Ep 13. Kids
- TVPG
- December 24, 1979
- 2940 min
Lou Grant season 3 episode 13 is titled "Kids", and it opens with the newsroom staff discussing ideas for stories. When Joe Rossi suggests looking into a city program that recruits kids to help fight crime, Lou is skeptical. But he ultimately decides to run with the story, and the investigation leads to some surprising discoveries.
While researching the story, Lou and Joe meet a group of teens who are part of the city's Junior Police program. They observe the kids during a training session and are impressed with their dedication. Lou also meets a young girl named Jessica who has already taken on several jobs to help support her family.
As the story progresses, Lou and Joe begin to uncover some troubling aspects of the Junior Police program. They find out that some of the kids are being put in dangerous situations, and that the program's director is more concerned with statistics than with the welfare of the children. Meanwhile, Jessica's situation becomes more desperate as her mother's health declines and their financial situation worsens.
As Lou and Joe continue to investigate, they are faced with a difficult decision. While they feel a responsibility to expose the problems with the Junior Police program, they also know that doing so could harm the kids who are involved. Ultimately, they decide to go ahead with the story and bring attention to the program's flaws.
The episode is a moving exploration of the challenges facing young people who are trying to make a difference in their communities. It shows how easily good intentions can be undermined by bureaucratic red tape and misguided leadership. And it reminds us that, even in the face of adversity, there are always people who are willing to stand up for what is right.
Lou Grant season 3 episode 13 is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that will leave viewers thinking long after the credits have rolled. It is a testament to the show's ability to address difficult social issues with sensitivity and nuance, and to the talents of its exceptional cast and crew.
