Ep 4. Ambush

Barney Miller season 2 episode 4, titled "Ambush," follows the detectives at the 12th precinct as they investigate a string of burglaries in the area. The episode begins with the detectives in the squad room discussing the recent break-ins and brainstorming ways to catch the culprits. While they theorize about the case, they receive a call from a nearby liquor store reporting a robbery in progress.

Detectives Barney Miller, Nick Yemana, and Wojciehowicz quickly respond to the call, with Yemana and Wojciehowicz entering the store while Barney and another officer stay outside to coordinate backup. Once inside the store, Yemana and Wojciehowicz are ambushed by the robbers, who were lying in wait for the officers. A shootout ensues, with both sides exchanging gunfire before the robbers flee the scene.

Back at the precinct, the detectives regroup and try to piece together what happened. They quickly realize that they were set up, with the robbers using the burglary cases as a means to lure them into the ambush. As they work to track down the perpetrators, tensions rise among the detectives, with each member of the squad dealing with their own emotions following the shootout.

Throughout the episode, the detectives grapple with the aftermath of the ambush, including feelings of guilt, fear, and anger. Barney, who bears the weight of the responsibility for the safety of his team, is particularly affected by the incident. He begins to question his own leadership and his ability to keep his officers safe, leading him to make some tough decisions about the future of the squad.

Meanwhile, Yemana and Wojciehowicz deal with their own trauma from the incident, with Yemana struggling with the fact that he froze during the shootout and Wojciehowicz dealing with the physical and emotional toll of being shot in the arm. The detectives rally around each other, offering support and encouragement as they work to find the culprits and bring them to justice.

As the investigation progresses, the detectives uncover some surprising leads, including evidence linking the robbery to a local gang and an unexpected connection to one of their own. With their newly discovered clues, the detectives work tirelessly to track down the perpetrators and end the string of burglaries once and for all.

Ultimately, "Ambush" is a gripping episode that explores the complex emotions and challenges faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. The tense action scenes and emotional character moments combine to create a powerful and memorable episode that captures the heart of the series.