In The Heat Of The Night A Baby Called Rocket
The Storyline
"In The Heat Of The Night" is a classic American crime drama series that premiered in 1988. The series focuses on the investigations of a homicide detective, Virgil Tibbs, who is a black man from Philadelphia. Tibbs is portrayed by Howard Rollins, who brings a level of complexity and nuance to the character that is rarely seen on television.
The series is set in the fictional town of Sparta, Mississippi, in the late 1960s. The show deals with issues of race, prejudice, and social justice, which were relevant during that time period. The show's title comes from the famous 1967 film of the same name, which starred Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger.
One of the most memorable episodes of the series is "A Baby Called Rocket," which aired on March 10, 1993. The episode deals with the murder of a young black boy, Rocket, and the subsequent investigation by Tibbs and his team.
The Plot
The episode starts with the discovery of Rocket's body in a field. Tibbs and his team are called in to investigate the murder. They quickly discover that Rocket was a promising young baseball player who had been scouted by several major league teams.
As Tibbs and his team dig deeper into the case, they discover that Rocket's father, a local drug dealer, had been involved in a dispute with a rival gang. Tibbs suspects that the rival gang had killed Rocket as a way of getting back at his father.
However, as the investigation progresses, Tibbs discovers that the truth is much more complicated than he initially thought. He discovers that Rocket had been involved in a romantic relationship with a white girl, which had caused tensions in the community.
Tibbs eventually reveals that the killer was not a member of the rival gang, but was in fact the girl's father, who had killed Rocket in a fit of rage. The episode ends with Tibbs bringing the killer to justice and the town coming to terms with the tragedy.
The Impact
"A Baby Called Rocket" was a powerful episode that dealt with issues of race and prejudice in a way that was both thought-provoking and emotional. The episode was praised by critics and fans alike, and is still remembered as one of the best episodes of the series.
The episode also highlighted the talent of Howard Rollins, who brought a level of depth to the character of Virgil Tibbs that was rare for television at the time. Rollins was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in the episode, but tragically passed away a few years later due to complications from HIV.
Conclusion
"In The Heat Of The Night" was a groundbreaking series that dealt with issues of race and prejudice in a way that was both powerful and nuanced. "A Baby Called Rocket" was a standout episode that highlighted the show's ability to tackle difficult subject matter with sensitivity and intelligence. The episode is still remembered as a classic example of how television can be used to explore important social issues.