Title: Dorsey
Directed by: Noam Pitlik
Written by: Tony Sheehan
Air Date: November 27, 1980
Previous: The Delegate
Next: Agent Orange
Guest Starring: Paul Lieber, Andrew Bloch, Michael Lombard, Darrell Zwerling, Cal Gibson
"Dorsey" is the fourth episode of the seventh season of Barney Miller.
Wojo has busted a heroin addict, one Edward Devoe. Mr. Devoe really enjoys heroin and being a junkie, but he starts getting desperate when withdrawal sets in. He eventually gives up the name of his supplier, a man named King.
The second case involves a man named Kenneth Pryor, arrested for creating a disturbance, destruction of property, and resisting arrest. Mr. Pryor is a smoker who had signed up for an anti-smoking program in an order to break his habit. However, when he was subjected to the clinic's less-than-gentle methods, which include electric shock therapy, he snapped and wrecked the place.
Meanwhile, the precinct has been joined by a new detective. Sgt. Eric Dorsey arrives at the 12th and, after introductions are made, immediately alienates everyone by saying that he does not want to be part of their petty graft schemes. The men of the 12th are offended, but Dorsey still thinks they're corrupt, and is suspicious when Wojo seizes $2 million of heroin from Mr. King.
Tropes:
- Comically Missing the Point: Dorsey is bent on annoying his new coworkers. When Barney asks "Where were you before this?", obviously talking about his previous assignment, Dorsey says "The locker room, sir."
- Drugs Are Bad: Devoe is sweaty and twitching as heroin withdrawal starts to set in.
- Drugs Are Good: Before the withdrawal starts to set in, Devoe talks about how much he enjoys heroin and how it's cheaper and cleaner than ever.
- The Ludovico Technique: The New York Institute for Smokers' Modification uses electric shock as aversion therapy to condition smokers into quitting. Mr. Pryor took exception to this, and trashed the place.
- Second-Face Smoke: Harris makes a point of blowing smoke into the face of Mr. Adelson from the anti-smoking clinic.
- Smug Straight Edge: Mr. Pryor talks about how much he dislikes anti-smoking crusaders, citing "their smug, self-righteous attitudes," and Harris agrees. Sure enough, when Mr. Adelson of the anti-smoking clinic arrives, he's smarmy and smug and says "thank you for not smoking" when Harris blows smoke in his face.
