"WILD CARD" April 25, 1997

Episode 30       Airdate: 4/25/97      Writer: Carlton Cuse and John Wirth     Director: Greg Beeman
Guest Stars: Meat Loaf, James Pax, Don Stroud. Tommy Chong as Barry Chen Special Guest Stars: Philip Michael Thomas.

Nash and Joe rush towards Chinatown answering a call to meet Lee Jong Mai, known as Lucky. They arrive in time to see Lucky get killed in a drive-by shooting. The shooting is witnessed by noodle merchant Mrs. Chok.

Old man Lucky is an unofficial Chinatown social worker, helping his community in a variety of ways. Lucky has been killed by young Bobby Woo, newly arrived from Hong Kong to head the SF Triad. Woo has been trying to increase the protection fees extorted from local merchants, and Lucky has intervened, so Woo had Lucky killed.

Also in town is Cedrick Hawkes (nicknamed Rick), Nash's pal from the Bahamas. Rick is in town to even the score with Barry Chen, Woo's accountant. Rick believes Barry cheated him in a high stakes poker game, and now Rick owes $150,000 to Tampa gangster Albert Conte. Conte's goons, headed by Charlie Pep, are also in town to collect the $150,000 from Rick. Nash helps out Rick by steering Rick into a local high stakes poker game, and by keeping Charlie Pep off Rick's back.

Meanwhile, Joe has arranged for Nick's racehorse to become a breeder for hire in a business deal with a Japanese consortium. But the racehorse, Mr. Woody, has become impotent, unable to consummate with the mare.

Rick wins $150,000 at high stakes poker, and pays off his debt. But Charlie Pep says Rick still owes an additional $100,000 for delaying payment. Charlie and his goons nab Rick, and force their way into Barry Chen's office to collect the $100,000. Charlie robs the Triad's safe, and in the ensuing shoot-out, one of the goons is shot. Nash and Joe arrive, but Charlie gets away with the cash. Rick and Barry are safe, but the dead goon turns out to be Albert Conte's son, with Barry being blamed for the death of Conte's son.

Barry is taken into custody and forced to cooperate. Barry leads Joe to the shooter of Lucky. Joe and Barry go to a marijuana club and apprehend Tiger, Lucky's killer. Nash and Rick observe a meeting between Charlie Pep and Bobby Woo's gangs. In the ensuing shootout and chase, Charlie Pep and his goons are killed by Bobby Woo's gang.

Tiger is in custody and agrees to testify against Bobby Woo. Noodle merchant Mrs. Chok also agrees to be a witness against Woo. Nash calls Hong Kong to get the Head of the Triad, Mr. Gow, to strip Woo of his power. With his power gone, Woo's men abandon him. Meanwhile, Joe has prepared Mr. Woody by having the horse watch movies with famous female horses. Nash has gotten the Japanese business man to agree to another mare for Mr. Woody, and this time, Mr. Woody performs admirably.

Rick and Barry leave town, agreeing to form a gambling partnership. The pair head for Monte Carlo as Nash and Joe look on.

For more, see commentary for Episode 30

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