Ep 9. Power Failure

In the ninth episode of the third season of Barney Miller, entitled "Power Failure," the officers of the 12th Precinct find themselves stuck in the dark when a power outage hits the city.

The episode starts with the precinct experiencing a blackout, plunging the entire building into darkness. Barney, the captain, calls for backup generators; however, when they fail to show up, the officers are left to fend for themselves. The situation becomes increasingly tense as they struggle to deal with the chaos of a citywide blackout, with looters and thieves taking advantage of the darkness.

To make matters worse, New York City is facing the worst heatwave in years, and the lack of air conditioning makes the precinct even more unbearable. The heat and the darkness cause many of the officers to become irritable and edgy, and they all struggle to maintain their composure in the face of mounting frustrations.

As the night wears on, the officers deal with a wide range of incidents, including a group of looters, a desperate couple looking for shelter, and a man who has been trapped in an elevator for hours. Meanwhile, Wojciehowicz and Harris find themselves locked in a heated argument, which threatens to turn violent.

Despite the many challenges they face, the officers of the 12th Precinct ultimately manage to keep the peace and maintain order during the blackout. By the time the power is finally restored, they are all exhausted and irritable, but they know that they have done their best to protect and serve their community.

Overall, "Power Failure" is a gripping and intense episode that showcases the strengths of Barney Miller as a show. It highlights the resilience and dedication of the NYPD officers, as well as their ability to work together under even the most challenging circumstances.