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The Best Episodes of Adam-12

Every episode of Adam-12 ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Adam-12!

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Adam-12 is a television police drama that followed two police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department, Pete Malloy and Jim Reed, as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles in their patrol unit, 1-Adam-12.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 2 - Log 141: The Color TV Bandit
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Log 141: The Color TV Bandit

    S1:E2

    Malloy and Reed learn of a serial home burglar stealing color TVs. They stumble upon the suspect's car with unusual results. Also, Reed must come to terms with his anger over a drug using mother that endangered her children to score dope.

    Director:Phil Rawlins
    Writer:Richard Morgan

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  2. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 3 - Log 011: It's Just A Little Dent, Isn't It?
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Log 011: It's Just A Little Dent, Isn't It?

    S1:E3

    Officers Malloy and Reed assist a young mother whose baby is threatened by a deranged man and they help a woman being harassed by a spiteful neighbor. Reed worries all evening that the small dent in the fender he caused while backing the car up for fuel might lead to termination, since he is still on probation.

    Director:Hollingsworth Morse
    Writer:Preston Wood

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  3. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 4 - Log 131: Reed, The Dicks Have Their Job And We Have Ours
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Log 131: Reed, The Dicks Have Their Job And We Have Ours

    S1:E4

    Officers Malloy and Reed are involved in a high speed chase, a murder case and a family dispute as they work the P.M. watch. Reed expresses frustration at turning a case over to detectives instead of investigating it.

    Director:Hollingsworth Morse
    Writer:Preston Wood

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  4. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 5 - Log 091: You're Not The First Guy's Had The Problem
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Log 091: You're Not The First Guy's Had The Problem

    S1:E5

    Officer Reed learns that a professional officer has to keep their emotions under control; even when confronted with an abusive drunk-driver, right after clearing an "officer down" call & finding his close friend from the Academy critically wounded.

    Directors:Alan Crosland, Jr.
    Writer:Preston Wood

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  5. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 7 - Log 071: I Feel Like a Fool, Malloy
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Log 071: I Feel Like a Fool, Malloy

    S1:E7

    In an episode where Reed learns to keep his wits under control, the officers deal with a loud noise complaint where an elderly woman refuses to answer, much less acknowledge, a teenaged girl's desperate pleas for help after the woman learns she was at a house where loud party music is being played, and it leads to a tragic drowning of a 4-year-old girl in a backyard swimming pool. Other calls include a brawl at a pop-spirituality temple on the verge of a schism over meditation styles, and a misused silent alarm at a liquor store.

    Directors:Alan Crosland, Jr.
    Writer:Robert I. Holt

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  6. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 10 - Log 132: The Producer
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #6 - Log 132: The Producer

    S1:E10

    Reed tries to pawn off his new litter of puppies to co-workers, strangers, even victims. The officers work a silent alarm, rescue a boy with his head stuck in a fence, and track down a prowler.

    Director:Phil Rawlins
    Writer:Richard Morgan

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Adam-12

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  7. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 12 - Log 61: The Runaway
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #7 - Log 61: The Runaway

    S1:E12

    Walters and Brinkman are on a roll lately and like to brag, much to the irritation of Reed. He and Malloy help them out by finishing one of their calls, then rescue a sick teenage girl and arrest the young man who took her in. Back on patrol, they meet an informant who gives them a tip on a big drug buy scheduled for 11 PM. They give the info to Sgt. Miller who asks them to help in the bust.

    Director:Hollingsworth Morse
    Writer:Preston Wood

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  8. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 16 - Log 062: Grand Theft Horse?
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Log 062: Grand Theft Horse?

    S1:E16

    Reed and Malloy assist park rangers in catching a horse thief, a homesick Texan who was high on drugs at the time. The officers then chase two gunmen in a high speed pursuit.

    Director:Hollingsworth Morse
    Writer:Richard Morgan

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  9. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 18 - Log 112: You Blew It
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Log 112: You Blew It

    S1:E18

    Reed and Malloy make a routine traffic stop on a motorist. Before the NCIC check is completed, the dispatcher broadcasts a domestic dispute call in the two officers' patrol area; Reed and Malloy take the call and let the motorist go. Bad choice; the lieutenant soon calls the two errant officers in to scold them. Turns out the motorist had warrants out for his arrest on robbery and weapons charges. Malloy and Reed then come up with and carry out an ultimately successful plan to nab the wanted criminal.

    Director:Hollingsworth Morse
    Writer:Michael Donovan

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  10. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 19 - Log 051: A Jumper - Code Two
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Log 051: A Jumper - Code Two

    S1:E19

    Not long after an elderly woman insists that Reed and Malloy help adjust her television antenna, the officers are called to a high-rise hotel, where a suicidal man is determined to jump. Malloy incorrectly handles the situation and Mac harshly reprimands him the follow-up investigation.

    Director:Harry Morgan
    Writer:Richard Morgan

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  11. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 22 - Log 152: A Dead Cop Can't Help Anyone
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Log 152: A Dead Cop Can't Help Anyone

    S1:E22

    An impressionable Reed is taken in by the "cowboy cop" antics of fellow Officer Ed Wells (Gary Crosby), a wise guy who takes unnecessary and reckless risks to arrest suspects. At the station, Malloy loses his cool while talking to Wells because Wells' tactics endanger his life and others. Wells tries to play it down until his recklessness nearly catches up with him when he is shot in the shoulder by a psychotic sniper, and because of Wells' disobedience and foolishness Reed is also almost shot. Malloy and Reed are forced to rescue Wells and mastermind a way to end the standoff peacefully.

    Director:Hollingsworth Morse
    Writer:Michael Donovan

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  12. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 23 - Log 012: He Was Trying to Kill Me
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #12 - Log 012: He Was Trying to Kill Me

    S1:E23

    A "child-left-alone" call turns up a horrifying case of child neglect. A 6-year-old girl is left home with her baby brother and both parents are unable to provide for their children.

    Director:Hollingsworth Morse
    Writer:Robert I. Holt

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  13. Adam-12 Season 2 Episode 1 - Log 015: Exactly One Hundred Yards
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Log 015: Exactly One Hundred Yards

    S2:E1

    On their day off, Malloy and Reed agree to give a talk to a group of fifth grade students, and then offer to let the kids watch them train for the California Police Olympics. But when the tires of their patrol car are slashed and a stopwatch goes missing out of reed's car, the two officers start to suspect one of the children.

    Director:Joseph Pevney
    Writer:Jack Hawn

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  14. Adam-12 Season 2 Episode 7 - Log 063: Baby
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Log 063: Baby

    S2:E7

    Reed's wife is in the hospital expecting their first child, and Reed soon regrets his decision to report for work as usual. Out on patrol, they encounter a drunken man directing traffic, chase down a robbery suspect, investigate the theft of money from washing machines and become involved in a minor traffic accident that results in a major delay.

    Director:Joseph Pevney
    Writer:Guerdon Trueblood

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  15. Adam-12 Season 2 Episode 9 - Log 123: Courtroom
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #15 - Log 123: Courtroom

    S2:E9

    Reed feels a strong sense of accomplishment when he stumbles upon a large stash of narcotics as he secures a residence after executing a traffic warrant with Malloy and Officer Ed Wells. He's in for a rude awakening at the trial, however, when he's cross examined by the defense attorney.

    Director:Joseph Pevney
    Writer:Richard Morgan

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  16. Adam-12 Season 2 Episode 13 - Log 034: Astro
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Log 034: Astro

    S2:E13

    Malloy and Reed become envious of officer wells, who has been given a coveted assignment in the newly established astro helicopter division. Out on patrol, they require assistance saving a wealthy elderly couple who get locked in their heavily fortified basement safe, and then use air support to track down robbery suspects who escape on a motorcycle.

    Director:Robert Douglas
    Writer:Guerdon Trueblood

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  17. Adam-12 Season 2 Episode 17 - Log 024: A Rare Occasion
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Log 024: A Rare Occasion

    S2:E17

    Malloy spends a weekend afternoon attending a barbecue at Reed's home, where Reed lets him hold his newborn son for the first time and tries to set him up with his wife's friend. However, their relaxation is interrupted when they have to deal with a young neighbor who overdoses on drugs and becomes the target of his dealer.

    Director:Robert Douglas
    Writer:Robert I. Holt

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  18. Adam-12 Season 4 Episode 9 - Anniversary
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Anniversary

    S4:E9

    Sgt. MacDonald's anniversary is coming up and the officers have limited funds to spend on a gift, which is a bottle of champagne, but when the officers pick it up, the owner of the liquor store was shot in an attempted robbery. Malloy and Reed later find the robber dead in a park from a gunshot wound inflicted by the owner. Other incidents include a paralyzed ex-wrestler tearing up a bar, a man driving suspiciously turns out to be the proud owner of several traffic tickets in a 24 hour period, a used car dealer trying to take advantage of a Mexican customer who speaks little English, and two camper thieves pushing a truck with a camper that is too small for the truck bed.

    Director:James Neilson
    Writer:Leo Gordon

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  19. Adam-12 Season 4 Episode 12 - The Dinosaur
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - The Dinosaur

    S4:E12

    Officer Art McCall returns from eight years on disability and rides with Malloy and Reed to see how much has changed in law enforcement. McCall soon learns exactly how much has changed when he tries illegal techniques to help a young woman with her ex-con husband, fails to Mirandize a boy after arresting him for robbery, and screws up an arrest of a gun-carrying man who later plants a bomb in his ex-wife's car, which requires Malloy to dress down the veteran officer on his use of antiquated (and illegal) police procedures.

    Director:Ozzie Nelson
    Writer:Michael Donovan

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  20. Adam-12 Season 4 Episode 15 - The Princess and the Pig
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - The Princess and the Pig

    S4:E15

    A disturbance call leads the officers to a nightclub where a singer named Kathy is strung out on drugs, and clings to Reed on the way to the hospital, telling him someone is trying to kill her and give her drugs. Narcotic detectives decide to assign Reed undercover as an AWOL soldier with a large stash of heroin to sell. Reed makes a deal, but Kathy blows his cover, and Malloy saves his partner from being killed and helps bring down the dealers.

    Director:James Neilson
    Writer:Stephen J. Cannell

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  21. Adam-12 Season 6 Episode 24 - Clinic on 18th Street
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Clinic on 18th Street

    S6:E24

    Malloy and Reed investigate the death of an old man wearing an unusual belt, which leads to the case being turned over to Frauds Division, who finds that Dr. Gantman, running a clinic, is treating a blind seven-year-old patient with a pituitary gland condition but his "treatment" is worthless and preventing a real treatment (removal of the gland). Later, a TV repairman who makes oscillator belts for Gantman is busted for bookmaking and agrees to testify against the doctor, but Gantman demonstrates his "treatment" in open court and fails miserably. Note: This episode, in which Reed and Malloy appear only briefly, was intended to be the pilot for a new Mark VII series focusing on the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, and was directed by Webb himself. However, no such series came to be.

    Director:Jack Webb
    Writer:Joseph Calvelli

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  22. Adam-12 Season 7 Episode 23 - Something Worth Dying For: Part 1
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Something Worth Dying For: Part 1

    S7:E23

    Reed's bust of a drug dealer named Sparky was thrown out in court, and after Sgt. MacDonald offers him a chance to join the Vice squad for 30 days to gain experience, Reed volunteers, however the lifestyle and training cause a rift between him and Jean, and Reed quickly discovers how dirty Vice is; he's involved in a bust where a man wants to trade drugs for pictures of young boys, and the assignment is taking its toll on him. Malloy and Officer Woods team up to assist in the arrest of two drug dealers, but Malloy is shot and wounded during the bust and rescued by Reed.

    Director:Hollingsworth Morse
    Writer:David H. Vowell

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  23. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 6 - Log 161: And You Want Me to Get Married!
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #23 - Log 161: And You Want Me to Get Married!

    S1:E6

    Officers Malloy and Reed look for a robbery suspect, help a woman pinned under her crashed car and settle a family dispute, among other duties.

    Director:Phil Rawlins
    Writer:Preston Wood

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  24. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 8 - Log 072: El Presidente
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #24 - Log 072: El Presidente

    S1:E8

    Malloy teases Reed about calculating the cost of a new house while their first baby is still 6 months away. In the meantime they settle a domestic dispute between arguing neighbors, help a taxi driver that was just robbed, and a local man mistaken as the President by a group of rural Mexicans. Finally, they must arrest a psychotic shooter holed up in his house.

    Director:Phil Rawlins
    Writer:Robert Forward

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  25. Adam-12 Season 1 Episode 14 - Log 081: The Long Walk
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #25 - Log 081: The Long Walk

    S1:E14

    After roll call, Reed and Malloy provide backup at a robbery, help a lost man return home, handle a call about a prowler, then respond to a silent alarm. Malloy demonstrates for Reed the importance of "officer presence".

    Director:Phil Rawlins
    Writer:Robert C. Dennis

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Best Episodes Summary

"Log 141: The Color TV Bandit" is the best rated episode of "Adam-12". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Phil Rawlins and written by Richard Morgan, it aired on 9/28/1968. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Log 011: It's Just A Little Dent, Isn't It?".