Ep 21. Strike (1)

Barney Miller season 3 episode 21 is titled "Strike (1)" and revolves around the detectives of the 12th precinct as they deal with a strike causing chaos throughout the city.

As the episode begins, Detective Stan Wojciehowicz joins the picket line of a local labor union. He sympathizes with their cause, but his colleagues at the precinct are less than supportive. The detectives are tasked with responding to the increased crime throughout the city as a result of the strike, and tensions are running high.

The first case of the day involves a man who claims he was robbed while waiting for a bus. The detectives are skeptical of his story and suspect he was actually soliciting a prostitute. Meanwhile, Detective Ron Harris is tasked with investigating a string of burglaries at a local warehouse. His investigation leads him to a suspect, but he is unable to make an arrest due to the strike.

As the day goes on, the detectives become increasingly frustrated by the strike. They are unable to make arrests, and the criminals seem to be taking advantage of the chaos caused by the labor dispute. The tension between the police and the striking workers escalates, and it seems like violence may break out at any moment.

In the midst of the chaos, a young woman named Gloria enters the station. She is the daughter of one of the union leaders, and she wants to speak to someone about the strike. Gloria is intelligent and well-spoken, and she quickly gains the respect of the detectives. She argues that the strike is a necessary avenue for workers to have their voices heard, and that the police should be sympathetic to their cause.

As Gloria is speaking, a group of strikers enter the station. They are angry and agitated, and they demand that the detectives support their cause. Barney Miller attempts to diffuse the situation, but the strikers are uninterested in hearing his perspective. Suddenly, a gunshot rings out and chaos erupts in the station.

The detectives scramble to protect themselves and Gloria, and they discover that a police officer has been shot outside. The episode ends with the detectives realizing that things are going to get worse before they get better, and that they are in for a long and difficult fight as the strike continues.

Overall, Barney Miller season 3 episode 21 is a tense and gripping installment of the show. It highlights the complexities of the relationship between law enforcement and the labor movement, and it raises important questions about the role of police officers in times of civil unrest. The episode is filled with suspenseful moments, unexpected twists, and powerful performances by the talented ensemble cast. Fans of the show will not want to miss this thrilling and thought-provoking episode.