‘CHiPs’ Retro Recap: ‘Concours d’Elegance’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​While these Retro Recaps of the police serial CHiPs have served as a wonderful time capsule from time to time, since they’ve taken us back to some awkward moments in the past both fashion wise and from a societal standpoint (looking at you, ‘Weed Wars’). What truly makes this series stand out storytelling wise is how from time to time, it was prophetic in nature and able to put together episodes that still resonate forty-three years later. Because this is a series that took topics like PTSD seriously, adding a modern-day relevance to our understanding of it now. And oddly enough, the next episode of this storied franchise, offered up a tale that relates to a hot topic in 2020.
 
For ‘Concours d’Elegance’ dives deep into notions of how the rich are sometimes garbage human beings, the kind that believe that money is only way to happiness in life and that anyone without it is beneath them, and this was explored by introducing us to a real piece of work named Anthony. And the problem with this ‘Richie Rich’, is that despite the fact that he lived in a massive mansion, received a weekly tax-free allowance and had a trust fund that would soon be worth millions; he wanted more money. So, he set out with a forging expert to falsify the records for a car auction, so he could skim whatever cut he wanted off the top before donating the rest to charity. Making him look like a classy hero when in fact he was nothing more than a petty thug.
 
Normally of course, this kind of crime would go unnoticed by the CHP since this had little to do with the highways and even then… this isn’t exactly something an everyday cop would stumble upon. So, the only reason he popped up on Ponch and Jon’s radar was due to the fact that one of the cars in the upcoming auction was registered to Anthony and it just so happened to elude Ponch and Jon after being in a hit and run, and of course, Anthony was behind the wheel when that happened, unbeknownst to our dynamic duo. But what matters more in regard to this part of the story, is that checking up on that car, and the arrival of a young man named Michael who claimed the car belonged to him, started to unravel the lies surrounding Anthony’s side business.
 
Because a closer look at the books, revealed that something shady was going on with the auction, and a little pressing revealed the forged records and that Michael was telling the truth. Since Anthony basically swiped the car from Michael’s late grandfather and forged the signature to make it his own and that of course, was enough to finally put this poor man’s Daddy Warbucks, behind bars. But what made this episode so incredibly fascinating, is the sheer fact that it offered up a unique look at the lifestyles of the rich and famous, and while this is fiction, this ‘inside look’ is what brings forth the relevant nature of this tale. For no one in this ritzy family had a care in the world, it was all about good times and flaunting around their cash and they also believed that everyone had a price and could be bought.
 
Something that was evidenced by the offer that was made to Jon job wise and well, it was just fascinating to see a story in this vein. One where the rich were the bad guys and viewed with the same disdain that are in 2020 since the 1% aren’t exactly beloved hometown heroes these days. But all of that aside, it was also nice to see another episode where the band is back together, and everyone is playing nice since Steve and Ponch were hanging out once again and really, when all is said and done, these last couple of episodes have been solid to say the least. Because good storytelling has returned to the forefront of the series and that’s making the middle of season five, one enjoyable ride for certain. Until next time.      

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