Original air date: November 21, 1998Written by: Tommy ThompsonDirected by: Fred K. Keller

Jarod impersonates an ex-con to expose a crooked parole officer who forces newly released convicts to do illegal jobs for him or face being sent back to prison.

Jarod’s Discoveries: Tattoos, Strip Clubs, Kiwi Papaya JuiceJarod’s Occupations: Ex-con/Parolee

Jarod’s Aliases: Jarod Barker

Behind the scenes insights and the Creator’s Take

Official Synopsis

Jarod impersonates an ex-con in an effort to trap a crooked parole officer.J

Inside a low-rent apartment building in San Diego, California, Jarod forges police reports and court documents.  He then doctors some photographs, making it appear as if he is the close friend of a prison convict named Robert “Bobby” Harmon.  Later, Jarod is approached by Jack Brevins, whose pride and joy in life are his two vicious Rotweillers, Big Daddy and Junior.  Brevins identifies himself as Jarod’s parole officer.  Brevins lets it be known that he has tremendous power over Jarod; with one phone call, Brevins can have the ex-con wearing a prison uniform once more.  Before Brevins leaves, he hands Jarod a packet of heroin.

Jarod makes his way to a hospital, where he rendezvous with Sydney.  At first, Sydney is confused about the meeting, unsure of its purpose.  But moments later, Michelle and Nicholas exit a taxi and make their way inside the hospital.  Jarod then disappears once more.

Jarod discovers Sandi Kingman, a very attractive young woman, showering in his low-rent apartment.  Sandi explains that she was sent by Brevins as a “house-warming gift.”  At first, Jarod attempts to persuade Sandi to leave.  But she fears retribution from Brevins should she disobey his orders.  Jarod allows her to stay.  It soon becomes apparent that Sandi has a thirst for Kiwi-Papaya fruit juice.

Jarod and Sandi make their way to a city park.  There, Jarod encounters Lupe Harmon and her twin five-year-old boys.  During their conversation, Jarod lets it be known that the boys resemble their father.  Lupe is taken aback.  Jarod then shows Lupe a doctored photograph, which depicts Bobby Harmon and himself inside the penitentiary, allegedly as cell mates.  He and Lupe discuss Bobby’s untimely death, which supposedly happened when a robbery went wrong.

Jarod meets with Brevins inside his office.  Brevins tells him that no opportunities exist for ex-cons with a history of violence.  He then hands Jarod an address for a strip club, and instructs him to meet him there that evening.  He also tells him to stay away from Lupe.  Jarod is surprised that Brevins knew of his encounter with Lupe.  Back at the lair, Jarod asks Sandi if she knew Bobby.  She claims that she did not.  That afternoon, Jarod trails Sandi from afar.  He follows her to a convalescent home, where Sandi tends to a young man confined to a wheelchair.

Sydney follows Michelle to the hospital chapel.  Michelle tells him that her husband is dying, and that their son, Nicholas, has become overwhelmed with anger.  Later, Sydney approaches Michelle’s husband, George, in his hospital room.  Sydney tells him that Nicholas is unaware that he (Sydney) is his real father.  George makes Sydney promise that he will care for their son.  Unbeknownst to either man, Nicholas overhears their conversation.

As instructed, Jarod meets Brevins and another man, Pat Rush, at the strip club.  Brevins introduces Pat as Jarod’s new partner.  During their conversation, Brevins outlines pulling off a home invasion robbery in nearby Meadow Hills.  When Brevins leaves to take a phone call, Pat tells Jarod that Brevins had Bobby Harmon executed when he threatened to expose his operation (having career criminals do his bidding).

Sydney approaches Nicholas.  He tells the young man that, just before he was born, some very dangerous people made threats against his life.  Michelle then left him…without informing him about her pregnancy.  Sydney urges him not to throw away his relationship to George, who, although he may not be his real father, loves him with all his heart nonetheless.

Brevins finishes the final details in the home invasion robbery.  He tells Jarod and Pat to cut the power in the victims’ house, then make off with the hundred thousand dollars in cash they keep on hand.  Later, Jarod approaches Lupe outside her home, where they discuss Bobby’s death.  Lupe asks Jarod if he would care for a glass of Kiwi-Papaya juice.  Jarod freezes.  Lupe then explains that the drink was her husband’s favorite.

An angered Jarod returns to the lair and confronts Sandi.  She eventually admits that she did know Bobby, and that they were friends.  She also insists she never mentioned Bobby’s plan to notify police about Blevins to anyone… except Pat Rush.  Moments later, Sandi explains that the young man in the wheelchair is her brother, Michael.  Six months earlier, Sandi had been driving Michael in her automobile when a car ran a red light.  Michael was badly injured, and ever since, she has needed three thousand dollars a month to pay for Michael’s medical bills at a private hospital (hence her association with Brevins).

Michelle and Nicholas say their final goodbyes as George slips in and out of consciousness.

Jarod and Pat cut the power to a quiet suburban house.  But it turns out that the home belongs to Jack Brevins, not the couple with the hundred thousand dollars.  Brevins is blindfolded and tied to a chair.  Pat reacts with confusion when Jarod mentions Bobby Harmon.  Jarod assures him that he will go to jail for aiding and abetting in Harmon’s murder.  He then knocks Pat unconscious using the butt of a shotgun.  Brevins refuses to cooperate when Jarod asks him if he participated in Harmon’s murder.  Using an elaborate set-up, Jarod makes it seem as if he shot and killed one of Brevins’ prize Rotweillers.  Before Jarod carries out the second “execution,” Brevins admits he did kill Harmon, and then made it look like a robbery gone bad.  When his blindfold is removed, Brevins realizes that Sandi and Lupe recorded his confession on videotape.  Jarod then shows Brevins that his dogs are unharmed.