Elegy for a Pig

"Log 105: Elegy for a Pig"
Adam-12 episode
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 8
Directed by	Christian Nyby
Written by	Norman Katkov
Narrated by	Martin Milner
Produced by	Herman S. Saunders
Editing by	Sam E. Waxman
Original air date	November 21, 1970 (1970-11-21)
Running time	25 min
Guest actors
Mark Goddard as Officer Tom Porter Rachel Romen as Marge Porter

"Log 105: Elegy for a Pig" (a.k.a. simply "Elegy for a Pig") is the 8th episode of the 3rd season of the American television series Adam-12, the 60th episode of the series overall. Originally aired on November 21, 1970, the episode focuses on the life of a recently killed police officer. The episode's format is a major departure from the series' usual format; instead of presenting a day in the life of two officers, it presents a first-person narration from the point of view of one of the series' main protagonists. It is presented as a tribute to police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

In keeping with the show's somber tone, the opening and closing credits are done differently from usual: the theme music is absent, and the white credits are shown against a black background. Also, the opening credits are spoken aloud by the voice of series co-creator Jack Webb, who finishes with, "For the next 30 minutes, Elegy for a Pig." There is also no dialogue, only voice-over narration from Martin Milner.

Plot

The episode is told from the point of view of Officer Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) of the Los Angeles Police Department. Officer Tom Porter (guest star Mark Goddard) is killed in the line of duty while chasing a suspect. Malloy explains the process that the LAPD follows when an officer is killed. Along with his partner, Officer Jim Reed (Kent McCord), Malloy is tasked with notifying Porter's wife of her husband's death.

After notifying Marge, Malloy reflects on his life with Tom Porter. Six years prior, Malloy and Porter walked in to Los Angeles City Hall together and applied to become police officers. Porter also met Marge, a City Hall employee, on that day. They were best friends going through the police academy, and had dreams of being partners when they became officers. Malloy was at Porter's wedding, and was present for the birth of Porter's two children. Although Malloy and Porter never worked as partners, they did respond together to several high-risk situations over the years. Reed later entered the fold, and Malloy reminisces on his becoming the teacher instead of the student.

Returning to the present time, Malloy and Reed serve as pallbearers at Porter's funeral, and Malloy presents Marge with the flag used to drape Porter's casket. After the service ends and all mourners have left, Malloy reflects that Porter will be forgotten before long, except by his closest family and friends, and that there will be no protests or marches to denounce his senseless death.

References

• "Elegy for a Pig" at IMDb
• "Elegy for a Pig" at TV.com