Ep 8. The Desk

Barney Miller season 6 episode 8 titled "The Desk" revolves around the misadventures of the detectives of the 12th precinct of the NYPD. The episode starts with an overzealous undercover narcotics officer, Lt. Scanlon, who is tasked with infiltrating a local drug ring. However, his boss, Inspector Luger, decides to give him a desk job since he has been undercover for too long. Scanlon is not happy with his new assignment and asks Barney for help.

Meanwhile, Wojo gets a new desk that he believes used to belong to a famous detective. He starts to obsess over the desk and spends most of his time polishing it. The other detectives are bemused by his behavior, but Barney thinks that it's okay for Wojo to have something to be proud of.

While all this is happening, a man named Ramirez walks into the precinct and asks to speak to the detective who has been harassing him. Harris and Dietrich try to handle the situation, but Ramirez insists that he wants to speak to the other detective. It turns out that Lt. Scanlon was the one who has been making Ramirez's life difficult, and he has come to complain.

The situation escalates quickly, and soon, Ramirez pulls out a gun. Barney tries to talk him down, but Ramirez is too agitated. The other detectives try to disarm him, but they are unsuccessful. In the end, Barney manages to take the gun away from Ramirez without anyone getting hurt.

As the episode comes to a close, Barney congratulates his team for their bravery. Wojo, still obsessed with his desk, asks Barney if he can take it home. Barney agrees and tells him that he can have it as long as he promises to keep it in the precinct and not sell it.

"The Desk" is a typical episode of Barney Miller, with its mix of humor, drama, and social commentary. The episode touches on themes such as police corruption, harassment, and workplace dynamics. Despite the serious subject matter, the show manages to keep the tone light and entertaining. The characters are well-drawn and likable, and the acting is top-notch. Overall, "The Desk" is a fun and engaging episode of a classic TV show that has stood the test of time.