Some people really hate cops. That is perhaps the main takeaway from this episode of Adam-12. It's a lesson for probationary, rookie Officer Jim Reed to learn. As for Officer Pete Malloy? He's learned that lesson long ago.
One such person filled with hatred for cops is former heavyweight boxer Carl Owens. Malloy was part of a group of Officers who had to withstrain and arrest Owens after he accidentally killed a man in a barroom fight. Prior to heading to prison, Owens told Malloy he'd be back to "get him" upon his release. Well, he's now been released and he pays Malloy a visit to let him know that he's back on the streets.
There are a couple of heartwrenchers in this episode. Feeling bad for a little boy found accidentally locked in a refrigerator is obviously understandable. But feeling bad for a car thief? Well, the car has had it's revenge on this thief and his cohorts have abandoned him to a terrible fate. We see some kind compassion from our two heroes toward the unfortunate soul.
Reed gets his turn at learning about being hated. Passing a familiar liquor store (featured in a previous episode) that is frequently the target of thieves (it's located right by a freeway entrance ramp) Malloy spots an unknown, hulking man behind the counter. Not allowing a very inviting Dairy Queen to take his attention (Malloy loves a good ice cream cone, you know) Malloy circles the block and returns just in time to stop the Hulk. At first the Hulk is kind and friendly. Once Malloy and Reed realize the guy has indeed just robbed the liquor store, the Hulk completely Hulks-out. Hulk informs Reed that if it weren't for the handcuffs, he'd kill Reed. While Reed responds with a grin and a light-hearted, "Yeah, I know", it's obvious Reed isn't thrilled with the threat. The Hulk then informs Reed that when he gets out of prison, he'll be coming back to teach Reed a lesson. It really grabs you when Malloy "welcomes" Reed to "the club".
In the final segment, viewers are shown some incredibly vile hatred for cops. This really makes a person think about the sort of extremes that Police Officers can be subjected to. At first you wonder what these bad dudes in the bad Cadillac are thinking when they toss a bag of illegal drugs out their car window. They've done this very purposefully for the two cops in the cop car behind them to see.
Those two cops are of course, Officers Malloy and Reed. M & R follow the Caddy and it's three criminal occupants to a gas station. This is on a busy street with lots of would-be witnesses around, so how bad could things go here? Turns out, awfully bad.
Rather odd, is the sudden appearance of the former heavyweight, Carl Owens, who had earlier threatened Malloy. But he shows up (seems out of no where) to warn Malloy and Reed that the Caddy's occupants have drawn the Officers into an ambush. Thanks for the information!
Yep, some people really, REALLY hate cops. And oh, did the end credits mention... "The incidents you have just seen are true"... ?
In the concluding rap-up to the episode, Carl Owens declares he's nolonger out to get Malloy. He's come to his senses and now knows that Policemen are our friends. Well, Malloy and Reed are. That's for sure. Malloy rewards Owens by telling him he's arranged a job for Owens at a Mechanics' Garage. Malloy then agrees to time Owens for 30 seconds while Owens beats a boxing bag. Owens trusts Malloy and his stopwatch. Malloy then watches as Owens beats the bag way longer than 30 seconds. Hah! Oh, Officer Malloy. You so sneaky!
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