Ep 7. Bureaucrat

Barney Miller season 1 episode 7, titled "Bureaucrat," follows the detectives of the 12th precinct as they face a unique challenge: dealing with a particularly difficult government bureaucrat.

The episode begins as Detective Wojciehowicz is tasked with handling the arrival of a government representative, Mr. Stein, who is visiting the precinct to conduct an audit. From the start, it's clear that Mr. Stein is quite particular about everything, from the cleanliness of the precinct to the way the officers are dressed.

As Detective Fish puts it, "This guy probably sleeps in a suit." This sentiment is echoed by the other officers, who soon realize that Mr. Stein is not only incredibly picky, but also highly critical of their work.

When Mr. Stein discovers that several pieces of evidence are missing from a case the precinct is supposed to be investigating, he immediately starts throwing accusations around, insinuating that the officers are incompetent or corrupt.

This sets off a chain reaction of events, with each officer struggling to defend their work and reputation. Some try to humor Mr. Stein, while others become more confrontational. At one point, even Barney Miller himself is called in to mediate the situation.

Throughout the episode, tensions run high as the officers try to complete their work under the watchful eye of Mr. Stein. They also must deal with the fact that their usual methods of solving cases, such as going undercover or using unorthodox tactics, are not acceptable to the bureaucrat.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers are left wondering whether the officers will be able to appease Mr. Stein and complete their investigation without any further problems.

Overall, "Bureaucrat" is an entertaining and thought-provoking episode of Barney Miller that highlights the challenges of working with government officials. It shows the ways in which different personalities and working styles can clash, even when everyone is working towards a common goal. It also offers a humorous take on the bureaucracy that many people encounter in their daily lives, reminding viewers that sometimes all you can do is grin and bear it.