Ep 8. The Rainmaker

The Rainmaker is the eighth episode of the fourth season of Barney Miller, a comedy-drama cop show that aired from 1975 to 1982. The show follows the police officers of the 12th precinct of New York City in their daily encounters with various characters.

In this episode, the precinct is visited by a charismatic man named Cal, who claims to be a rainmaker and promises to bring rain to the drought-stricken city. Cal is accompanied by his followers, a group of hippies who are taken into custody for drug possession. The officers initially dismiss Cal's claims as a scam, but he manages to convince Wojo to take him to the roof of the precinct to perform his rain-making ritual. To everyone's surprise, it starts to rain immediately after Cal's ceremony.

Meanwhile, the rest of the precinct is dealing with various cases, including a man who claims to be a psychic and wants to donate his brain to science, a woman who is arrested for soliciting a police officer, and a little girl who is brought in after being caught trying to steal a doll. The officers handle each case with their usual mix of professionalism and humor, all the while following the progress of Cal's rain-making efforts.

As the rain intensifies, so do the tensions between Cal and the officers. Some of them start to believe that he may be causing more harm than good, especially when floods start to occur in some parts of the city. Eventually, the truth behind Cal's methods is revealed, and the officers are faced with a moral dilemma that challenges their beliefs and values.

The Rainmaker is a thought-provoking episode that explores themes of faith, skepticism, and the power of belief. It features the show's trademark blend of humor and drama, with memorable performances by the cast, including Hal Linden as Captain Barney Miller, Max Gail as Detective Wojciehowicz, and Ron Glass as Detective Ron Harris.

With its witty writing, relatable characters, and realistic portrayal of police work, Barney Miller remains a beloved classic of its genre, and The Rainmaker is a shining example of its ability to tackle complex issues in a thoughtful and entertaining way.