Barnaby Jones (TV Series) The Orchid Killer (1975) User Reviews

Is he being gaslit or is he a homicidal maniac?

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 17 July 2021]

When the story begins, a nurse is heading home from her job at an asylum for the criminally insane. Suddenly from the backseat there is a gloved hand...and she is killed.

It happens that suspicion for the crime falls on Tim. Why? Because the nurse as found with an orchid next to her body...and several years ago, Tim was arrested for a similar killing AND the nurse is someone Tim knew because he was institutionalized in the place following the first killing. Now, Tim insists he didn't do it...but he is having strange blackouts and odd behaviors.

The bottom line is that someone is either messing with Tim to make it look like he's a killer or Tim is a serial killer....no other explanation. Which is he, and, if he IS being gaslit, who and why?

By the way, for the sixth (or more) time, Betty is in harm's way! I really think she ought to consider another job!

THE ORCHID YOU RECEIVE MAY BE YOUR LAST!

[tcchelsey · 9/10 · 22 April 2023]

Michael Fisher wrote this eerie tale about a maniac who leaves orchids by his victim's bodies, and not that far from the truth as there have been several documented cases of killers who did much the same. That's the scary part. Fisher, also a producer, was writing for STARSKY AND HUTCH at the time.

Betty, unfortunately, gets dragged into the mix, a similar fate that plagued Peggy for years on MANNIX. As I had noted about Peggy in past episodes, the same would apply to Betty. She should have been prepared, at least to have some self defense techniques (karate?) up her sleeve. That would have made for some classic scenes. Not to ever forget "resourceful" Mrs. Peel (Diana Rigg) on the AVENGERS!

The cast is stupendous. Kristoffer Tabori plays the suspected killer, who (surprise!) had served time in a mental hospital for the criminally insane. He's also about to inherit a fortune. Money, the root of all evil. Tabori was the son of actress Viveca Lindfors and director Don Siegel. Sondra Locke does a fine job as his close friend Alicia, a sister figure, who helps him through this frightmare. Locke was soon on her way to stardom opposite Clint Eastwood.

Katherine Helmond, a few years before her comedy role on SOAP, plays Edna. Helmond had done some memorable work on MANNIX, which may have lead to this part. Tall, gray Regic Cordic plays Dr. Restin, generally cast as professionals. Cordic was both a Hollywood DJ and voice actor for years.

A neat mystery, again taking a cue from the first season's episodes, with a more psychological slant. Well directed by series regular Walter Grauman. SEASON 4 EPISODE 3 remastered CBS dvd box set.

Terrific guest cast elevates not-amazing story

[perro315-1 · 4/10 · 19 January 2020]

The excellent Kristoffer Tabori plays a young, soon-to-be heir to a fortune recently released from a facility for the criminally insane, having served time for a murder he was believed to have committed! An alcoholic blackout had supposedly prevented him from remembering the murder from years ago; unfortunately, not long after his release, more murders (and more alcoholic blackouts) ensue! This episode was not terribly well-written, but besides the always-stellar Tabori, there was a young Sondra Locke as Tabori's not-blood-related, but still-overprotective "sister"---Ms. Locke also gives an excellent performance here, and watching her with Tabori (whose real-life father was Clint Eastwood 's directing mentor Don Siegel) had me wondering if Tabori might 've mentioned Locke to his father, (as he supposedly did for Andy Robinson, who did memorable work in two Siegel movies), which might have started the longtime Eastwood/Locke connection! As I said, the episode itself was not terrific, allowing my mind to wander thusly! Still, the late "Soap" & "Who's the Boss?" star Katherine Helmond, and the excellent stage/ TV/ film actor Biff McGuire are also on hand to elevate the uninspired mediocrity!

Two Murders, a Couple of Glasses of Milk, and a Non-Fatal Shootout. Yawn!

[WYAdams · 5/10 · 17 August 2022]

Just when it seemed the writing had improved the script writers pulled out the oft used Barnaby Jones checklist and checked off the overused and predictable plot points. Namely, two murders, two blatant milk (one was buttermilk) references, and the ubiquitous final shootout where Barnaby executes an impossibly difficult shot hitting the perpetrator in the shoulder.

The only point that saves this mundane episode from a rating of one star is the fact that we don't learn the identity of the killer until the very end. Numerous hints lead us to suspect several people until the identity is revealed, and it is a real surprise, as most good mysteries should be.