Ep 3. Billie and the Cat

In Night Court season 2 episode 3, titled "Billie and the Cat," the crew of night shift employees at the criminal court in Manhattan's Municipal Court Building is back again to tackle some of the more bizarre cases that happen in the wee hours of the night. This episode follows the wacky hijinks of court employees as they try to solve a very unusual case involving a cat.

The episode opens with Harry (played by Harry Anderson) and the team analyzing a situation where a woman named Billie Young brings a cat to the courtroom, claiming it to be her dead mother's former husband's cat. The problem is that no one in the courtroom can understand Billie, as she speaks an undisclosed Creole dialect. As the case begins, it's up to the team to determine if Billie is mentally ill or if she's actually speaking a legitimate language.

As the team tries to make sense of the situation, they're constantly interrupted by a slew of bizarre characters. For example, a man named Howard attempts to file a lawsuit that’s so ridiculous, even Harry is stymied at how to proceed. Another character, Elmo, a man who calls himself "the world's greatest pickpocket" finds himself in Harry's courtroom, and a particularly memorable moment is when Harry gives him a taste of his own medicine, lifting the contents of his wallet and tying him up.

Meanwhile, we see the interactions between the team members, who develop their own quirky storylines. Dan Fielding (played by John Larroquette) tries to woo Billie, who he thinks is an easy target to score with. Roz (played by Marsha Warfield) keeps attempting to convince Bull (played by Richard Moll) to adopt a healthier lifestyle to keep his weight in check. Mac (played by Charles Robinson), the bailiff, provides some comic relief and goofy remarks as the team tries to navigate through a deluge of strange events.

As the case progresses, Judge Harry voices his concerns that the cat exhibit may be affecting the public's view of their courtroom, worrying it may threaten their reputation. Eventually, it's discovered that Billie isn't mentally ill but simply speaking a rare language. This leads to an unexpected twist that ties in the fate of the cat, which will leave viewers in stitches.

What makes this episode stand out is the ability of the Night Court team to keep the show entertaining with its wide range of wacky characters and moments, while simultaneously presenting a crucial storyline. The show deftly navigates through the language barrier issue and manages to change the tone towards the end, creating an ultimately heartwarming moment.

Night Court season 2 episode 3, "Billie and the Cat," is a delightful episode that showcases the zany world of the criminal court at the Municipal Court Building, featuring a strange but entertaining case and a wonderful cast of characters.