Actor Del Moore guest stars as a businessman who wouldn't dream of bribing Officers Malloy or Reed. No, just simply wouldn't dream of it. Couldn't even think of it. That would be against the law, you know.
So anyway, this businessman bribes Officers Malloy and Reed with nice, cushy careers in security at one of his many business locations up in the northwestern United States area. Okay, so technically he doesn't exactly bribe them. This all entails the Officers testimony at a court case. The businessman's son has had his third arrest for drunk driving. The son is looking at an extended stay in the care of the State Penal System. Reed made the actual arrest while Malloy was witness.
Obviously the businessman, Mr. Erickson wants Reed and Malloy to throw their case against the son. However, Erickson promises the partners those cushy jobs no matter how the court case transpires. All of the Lawmen involved, from the Police Force to the District Attorney, agree that Erickson is walking a tightrope, carefully manuevering a balancing act just above actual outright bribery.
Del Moore is terrific as the always smiling, always pleasant, always within the law sleezeball. Moore plays the character as friendly and with admiration for the consumately professional Officers. But it's obvious that just below the surface, this guy holds nothing but contempt for Malloy and Reed. Del Moore packs his performance with a held-back punch.
Moore had appeared in season one of Adam-12 as the President of the United States. Of course, he wasn't really the POTUS. That was all just a misunderstanding. In that episode, "El Presidente", Del Moore's appearance was brief and the character rather goofy. Here, in this episode, he really gets to grasp the extended-role of Erickson, putting a whole lot of great acting ability into the sweetie-pie, stinkin' jerk.
There is a secondary segment which is also extended beyond the norm for an Adam-12 storyline. This one begins at M & R's latest favorite restaurant, Duke's Longhorn Bar & Grill. You'd think Malloy would maybe want to avoid this place since he was shot there. Anyway, a gentle old soul enters the joint and sits down next to Malloy. There's some friendly chat and then, oh yes - the old boy almost forgot. He just strangled his wife.
This turns out to be a mercy killing. His elderly wife has suffered with terrible disabilities for years. She asked him to please finally put her out of her misery. This one really tugs at your heartstrings. Malloy and Reed's, too. A quiet and calm air of sustained shock rides over the scene for the Officers when they and the old soul go to his home and tend to the sad and awful situation.
The contrast between the two segments, ugly-in-soul businessman who regards all others as pawns to be played, and gentle-in-soul elder who loved his wife so much, he sacrificed the remainder of his life for her. The differences do not escape Malloy or Reed. Nor do those differences get passed the viewing audience.
So anyway, this businessman bribes Officers Malloy and Reed with nice, cushy careers in security at one of his many business locations up in the northwestern United States area. Okay, so technically he doesn't exactly bribe them. This all entails the Officers testimony at a court case. The businessman's son has had his third arrest for drunk driving. The son is looking at an extended stay in the care of the State Penal System. Reed made the actual arrest while Malloy was witness.
Obviously the businessman, Mr. Erickson wants Reed and Malloy to throw their case against the son. However, Erickson promises the partners those cushy jobs no matter how the court case transpires. All of the Lawmen involved, from the Police Force to the District Attorney, agree that Erickson is walking a tightrope, carefully manuevering a balancing act just above actual outright bribery.
Del Moore is terrific as the always smiling, always pleasant, always within the law sleezeball. Moore plays the character as friendly and with admiration for the consumately professional Officers. But it's obvious that just below the surface, this guy holds nothing but contempt for Malloy and Reed. Del Moore packs his performance with a held-back punch.
Moore had appeared in season one of Adam-12 as the President of the United States. Of course, he wasn't really the POTUS. That was all just a misunderstanding. In that episode, "El Presidente", Del Moore's appearance was brief and the character rather goofy. Here, in this episode, he really gets to grasp the extended-role of Erickson, putting a whole lot of great acting ability into the sweetie-pie, stinkin' jerk.
There is a secondary segment which is also extended beyond the norm for an Adam-12 storyline. This one begins at M & R's latest favorite restaurant, Duke's Longhorn Bar & Grill. You'd think Malloy would maybe want to avoid this place since he was shot there. Anyway, a gentle old soul enters the joint and sits down next to Malloy. There's some friendly chat and then, oh yes - the old boy almost forgot. He just strangled his wife.
This turns out to be a mercy killing. His elderly wife has suffered with terrible disabilities for years. She asked him to please finally put her out of her misery. This one really tugs at your heartstrings. Malloy and Reed's, too. A quiet and calm air of sustained shock rides over the scene for the Officers when they and the old soul go to his home and tend to the sad and awful situation.
The contrast between the two segments, ugly-in-soul businessman who regards all others as pawns to be played, and gentle-in-soul elder who loved his wife so much, he sacrificed the remainder of his life for her. The differences do not escape Malloy or Reed. Nor do those differences get passed the viewing audience.
