Ep 15. The Big Shakedown

In Dragnet season 2 episode 15, titled The Big Shakedown, viewers are taken on an intense ride as Joe Friday and Frank Smith investigate a case that puts them in the middle of a shakedown scheme. The episode opens with a Jimmy Piersall-like character named Benny Weaver, who is caught trying to bribe a city councilman with cash in exchange for a liquor license. After getting caught, Weaver agrees to help Friday and Smith go after the people behind the bribery scheme.

As the investigation unfolds, Friday and Smith come across a group of gangsters who are shaking down small business owners in order to secure favors. The gangsters, led by a magnetic and ruthless leader named Victor Emery, are forcing the small business owners to pay them protection money. And if the owners refuse, the gangsters are not afraid to use violence to get what they want.

Friday and Smith are relentless in their pursuit of Emery and his group. As they gather evidence against the gangsters, they come across a few twists and turns that lead them to question who they can trust and who is on their side. But through it all, the detectives remain steadfast in their mission to take down the shakedown artists.

One of the most striking elements of The Big Shakedown is its depiction of police work in the 1950s. The show is meticulous in its portrayal of how Friday and Smith go about gathering evidence. Viewers see the detectives interviewing witnesses, going through financial records, and even using primitive lie detector tests. There is a sense of realism in the way the show depicts police work, which helps to make the story feel more grounded and believable.

Another standout aspect of The Big Shakedown is its villain. Victor Emery is a fascinating character who manages to be both menacing and charismatic. He is a man who is used to getting what he wants, and he sees nothing wrong with using violence and intimidation to achieve his goals. But Emery is also a smooth talker who knows how to charm people and gain their trust. As Friday and Smith get closer to bringing him down, viewers can't help but wonder what other tricks Emery has up his sleeve.

Overall, Dragnet season 2 episode 15 is a tense and engaging crime drama that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat. The story is well-crafted, with twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the very end. The acting is solid across the board, with Jack Webb delivering a strong performance as Friday. But it is Victor Emery who steals the show. The character is complex and fascinating, and the actor who plays him does a superb job of bringing him to life.

The Big Shakedown is a great episode of Dragnet that shows how effective the show can be when it focuses on a single case. The investigation is well-paced, with enough action and suspense to keep viewers interested. And while the show may seem dated by today's standards, it is still able to hold up as a compelling piece of crime fiction. If you're a fan of classic police procedurals, then Dragnet season 2 episode 15 is a must-watch.