The episode begins at a society party where a few jerks are among those in attendance. The biggest apparent jerk is a guy named Ballinger (Charles Durning) and he hopes to forge a business relationship with a rich but shady character at the party. But before he can impress this potential partner, one of the wait staff at the party, a kid who looks to be only about 13 pulls a gun and demands wallets...from which he takes only $1000...an oddly specific amount. After all, why not take everything?! Regardless, Ballinger is furious and feels that the robbery ruined the party and his business deal...so he hires some hitmen to find the kid and kill him!
This is NOT a politically correct episode, that's for sure. Durning's character uses all sorts of filthy racial epithets during the episode. On one hand, it IS offensive. On the other, it effectively makes sane viewers hate the guy! Plus, what sort of dirtbag would put out a contract on a 13 year-old?! Additionally, one of the hitmen is very stereotypically gay...something that's bound to ruffle a few feathers.
As for the episode, I thought teaming the very white Madigan with a black lady who is concerned about finding the kid was pretty novel and interesting. I also liked seeing Cab Calloway in a cameo as a doctor...a most unusual job of casting!
Overall, a very good episode but one which is VERY different from the previous one. In the first episode, Madigan is a bit of a fascist....but here he really seems to be a decent man...a major improvement in the series.
