Adam-12 (TV Series) The Search (1971) User Reviews

Maybe the best/worst episode of the series.

[kkmoeigep · 10/10 · 6 August 2018]

I was six years old when this episode aired and I remember it vividly. My mom had to assure me that Pete would go to the hospital and be okay and back behind the wheel next week. I wasn't convinced. To this day my wife and kids don't like seeing this episode for the same reasons. They don't make TV like this anymore.

Malloy Joined the Splenectomy Club.

[Dicksons11 · 8/10 · 5 November 2020]

I was 9 and remember watching with my father and thinking there was no way Malloy could survive the crash. In the episode he radioed he had a ruptured spleen. I had my spleen removed a few years earlier so I thought Pete and I had something in common.

Dramatic episode

[wfw-93416 · 9/10 · 21 October 2022]

Actor Martin Milner really pulls the audience in with his portrayal of badly injured Ofc Malloy, needing help after a crash at night in the woods and unable communicate. Much of his scenes are non verbal, such as when he is trying to extricate himself from the damaged vehicle and not lose consciousness. The way he ultimately communicates his location is brilliant. My only complaint (minor one) is that I would have liked a bit more at the end when Pete finally finds his partner.

These two are such a great pair, their friendship is clear but understated. Really well scripted and well acted cop series.

Very ingenious search

[SusanJL · 10/10 · 15 February 2024]

I've never seen a police show with a search like this, found the whole scenario quite interesting and informative on how to find someone who cannot talk. Of course today we have GPS so I guess the method used on this episode is totally outdated. So many old shows and films, which were great at the time, probably seem absurd now with all our advanced technology like "The Man Who Knew Too Much", the list is endless. Instant cell communication has revolutionized society. If the Titanic got hit today, many more lives could have been saved.

Well finally met my character quota so I can shut up now.

Officer Needs Help!

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 8 October 2020]

In "The Search" Officer, Pete Malloy soon finds himself in some very serious trouble once he heads off in the police cruiser in sole pursuit of fleeing bandits hastily leaving a liquor store.

Losing complete control of his vehicle in Griffith Park, Malloy suddenly sails off a deep embankment and crash lands into a heavily wooded ravine below.

Injured and helpless Malloy can now only hope that his loyal partner, Jim Reed will soon locate his whereabouts before matters take a turn for the worse.

Too convoluted

[Christopher370 · 1/10 · 29 April 2023]

They just happen to be working at night when they never do, because this plot wouldn't work in the daylight. And the radio just happens to be on the fritz when it never is, because without a broken radio the plot couldn't work.

Then, most incredulously...Malloy leaves his partner to go on a chase for a suspect who is long gone by that point, but like the first two convoluted scenarios, if Reed were with him, the plot couldn't work.

You'd think he was stranded in the middle of the desert rather than the middle of L. A. It's too far fetched that there were no other vehicles in the area or that the police helicopter couldn't see the cop car with it's bright floodlight.

This has to be the worst episode of the entire series. So dumb with too many conveniences for the idiotic story to work. Zero stars for this steaming pile. And what was with Reed saying early in the episode "We were close"....what the hell? "Were"?! At that point he was only not responding to the radio for just a few minutes. Why would he suddenly be talking like he's already dead?! Lol That was weird.

Interesting story line

[gkarf23 · 7/10 · 20 October 2022]

A bit unusual for Adam 12 . Malloy on his own , unable to do much. An anxious Reed , the only hope. His " gut feeling " saves the day . My biggest complaint on the entire episode....no way Little John was a killer , and no way he'd leave Malloy. Actually pretty incredible the way other shows affect your feelings for a character on another show. Been that way , I didn't like Colonel Lard until I saw him as an out and out good guy in another show.

And the actual saving of Pete was pretty ingenious. I really liked his smile after he hears Reed say he's found him. Only thing that could've made this better.... Why DeSoto and Gage assisting in the rescue, of course.