Ep 20. Piece Talks

Dr. John Becker is back with his surly demeanor and biting wit in Becker season 4 episode 20, titled "Peace Talks." The episode begins with Becker ranting about the noise pollution in New York City, specifically referencing car alarms that go off in the middle of the night. Despite his complaints, it seems that Becker has much bigger things to worry about when Reggie (Terry Farrell), the owner of the local diner, brings in her boyfriend, who happens to be an ex-con.

Becker is immediately suspicious of the new guy, whose name is Lionel (played by the talented Ving Rhames). As Reggie gushes over her new love interest, Becker looks on with disdain. He simply doesn't trust Lionel and his criminal background. However, when Lionel explains that he's trying to turn his life around, Becker starts to soften a bit.

Meanwhile, Jake (Alex Désert) is having relationship troubles of his own. His girlfriend has been spending too much time at work, leaving no time for their relationship. Becker, ever the unhelpful friend, tells Jake to just suck it up and deal with it. However, Jake is determined to make things work with his girlfriend, so he enlists Becker's help in planning a romantic evening for two.

As the episode progresses, it becomes apparent that Lionel was indeed involved in some shady dealings in his past. However, Becker is forced to confront his own biases when Lionel proves himself to be a kind and caring person. Despite his criminal past, Lionel is willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. This prompts Becker to reconsider his views on ex-cons and criminals in general.

Throughout the episode, there are plenty of humorous moments to balance out the more serious storylines. Becker's sarcastic one-liners and caustic wit are on full display, as are the antics of his quirky supporting characters. Whether he's dealing with a troublesome patient or a difficult coworker, Becker always manages to find the humor in even the most frustrating situations.

Ultimately, "Peace Talks" is a heartwarming episode that reminds us to look beyond someone's past mistakes and see them for who they truly are. Becker may be a gruff and prickly character, but in this episode we see a softer side of him that is capable of compassion and understanding. With solid writing and plenty of laughs, "Peace Talks" is a standout episode in the always-entertaining world of Becker.