This is a fun episode of Adam-12. The fun is derived from Officer Pete Malloy having forgotten to renew his Driver's License. An immediate nervous worry appears upon his face as Malloy recognizes the clear and present danger which springs from this neglect: Partner Jim Reed will have to drive the squad.
The initial scene is quite humorous as Reed happily reminds Malloy of the duties of the Officer who rides shotgun. For one, Malloy has to go back into the Station to get that shotgun. Reed proceeds to not contain his glee as he annoys his passenger sidekick by testing the windshield wipers and playing with the siren. (He's actually conducting a required pre-trip of the vehicle, making certain everything is functioning properly before heading out on the road.)
After annoying Malloy further with some fast driving and a rushed left turn, the partners roll up on a young girl who has waved them down. She's upset that the local Ice Cream Truck man wouldn't sell her a dime bag. Malloy and Reed do some serious eyebrow furling, but then the girl says it was a 10 cent bag of popcorn she wanted. Not the 10 dollar bag of marijuana the Ice Cream man had presented her with.
It's then off to the Mercantile Bank where they find a robber with hostages. The robber doesn't notice the Police Officers sneaking up on him because he's on the phone - with the Police. He's wondering why it's taking so long for them to get there to arrest him. This is one of those instances when you wonder if this really is a true story as the show's end credits always insist. Did a real pyschiatrist really advise his patient to go and rob a bank?
Then it's back to Reed behind the wheel of the squad car and Malloy pestering him with negative comments regarding Reed's driving abilities. Reed counters that his wife never worries when she's his passenger. Also, he gets to work safe and sound everyday. It's fun watching the two squabble over something so silly.
The show then goes on to teach viewers a lesson about letting neighbors know when you're going out of town. Especially for a prolonged amount of time. Otherwise those neighbors might just pick your house clean. Why, even the sweetest of neighbors, like Grandma Walton herself, may not be able to avoid the temptation of grabbing some of your "free" stuff. Oh, the awful things that some otherwise perfectly good citizens will do when there are expensive console TVs and awesome shag rugs to be had!
The fun and games are set aside when the partners arrive at a lovely suburban home. Out on the front steps is a normal looking housewife. Normal except for the gun she's shooting wildly all over the place. Seems she's chosen to celebrate her and her husband's 26th wedding anniversary in the worst way possible. Not a usual scenario for this show. So tragic if - again - a true story.
Then it's back on the road for more of Malloy yelling at Reed. Malloy wants Reed to keep his eyes on the road and to watch his speed. Still, there's a great comraderie demonstrated here between the two. Even when Reed gets in a good dig at Malloy in regards to his mentorship. A nice moment.
After a quick scene of irony involving a 2 week old baby found in a garbage can, it's back to the Ice Cream/Marijuana Man storyline. Reed gets to do some cool reverse driving while Malloy goes for a run. They nail the bad guy and his heroin purchasing customer. Malloy then reaches into the truck's freezer unit for some delicious 20 cent Frozen Bomb Pops, but instead pulls out a box of drugs and weed. Nice work, Officers!
Malloy does manage to get in one more glaring look of disdain directed at Reed relating to his driving abilities. Seems that when Reed threw the squad into reverse, he managed to perfectly (though unknowingly) target Malloy's Policeman's Cap which had fallen to the street. Reed nailed the cap, crushing it beneath the car's front passenger tire.
An absolutely terrific 10/10 Star episode of Adam-12. Filled with wonderful moments for the partners, played by the terrific Martin Milner and equally terrific Kent McCord.
The initial scene is quite humorous as Reed happily reminds Malloy of the duties of the Officer who rides shotgun. For one, Malloy has to go back into the Station to get that shotgun. Reed proceeds to not contain his glee as he annoys his passenger sidekick by testing the windshield wipers and playing with the siren. (He's actually conducting a required pre-trip of the vehicle, making certain everything is functioning properly before heading out on the road.)
After annoying Malloy further with some fast driving and a rushed left turn, the partners roll up on a young girl who has waved them down. She's upset that the local Ice Cream Truck man wouldn't sell her a dime bag. Malloy and Reed do some serious eyebrow furling, but then the girl says it was a 10 cent bag of popcorn she wanted. Not the 10 dollar bag of marijuana the Ice Cream man had presented her with.
It's then off to the Mercantile Bank where they find a robber with hostages. The robber doesn't notice the Police Officers sneaking up on him because he's on the phone - with the Police. He's wondering why it's taking so long for them to get there to arrest him. This is one of those instances when you wonder if this really is a true story as the show's end credits always insist. Did a real pyschiatrist really advise his patient to go and rob a bank?
Then it's back to Reed behind the wheel of the squad car and Malloy pestering him with negative comments regarding Reed's driving abilities. Reed counters that his wife never worries when she's his passenger. Also, he gets to work safe and sound everyday. It's fun watching the two squabble over something so silly.
The show then goes on to teach viewers a lesson about letting neighbors know when you're going out of town. Especially for a prolonged amount of time. Otherwise those neighbors might just pick your house clean. Why, even the sweetest of neighbors, like Grandma Walton herself, may not be able to avoid the temptation of grabbing some of your "free" stuff. Oh, the awful things that some otherwise perfectly good citizens will do when there are expensive console TVs and awesome shag rugs to be had!
The fun and games are set aside when the partners arrive at a lovely suburban home. Out on the front steps is a normal looking housewife. Normal except for the gun she's shooting wildly all over the place. Seems she's chosen to celebrate her and her husband's 26th wedding anniversary in the worst way possible. Not a usual scenario for this show. So tragic if - again - a true story.
Then it's back on the road for more of Malloy yelling at Reed. Malloy wants Reed to keep his eyes on the road and to watch his speed. Still, there's a great comraderie demonstrated here between the two. Even when Reed gets in a good dig at Malloy in regards to his mentorship. A nice moment.
After a quick scene of irony involving a 2 week old baby found in a garbage can, it's back to the Ice Cream/Marijuana Man storyline. Reed gets to do some cool reverse driving while Malloy goes for a run. They nail the bad guy and his heroin purchasing customer. Malloy then reaches into the truck's freezer unit for some delicious 20 cent Frozen Bomb Pops, but instead pulls out a box of drugs and weed. Nice work, Officers!
Malloy does manage to get in one more glaring look of disdain directed at Reed relating to his driving abilities. Seems that when Reed threw the squad into reverse, he managed to perfectly (though unknowingly) target Malloy's Policeman's Cap which had fallen to the street. Reed nailed the cap, crushing it beneath the car's front passenger tire.
An absolutely terrific 10/10 Star episode of Adam-12. Filled with wonderful moments for the partners, played by the terrific Martin Milner and equally terrific Kent McCord.
