Ep 8. The Corrupter

In Kojak season 1 episode 8, titled "The Corrupter," viewers are introduced to a mystery surrounding several police officers who have gone rogue and are working with a notorious gang leader named Luis Corbin (played by Robert Loggia). Kojak and his team are tasked with bringing Corbin down, but the case becomes personal when one of their own, Detective Bobby Crocker, is implicated in the corruption.

The episode opens with Kojak and Crocker on a stakeout to catch a group of drug traffickers. However, the operation goes wrong when the traffickers escape and Crocker is left alone in pursuit. Later, Crocker appears in a meeting with Corbin and his associates where they discuss a deal that could potentially lead to the trafficking of cocaine into the city. After this, suspicions arise among Crocker's fellow officers and Kojak is called in to investigate.

Kojak first interrogates Crocker, who denies any involvement with Corbin but is dismissed from active duty until further notice due to the suspicion. Kojak begins to unravel the web of corruption and discovers that a number of officers are involved, including Crocker's partner, Jack Lawrence. Kojak attempts to bring the group in quietly, but they are tipped off and flee.

Meanwhile, Corbin's operations continue, and Kojak and his team are left struggling to figure out their next move. They decide to use Crocker as a mole and have him continue to work with Corbin in order to gather more information. However, this leads to further complications when Corbin's men become suspicious of Crocker, and he is captured and threatened with death.

The tension in the episode escalates as Kojak and his team attempt to rescue Crocker while bringing the corrupt officers to justice. Along the way, they confront numerous obstacles, including a rogue police officer who tries to kill Kojak and a federal agent who tries to take over the case. In the end, justice is served and Crocker is vindicated.

"The Corrupter" is a classic police procedural that takes viewers through the dark and complex world of corruption in law enforcement. The episode keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its suspenseful plot twists and turns, well-drawn characters, and high tension drama. Fans of crime dramas and police procedurals will certainly enjoy this gripping episode of Kojak.