Barney Miller (TV Series) Good-Bye, Mr. Fish: Part 2 (1977) User Reviews

Powerful and real

[robertdlar · 10/10 · 12 January 2023]

I do not understand people who give this less than an 8/10, this may not be as hilarious but it has enough comedic moments to qualfy but they treat the last day of Fish with respenct and give Abe Vigoda his moment to shine as an actor and boy does he. As one of the most experienced and talented actor in the cast, Abe shows his acting chops by portraying the 63 year old Fish who is being forced to retire by the Police. Fish goes into denial and refuses to accept his forced retirement and in one of the greatest dramatic moment of the show, Miller has to bring Fish back to reality in the most emotionaly intense scene of the show.

In reality Abe Vigoda was getting a spin off show, which sadly only lasted 2 seasons. To me this was one of the saddest episodes (2nd only to the tribute episode they did after the passing of Jack Soo) and the finally where Barney turns out the lights on the 12th for the last time.

A work of art episode

[ssochet · 10/10 · 10 May 2023]

Barney Miller may be pound for pound the best tv comedy of all time. Its simple, single squad room set, incredible guest character actors, crisp writing, and prophetic statements by Dietrich and others goes way beyond coincidence. In this episode, part 2 of the retirement of sergeant Fish, demonstrates the comradarie that develops between the detectives and how much they depend on each other. Although Fish's character moved onto a spin-off comedy that didn't fare that well, the show still was well worth watching . Dietrich took over Fish's desk but took on a different niche on the show. Highly recommended episode.

Goodbye Mr. Fish

[kevinolzak · 6/10 · 17 April 2014]

The conclusion of "Goodbye Mr. Fish" begins with the retiring Fish still a no-show, with even Bernice wondering where he is (Luger's ice cream melted in his trunk). He finally arrives humming, having walked all the way from Brooklyn, and jumps at the chance to go out on a liquor store robbery. Wojo reports that Fish caught up with the guy (Timothy Jerome) and 'introduced him to the sidewalk,' seemingly more determined to do his job than usual. In fact, Barney has to force him to deal with the fact that today is his last on the force, after 38 years of solid work, turning in his gun at the end of the day, congratulations all around. Larry Gelman (first of four) plays Edward Sellers, a candidate for the 'twinkie mobile,' according to Harris, guilty of trying to take out the cameras at the local grocers store. After a word from Capt. Miller about his euphemisms, Harris makes the call to Bellevue: "we've got a customer for the enchanted kingdom!" Florence Stanley made her sixth and final appearance as Bernice (played by Doris Belack in the character's third appearance, "Fish"), while Abe Vigoda made only two return appearances as Fish, in "Burial" and "Lady and the Bomb" (55 episodes of BARNEY MILLER, plus 35 more on FISH).

Interesting episode

[gfrost7617 · 7/10 · 17 April 2021]

It's hard when one gets older and has no hobbies and knows nothing else other than work to retire. In the police department at that time, Phil Fish is being forced to retire and confront the fact that he has to head towards life's third and final scene/act. Abe Vigoda acted brilliantly. The one thing that was interesting is how attitudes have changed towards mentally ill people which was another story in this episode. Attitudes towards women and Asians have also changed since this was written and filmed. Overall a great episode.