Ep 4. Possession

Barney Miller season 8 episode 4, titled "Possession," follows the detectives of the 12th precinct as they handle a variety of cases that come through their door. The overarching theme of the episode revolves around the concept of possession, whether it be legal possession of property or personal possession of one's own emotions.

The episode begins with Detective Harris discovering that someone has broken into his apartment and stolen his stereo. As he struggles to come to terms with the violation of his personal space, the rest of the squad is dealing with a diverse range of cases. Detective Levitt is handling a landlord-tenant dispute, while Detective Dietrich tries to mediate a fight between a couple over a cat.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Scanlon is dealing with an eccentric woman who claims that her neighbor has stolen her spirit and is possessing her body. The woman insists that she is not herself and begs Scanlon for help. He is initially skeptical of her claims, but as her behavior becomes more erratic, he begins to take her seriously.

As the day wears on, the detectives continue to grapple with the idea of possession in various forms. Harris becomes increasingly obsessed with finding his stolen stereo, and Levitt struggles to maintain control over his tenants. Dietrich works to reconcile the couple and their cat, but ultimately realizes that their fight is about more than just feline ownership.

Meanwhile, Scanlon continues to investigate the woman's claims of possession, and brings in a psychiatrist to evaluate her. The psychiatrist ultimately determines that the woman is suffering from a severe case of dissociative identity disorder, which causes her to feel like she is being possessed by someone else. With this diagnosis, Scanlon and the other detectives are able to help the woman get the treatment she needs.

Throughout the episode, the detectives tackle issues of ownership and control, both on a personal and legal level. While some of the cases are resolved with a sense of closure and satisfaction, others remain open-ended. The themes of possession and control continue to linger as the episode comes to a close, leaving the characters and the audience with a sense of introspection and reflection.

Overall, Barney Miller season 8 episode 4 is a thought-provoking and engaging look at the concept of possession, told through the lens of the detectives of the 12th precinct. With a diverse range of cases and a strong sense of character development, this episode is a standout in the series and a must-watch for fans of the show.