MovieChat Forums > Barney Miller (1974) Discussion > I'm glad they changed Wojo as the series...

I'm glad they changed Wojo as the series went on

posted 8 years ago by SirMoeTheInsane
4 replies | jump to latest

At the start of the series Wojo, for me at least, was an unlikable caveman that was arrogant. I mean his excessive gum chewing, the way he talked to some of the lesser criminals like they were dumb, his almost cruelty towards that one hooker, calling everyone with a mental issue fruitcake, the way he treated Marty and Driscoll, and of course that "HARH HARH HARH HARH" laugh he had. His character definitely changed and became a kinder hearted, and still funny, character who just became more passionate than arrogant. Of course one of his worse moments was him telling Barney that his daughter probably slept around just cause she was in college, all to make a point since he couldn't take her out. How Barney didn't pistol whip Wojo for basically calling his daughter a slut is beyond me.

"Get out here, son! There's a doin's a transpirin'!!"

[–] amyghost 8 years ago

I really think Max Gail was seriously under-rated for the slow, gentle and believeable way he made Woj grow up over the series run. No big 'wow' moments, just a steady progression of his becoming more mature and aware as he's exposed to the different viewpoints around him. One of the best progressions of a character on a tv show, IMO. I didn't appreciate Gail or Wojo all that much when I caught the show as it originally aired, but seeing it now I'm really quietly impressed at the job he did with the character.

50 Is The New Cutoff Age.

[–] Doug-Oh 8 years ago

Other threads on this board claimed Wojo made many "screw-ups."
In watching, I haven't found any.

What did he screw up?

[–] SirMoeTheInsane 8 years ago

Well I'd consider the situation I posted a screw up, a fùck up even, I mean saying that kind of thing about another man's kid, yeah not cool. Also like when he called out Zitelli (sp?) Cause he was getting grilled by Scanlon, that was a pretty big screw up.
AND, last and certainly most, he found that rifle that lead to the demise of the Ol' 12 -stomp-.

"Get out here, son! There's a doin's a transpirin'!!"

[–] stones78 (426) 3 years ago

WOJO is a turd in earlier episodes. Would never trust him with a gun.