Yes, I know this is a contentious assertion, particularly with "The Zombie", "The Spanish Moss Murders", "Horror in the Heights", and probably a few others.
But "Bad Medicine" is my favorite for several reasons. One is Kiel's towering presence, and the fact he isn't obscured in moss. The "old McDonald"'x bit in the highrise is goofy, but otherwise the Diablero is impressive.
Another is the music, particularly the "stings" when the Diablero reverts to his human form. The producers must have agreed, because they reused them in the future.
Ramon Bieri as Baker is surprisingly good. Sure he's a jerk: he wouldn't be a Kolchak captain if he wasn't. But I like his bemusement,("What's a diablero, some kind of Italian racing car"), his "Uh huh" back at Kolchak, and McGavin' sheepish look in response when he can't explain why the diablero is stealing gems.
It's also one of the few episodes where they make good use of all the cast. Emily supports Kolchak but calls "Finally!" when Kolchak says he's going to get a new suit, Updyke is finicky and caught in the threeeway phone juggling with Kolchak and Emily, and Vincenzo is... Vincenzo. Whether he's sleeping in his office to try to catch Kolchak when he comes in, or his half-hearted protest when Kolchak goes through Updyke's desk. This is presumably what McGavin meant when he said he was going for an office comedy.
There's also little bits. Watch Kolchak's parking at the gem exchange, and when the officer trieds to get out of his car but can't because Kolchak parked too close. Or Kolchak trying to pass himself off as a "Kolworth" at the auction.
And Victor Jory and his "posse"'s bemusement when Kolchak seizes on Jory's explanation of how to kill the diablero. Like "These are just fairytales: this nutter believes us?!?"
Overall, I consider "Bad Medicine" the best of the series.
But "Bad Medicine" is my favorite for several reasons. One is Kiel's towering presence, and the fact he isn't obscured in moss. The "old McDonald"'x bit in the highrise is goofy, but otherwise the Diablero is impressive.
Another is the music, particularly the "stings" when the Diablero reverts to his human form. The producers must have agreed, because they reused them in the future.
Ramon Bieri as Baker is surprisingly good. Sure he's a jerk: he wouldn't be a Kolchak captain if he wasn't. But I like his bemusement,("What's a diablero, some kind of Italian racing car"), his "Uh huh" back at Kolchak, and McGavin' sheepish look in response when he can't explain why the diablero is stealing gems.
It's also one of the few episodes where they make good use of all the cast. Emily supports Kolchak but calls "Finally!" when Kolchak says he's going to get a new suit, Updyke is finicky and caught in the threeeway phone juggling with Kolchak and Emily, and Vincenzo is... Vincenzo. Whether he's sleeping in his office to try to catch Kolchak when he comes in, or his half-hearted protest when Kolchak goes through Updyke's desk. This is presumably what McGavin meant when he said he was going for an office comedy.
There's also little bits. Watch Kolchak's parking at the gem exchange, and when the officer trieds to get out of his car but can't because Kolchak parked too close. Or Kolchak trying to pass himself off as a "Kolworth" at the auction.
And Victor Jory and his "posse"'s bemusement when Kolchak seizes on Jory's explanation of how to kill the diablero. Like "These are just fairytales: this nutter believes us?!?"
Overall, I consider "Bad Medicine" the best of the series.