‘Night Court’ Recap: ‘The Judge’s Boyfriend’s Dad, Part 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

NIGHT COURT -- "The Judge’s Boyfriend’s Dad, Part 2" Episode 302 -- Pictured: (l-r) Melissa Rauch as Abby Stone, John Larroquette as Dan Fielding, Ryan Hansen as Jake -- (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 302 of ‘Night Court’. To revisit the Season Three Premiere, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous, NBC new-boot of Night Court, we were all left stunned at quite the cliffhanger. In that, Dan Fielding was now aware of the fact that there was a chance that Jake was his son and that is a lot for a man to process, and well, we all wanted to know, if that was the case and how both men would handle the prospect and the reality, and thankfully, this week’s episode of the show wasted little time in exploring all the answers to those questions. Which made ‘The Judge’s Boyfriend’s Dad, Part 2’ quite the juggernaut episode. One that was super sentimental and beautiful, and also as funny as can be.

In fact, let’s take a moment and recognize the funniest plot line in the story before we dive into the whole Dan/Jake storyline. Simply because, Lacretta, Wendie Malick, and Nyambi Nyambi deserve some serious applause for the wonderful scenes they put together here. All of which involved Gurgs working overtime to stop Julianne from smoking outside of Judge Stone’s window, and the lengths she went to make that happen, combined with Wyatt’s ability to get lost in the moment, led to comedic gold from all three actors. The kind that truly left us in stitches and served as a wonderful breakaway from what could easily be seen as some of Night Court’s finest dramedy work, because of the whole matter with Dan and Jake.

For we learned in the opening moments of that storyline that Abby and Jake were not related, and that more time would be needed to get the results in and that meant… these men had to genuinely process the reality that they might be related and that brought about, some unique moments. Wherein Jake… went for broke and assumed that Dan was his father. Which prompted him to open up like never before and really try to fill that void and that was powerful to watch and surprising to see in a sitcom. But it worked and it added depth to his character like never before and surprisingly enough… he endured a sampling of that bond. Since he and Dan found common ground and bonded and enjoyed some real father and son moments. At the expense of Abby in a comedic manner no less, but that’s okay. Because… he needed that, and oddly, so did Dan. Since he tapped into feelings he never had before.

Which made the ending, sobering and bittersweet for certain. Since we came to learn… this duo wasn’t related, and coincidence led to their mimicking. But the bond, well they found that… and that speaks volumes to who we become when just open up to people and offer the best parts of us. All of which made, for a stunningly powerful and beautiful episode of the show. One that spoke to the power of family, of what life is like for those who don’t have a complete understanding of the concept courtesy of circumstances out of their control and well, this episode really does deserve our awe. Because it is just rare for sitcoms to go this deep and dive into such powerful concepts. But this one did it and offered up a story that will stay with you for some time. Courtesy of this intimate journey for Dan and Jake.

Not to mention, we need to take a moment and offer a standing ovation to Ryan Hansen. Who just let loose with his acting and comedic skills to sell this story and move us, and all of these elements just go to show, how special and unique this show truly is. Because where else can you enjoy a story where the wild and absurd happens one minute, and tears come to your eyes the next? But that’s Night Court, plain and simple, and this one should go down as one of the franchise’s finest stories, for taking all the risks that it did and for doing something we just so rarely see sitcoms do, and it really does leave us eager for more of this new-boot. To see what other powerful moments it will send our way, whilst making us laugh, courtesy of some of the boldest writing out there, and a cast that can do it all. Until next time.

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