Ep 14. The Big Hate

In "The Big Hate," the fourteenth episode of Dragnet's second season, Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith investigate the brutal murder of a young married couple in their home in Los Angeles.

The detectives begin their investigation by interviewing the couple's neighbors and piecing together the events leading up to the crime. They discover that the couple, John and Betty Nelson, were well-liked and had no known enemies. The detectives also learn that John Nelson had recently quit his job and was planning on starting a new career as a photographer.

As Joe and Frank delve deeper into the case, they discover a possible motive for the murder. John Nelson had recently taken a photo of a prominent businessman's daughter that she didn't like, and the businessman had threatened him with physical harm. The detectives believe that the businessman could be the culprit.

However, as they continue their investigation, they find that the businessman has an alibi for the night of the murder and begin to consider other suspects. They eventually narrow their focus to a group of young men who were seen in the vicinity of the Nelson's house around the time of the murder. The men are known for their bigotry and have a history of violence.

Joe and Frank soon discover that the group of men were involved in a hate campaign aimed at John Nelson's photography business. The men believed that John was promoting interracial relationships through his work and had made threats against him. The detectives believe that the murder was part of this campaign of hate.

The investigation leads Joe and Frank to a confrontation with the group of men, during which they make several arrests and find evidence linking them to the murder. The detectives are able to solve the case and bring the perpetrators to justice.

As with all episodes of Dragnet, "The Big Hate" is a gripping police procedural that emphasizes the hard work and dedication of law enforcement officers in solving crimes. The episode also explores themes of bigotry and hate, and the consequences of those beliefs.