Ep 4. The Big Seventeen

In season 2 episode 4 of Dragnet, entitled "The Big Seventeen," Detective Joe Friday and his partner Officer Smith investigate a bank robbery in which seventeen people were killed. The investigation takes them down a winding path as they attempt to track down the thieves responsible for the heinous crime.

Throughout the episode, Friday and Smith conduct interviews with bank employees and witnesses as they try to piece together what happened on the day of the robbery. They also track down several leads, including a report of a stolen car that was seen leaving the scene of the crime.

As the investigation progresses, Friday and Smith discover that the bank robbery was meticulously planned by a group of highly organized thieves. They also learn that one of the members of the gang is a former police officer who has a personal vendetta against law enforcement.

During their investigation, Friday and Smith encounter resistance and hostility from some members of the public who are wary of the police. They are also hampered by the limitations of 1950s technology and must rely on good old-fashioned detective work to solve the case.

Despite these obstacles, the detectives persevere and ultimately catch the culprits, bringing them to justice for their crimes. Throughout the episode, we see the skill and determination that sets Joe Friday apart from the rest of the police force, and the importance of working together to uphold the law and catch those who would break it.

"The Big Seventeen" is a gripping and intense episode that showcases the sheer tenacity and grit of the police force and the lengths they will go to in order to bring criminals to justice. It's an excellent example of the classic police procedural format that has become synonymous with the Dragnet brand, and a must-watch for fans of the series and crime dramas in general.