most memorable LEE MERIWETHER episode...

...in its last few years on the air, BARNABY JONES took a swift departure from other QM series, most notably because: 1) By that time (circa 1978), all of the major QM crime series---and even most of the minor ones---had left the airwaves, basically leaving BARNABY as the lone QM "major player" 2.)By this time, either by design or by accident, BARNABY wasn't always attracting the roster of top-notch guest actors usually associated with a QM series. and 3.) both LEE MERIWETHER and MARK SHERA frequently carried episodes by themselves, as BUDDY EBSEN wasn't given as much to do! I will always maintain that any drop in BARNABY quality at this time had little to do with either Shera or Ms. Meriwether! Both performed admirably in leading roles, particularly--in my view---LEE MERIWETHER during an episode where a psychotically possessive JACQUELINE SCOTT and a weary, milquetoast MICHAEL STRONG take "Betty" hostage to protect their son (MICHAEL HORTON), who also happened to be a psycho killer! The scene toward the end when Ms. Meriwether faces up to Ms. Scott was among some of the best acting LEE MERIWETHER did on the whole series!