Ep 12. Subway Story

Becker Season 6 Episode 12 - Subway Story

In this episode of Becker, the title says it all - it's a subway story. The episode starts off with John Becker, the main character, and his friends discussing their worst experiences on the subway, and of course, Becker has a story that tops them all.

As he starts recounting his story, we see flashbacks of Becker's day. He had a rather eventful day planned - a meeting with a publisher who was interested in his book, and a lunch date with his girlfriend Chris. However, things take a turn when he gets on the subway, and it breaks down in the middle of a tunnel.

Trapped in a subway car with no air conditioning and no idea when they'll be rescued, Becker's fellow passengers start panicking. But as always, Becker remains aloof and sarcastic, much to the annoyance of everyone around him. He even manages to upset a woman who is knitting, causing her to drop all her needles.

As the situation becomes more dire, the passengers start opening up to each other, sharing their fears, hopes, and dreams. Becker, of course, remains closed off, but we see glimpses of vulnerability in him as he admits to a fellow passenger that he's scared of dying alone.

Meanwhile, back above ground, Becker's friends are worried about him as he's not answering his phone. They start trying to track him down, with one of them even calling the subway hotline to report the breakdown.

With no sign of rescue in sight, the passengers start taking matters into their own hands. One man tries to pry open the doors, while another starts banging on the roof of the car with a crowbar. Becker, ever the voice of reason (or annoyance, depending on who you ask), tries to stop them, warning them of the dangers of setting off the emergency brakes.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the subway car starts moving again, much to the relief of everyone onboard. They emerge from the darkness to find that they're not too far from their original station, and they all rush off the train, eager to get some fresh air.

As they emerge from the subway, Becker's friends spot him and rush over to him, relieved to see that he's okay. Becker, however, is unimpressed with their concern, having survived the ordeal without their help.

The episode ends with the characters reflecting on their experiences, with Becker acknowledging that perhaps he's not as tough as he thought he was, and his friends realizing that they need to be there for each other more.

Overall, this episode of Becker is a classic example of a bottle episode, with the entire episode taking place in a single location. It's a testament to the show's strong writing and talented cast that they're able to make something as mundane as a subway breakdown into an engaging and emotional story. As always, Ted Danson's performance as John Becker is a highlight, and the supporting cast is equally strong. If you're a fan of Becker, or just looking for a good standalone episode to watch, Subway Story is definitely worth checking out.