"Three Million Dollar Piracy" is another episode of "Banacek" after the series 'jumped the shark' at the end of season one. The writers or producers apparently thought Banacek needed a love interest/sparring partner and introduced Carlie...a rather one-dimensional lady who is a faux-feminist. This means she seems like a very liberated woman BUT her purpose is really to show that such women are a mess and NEED a man, such as Banacek. In this case, she is about to marry a dullard....and Banacek is worried she'll toss her life away on the guy.
The story is about a stolen gem-encrusted carriage that was made for the upcoming nuptials for a Middle Eastern shah and his American actress fiancee (much like when Rita Hayworth married Prince Aly Khan back in 1949. During this entire investigation, Carlie and her dullard boyfriend spar with Banacek. Guess which one of these folks solves the crime!
This is a decent and enjoyable episode. Apart from the unwanted presence of Carlie, it's very good and intelligently written.
By the way, the comment in the trivia about Molly Pitcher is incorrect. As a history teacher, I know that there never was a woman by that name. Instead, 'Molly Pitcher' was a nickname given to female camp-followers...and the stories about her manning a cannon at the Battle of Monmouth are myth.
The story is about a stolen gem-encrusted carriage that was made for the upcoming nuptials for a Middle Eastern shah and his American actress fiancee (much like when Rita Hayworth married Prince Aly Khan back in 1949. During this entire investigation, Carlie and her dullard boyfriend spar with Banacek. Guess which one of these folks solves the crime!
This is a decent and enjoyable episode. Apart from the unwanted presence of Carlie, it's very good and intelligently written.
By the way, the comment in the trivia about Molly Pitcher is incorrect. As a history teacher, I know that there never was a woman by that name. Instead, 'Molly Pitcher' was a nickname given to female camp-followers...and the stories about her manning a cannon at the Battle of Monmouth are myth.
