Ep 16. Rabid

In the Night Court season 4 episode 16 titled "Rabid," chaos breaks out in the courtroom when a dog bites one of the bailiffs and is suspected to have rabies. The episode begins with Harry Stone, the presiding judge, announcing the case for the day, a parking violation. However, before the hearing begins, a stray dog wanders into the courtroom, distracting everyone. To avoid any hassle, Harry assumes the responsibility of taking care of the dog and hands it over to one of the bailiffs, Bull, to keep an eye on it.

Things start to take a turn when the dog bites Bull and runs away. Harry immediately calls for an ambulance and orders Bull to be taken to the hospital for treatment. However, upon learning that the dog is potentially rabid, chaos ensues in the courtroom as everyone exposed to the dog fears that they might have contracted the disease.

The scene becomes even more chaotic when an animal control officer, Mrs. Lang, arrives on the scene and orders that the dog be detained and observed for signs of rabies. However, the dog is still on the loose, and the animal control officer declares that the public should be on high alert.

Back in the hospital, Bull is being tested for signs of rabies, and his friends and colleagues from the courtroom are waiting outside, hoping for positive news. Meanwhile, Harry and Dan, the court prosecutor, fear that they may have to quarantine everyone who was in the courtroom, potentially disrupting the entire court system.

Things only get worse when a woman shows up claiming to be the dog's owner and insisting that the animal not be harmed. Harry tries to convince her that it's for the good of the public, but she is resistant. While they are in the middle of the argument, the dog suddenly shows up, and they are able to catch it and put it in quarantine.

Throughout the episode, there are also several subplots that add to the overall humor and chaos. For example, Mac, one of the bailiffs, is trying to impress a woman he has a crush on by pretending to be a dog trainer, which leads to some hilarious moments. Additionally, Rosalind, the court clerk, attempts to find out who in the office is responsible for putting gum in her hair.

Despite the light-hearted nature of the episode, there are some serious moments as well. The fear of rabies and the potential for harm is a real concern, and the show portrays this fear realistically, even as it provides plenty of comedic relief.

In conclusion, Night Court season 4 episode 16 "Rabid" is a fun, chaotic, and humorous episode that showcases the talents of the show's cast and the show's sharp writing. The episode's focus on the fear of disease and its potential consequences adds a layer of seriousness to the overall comedic tone, making it a well-rounded and entertaining episode of Night Court.