Ep 3. Quarantine (2)

Barney Miller season 3 episode 3 is titled "Quarantine (2)" and picks up where the previous episode ended. The precinct is still in lockdown due to a deadly viral outbreak, and the officers must contend with a variety of challenges as they wait for the quarantine to be lifted.

The episode opens with Captain Miller and Detective Fish trying to calm down a group of upset citizens who have been trapped in the precinct since the outbreak began. One particularly irate man demands to be let out so he can attend a symphony concert that he has tickets for, but Miller and Fish explain that everyone in the building is under quarantine until further notice.

Meanwhile, Detective Wojo has been experiencing severe flu-like symptoms and is worried that he might have contracted the virus. He is taken to a makeshift quarantine area in the basement where he is closely monitored by a doctor. As Wojo's condition worsens, the doctor becomes increasingly concerned, and the other officers grow increasingly anxious.

Throughout the episode, we see how the various characters cope with being trapped in the building. Detective Ron Harris, for example, spends most of his time cooped up in his office, feverishly typing away at his latest screenplay and only emerging briefly to interact with his co-workers. Sergeant Dietrich, on the other hand, spends his time practicing his yoga moves and trying to maintain a sense of calm in the face of the crisis.

As the day wears on, tensions begin to rise. A group of prisoners being held in the basement are becoming increasingly agitated, and the officers worry that they may try to escape. Meanwhile, Miller and Fish are growing more and more frustrated with the lack of information they are receiving from the outside world. They attempt to contact the health department and other emergency services, but are repeatedly told that they are low priority and that help may not be forthcoming.

Despite these challenges, the officers continue to work together to maintain order and keep everyone safe. They monitor the prisoners, make sure that everyone has enough food and water, and try to keep each other's spirits up. In a particularly touching moment, Harris reads a passage from his screenplay to the rest of the crew, bringing a much-needed moment of levity to their otherwise dire circumstances.

As the episode draws to a close, there are signs that the quarantine may finally be lifted. Wojo starts to feel better, and the doctor gives him the all-clear. Miller and Fish receive word that help may be on the way, and the rest of the precinct begins to relax.

"Quarantine (2)" is a tense, sometimes humorous episode that showcases the talents of the Barney Miller cast. It expertly balances the action and drama of the situation with moments of character development and human connection, making for a compelling hour of television.