Title: Inauguration
Directed by: Alex March
Written by: Carol Gary and Reinhold Weege
Air Date: May 18, 1978
Previous: The Sighting
Next: Kidnapping
Guest Starring: Basil Hoffman, Philip Sterling, Florence Halop
"Inauguration" is the 23rd and last episode of the fourth season of Barney Miller.
The 12th Precinct is shorthanded, with Yemana off on vacation and Harris having been temporarily assigned to the inauguration security detail of incoming New York City mayor Ed Koch. Officer Levitt has been temporarily moved up to plainclothes, and as a consequence, Officer Zatelli is the uniform delivering mail. Zatelli is laid back and mellow, a dramatic contrast to the tightly-wound Levitt, who seems to be irritated by Zatelli's easygoing manner.
The 12th has not the usual two, but rather three wacky cases this week. Dietrich investigates a series of threatening letters that have been sent to various government officials. They turn out to have all been written by a boisterous old lady, Mrs. Hawley, who has been writing the letters because she's bored. The impending inauguration of Ed Koch has brought out a kook who is calling into the 12th and making threats to Koch and others. A phone trace allows Wojo to arrest one Noel Cadey, who insists that he is the rightful mayor of New York. Then there's Mr. Korbel, the stoner who Wojo arrested after Korbel smoked a joint right in front of him. Korbel says that he has a medical marijuana prescription.
Harris comes in to the squad room but has to leave to go back on security detail. As he's leaving, he reveals some shocking news: Ed Koch has offered Harris a permanent job in his security detail, and Harris is accepted. Barney is surprised, and hurt that Harris didn't come to him to talk about it.
Last of five episodes to end the fourth season that Jack Soo missed as he battled cancer. Soo returned for the first nine episodes of Season Five before he left the show for good.
Tropes:
- Artistic License – History: NYC mayors are inaugurated on New Year's Day.
- Blowing a Raspberry: Wojo does this whenever he thinks something is ridiculous, and he does it here when Mr. Korbel claims that he's got a doctor's prescription for marijuana.
- Clue, Evidence, and a Smoking Gun: Dietrich, assessing the threatening letters, notes that they're all written in crayon, the paper seems to match, the handwriting looks similar...and oh by the way they all have the same return address.Barney: [annoyed] Why didn't you say so in the first place?
Dietrich: Dramatic effect. - Drugs Are Good: Mr. Korbel says that he has a medical prescription for marijuana, that he smokes it to treat glaucoma. Wojo thinks this is ridiculous, but is later embarrassed when he finds out that it's true and he has to release Mr. Korbel. (The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes was still a novel idea in the 1970s.)
- First-Name Basis: Pompous, name-dropping Harris makes sure to tell everybody that he and Mayor-elect Koch call each other "Ed" and "Ron".
- Foil: First of five appearances for Officer Zatelli, Levitt's colleague from downstairs. High-strung Levitt is horrified by Zatelli's laid-back manner and carelessness in delivering mail (he keeps handing envelopes to the wrong people).
- Newhart Phone Call: The show lets the audience know that a new mayor is getting sworn in when Barney fields a phone call from a citizen, asking about tickets for the inaugural. When Barney says that there are no tickets and anyone can watch the ceremony, the person on the phone asks what kind of suit to wear.
- Phone-Trace Race: Barney attempts to stall the "Mr. X" that is calling in death threats to Ed Koch, while Wojo grabs another phone and calls for a trace of Barney's line. The first time Mr. X hangs up too soon but the second time they successfully trace the call to Mr. Cadey.
- Shout-Out: When Barney is told about all the threatening letters he snarks "Winter of our discontent." Levitt says "Beatles?", and Barney tells him that no, it's Shakespeare.
- Stock Footage: Stock audio footage, as the episode ends with the men of the 12th listening to Ed Koch's actual inaugural address over the radio.
- The Stoner: He may be smoking weed for medical reasons, but Mr. Korbel is still very, very high. When he's brought in to the squad room he says "How do you get that rippling effect on the walls?".
- Unusual Euphemism: Harris's endless witty euphemisms for the bus to Bellevue mental hospital were a Running Gag throughout the series. When Wojo simply says he's going to call for the bus to Bellevue, Dietrich says it won't be the same without Harris's Unusual Euphemisms.Dietrich: Cookie truck...Twinkie mobile...I think my favorite was the Disoriented Express.
- Later Harris comes back, gets pissed off by Mr. Cadey the nutjob, and says "You gonna put him up in a suite at the Hotel Silly?" Dietrich smiles and says "Seems like old times."
