User reviews

"Graft" is a throwback to the pilot, with one scene featuring Barney's flirtatious wife Liz in their apartment (Barbara Barrie's second appearance, no children this time). Dick O'Neill plays Inspector Kelly, formerly from the 12th Precinct, whose new position with Internal Affairs finds him searching for signs of graft among his old comrades (one repeat appearance in "Ambush"). Yemana's gambling comes under fire, Wojo's attempt at cheating during a sergeant's exam, even Fish, who made deductions for a trip on behalf of his wife Bernice (who did not accompany him). Barney worries about free tickets to Bermuda, and getting great deals on meat from a butcher who likes the way Liz walks. Chano pursues an obscene phone caller, talking to victims all over town, getting names, addresses ("I also got excited!"). Back from the pilot is Buddy Lester as Yemana's bookie Harry, arrested for convenience because Nick has been warned about gambling over the phone (one further appearance the third season, "Abduction," now named Sidney). Derrel Maury ("Massacre at Central High") pops in and out as a newsboy with the late edition, compliments of the publisher. One nice tidbit is Kelly asking about missing detectives Harris (Ron Glass) and Wilson (Rod Perry); Perry appeared in the filmed pilot and episode 2 ("Experience") but no more, while Glass played in the videotaped pilot and remained on the force all eight seasons.

One of a scant few episodes to show a scene outside the squad room, 'Graft' deals with an Internal Affairs detective (guest star Dick O'Neill, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three") who intends to dig up whatever dirt he can on the boys in the 12th precinct.

Barney is indignant, since he knows he's quite clean and is confident that his men are clean. Even in a scene where the detectives admit to some of their transgressions, they're really minor in the great scheme of things. Still, Barney can't help but feel a little paranoid, as he vents to his wife when he notices that they're eating quite well and have scored some free tickets to Bermuda.

As this main plot develops, Wojo is busy studying for a sergeants' exam, and a weary Chano resigns himself to trying to track down an obscene phone caller.

There are some pretty funny lines here, if no truly uproarious moments. One thing worth noting is how Inspector Kelly is one of those "equal opportunity offender" type of guys, and thus ALL of the men in the 12th precinct have no time for him!

The two payoffs at the end definitely make it all worth it, both in regards to Inspector Kelly, and to Fishs' new shoes which now force him to walk funny.

Seven out of 10.

OK, so I'm a little torn at this point in the show over which direction the series needs to go. There have been two episodes strictly shot in the Squad Room, and they have worked very well. With an ensemble cast there are many ways to keep the jokes fresh and the pace moving for a 22 minute show.

There have also been two episodes shot between the squad room and at home with Barney's wife, and she has some of the best dialog out of all the characters. The actress, Barbara Barrie, is very funny, and plays concern for her husband well without overdoing it.

I get the feeling that her character was introduced to help ground the main character and make him more relatable as a family man. She does do that, but I am a little skeptical how she could play an integral role in the show for the 8 seasons it was on air.

Dick O'Neill has a small but funny part in this episode, and despite the lack of consistency show-to-show this is still entertaining television.

Rating: 24/40