Last night (this morning) TV Land showed the "Fog" episode. This is one of my favorite episodes from BM. It's an unusual episode also because it's pretty dark for Barney Miller. They've just never shown him outright depressed. He even had the lights off in his office, and he even smoked a cigarette! It was very touching how the other detectives all went to his office to try and cheer him up... it was a display of genuine affection among all of them. Even Levitt abandoned his butt-kissing self and showed concern for Barney when he saw barney was really feeling down. It was pretty sad when Barney said that it was hard to find purpose on continuing on, knowing he was probably not going to make it beyond captain. The fog was a nice touch, I though. The fog made things grey and bleak and it wouldn't let up... perhaps a sign of what Barney was feeling? The end when Barney finally came out of his office to join the others and listen to the trumpet player was really touching, especially when Wojo just kept looking at Barney with a look of concern, respect and admiration, and only when he thought Barney was OK did he turn around to look at the trumpet player. The choice of music was excellent, and how they chose not to use canned laughter, or even applause to end the episode, was a really nice touch too. This was the last show of the 6th season... What a cool way to end it!

The show from the previous night (Inventor), really cracked me up too, not only from Wojo's hypnosis, but mostly due to all the side comments realted to Barney's Texas string tie! I felt bad for Barney because everyone was picking on him!

On another side note, I'm looking forward to the "Homicide" episodes, Dietrich's resignation and Harris' porno movie episodes which are all coming up soon. Down the line a bit more, we can look forward to the "Contempt" episodes when Barney goes to jail.

maclen

Originally posted by maclen
The end when Barney finally came out of his office to join the others and listen to the trumpet player was really touching, especially when Wojo just kept looking at Barney with a look of concern, respect and admiration, and only when he thought Barney was OK did he turn around to look at the trumpet player. The choice of music was excellent, and how they chose not to use canned laughter, or even applause to end the episode, was a really nice touch too. This was the last show of the 6th season... What a cool way to end it!

The show from the previous night (Inventor), really cracked me up too, not only from Wojo's hypnosis, but mostly due to all the side comments realted to Barney's Texas string tie! I felt bad for Barney because everyone was picking on him!

The ending was my favorite part of the episode. The whole show had a bit of a different feel to it, and the ending was just perfect. The way they faded out with that horn player rather than freezing it and cutting in with the Barney Miller music was a perfect way to end the show and the season.

As for "Inventor," I loved the part right at the beginning where Barney starts talking to Dietrich about the tie and Dietrich goes, "Excuse me, I have to turn away to the coffee now." I had to stop the tape I was laughing so hard! :lol:

The Fog was a remarkable show for a half hour sitcom. I don't know how much time the writers have to put these shows together, but look at the balancing act they pulled off for that episode. There was the serious subject content with Barney being disappointed, and concerned for his future. The guys were concerned for Barney but at the same time, disappointed for their own selves. You could feel that they couldn't help making plans for an overhaul at the precinct. They joked about it but really, they were serious. When it turned out that it wasn't going to happen they had to change gears in a hurry in order to support their friend, and still leader, Barney. Then the way they all went in at once but listened more than offered any simplistic condolences was realisitic. They tried to joke about it but for the most part they let Barney get it off his chest. Which made it clear that there would be no happy sitcom ending to this story. The music at the end of the show was a symbol of all that was left to do; move on and try not to be swallowed up in your own troubles. Afterall, remember that Harris had just told the trumpet player - who lived to play the trumpet and needed to play it everyday - that his trumpet would have to be held for evidence. With all of that to get across to the audience the show was still not in the least lacking in humor.

Fog was wonderful. As egregiousgirl stated, the entire show had a different feel to it...edgy...moody. Hal Linden was terrific. He's a hell of an actor. His intense disappointment at not being promoted was a tough thing to watch.
It was a great idea to use the Fog as a backdrop, and the trumpet playing was very clever. The end scene was very good. Harris smoking the cigarette, Barney standing there....comic break when the burglar asks someone, "What year is this?"
This one was a classic. A true standout episode.

Hello everybody.
Newbie here.
I'm trying to find out who was playing the trumpet and the name of the song in the Fog episode.
I actually started a new thread first and then had a moment of brilliance and did a search to see if I could find the answer and found this thread (should have done a search first but hey, what can I say, I'm a newbie!).

The ending was my favorite as well

I loved this episode, particularly the ending. To me, definitely one of their best.

I've never seen this one - sounds interesting!!