Ep 19. On the Job (2)

In season 3 episode 19 of the classic sitcom Taxi, the second part of the two-part episode titled On the Job continues the story of the cabbies and their boss as they face a major hurdle in the form of a citywide taxi strike. The episode, which originally aired on February 16, 1981, follows the characters as they struggle to navigate the effects of the strike and keep their lives on track.

The episode opens with the drivers of the Sunshine Cab Company participating in the strike and struggling to make ends meet without their usual income. Stranded at home and unable to work, they begin to feel the financial strain of the situation. Meanwhile, Elaine (Marilu Henner) finds herself in a sticky situation when her apartment is burglarized and she must scramble to find a way to pay for the damages.

As the strike drags on, tensions rise among the cabbies and their management. Louie DePalma (Danny DeVito), the grumpy dispatcher and de facto leader of the drivers, is forced to confront his own prejudices when a group of African American cab drivers crosses the picket line and offers to keep working. Despite his initial resistance, Louie eventually comes to respect these drivers and their determination to provide for their families during the strike.

Meanwhile, Alex (Judd Hirsch) finds himself struggling with his own moral dilemmas. As a union man himself, he feels uneasy about crossing the picket line and working during the strike. However, when he receives an offer to drive a wealthy businessman to an important meeting, he must weigh his principles against his financial needs.

The other members of the Sunshine cab crew also face their own challenges during the strike. Bobby (Jeff Conaway) takes on a job working for a shady businessman, while Tony (Tony Danza) turns to his family for support during this difficult time. Through it all, they must find a way to come together and support each other, even as their own needs and desires threaten to tear them apart.

As the episode builds to its conclusion, the strike is finally resolved and the drivers can return to their normal routines. While the Sunshine Cab Company has weathered the storm, the characters are left forever changed by their experiences during the strike. Through their struggles and triumphs, they have become a tightly knit family, bound together by their shared experiences on the job.

In On the Job (2), Taxi once again shows why it was one of the most beloved sitcoms of its era. With sharp writing, hilarious performances, and a deeply human perspective, it offers a compelling look at the struggles of ordinary working people in 1980s America. At a time when the world seems more divided than ever, this episode is a reminder of the power of shared experiences and the strength of community in overcoming even the toughest of obstacles.