Ep 19. Massage Parlor

Barney Miller season 2 episode 19, titled "Massage Parlor," tells the story of the detectives of the 12th precinct who are investigating a massage parlor that is believed to be operating as a front for prostitution. The episode revolves around the various characters' encounters with the massage parlor and the complex issues surrounding prostitution and the law.

The episode opens with the officers of the 12th precinct receiving a tip from an anonymous informant about a possible prostitution ring operating out of a local massage parlor. The detectives, led by Barney Miller, immediately begin their investigation into the parlor, positioning themselves outside to watch the comings and goings of the establishment.

As the investigation progresses, the detectives encounter a myriad of characters who are either involved in the parlor or have come into contact with it in some way. They meet a former prostitute who now works at the parlor and is trying to turn her life around, a man who was recently fired from the parlor and is seeking revenge, and even a local politician who is rumored to be involved with the establishment.

Throughout the episode, the detectives are forced to confront the complex issues surrounding prostitution and the law. They debate the merits of arresting the women working at the massage parlor versus going after the people who are running it, and consider the implications of the various legal and moral issues at play.

One of the central conflicts in the episode revolves around the character Detective Fish, who initially seems overly eager to make arrests and shut down the parlor. However, as the investigation continues, he begins to question the morality of the situation and his own role in enforcing the law around prostitution. This internal conflict provides a poignant counterpoint to the other characters' debates and discussions throughout the episode.

As the investigation comes to a close, the detectives are faced with difficult choices about how to proceed. They ultimately decide to take down the parlor and arrest several of the people involved, but not before grappling with the larger questions of morality and the law that the case raises.

In the end, "Massage Parlor" is a thought-provoking episode that tackles complex issues with nuance and sensitivity. It presents a wide range of perspectives on prostitution and the law, and challenges viewers to consider their own beliefs about these topics.