Memphis Beat, “I Want to Be Free”
Originally Aired August 24th, 2010
- Memphis Beat: It’s been a rocky first year, but we’re glad we’ve gotten to know you.
Episode Named After: A song penned by songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and recorded by Elvis Presley for his film Jailhouse Rock.
Plot Synopsis: It’s the season finale of Memphis Beat and things get a little crazy with an opening dream sequence. Detective Dwight Hendricks (Jason Lee) is onstage performing a rousing rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Guitar Man.” After screaming female fans chase him to the dressing room, Dwight looks in the mirror and sees a familiar sight: It’s Jerry Schilling, the old Elvis buddy (and onetime embattled head of the Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission).
“You know who I am Dwight?,” Schilling asks. “I was one of Elvis’ best friends since we were kids. He called us the Memphis Mafia. I think Elvis would be very proud of what you’ve done for Memphis and I want to give you something very special.”
With that, Schilling whips out a gold “TCB” necklace and Dwight kneels to accept it, as if he’s being knighted.
“He gave all of us guys one of these,” Schilling says. “Mine always meant the world to me. But I’d like you to have one now. Dwight I hope you’ll remember what this means.”
