Title: People's Court
Directed by: Noam Pitlik
Written by: Frank Dungan and Jeff Stein
Air Date: January 3, 1980
Previous: The Dentist
Next: Vanished: Part 1
Guest Starring: Stanley Brock, Michael Tucci, Ralph Manza, Judson Morgan
"People's Court" is the 12th episode of the sixth season of Barney Miller.
Levitt brings in one Danny Rizzo, whom he arrested for stealing from a hot dog vendor. It seems that Mr. Rizzo, a hoodlum, just escaped from jail—but not any jail. Mr. Rizzo reveals that he was being held in a jail cell in the basement of an apartment building. It turns out that the residents of the building were given Justice Department authorization to hold what's basically a civilian court, for the handling of "community grievances". The apartment residents decided to spin that bit of authority into a full-blown criminal court with a judge and prosecuting and defense attorneys as well as a jail cell. The "judge" is none other than Bruno Bender, abrasive loudmouth and occasional nemesis of the 12th Precinct.
The other wacky case involves a Mr. Ganz, brought in by Harris and Dietrich for breaking in to an apartment. Mr. Ganz is not a thief, but instead a census taker who got a little overzealous when residents in the area wouldn't answer his questions.
Meanwhile, Harris is giddy with joy about his book "Blood on the Badge", which is selling well enough that the publisher already wants a second printing. Harris's smugness irritates Barney, who has his own problem: a corporation has bought his apartment building and is turning it into condos, so Barney has to either find $137,000 (in 1980 money) to buy the apartment, or find another place to live.
Tropes:
- Blind People Wear Sunglasses: Mr. Roth still wears the standard dark sunglasses of the blind.
- Continuity Nod:
- Another mention of the multi-season arc about Harris writing a book, as he is arrogantly boasting to everyone about the profits he's making from "Blood on the Badge".
- Stanley Brock makes his fourth of eight appearances as Bruno Bender, but also, it turns out that Mr. Roth and Mr. Lukeather, the blind guy who needed a roommate and the homeless guy who needed a place to stay, are still living together, three years after Barney matched them up in "Community Relations". (They're in a little trouble with the law.)
- Instantly Proven Wrong: Barney, trying to talk some sense into the residents of the apartment complex, says "The point is, we have a judicial system, that we all have to have a little faith in!". This is immediately followed by Wojo leaning over Barney's shoulder and saying "Barn, Rizzo's bail ticket is waiting downstairs."Wojo: Nice timing, huh?
- It's All About Me: There are further signs that literary success is going to Harris's head, as he just breezes out the door for his book-signing lunch when the mayhem of the vigilante court reaches the squad room.
- Newhart Phone Call: Barney's call with the corporation doesn't go well. Barney suggests that having received the sale price of $137K, he could "make a counteroffer." After a Beat, Barney says "Did I say something funny?".
- Shout-Out: When Levitt is locking prison escapee Mr. Rizzo in the cage, he says "OK Papillon, over there!"
- Stealth Insult: When Barney comments that the apartment would be the biggest financial commitment he's made since he bought his suit, Harris snarks "Well, at least you got 90 days this time."
- Villainous Gentrification: Even at the depths of New York's The Big Rotten Apple depression, Barney Miller saw this coming. Barney goes on a rant when he calls someone from the corporation who has bought his apartment building and is forcing him out.Barney: "Can't you see...we'll have all the rich people living in Manhattan, all the poor people living in the Bronx? Society will be even more isolated and alienated than it is now!"
