Ep 6. The Big Kid

The episode "The Big Kid" is an installment of Dragnet's fourth season, following Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Officer Bill Gannon as they investigate a case involving a teenage boy accused of stealing a pistol from a local hardware store.

The episode begins with the store's owner reporting the theft to the police, who quickly discover that the culprit is a young man by the name of Rusty Heller. Upon questioning, Rusty admits to stealing the gun, but claims that he never intended to use it and only wanted to show it off to his friends.

As the investigation unfolds, Friday and Gannon uncover a complicated web of family issues that may have contributed to Rusty's behavior. They learn that the boy's father is absent from his life, leaving him to be raised by his mother and grandmother. Rusty is also revealed to struggle with ADHD and has been prescribed medication that his mother cannot always afford to provide.

As Friday and Gannon continue to dig deeper into Rusty's circumstances, they uncover more troubling facts, including a history of violent behavior and a propensity for lying. Despite this, they remain committed to finding a way to rehabilitate the young man rather than simply punishing him.

One particularly poignant scene sees Friday and Gannon visiting Rusty's school and meeting with his teacher, who describes him as a "big kid" who is struggling to keep up with his peers academically and socially. The detectives express their concern not only for Rusty's immediate situation but also for his long-term future and success.

Throughout the episode, the audience is offered glimpses into the personal lives of Friday and Gannon, humanizing them and reminding us that they are more than just detectives on a case. Friday is shown spending time with his girlfriend, while Gannon struggles to overcome an addiction to cigarettes.

As the case nears its conclusion, the detectives are faced with a difficult decision: do they recommend that Rusty be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, or do they attempt to work with him and his family to find a better solution?

Ultimately, the episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of the criminal justice system and the complexities of rehabilitation. It asks important questions about how we as a society can best help troubled young people like Rusty, recognizing that punishment alone may not always be the answer.

Overall, "The Big Kid" is a well-crafted episode of Dragnet that highlights the show's strengths: its focus on realistic, hard-hitting crime stories and its commitment to exploring complex issues in an intelligent and engaging way. For fans of the show, it is an excellent installment that showcases the talents of the cast and crew and offers plenty of food for thought.