Ep 1. The Human Bomb

Dragnet is a classic American television show that aired from 1951 to 1959. The show is a police procedural drama that follows the lives of two detectives, Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Ben Romero, as they investigate various crimes in the city of Los Angeles. The first episode of Dragnet season 1 is titled "The Human Bomb," and it premiered on December 16, 1951.

The episode begins with a man named Frank Lohrman walking into the Los Angeles police station and claiming that he has a bomb strapped to his body. He demands to speak with the police chief, and when he is denied, he threatens to blow up the station. Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Ben Romero are called in to investigate the situation. As they speak with Lohrman, they become convinced that he is not a typical criminal but rather a mentally disturbed man who needs help.

Friday and Romero take Lohrman to a hospital and call in the bomb squad to remove the explosive device from his body. They also begin to investigate his background to try to determine why he would do something so extreme. Through their investigation, they learn that Lohrman is a World War II veteran who suffers from PTSD. He feels neglected and abandoned by the government and society in general, and he believes that no one cares about his problems.

As Friday and Romero continue to piece together Lohrman's story, they also have to deal with the fallout from the bomb threat. The police station is evacuated, and the streets are closed off as the bomb squad works to remove the device from Lohrman's body. The tension is high as the officers worry about the safety of themselves and the public.

Eventually, the bomb is removed safely, and Lohrman is taken into custody. Friday and Romero, along with their superior officers, reflect on the situation and discuss the need for better mental health resources for veterans like Lohrman. They also talk about the importance of paying attention to the warning signs of mental illness and taking action before it's too late.

"The Human Bomb" is a tense and dramatic episode that highlights the bravery and dedication of the police officers who put their lives on the line each day to protect their community. It also shines a light on the issue of mental illness, particularly in the context of veterans who have served their country. The themes addressed in this episode remain relevant today, and the show's portrayal of law enforcement continues to resonate with audiences more than half a century after it first aired.