Ep 4. Contempt

Barney Miller season 4 episode 4, titled "Contempt," revolves around the precinct dealing with a case of a man who was brought in for contempt of court. The man, Mr. Taylor, was summoned to court for a minor traffic violation but failed to appear despite being given numerous notices. As a result, the judge issued a warrant for his arrest, and he was picked up by the police and brought to the precinct.

When he arrives, Mr. Taylor is still defiant and insists that he did not receive any notice despite being mailed several. Barney tries to explain the situation to him and tells him that if he had appeared in court on time, he wouldn't have had to face any charges. However, Mr. Taylor remains belligerent and unwilling to listen.

Meanwhile, the rest of the precinct is busy with their own cases. Harris and Dietrich are investigating a case of a stolen briefcase from a man on the subway, while Wojciehowicz and Levitt are dealing with a man who has barricaded himself in his apartment after being evicted from it.

Throughout the episode, Mr. Taylor continues to refuse to cooperate, and even goes as far as to insult Barney and the rest of the officers. However, Barney remains patient and professional, trying to explain to him the seriousness of the situation and encouraging him to take responsibility for his actions.

As the day progresses, several more people are brought in for contempt of court, with varying levels of cooperation. One woman is in tears, realizing the severity of the situation, while another man is unrepentant and insists that he did nothing wrong. This prompts Barney to reflect on the justice system, and how it can sometimes be difficult to make people understand the consequences of their actions.

In the end, Mr. Taylor is released on bail, with the hope that he will appear in court on his rescheduled date. Despite the difficulties of the day, Barney and the rest of the precinct continue to serve the public to the best of their ability.

Overall, "Contempt" is a thought-provoking episode that deals with the themes of responsibility and justice. It showcases the challenges that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis, and the importance of remaining calm and professional despite difficult circumstances.