Ep 20. Arnie Meets the Kids

Arnie Meets the Kids is the twentieth episode of the fifth season of the beloved sitcom Taxi. The episode opens on a somber note, as Jim Ignatowski (Christopher Lloyd) receives a letter informing him that his friend and former bandmate Arnie has passed away. Jim is understandably devastated, and the rest of the gang at the Sunshine Cab Company rallies around him to offer support.

As they reminisce about Arnie, they discover that he had been volunteering at a local community center, teaching music to underprivileged children. The gang decides to pay a visit to the center in Arnie's honor, and chaos ensues as they interact with the energetic and rambunctious kids.

Alex (Judd Hirsch) tries to impart his wisdom on the kids, but they quickly outsmart him with their street smarts. Elaine (Marilu Henner) bonds with a little girl who reminds her of herself at that age, while Tony (Tony Danza) gets into a heated debate with a seven-year-old over the merits of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Meanwhile, Louie (Danny DeVito) is horrified to discover that the community center's vending machine charges 75 cents for a candy bar. He sets out to boycott the machine, but his resolve is quickly tested when he realizes he's going to be stuck at the center for a few more hours.

As for Jim, he's still struggling to come to terms with Arnie's death. He confides in the center's director about his sadness, and she encourages him to teach the kids a song in Arnie's memory. Jim reluctantly agrees, but as he begins to play, he realizes how much music has the power to heal.

By the end of the episode, the gang has shared some hilarious and heartwarming moments with the kids, and Jim has found a way to honor his friend's memory. Arnie Meets the Kids is a touching and funny episode that showcases both the comedy and the heart of Taxi.