Adam-12 (TV Series) Log 173: Shoplift (1970) User Reviews

Pete and the lady cop

[slackersmom · 8/10 · 6 July 2013]

The most important aspect of this episode is the fact that we see one of Pete's former girlfriends. Apparently at one time (more than a year ago) he dated Jane Hayes, and since she was with the force, he had somehow kept up with her career, acknowledging that he knew she worked part-time in the security force of a department store. He also knew that she was "practically engaged to some guy"... although we don't know if that relationship still exists. Jane's response? "Yeah. Some guy who's willing to overlook the fact that I'm a policewoman."

The clear implication is that Peter J. Malloy was NOT willing and/or able to "overlook" the fact that she was a policewoman. Which I find a little disappointing and pretty much out of character for him. I always thought that Malloy was quite open-minded about a lot of things, and that he was willing to give anyone (even us second-class womenfolk) the benefit of the doubt and not pre-judge anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or whatever.

Regardless, it was clear that he was "over" this woman, as he cast no longing glances her way, nor was there any look of regret on his face at any time that she was on screen. That part is fine with me, as I like the thought that Pete is (as he ever was) a 'free agent.' What's NOT fine with me is the hint that he might have been a little narrow-minded, even if it was somewhat understandable for the time. :-/

Malloy And Reed Know Not What They Do - ???

[chashans · 7/10 · 22 August 2023]

Adam-12 concludes it's second season with an extended storyline in which Malloy, through happenstance, allows a shoplifting suspect to escape not just custody, but also the actual Police Station.

We get to meet one of those many - very many - ex-girlfriends of Malloy's. This is Policewoman Hayes who is working a police-cooperative job as Head of Security at a Department Store. She turns over the culprit, a young woman, M'Liss, who is the daughter of a very wealthy businessman. She has stolen a twenty-five hundred dollar watch which Hayes could not find on her when conducting a search. But Hayes witnessed the actual theft.

Malloy and Reed take her into custody, bringing her to the Police Station. Almost immediately, an unrelated arresstee who is very intoxicated, breaks free from his arresting Officer and causes a huge commotion. When Malloy neglects his suspect to aid in getting the drunk under control (Reed helps too) the young woman makes a quick escape. Incidentally, this drunk is played by the same actor who appeared just a few episodes previous ("The Hero"), as a drunk (the same drunk?) dangling out a window from the top floor of a four story building. He was just trying to get some air. At least his neighbor from that episode wasn't accompaning him for this arrest. That really would have made Malloy's day all the more worse. (You have to watch that episode to understand why. Funny stuff.)

The story of the young female shoplifter heads into neglectful-parents territory before taking a sharp left-hand turn into the trappings of a cult leader. It's a bit of an odd jog into a strange territory. Malloy and Reed take an instant dislike to the Prophet Merodach, the leader of the cult. The guy is certainly wacky, but he immediately provides the Officers with all that he knows of the watch-stealing M'Liss. She has recently joined the Merodach path and presented him with the watch as an offering. He informs M & R that he could never accept stolen property as an offering.

So Malloy and Reed treat the guy with unmasked contempt and go back in search of the young woman. Merodach rightly states that he does not know where she is. It's moreso Malloy and Reed who come off as being in the wrong here. Yes, Merodach is a nutball who would seem to be one who misleads those who are trusting of him. However, it sort of seems that the misleading isn't necessarily purposeful. Merodach really does seem to think he's a true prophet and truly doesn't seem to be a party in the theft of the watch.

Malloy's behavior is out of the norm. It's sort of as if he's being possessed by the ghost of Sergeant Joe Friday of "Dragnet". Of course, Jack Webb, who played the part of Friday, wrote for and produced both "Dragnet" and "Adam-12". Perhaps the character of Joe Friday accidentally slipped it's way into Pete Malloy. Then too, Officer Jim Reed does behave a bit like Bill Gannon, Joe Friday's partner on "Dragnet".

This whole misdirection of characters comes to a head in the concluding moments of the story. Malloy and Reed return to Merodach's House of Prophecy (whatever) and there discover young M'Liss and the stolen watch. Merodach immediately informs them that he had just convinced her to return the watch and turn herself in. That's when Malloy and Reed barged in. Malloy snarls at him with utter disdain and slaps a pair of handcuffs on him. Malloy doesn't believe a word of it, even though Merodach comes across as being truthful. M & R haul him away and the entire world can breathe easy again. It does seem though, that a potential jury would most probably set Merodach loose amongst the world again in no time.

Since the incidents presented in the episode are true (though the names were all changed to protect the innocent), it would be interesting to know whether the real "Merodach" paid the price or returned to guiding his beloved disciples. One thing is for certain. Regardless of any questionable proceedings and outcomes, this episode was still quite entertaining.

Oh, and the reunion between Malloy and Policewoman Hayes goes no where.

A Propitious Spirit

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 13 April 2021]

(*Officer Malloy quote*) - " Okay. We'll get right on it."

M'Liss Courtnay has shoplifted a $2,500 wrist watch from Summer's Department Store.

Store security, Jane Hayes has apprehended M'Liss, but the watch is nowhere to be found.

Officers Reed and Malloy are put on the case. Not only do they talk to M'Liss's parents, but they also confront her self-deluded guru, Merodach, too.