The episode begins with Sgt. Friday working the juvenile division. He's talking with a woman about his coming to speak to her women's club about the problem of child abuse. The problem is that Friday wants the talk to be up front and brutal--and shows her some of the photos he might use in his presentation. While she is visibly shaken, she agrees her club members need to see the truth and confirms that the meeting should take place as scheduled.
Gannon interrupts, as they've just gotten a case and need to go. A young boy is reported missing and the men along with some patrolmen go looking. Eventually, he's found but his back is severely bruised and bloody. However, the story the boy tells and his mother tells are at odds with the evidence--the doctor involved will testify that he was flogged with an appliance cord. When they see the boy's estranged father, he spends the whole time talking about himself and seems to care little about the boy. In his mind, he not only divorced himself from the mother but his son as well. But the men cannot give the boy back to the mother, as it's obvious she abused him. She confirms this but still demands her child. Eventually, it's up to a judge to decide, but his hands are tied as there are just too few foster homes and the law only allows him so much power to sentence this awful woman. For her part, she's unrepentant and blames Friday for "making me miss work"!
This is a great episode. First, it helped that the kid, Chris, was absolutely adorable. You really want to hug him tight and it breaks your heart to think of this horrible woman abusing him. Second, it's nice to see that the tough Sgt. Friday is troubled by this case--he has a hard time showing emotion, but it's obvious he cares. Excellent all around--and well worth seeing due to good writing and acting. One of the very best of season 3.
Gannon interrupts, as they've just gotten a case and need to go. A young boy is reported missing and the men along with some patrolmen go looking. Eventually, he's found but his back is severely bruised and bloody. However, the story the boy tells and his mother tells are at odds with the evidence--the doctor involved will testify that he was flogged with an appliance cord. When they see the boy's estranged father, he spends the whole time talking about himself and seems to care little about the boy. In his mind, he not only divorced himself from the mother but his son as well. But the men cannot give the boy back to the mother, as it's obvious she abused him. She confirms this but still demands her child. Eventually, it's up to a judge to decide, but his hands are tied as there are just too few foster homes and the law only allows him so much power to sentence this awful woman. For her part, she's unrepentant and blames Friday for "making me miss work"!
This is a great episode. First, it helped that the kid, Chris, was absolutely adorable. You really want to hug him tight and it breaks your heart to think of this horrible woman abusing him. Second, it's nice to see that the tough Sgt. Friday is troubled by this case--he has a hard time showing emotion, but it's obvious he cares. Excellent all around--and well worth seeing due to good writing and acting. One of the very best of season 3.