RAGE OF HEAVEN

Episode #2 for fat, surly New York City cop Charlie Rope--who's been toned down a good deal since his foul debut in Charlie and the Ice Man (1981). Likewise, Eller's plot this time is routine rather than kinky/crude. The murder victim: successful, attractive young businesswoman Diana Halston--found shot to death in her apartment. The first obvious suspect: Diana's Greenwich Village boyfriend, who was angry about her infidelity. But, while Charlie's bosses press for the boyfriend's arrest, Charlie looks elsewhere--to Diana's two male colleague-rivals, both married, one of them Diana's lover. And some dogged sleuthing turns up a few new clues . . . and a not-very-surprising culprit. With a limited cast-of-characters, minimal suspense, and occasional colorful remarks from Charlie (""This isn't Barney Miller here. You act like an asshole and I'll treat you like one""): minor-league, just-competent police work--but fast, plain, and a lot less offensive than Charlie's premiere.