Ep 15. The Apartment

In Night Court season 3 episode 15, titled "The Apartment," Judge Harry T. Stone finds himself at a crossroads when faced with the decision to intervene in the personal life of one of his colleagues. Meanwhile, the rest of the court staff are dealing with their own problems as Dan Fielding and Billie Young continue their tumultuous relationship, and the rest of the gang tries to figure out how to operate a new elevator that has been installed in the courthouse.

The episode kicks off with Harry struggling to decide whether or not to get involved in the romantic life of his court clerk, Mac Robinson. Mac is trying to impress his girlfriend by saying that he owns a luxury apartment, but in reality, he is just pretending to live in someone else's vacant unit. When Harry finds out, he must decide how to handle the situation without causing any undue harm to Mac's reputation. Along the way, we see Harry's signature compassion and wit take center stage as he tries to navigate the tricky waters of office politics and personal relationships.

Meanwhile, Dan and Billie's relationship has hit a rough patch, and they are having trouble communicating. Billie wants to take things slow and get to know Dan better, while Dan just wants to jump right into bed with her. The tension between them is palpable, and it seems like there may not be a resolution in sight. However, as the episode goes on, we see them both soften and become more vulnerable, which ultimately leads to a heartfelt conversation that may just save their relationship.

As all of this drama is unfolding, the court staff is also dealing with a new elevator that has been installed in the courthouse. No one knows how to operate it, and chaos ensues as people get stuck on different floors and have to be rescued by their colleagues. It's a lighthearted subplot that adds some levity to the more serious moments of the episode.

Overall, "The Apartment" is a great example of what makes Night Court such a beloved classic. It deftly weaves together comedy and drama, tackles real-life issues with sensitivity and humor, and features a cast of characters who are both endearing and flawed. Harry's struggle with whether or not to intervene in Mac's personal life is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the idea that sometimes, doing the right thing isn't always black and white. This episode is a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who appreciates smart, well-written television.