer:Stephen J. Cannell

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  10. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 10 - The Dexter Crisis
    7.7/10(451 votes)

    #10 - The Dexter Crisis

    S1:E10

    Rockford ends up in the Nevada desert (starting with the bright lights of Las Vegas) searching for a rich guy's mistress and her suitcase of precious "documents."

    Director:Alexander Grasshoff
    Writer:Gloryette Clark

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  11. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 11 - Caledonia - It's Worth a Fortune!
    7.8/10(455 votes)

    #11 - Caledonia - It's Worth a Fortune!

    S1:E11

    When knowledge of a critically ill convict's hidden fortune comes to light, Rockford becomes involved in helping the con's wife find the treasure before his former partner arrives and demands his share.

    Director:Stuart Margolin
    Writer:Juanita Bartlett

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  12. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 12 - Profit and Loss (1)
    8.4/10(461 votes)

    #12 - Profit and Loss (1)

    S1:E12

    Jim investigates a large corporation when one of its executives is kidnapped and the wife of another executive claims the company murdered her husband.

    Director:Lawrence Doheny
    Writer:Stephen J. Cannell

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  13. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 13 - Profit and Loss (2)
    8.4/10(424 votes)

    #13 - Profit and Loss (2)

    S1:E13

    Rockford discovers the investment firm Fiscal Dynamics is a financial fraud and its president Leon Fielder will do anything to prevent him from destroying his company.

    Director:Lawrence Doheny
    Writer:Stephen J. Cannell

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  14. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 14 - Aura Lee, Farewell
    8.1/10(473 votes)

    #14 - Aura Lee, Farewell

    S1:E14

    Jim's old friend Sara Butler hires him to find out the real reason her employee Aura Lee Benton died. The police believe it was a drug overdose but Sara is convinced she was murdered.

    Director:Jackie Cooper
    Writer:Edward J. Lakso

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  15. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 15 - Sleight of Hand
    8.2/10(471 votes)

    #15 - Sleight of Hand

    S1:E15

    Jim's girlfriend suddenly disappears with no clue as to how or why. Lt. Diel thinks Rockford is probably responsible for her disappearance and orders him to stay away from the case. But Jim can't stop until he finds out what happened.

    Director:William Wiard
    Writers:Stephen J. Cannell, Jo Swerling Jr.

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  16. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 16 - Counter Gambit
    8.3/10(429 votes)

    #16 - Counter Gambit

    S1:E16

    Two former cons hire Rockford to find an old girlfriend. They actually want her valuable pearl necklace and implicate him as the thief. With Angel's help, he'll get the pearls back and square himself with the police.

    Director:Jackie Cooper
    Writers:Juanita Bartlett, Howard Berk

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  17. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 17 - Claire
    7.4/10(405 votes)

    #17 - Claire

    S1:E17

    Jim's old girlfriend, Claire Prescott, phones, and asks him to help give her protection from 2 hoods chasing her. He soon discovers there's a missing undercover cop, which puts him up against an arrogant Cpt. Highland, as well.

    Director:William Wiard
    Writers:Stephen J. Cannell, Edward J. Lakso

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  18. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 18 - Say Goodbye to Jennifer
    7.9/10(424 votes)

    #18 - Say Goodbye to Jennifer

    S1:E18

    John Micelli's an old war buddy of Jim', who's now a fashion photographer. He hires Jim to track down a beautiful fashion model, whom the authorities claim is dead; killed in a fiery multi-car accident, but, he thinks otherwise. As Jim starts to look into this, he runs into several intimidating figure who want to make certain she stays that way.

    Director:Jackie Cooper
    Writers:Juanita Bartlett, Rudolph Borchert

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  19. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 19 - Charlie Harris at Large
    7.6/10(416 votes)

    #19 - Charlie Harris at Large

    S1:E19

    Charlie Harris, Rockford's former cell mate, is suspected of murdering his rich wife and is on the run. He calls on Rockford to find his alibi witness, a mystery woman with whom he was having an affair.

    Director:Russ Mayberry
    Writer:Zekial Marko

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  20. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 20 - The Four Pound Brick
    7.9/10(390 votes)

    #20 - The Four Pound Brick

    S1:E20

    A cop dies in an accident that his mother refuses to accept. Rocky offers Jim's services free of charge. After begrudgingly accepting the case he discovers that dirty cops might be involved which then pits him against a very angry Lt. Diel.

    Director:Lawrence Doheny
    Writers:Juanita Bartlett, Leigh Brackett

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  21. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 21 - Just by Accident
    7.7/10(388 votes)

    #21 - Just by Accident

    S1:E21

    A race car driver dies in an apparent accident that his mother, an old friend of Jim's, thinks was no accident. It turns out he was part of an insurance scam outfit and they soon have a similar plan for Rockford.

    Director:Jerry London
    Writers:Charles Sailor, Eric Kaldor

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  22. The Rockford Files Season 1 Episode 22 - Roundabout
    7.7/10(409 votes)

    #22 - Roundabout

    S1:E22

    An insurance company hires Rockford to locate a missing woman who is due an inheritance. He finds her in Las Vegas where she is an unwitting pawn in a money laundering operation.

    Director:Lou Antonio
    Writers:Edward J. Lakso, Mitch Lindemann

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Kirkoff Case" is the best rated episode of "The Rockford Files" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 713 votes. Directed by Lou Antonio and written by Stephen J. Cannell, it aired on 9/13/1974. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Dark and Bloody Ground".