Plot summary
Ruddy juggles problems trying to get the production on track, including Puzo and Coppola taking their time on the script, more intimidation from Colombo, studio executive Barry Lapidus interfering and insisting on changes to keep the budget low and dealing with the clashing casting ideals of the studio and Coppola. All agreeing on Vic Damone for the role of Johnny Fontane, they meet with him after he expresses interest and agrees to participate, though he later announces he will not do the film after being publicly intimidated during one of his shows.
For the role of Michael Corleone, Coppola insists on Al Pacino, whom Ruddy promises to get despite being told by casting executive Andrea Eastman that Evans will never approve him. Evans goes to New York and instructs Lapidus to never interfere with him again. Ruddy meets with Congressman Mario Biaggi to be given permission to film in New York but is informed this will not be allowed. Evans is sent a dead rat in a copy of the novel by Colombo and he flees back to Los Angeles, where he learns he will be removed from his position at the end of the month. Ruddy is approached by Colombo's men, who take him to meet with Colombo.
Credits
Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The Offer. Series, exact episode number and English title matched. Paragraphs formatted; references and illustrations omitted.