Ep 3. Hooker

Lou Grant is a television drama series that follows the life of an ambitious journalist named Lou Grant, who works as a newspaper editor for the fictional Los Angeles Tribune. The show tackles social and political issues, including crime, corruption, and the changing landscape of the media industry. In season 2 episode 3, titled "Hooker," Lou and his team take on a controversial story about prostitution and the police department's handling of the issue.

The episode begins with Lou's colleague, Joe Rossi, pitching a story about a prostitute who was murdered in a seedy motel. He believes that the police department is not doing enough to investigate the case and catch the killer. Lou is hesitant to run the story, as he thinks it will fuel the public's negative perception of the newspaper. However, when Joe finds out that the same motel is being used by a number of other prostitutes and that the police are aware of this, Lou agrees to investigate.

As Lou and his team begin to investigate the case, they discover a number of disturbing facts about the police department's handling of prostitution. They find out that the police are more interested in arresting the prostitutes rather than their pimps or johns, and that they often turn a blind eye to the violence and abuse suffered by sex workers. Lou's team also interviews several prostitutes, who reveal the desperation that drives them into the sex trade and the abuse they face on a daily basis.

The team's investigation leads them to a high-ranking police officer who is responsible for overseeing the department's efforts to combat prostitution. Lou and his team confront the officer, who denies any wrongdoing and accuses them of trying to undermine the department's efforts to crack down on prostitution. However, Lou and his team have gathered enough evidence to prove that the police are failing to address the issue effectively.

As the story unfolds, Lou grapples with his own moral and ethical beliefs about prostitution. He is torn between his desire to expose the police department's failures and his concern about the impact that this story will have on the prostitutes themselves. He questions whether the sex trade can ever be eradicated and whether the women involved in it need protection rather than punishment.

Overall, "Hooker" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that tackles a difficult and complex issue. Through Lou's investigation, we see how the media can shine a light on social and political problems and hold those in power accountable. At the same time, the episode raises questions about the role of the media in shaping public discourse and the responsibilities it has to the people it reports on.