Title: Heat Wave
Directed by: Noam Pitlik
Written by: Chris Hayward, Danny Arnold, and Arne Sultan (story), Chris Hayward and Danny Arnold (teleplay)
Air Date: October 9, 1975
Previous: Ambush
Next: The Arsonist
Guest Starring: Linda Lavin, Janet Ward, Peter Elbling
"Heat Wave" is the fifth episode of the second season of Barney Miller.
There's a heat wave in New York, and the detectives are suffering in the squad room, which apparently has no air conditioning. A custodian brings in a fan which only taunts them, as it turns very slowly when plugged in and turned on.
The detectives are on mugging detail, hoping to catch muggers by dressing up women's clothing. Wojo the resident meathead is extremely reluctant to put on a dress and heels, much to the irritation of Wentworth (Linda Lavin, in the second of five guest appearances), who is partnered with him. Wentworth gets even more irritated when the mugger in the park assaults Wojo instead of her. Another case involves one Mrs. Boyle, who comes into the station sporting a black eye, and files a complaint against her husband for beating her up.
Tropes:
- Aren't You Going to Ravish Me?: Wentworth is offended when the mugger in the park attacks Wojo instead of her.
- Belligerent Sexual Tension: A lot of annoyed sniping between Wojo and Wentworth ends with each confessing they find the other attractive. This was the start of a Wojo-Wentworth romantic arc that was abruptly ended when Linda Lavin left for Alice.
- Brick Joke: When Fish first comes into the squad room he complains about having stepped in hot tar in the street. At the end the new fan installed in the squad room blows the detectives' papers all over the place, and Fish is left peeling documents off the soles of his sticky shoes.
- The Dandy: Harris says he simply refuses to sweat in the heat, that it's a matter of willpower. Why does he refuse to sweat? He's wearing a $30 shirt. ($30 was indeed an above-average price for a shirt in 1975.)
- Disguised in Drag: One of several episodes where the male detectives of the 12th dress like women to catch muggers. They all look ridiculous, especially Fish.
- Domestic Abuse: Mrs. Boyle comes in with a black eye and files a complaint against her husband, who gave it to her. Fish is getting ready to go pick him up when she asks what will happen, and he tells her that since the husband was already on parole for a previous complaint, he's going to get three years. The woman sits down, and starts to reminisce about their 15-year marriage, and how he once made love to her on a field of flowers. She leaves without signing the complaint. Then, just when the story looks like it's going to end on that Ambiguous Ending, she darts back in and signs it.
- Heat Wave: It's over 100 degrees in New York (in October?) and all the detectives are suffering, except for Harris, who apparently can just will himself to not sweat.
- The Loins Sleep Tonight: Harris complains about the fan not working. Fish, who has no vanity, uses this to imply that he has a problem being intimate with his wife.Harris: It can't be turned on, it doesn't do anything!
Fish: My very words to Bernice.
