Ep 12. Hair

Barney Miller was a police procedural comedy-drama TV series that aired from 1975 to 1982. The show followed the personal and professional lives of the detectives at the fictional 12th precinct in Greenwich Village, New York City. Season 1 episode 12 of Barney Miller was titled "Hair" and originally aired on December 12, 1975.

In this episode, Captain Barney Miller (Hal Linden) is in charge of the squad room, where he is joined by Detectives Stan Wojciehowicz (Max Gail), Ron Harris (Ron Glass), Arthur Dietrich (Steve Landesberg), and Nick Yemana (Jack Soo). The detectives are all faced with cases that test their patience and perseverance.

The episode begins with Yemana revealing that he has been robbed of his toupee. He is distraught and embarrassed as he does not want anyone knowing that he wears a hairpiece. Miller tries to comfort him and promises to investigate the case. Meanwhile, Harris is pursuing a case involving a woman who has been hiding a pet gorilla in her apartment. The woman, Mrs. Croft (Alice Ghostley), claims that the gorilla is her son, who had been turned into an ape by a witch. The detectives are skeptical, but Harris is determined to investigate the bizarre case.

Dietrich, on the other hand, is busy dealing with a case of stolen industrial diamonds worth millions of dollars. He is interviewing a suspect, who claims to have no knowledge of the stolen diamonds. However, Dietrich is convinced that the suspect is lying and tries to get a confession out of him. Meanwhile, Wojciehowicz is partnered with a new detective, Julio Gonzales (Gregory Sierra). Wojciehowicz is resentful of the partnership and refuses to work with Gonzales. However, he soon realizes that Gonzales is a dedicated and competent detective and the two of them start working together.

As the day progresses, Miller and his team are faced with more challenges. They deal with an irate woman who is complaining about a parked car that is blocking her driveway. They also deal with a man who thinks that he is being followed by the CIA. As the detectives try to resolve all these cases, they also deal with their own personal issues. Yemana is worried about his baldness being exposed, and Wojciehowicz is struggling with the fact that he has been partnered with someone he dislikes.

Throughout the episode, there are many humorous moments that add to the lighthearted tone of the show. The detectives use their wit and intelligence to solve the cases, but they also show their compassionate side as they deal with the emotional needs of the people they encounter. The show emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in law enforcement.

In the end, Miller and his team are able to solve all the cases they are faced with. Yemana is reunited with his toupee, Harris realizes that Mrs. Croft's gorilla is just a costume that her son wears, Dietrich is able to get a confession out of his suspect, and Wojciehowicz learns to work with Gonzales. The episode ends with Miller reflecting on the challenges of being a police officer and the need for compassion and understanding in the field.

Overall, season 1 episode 12 of Barney Miller, "Hair," is a lighthearted and entertaining episode that showcases the talents of the show's talented cast. The episode combines humor and drama in a way that makes it a must-see for fans of the show.