First aired - April 16, 1970
In the final episode of the 1960s series Friday and Gannon talk to a rookie policeman about the importance of police officers and detectives working together, and understanding the victims and criminals.
Just the Tropes, ma'am:
- Berserk Button: Through years of experience, Friday knows all levels of police work, from rookie-level police officers to the chief, are crucial to successful law enforcement. When one of those rookies complains about the drudgery of his work, Friday – already disgusted at the violent robbery he has been called to investigate – snaps at him, telling him he'd better shape up and know how important his role is or else he's better off finding some other line of work.
- I'm Not Hungry: Gannon claims this after he and Friday investigate a robbery where a homeless man was brutally beaten ... for 76 cents. Friday doesn't say anything, but suspects that Gannon gave the homeless man his dinner money so that he could get his own meal (or maybe a safe hotel room).
- Lack of Empathy: Friday suspects a rookie officer named Myler has a lack of empathy after hearing him complain about being a radio-call officer. Later, an armed robber snickers as his victim's grieving widow is led past him, down a hospital hallway, along with a priest and doctor.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: The final episode has the final memorable such speech from Friday, to a wet-behind-the-ears thinks-he's-seen-it-all rookie officer (Myler) who complains that his job is boring and that he's ready for investigations. Friday – who paid his dues long ago – gives Myler the following dose of reality: "Let me tell you something, youngster: Someday when you get the backs of those ears dried out, you might wake up and see just how important your job really is! Take a look at your partner over there. Sixteen years in a patrol unit, one of the best on the job. Now apparently you haven't been listening to him or you don't want to. For your information, that little old lady didn't just get her purse stolen: It was robbery! Two hoodlums kicked her senseless out on that sidewalk. You got a real large problem, son: You worry more about yourself than what goes on around you. Do me a favor, will you? Sit back and take a real hard look. Look at the victims and try to have a little empathy. It might do you some good. That's what we're all here, to serve these people. Now if you can't see it that way, maybe you ought to look for some other kind of job. I'm sure the department can spare you." Gannon, who is in on the conversation, wonders if Friday was a bit hard on Myler, but Friday believes he went easy: "Those two punks were kind of hard on Mrs. Anderson."
- What Happened to the Mouse?: The above-mentioned purse-snatching incident – wherein an elderly woman is dragged on the sidewalk and brutally kicked before two purse snatchers are finally successful in taking her purse – never has a resolution. Friday mentions the case is turned over to Divisional Detectives and nothing more is made of it. The story turns back to Myler learning his lesson about his role as police officer as he, Friday and Gannon and others investigate a grocery store robbery. (An earlier assault that ended in death did get a resolution.)
