Adam-12 (TV Series) Log 155: Internal Affairs - Blackmail (1971) User Reviews

Pete gets disillusioned

[slackersmom · 9/10 · 25 July 2013]

This isn't a typical episode of Adam-12, with Reed & Malloy on patrol, dealing with the usual variety of crazy calls during their shift. Instead, it opens with Adam-12 assisting another unit with some thugs, and an officer named Johnson commandeers a runaway forklift and supposedly saved Pete's life. (Although it didn't look quite as dire as they made it out to be.) Anyway, Pete is floored when Johnson tells him that someone has put in a charge of blackmail against him (Johnson). Malloy tells Reed that Johnson is "one of the best cops" he knows, and doesn't have a dishonest bone in his body. (Reed, though, doesn't look convinced.) Anyway, in talking to Johnson, Reed and Malloy are sort of talked into helping him find a witness who might be able to clear him, a "b-girl" named Ginger. (Despite what might be assumed based on dialog in the show, a b-girl is NOT a hooker; apparently they 'worked' at one particular bar trying to get men to spend lots of money.)

Anyway, one thing leads to another, and when Malloy & Reed "happen" to find Ginger, she's very willing to help out the cops and answer questions. All of which leads to a very intense, emotional scene between Johnson and Malloy in the precinct break room. There's great dialog there, especially after the truth comes out. I honestly don't know why Milner hasn't been better recognized for his acting work, as he was impassioned and on fire in that scene.

Again, not the usual A-12 episode, but a terrific example of an issue that dogs police officers.

"Adam-12" Acknowledges An Unfortunate Truth

[chashans · 8/10 · 21 May 2023]

Episodes such as this and season 5's "Badge Heavy" are terrific acknowledgements by the "Adam-12" production, that not every police officer is a Saint. In this episode, we are presented with a cop who not only saves Malloy's life, but had already been thought of (by Malloy) to be one of the best cops on the force.

Indeed, the Officer here comes across as heroic and very likeable. However, it comes to light that this same Officer has a dark side to him as well. When he's accused of blackmail, Malloy jumps right in wanting to clear his name and bust the "lying" accuser. Reed meanwhile, puts his own opinion on pause, wanting only to get to the truth.

After some investigating, it becomes obvious to Malloy that he needs to take off the rose-colored glasses with which he sees the "Best Cop on the Beat". Martin Milner really chews up the scenary with his performance when confronting Malloy's own personal hero. Malloy is pretty much just as upset with himself. He had allowed himself to be fooled. This hero, like the cop in season 5's "Badge Heavy" is nolonger a cop. He's become a criminal with a badge. The show's production informs it's viewers that yes, there most definitely are criminals with badges in the real world too. And it can be very, very difficult to root them out.

Then too, the series has previously acknowledged that there are cops who, though they certainly stay within the law, can still be real jerks. Many of us have had experiences with the type. Actor Gary Crosby does a great job of demonstrating just that in his appearances as Officer Ed Wells. Wells isn't just a jerk to the civilian population though. He's quite a bit of a jerk to his fellow Officers as well. The show's writers/producers did expand on the Wells character though. He remained a bit of a jerk through-out the show's run, but he was allowed on occassion, to show an actual "human-side" to his personality as well. A needed contrast to the always likeable and always professional Officers Pete Malloy and Jim Reed.

This is quite a good episode.

Alibi

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 24 December 2020]

(*Officer Malloy quote*) - "Luck had nothing to do with it."

Officer Tony Johnson is being investigated by the Internal Affairs Division of the LAPD. It seems that he has been accused of blackmail.

The whole ugly story comes to light when Tony asks Officer Malloy (his trusted friend) to check into these maters so that his name can be cleared from this wrongful accusation.