Ep 9. Constitution (1)

The Night Court season 5 episode 9 is titled "Constitution (1)" and revolves around a crucial issue that the American judicial system faces. Judge Harry T. Stone (played by Harry Anderson) presides over the night court in New York City, which is a quirky but bustling court where unusual cases and characters come across the bench.

The episode starts with a bizarre case of a man who is dressed in a clown suit and is accused of stealing a donut truck. The clown turns out to be a popular children's entertainer, and he claims that he took the truck to cover his friend's gambling debts. As the case unfolds, it becomes clear that the clown's friend took advantage of his goodwill, and things take an unexpected twist.

While Harry and the court staff deal with this case, they get news about a much more significant development. The United States Constitution has been stolen from its display case in the courthouse lobby. The Constitution is one of the most important and revered documents in American history and is a symbol of the country's founding principles. Its theft causes a great deal of concern and sets off a chain of events that will impact the court and its staff deeply.

As Harry and his colleagues scramble to find out what happened to the document, they realize that there is a lot at stake. Russell (played by Richard Moll), the court's imposing bailiff who is a stickler for the law, takes the theft very seriously and is determined to bring the culprits to justice. Dan (played by John Larroquette), the court's sleazy prosecutor, sees the theft as an opportunity for personal gain and decides to cash in on the chaos.

Amid all this, there are also personal issues that Harry and his colleagues have to deal with. Harry's girlfriend, Christine (played by Markie Post), is struggling with a decision to leave her job at the court and move on with her life. Meanwhile, Mac (played by Charles Robinson), the court's court clerk, is dealing with some family troubles.

The episode is a great mix of humor and drama, with some poignant and thought-provoking moments. The theme of the American Constitution and the country's founding principles is taken seriously throughout, and the episode manages to explore some interesting ideas about the meaning of the document. The characters are well-drawn and have distinctive personalities, which makes them relatable and engaging.

Overall, "Constitution (1)" is a fantastic episode of Night Court that showcases the show's strengths. It's fast-paced, witty, and well-written, with a cast of characters that are fun and lovable. The episode's central theme of constitutional law and national identity gives the episode some extra heft, making it an excellent addition to the show's canon. Fans of the show and anyone interested in American law and politics will find a lot to enjoy in this episode.