The Big Lay Out

<p>Originally Aired: January 25, 1953</p>

<p><strong>Dragnet #188, "The Big Lay Out,"</strong> Sergeant Joe Friday faces a deeply personal case when his friend Ed Field reaches out in desperation. Ed has discovered a narcotics layout hidden in his 18-year-old son Gary's bedroom, and all signs point to the high school senior being a heroin addict. The discovery devastates Ed and his wife Helen, who cannot understand how their son, a good student from a comfortable home with everything he could want, has fallen into drug use. Earlier that day, Gary came home, locked himself in his room, and when Helen tried to check on him, he lashed out verbally and physically, pushing her aside before leaving the house on mysterious business.</p>

<p>Friday arrives at the Field home to find Helen shaken and Ed consumed with anger and fear, admitting he's afraid of what he might do if he confronts his son. As they piece together Gary's behavior and search for answers about where he might have gone, the tension mounts. The case hits close to home for Friday as he tries to help his friends navigate this nightmare while tracking down a teenage heroin user who happens to be the son of someone he cares about.</p>