Title: The Slave
Directed by: Noam Pitlik
Written by: Frank Dungan and Jeff Stein
Air Date: October 18, 1979
Previous: The Brother
Next: Strip Joint
Guest Starring: James Gregory, Sumant, Manu Tupou, Peg Shirley, Stanley Kamel
"The Slave" is the fifth episode of the sixth season of Barney Miller.
The 12th is dealing with a car accident. Mr. Nu, a Burmese man, crashed his car into the car of Ms. Keaton, an investment counselor. Mr. Nu is revealed to be an employee of the Burmese delegation to the United Nations, so the issue of diplomatic immunity is raised. That is, until a much bigger issue is raised. Some questioning by Wojo reveals that Mr. Nu is owned by Mr. Azari, a Burmese diplomat. In fact he is the third generation of men in his family owned by Mr. Azari's family due to debt bondage.
Soon enough Mr. Azari shows up in the squad room, claiming diplomatic immunity and arrogantly demanding the return of Mr. Nu. He's accompanied by Mr. Parks of the State Department (Stanley Kamel) who basically tells Capt. Miller to drop the whole matter. This leads an outraged Harris and Wojciehowicz to the verge of mutiny.
In other news, Harris has finished his long-gestating novel, which has been titled "Precinct Diary". Also, Inspector Luger has come to visit again, and is sharing more maudlin stories after the funeral of his old partner Brownie.
Tropes:
- Acoustic License: Barney asks Mr. Azari "Can I speak with you in private?", which they accomplish by taking three steps over to the cage. Naturally no one else can hear their conversation.
- Big "SHUT UP!": As everyone is arguing Ms. Keaton chips in, which causes Mr. Azari to turn to her and say "Would you shut up?". This leads Mr. Nu to say "You shut up!". This is the moment where Mr. Nu decides to be free.
- Blunt "Yes": When a sneering Mr. Azari says that the detectives are determined to "harass and inconvenience" him, Wojo says "You got it!".
- Continuity Nod:
- Previous episode "The Brother" had Luger coming to the precinct and mentioning that Brownie, long in a vegetative state in a hospital, had died. This episode has Luger in a suit coming back from Brownie's funeral.
- Another mention of the multi-season arc about Harris writing a novel based on his police work. He has finished the manuscript, which is titled "Precinct Diary".
- Diplomatic Impunity: It's one thing to claim diplomatic immunity for a car wreck, but Mr. Azari claims it for owning a slave. Ironically it's the car wreck that trips him up. Wojo whips out an international agreement revealing that UN diplomatic missions in New York City are required to carry liability insurance against traffic accidents and such, which as it turns out Mr. Nu did not have. Capt. Miller winds up using this as leverage to force Mr. Azari to give up his slave.
- Indentured Servitude: Mr. Nu's father and grandfather were also held in bondage by Mr. Azari's family. This has been going on for 102 years, due to a debt incurred by the grandfather.
- Reluctant Retiree: Inspector Luger is wallowing in doom and gloom as always. He has a career review meeting coming up, and he's worried that the NYPD is going to force him into retirement.
- Slavery Is a Special Kind of Evil: Harris and Wojo come near to mutiny, outraged when it seems that Barney will knuckle under to Azari and Parks and let Mr. Nu go.
