Ep 9. Movie (1)

Barney Miller is an American sitcom that aired from 1975 until 1982. Set in a fictional police station in New York City, the show focuses on the daily lives of the detectives who work there. Season 7 episode 9 is titled "Movie (1)".

The episode starts with the detectives in the squad room, trying to come up with ideas for a departmental training film. Barney Miller, the captain, asks them to brainstorm ideas, but they all seem to be stuck. Wojciehowicz, one of the detectives, suggests that they make a film about a real-life police chase he witnessed, but when Barney suggests that they use actors to recreate the chase, Wojciehowicz is offended.

While the detectives are still brainstorming, a delivery man arrives with a package for Barney. It's a movie camera that he had ordered, and he's excited to try it out. He starts filming his fellow detectives as they go about their work, but they become annoyed with him and try to avoid his camera. While filming, Barney accidentally captures a disagreement between two of his detectives, Harris and Dietrich, and it becomes clear that there is some tension between them.

Later in the episode, an old acquaintance of Barney's, a movie director named Carl Fitch, comes to visit him. Fitch is making a movie about police work and he wants to use the detectives from the 12th precinct as actors. Barney is hesitant at first, but Fitch is persistent and manages to convince him to let the detectives audition for the film.

The detectives are excited at the prospect of becoming movie stars, but some of them are better actors than others. Harris and Dietrich, the two detectives who had been arguing earlier, both audition for the part of a tough cop, but they end up sabotaging each other's auditions. Meanwhile, Wojciehowicz is convinced that he's a natural on camera, but his over-the-top performance doesn't impress anyone.

As the episode comes to a close, the detectives are still struggling to come up with ideas for their departmental training film. However, they realize that they might have some material for the film after all, thanks to their experience auditioning for Fitch's movie. They decide to make a film about the audition process, and Barney is happy to have found a solution.

Overall, "Movie (1)" is a lighthearted episode that showcases the camaraderie between the detectives of the 12th precinct. The inclusion of the movie director adds an element of excitement and helps to spice up the plot. The episode also highlights the creative problem-solving skills of the detectives, who are able to turn a frustrating situation into an opportunity to make a positive contribution to their department.