Ep 19. Monkey Business

Harry Stone presides over the night court of Manhattan, where the strange cases and zany antics of the staff and clients never seem to end. In Night Court season 3 episode 19, titled "Monkey Business," the court is thrown into chaos when a mischievous monkey is brought in as evidence.

The episode opens with the staff of the night court discussing the bizarre case they are about to hear. A local pet store owner has been accused of stealing a valuable monkey from the zoo, and the monkey is now in the custody of the court. As the staff tries to figure out how to handle the case, they are interrupted by the arrival of the monkey, who immediately begins wreaking havoc in the courtroom.

The monkey's misbehavior proves to be a major distraction during the trial, as it steals papers, swings from the chandeliers, and even helps one of the witnesses escape from the courtroom. The staff are forced to try and mitigate the monkey's antics while also trying to determine whether or not the pet store owner is guilty of the crime he has been accused of.

As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that there may be more to this case than meets the eye. The pet store owner claims that he did not steal the monkey, but purchased it legally from a questionable dealer. The zookeeper who reported the theft also seems to be hiding something, and it's up to Harry and the staff to get to the bottom of the case.

Meanwhile, the monkey's antics continue, and the staff is forced to come up with increasingly creative methods to keep it under control. Dan, the court clerk, tries to bribe it with bananas, but ends up getting chased around the courtroom. Bull, the bailiff, tries to catch it in a net, but only succeeds in getting himself tangled up. And Harry, who has a soft spot for animals, tries to bond with the monkey by playing a game of hide-and-seek.

As the trial comes to a close, Harry is forced to make a difficult decision about the fate of the monkey. Ultimately, he decides to let it go free, recognizing that it deserves a life outside of a cage. As the monkey swings off into the night, the staff of the night court reflects on the absurdity of their jobs, and the unexpected challenges they face on a nightly basis.

Overall, Night Court season 3 episode 19 is a hilarious and heartwarming episode that showcases both the comedic talents of the show's cast and its ability to tell compelling and unexpected stories. The monkey may be the star of the episode, but it's the human characters whose relationships, motivations, and quirks drive the narrative forward. Fans of the show will find plenty to enjoy in this episode, which is a standout example of Night Court's unique blend of humor, heart, and absurdity.