The Rookies (TV Series) Deadly Cage (1973) User Reviews

Terry Goes Undercover In Prison

[Jimmy_the_Gent4 · 21 January 2019]

Terry is recovering from a gunshot wound and Ryker tells him his next assignment is working with prison guards in transfer programs. Terry decides to go undercover as a con instead.

A far fetched episode, no cop would be allowed to do undercover work in a prison without permission. However this is made entertaining by good work from guest actors. The story turns into a prison riot by inmates taking guards hostage, the thug who shot Terry is also one of the cons. Robert Hooks (NYPD and Trouble Man) plays the leader of the convicts. Victor French (later Mr Edwards on Little House On The Prairie) plays a jittery, crazy talking con. William Watson plays a brutal prison guard, he was an intense looking actor with a very intimidating stare, he played many villain roles in 1970s TV.

Undercover Cop Posing as a Prisoner

[tweezey · 10/10 · 13 April 2022]

I loved this one! In the opening scene, Terry suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder and was off work for a few weeks. During his recovery, he got bored with being at home and kept asking Lt Ryker when he could get back to work. Terry received a special assignment, where he posed as a prisoner in the State Penitentiary to learn additional police procedures as well as gain insight into the horrid conditions there. The hope was to make improvements to the living conditions there and what better way than for a police officer to actually live there and interact with prisoners and guards on a day-to-day basis? Toward the ending, Terry's cover was blown when, during a riot, the punk who shot him was there and knew who he was. Pandemonium broke out and one person died, but, predictably, recommendations for prison reform was granted.

This storyline is excellent! It really gives the viewers insight of prison life and how scary it would be for someone merely posing as an incarcerated person. Whew!

I really liked the dialogue between Terry and Willie in their apartment when Willie asked Terry to do the chores while he (Terry) was laid up. When Terry asked Willie wasn't he going to kiss him goodbye when Willie left really made me laugh, although this storyline was more on the serious side. It's one of the best stories of Season 2 and should not be missed!