‘Night Court’ Recap: ‘Chips Ahoy’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

NIGHT COURT -- "Chips Ahoy" Episode 209 -- Pictured: (l-r) Nyambi Nyambi as Wyatt, Melissa Fumero as Jasmine -- (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 209 of ‘Night Court’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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If there is one type of person that the vast majority of people out there don’t like, it’s a bully. Because they’re always loud, always filled with annoying bravado and they’re just plain mean, and unsettling to be around. In fact, the only person that might like a bully, is a bully, and even that is debatable because of how miserable a person they seem to be. But alas, they are something that each and every one of us will have to deal with in life, and until the day comes when people stop bullying, how we deal with them is paramount. For while they’re all miserable, no two bullies are born the same way, nor do they respond the same way to disarm them, and well… that’s why this week’s episode of Night Court on NBC is so important. For it offered up several blueprints on how to smack a bully down.

Because ‘Chips Ahoy’ saw a pair of unique bullies arrive in the courthouse, one of which… was born. Because it was Fleet Week in New York, and that meant misbehaving Naval officers were popping up in the Night Court and well… Dan saw this as an opportunity to make some extra bread. Because it was well known that the officers held a massive poker tournament during Fleet Week and Dan just wanted in on it to clean up. And once he found his in, he went all out in being a cash-based bully. All by making sure to use his vast poker skills to take full advantage of sailors who really weren’t thinking that straight. Which bothered Gurgs to no end and prompted her to do what must be done in defeating one type of bully.

Specifically… by finding someone that could easily stand up to Dan. Which took a while to find in the courtroom. Mainly because, it was Olivia all along and she was busy this episode, trying to follow the Flobert path to riches. Because he had a program to garner new things in life, and she was loving that program. But alas, Gurgs asked for her help, and knew Olivia would love a chance to stick it to Dan Fielding. So… Olivia used her own college gained poker skills to sit at the big table with Dan and offer him a touch of humility. The kind where his riches began to fade and slowly made their back into the pockets of needy sailors. Which cooled Dan down and reminded him to not be such a bully, and yes, that reinforced that a fair majority of bullies out there can’t handle just being stood up to. 

But there are some, that are supremely twisted in nature and tough to bring down, and that was what Abby was dealing with while Danny boy paid the piper. Because a local mom named Jasmine, who knew Wyatt and was enamored with his attempts to do what Gurgs did, was bullying her way through his life and the everyday flow of the courtroom. And it didn’t matter who stood up to her, that only seemed to fuel her more and well… that prompted Abby to offer up a unique solution in teaching a bully a lesson. In that, she realized that she had nothing to lose in attempting to bruise the ego of Jasmine, and if she went all out and showed her how much people didn’t like her bullying ways, it might lead to a win or at least, a moment of pause for Jasmine and well… Abby was right. Because pressing the right buttons in a free throw contest not only led to defeat… but pause… and a lesson learned.

Which meant that in some instances, it’s not enough to stand up and punch a bully in the nose. They need a thrashing of sorts, the kind that really exposes them for the bully they are, and it doesn’t have to be physical violence to make that happen… but a damn good lesson in humility and those lessons, brought about one delightful episode of the show. One that once again offered up a little something for those who want more depth from their entertainment, along with a healthy dose of wacky and fun for those who don’t. Because the jokes were simply sublime as well, with everyone pitching in to really make us laugh and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this lovely laugh fest, it’s onto the next one… one that will satisfy fans of the franchise, courtesy of an epic reunion. Until next time.

To learn more about the cast’s experiences in creating ‘Night Court’, check out our interview with the actor who plays Olivia, India de Beaufort.

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