Ep 20. The Psychiatrist

Barney Miller season 2 episode 20, titled "The Psychiatrist," centers on the detectives of the 12th precinct and their interactions with a visiting psychiatrist named Dr. Rachel Hoving.

As the episode begins, the precinct is busy with various cases. Detective Fish escorts a corpse to the morgue, while Detective Harris deals with a frantic woman who has lost her purse. In the midst of this chaos, Dr. Hoving arrives at the precinct and introduces herself to Captain Barney Miller. She explains that she is there to conduct a study on the effects of police work on officers' mental health.

At first, the detectives are skeptical of the study and Dr. Hoving's methods. They are especially wary of her after she begins to question them about their personal lives and past traumas. However, as the episode progresses, Dr. Hoving's presence and insights begin to affect each of the detectives in different ways.

Detective Wojciehowicz, who had initially mocked Dr. Hoving's profession, finds himself drawn to her and begins to share with her some of his deepest fears and insecurities. Meanwhile, Detective Yemana tries to evade Dr. Hoving's attempts to analyze him by claiming that he doesn't have any emotional issues. However, when the doctor reveals that she knows about Yemana's recent marital troubles, he is forced to confront his own issues head-on.

The episode also explores the personal lives of some of the detectives outside of work. Detective Harris is struggling with his own emotional issues after breaking up with his girlfriend, and Dr. Hoving encourages him to seek therapy. Meanwhile, Captain Miller struggles with admitting his own feelings of loneliness and isolation.

As the episode progresses, tensions begin to rise as the detectives become increasingly uncomfortable with Dr. Hoving's methods. She continues to delve deeper into their personal lives and past traumas, causing some of them to feel exposed and vulnerable. However, after a particularly intense conversation with Detective Wojciehowicz, Dr. Hoving is forced to confront her own emotional issues and vulnerability.

In the end, Dr. Hoving's visit leaves a lasting impact on the detectives of the 12th precinct. Some of them, like Detective Wojciehowicz and Detective Harris, are inspired to seek help for their emotional issues. Others, like Captain Miller and Detective Yemana, are left to grapple with their emotional issues on their own. The episode ends with the precinct returning to its usual chaos, but with a newfound sense of self-awareness and vulnerability among the detectives.

Overall, "The Psychiatrist" is a thought-provoking episode that explores the emotional toll of police work on officers' mental health. Through the character of Dr. Rachel Hoving, the episode provides insights into various emotional issues that the detectives are dealing with, including loneliness, anxiety, and trauma. The episode also highlights the importance of seeking help for these issues and acknowledging one's own vulnerability in order to heal.