‘CHiPs’ Retro Recap: ‘The Great 5K Star Race and Boulder Wrap Party’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

If there’s one particular type of story that we haven’t talked about in a long time when it comes to CHiPs, it would be the two-hour special episode. Because these were suddenly a hot thing in season three, but after the disappointing ‘Drive, Lady, Drive’ the series apparently opted to focus upon the standard format for the show. Leaving one to wonder, would the two-hour extravaganza ever be something that the series would take the time to revisit? Well as it turns out, the answer to that particular question is a resounding yes. Because it just so happens that the next episode of this storied franchise, resurrected this format in magnificent fashion.
 
For ‘The Great 5K Star Race and Boulder Wrap Party’ turned out to be quite the entertaining ride for several reasons. First and foremost, rather than tinker with an outlandish story involving travel or new roles for our heroes, it stayed within the confines of the Los Angeles basin, all while offering up cameo upon cameo from famous Hollywood stars at the time, by having Ponch and Jon hang out in Malibu where a great many famous people live. Which also allowed for Milton Berle to have a larger role than celebrities usually do in this series and his fine comedic chops stole the show in this particular tale and well, one we get past the glamour and the glitz, the real wonder of this special episode finally takes the center stage.
 
Because this one more or less took everything that’s wonderful about this series and drew it out over the course of its two-hour run and it really was quite wonderful to see so many plot threads be explored in such a thoughtful manner. For example, there was the entire segment where we met a kid named Dane who desperately needed a role model in his life. Because this poor kid had an empty home life, mainly because he wasn’t getting the attention and guidance he needed since his mom was raising, he and his many sisters alone, and that’s where Jon comes into play in this storyline. For he was the hero that Dane needed, and he definitely played the role with gusto since he helped to guide Dane often and he definitely worked to talk some sense into the kid when he did some supremely stupid stuff. 

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​Plus, the story also did a phenomenal job with character development for our Creeps of the Week. Because the Creeps in question, were a pair of down and out former racers, who thought they had finally hit the jackpot by creating a new version of the sidecar motorcycle. But the cost of a patent search, and their desperation to be relevant again drove them to steal as often as possible. And while that sounds like a fairly by-the-numbers structure for these guys, the fact that we were able to see them stress out over their acts, and do their best to escape said stress by hiding at a producer’s house during the boulder crisis, added a layer of humanity that the show has been lacking this season when it comes to its villains. Of course, that doesn’t mean one should feel sympathy for these guys, because they’re thieves. But it really was nice to see that depth on display again.
 
But truly, the highlight reel when it comes to this particular story, is the sheer fact that it was a lot of fun to watch. Because the entire plot line involving the giant boulder that could not be destroyed, supplied a lot of laughs, since every attempt to deal with it ended in the goofiest way imaginable. Plus, all of the celebrity segments were supremely enjoyable. In part because this time around all of it felt organic and not shoehorned in like it did in ‘Roller Disco – Parts 1 and 2’ back in season three, and really, one cannot go wrong with how this episode comes to a close. Because there really is something delightful about seeing the characters let loose and enjoy a good old-fashioned water dunk.
 
In the end, this really was quite the impressive episode for certain. Because it managed to weave together every single plotline that we just discussed, which is no easy feat. But somehow, this script pulled it off in seamless fashion and it was wonderful to see everything come together in an organic manner. Plus, it gave equal screen time to Ponch and Jon, something that’s sorely been lacking in season four and well, this is the kind of episode that quite frankly, gives one hope that maybe this season will dive back into more thoughtful storytelling. Because when this show lets loose, it accomplishes wonders and it should be interesting to see if this is a one off, or if the more carefully crafted storytelling that preceded year four is returning to the forefront of this series. Until next time.     

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