User Reviews

"Echo of a DIstant Battle" is a very good two-part episode of "Barnaby Jones". These two-parters always ended up being awfully good...though part one isn't as good as part two.

A woman hires Barnaby to try to look into the disappearance of her husband...a vet who fought in the Vietnam War. They thought he had died in the war but there are rumors he actually ran away with a friend and they ask Barnaby to learn exactly what happened to him. Surprisingly, this seemingly simple case turns into a real doozy!

At one point, Barnaby is trying to talk to a possible witness who might know about the missing man...and the guy runs. Barnaby chases (as best he can for a 70 year-old man) and soon there is a gun battle. In the process, Barnaby does something unusually dumb...he fires a warning shot*. This shot ricochets and ends up killing someone...and not the suspect. As a result, Barnaby loses his right to carry a gun and might end up going to prison...which is all the more reason to wrap up this case quickly.

The solution to Barnaby getting away with killing someone seemed pretty limp....the sole reason I am only giving this on an 8. But otherwise, it's very exciting. It's also neat to see Andrew Robinson in both parts one and two, as he played the psycho killer in "Dirty Harry" and also played a very interesting character on "Star Trek: Deep Space 9"....and he plays dandy villains.

Overall, an episode that has you wanting to see more.

*Most police departments have outlawed the so-called 'warning shots' and gun safety classes usually tell you NEVER to do this...for exactly the reason you see in this show. They sure have Barnaby do something stupid here!

PART I 10 Stars.

This very interesting drama may have been the best episode of the final two seasons. Outstanding writing by series associate producer Gerald Sanford, who also wrote many classic stories for the F. B. I.

Sanford may, in fact, have borrowed the idea from a real-life episode from the FBI, all about cops and detectives who lose their right to carry a gun. Serious business, in this case for Barnaby, who is sidetracked due to an accidental shooting, actually a warning shot that kills a man --who actually was a bad guy anyway!

This story also has a Vietnam slant, all about a supposedly dead war vet, whose widow hires Barnaby, to investigate rumors he may have cleverly escaped with the help from a friend and is actually very much alive. What a case, but also what a sobering situation for Barnaby.

Buddy Ebsen is quite good in this episode, and returning to a larger role than in the last few stories. Sanford's story also goes the extra mile, now leaving Barnaby unarmed, having no choice but to use his sharp detective skills --basically all he has left -- to piece together the case.

Naturally, there's a great cast, lead by Laurence Luckinbill (as Elliott). Luckinbill, who is married to Lucie Arnez, played some memorable heavies in his long career. And speaking of villains, Andrew Robinson is cast, best known for his portrayal of the maniac in DIRTY HARRY. Popular actress Margaret Impert co-stars, later known for HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN.

Many other familiar faces, including veteran actors Lloyd Gough (from the GREEN HORNET) and Ken Lynch, playing a building manager.

One not to miss if you're up late night. SEASON 7 EPISODE 14 remastered color CBS dvd box set. 2018 release.