"Abduction" finds the Wheatons from Rhode Island asking for help in returning their daughter, who has run off to join a lucrative NYC cult run by restaurateur Bodhisattva (David Clennon, 5 episodes). When Nick offers them coffee, father Joe (Rod Colbin, 7 episodes) asks for something stronger (Yemana: "there's nothing stronger, anywhere!"). Trouble arises when the unrepentant Wheaton decides to take the law into his own hands by kidnapping his own daughter. Barney informs an incredulous Nick that most kidnap victims already know their kidnappers (Yemana: "oh yeah? I just thought they picked somebody at ransom!" Barney: "you would say something like that to a man who's wearing a gun?" Yemana: "I thought it was funny!" Fish: "what?" Yemana: "never mind, you'd probably shoot!"). Harris is delighted to have his very first short story in print, until learning it's been heavily altered for publication in an adult magazine. Yemana is ecstatic to report his winnings from Sidney the bookie (Buddy Lester, third and final appearance), a grand total of $116! (not so happy to find that Sidney is unable to pay off). A nauseous Fish refuses to take advice from Wojo about 'cleaning out' his system (Barney: "haven't you ever heard of the power of suggestion?" Wojo: "yeah but he won't listen!"). It doesn't help when Bernice (Florence Stanley, fourth of six appearances) tries to find work through an employment agency, only to be told that she has no skills (hardly an encouraging warmup for the debut of Abe Vigoda's spin off series FISH, two nights following this broadcast).
