Barney Miller: Season 2
The second season of the American sitcom Barney Miller aired on the ABC network from September 11, 1975, through March 18, 1976. Set within a New York City Police Department station located on East 6th Street in the East Village of Lower Manhattan, the series focuses on the operations of the 12th Precinct. The narrative centers on Captain Barney Miller, a sensible leader who maintains order among his staff of detecti
Season 2 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- The series is set in the 12th Precinct of the New York City Police Department located in the East Village.
- Captain Barney Miller serves as the sensible leader of a diverse team of detectives.
- The squad room acts as the central location for the majority of the show's action and character interactions.
- The detectives under Miller's command are known for having varied interests outside of their police duties.
Season overview
The second season of the American sitcom Barney Miller aired on the ABC network from September 11, 1975, through March 18, 1976. Set within a New York City Police Department station located on East 6th Street in the East Village of Lower Manhattan, the series focuses on the operations of the 12th Precinct. The narrative centers on Captain Barney Miller, a sensible leader who maintains order among his staff of detectives. These officers are characterized by diverse personal interests, including gambling, attending renaissance philosophy conventions, and pursuing creative writing ambitions. The squad room serves as the primary setting for the series, where the detectives manage the various local troubles and colorful characters brought into the precinct. During this season, the show continued its exploration of social themes, including a 1975 episode that featured one of the first depictions of an openly gay couple on mainstream American television who were not portrayed as criminals or deviants. Created by Danny Arnold and Theodore J. Flicker, the program balances the professional responsibilities of police work with the distinct personalities of the precinct staff, establishing a workplace environment defined by both the pressures of urban law enforcement and the interpersonal dynamics of the squad.
Episode Guide
Season 2 Progress Shield
Doomsday
Sep 11, 1975
A disgruntled man with a belt of dynamite threatens to blow himself and the squad room sky high unless President Nixon agrees to speak with him; the plumbing goes kaput; Wojo arres
The Social Worker
Sep 18, 1975 · 24 min
Weary of housework, Liz tries her hand at social work, to Barney's dismay; a master forger fascinates Harris.
The Layoff
Sep 25, 1975 · 25 min
Barney, Fish and Yemana feel the crunch when a labor layoff forces them to do without Chano, Harris and Wojo; a manicurist goes deeper than the nail; a morose stockbroker takes to
Ambush
Oct 2, 1975 · 25 min
Yemana is shot in full view of disinterested bystanders, and Barney is offered a job in Florida.
Heat Wave
Oct 9, 1975 · 25 min
A wife claims spousal abuse; Wojo and Wentworth are bait for a park rapist.
The Arsonist
Oct 16, 1975 · 25 min
The precinct is on the lookout for an arsonist; Chano brings in a man who used a deadly weapon on a vending machine.
Hotel
Oct 23, 1975
Wojo and Wentworth pose as marrieds in order to bust a burglary ring set in a posh hotel.
Discovery
Oct 30, 1975
Marty claims that a member of the 12th is harassing the gay community; the precinct computers think Fish is dead.
You Dirty Rat
Nov 13, 1975
Barney smells a rat when two pounds of confiscated marijuana disappears from the evidence locker, and a homeless man spends the night in a department store—apparently one of many
Horse Thief
Nov 20, 1975
A hansom cab owner reports his horse missing. A man assaulted in his hotel room insists he was alone.
Rain
Nov 27, 1975 · 30 min
During a very rainy day, the squad must endure both the precinct roof threatening to collapse, and VERY bad Bicentennial jokes from a nightclub comedian-the stationhouse roof liter
Fish
Dec 4, 1975
A glimpse at Detective Fish's home life ensues when the detective decides to go on restricted duty. Steve Landesberg bows as Arthur Dietrich; Doris Belack fills in for Florence Sta
Hot Dogs
Dec 11, 1975
A man is convinced that a photo of Jean Harlow is his missing wife; a pair of lady cops makes an overzealous drug bust.
Protection
Dec 18, 1975
The citizenry is in a panic amidst the rumors that the 12th Precinct is being shut down; a repentent hood can't prove that he committed a crime.
Happy New Year
Jan 8, 1976
On New Year's Eve, Fish tries to stop a jumper, and Wojo delivers a baby.
Sniper
Jan 22, 1976 · 30 min
A con man is selling charter flights to Saturn; Wojo and Luger are sniper targets.
Fear of Flying
Jan 29, 1976 · 30 min
Wojo must escort a bigamist to Cleveland, even though he is (guess!) afraid of flying. Meanwhile,the bigamist's New York wife shows up. Also, a man turns in an unmarked envelope co
Block Party
Feb 12, 1976
Wentworth is furious when Chano gets the credit for her bust of an assassin at a block party.
Massage Parlor
Feb 19, 1976
Wentworth busts a dime-store cowboy in a massage parlor, and the detectives bust an octogenarian mugger.
The Psychiatrist
Feb 26, 1976
A department psychiatrist advises the department to confiscate Wojo's gun
The Kid
Mar 6, 1976
Fish is attracted to the mother of a young mugger; a man is a bit premature to obtain the unclaimed windfall he found on the street.
The Mole
Mar 18, 1976
Fish considers an operation; a burglar known as ""The Mole"" leads Harris and Wojo on a merry chase through the city sewer system. Ron Carey plays the Mole, and returns as Levitt i