The BEST episodes of Taxi season 2
Every episode of Taxi season 2, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Taxi season 2!
Taxi's success was due to its excellent writing, Burrows's award-winning directing using his innovative four-camera technique, and its largely unknown but talented cast. Danny DeVito's Louie DePalma soon became one of the most despised men on television--possibly the most unredeemable and worthless louse of a character ever to reside on the small screen. Andy Kaufman's foreign mechanic Latka Gravas provided over-the-top comedy within an ensemble emphasizing subtle character humor.
#1 - Alex's Romance
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/20/1979
Alex falls for Joyce, an actress friend of Bobby's, in part because (seemingly) he marvels in being a stabilizing factor in her life. When she gets an acting job in Los Angeles, he prepares to propose to her, in the hopes of keeping her in New York. When she learns of his plans, though, she discourages this, and they part on sad but positive note. Later, Jim hilariously and unwittingly makes Alex feel better, involving a case of mistaken identity.
#2 - Elaine's Secret Admirer
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/4/1979
Elaine is upset after having just ended a relationship, but soon begins receiving love poems from a secret admirer. She is eventually convinced that the poems are coming from a new handsome cab driver named Don, and they begin dating. However, Jim has confessed to Alex that he has been the one writing the letters, in an effort to make Elaine feel better. Alex reveals this to Elaine, so she won't continue dating Don under false pretenses. This upsets Elaine greatly, but she is later comforted when she gets home by the gift of a metal sculpture that Jim has made for her out of the roof of his van.
#3 - Reverend Jim: A Space Odyssey
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/25/1979
At Mario's, the cabbies run into the spaced-out derelict minister, Reverend Jim, who officiated at Latka's wedding. Charmed by him, yet taking pity on him, they make it their mission to get him a job as a cabbie. Louie is adverse to this at first, but Jim seems to slip a sedative into Louie's coffee and he then changes his tune. The next hurdle is getting Jim a driver's license, which is a challenge as he not only has trouble with his written exam, but his application, as well. Nonetheless, he gets the license and begins work at the garage.
#4 - Art Work
Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/4/1980
The cabbies are faring poorly at various gambling schemes, but Elaine alerts the gang about a moneymaking tip for an art auction. It seems a terminally ill artist's painting is up for auction, and when an artist dies, the value of his paintings goes up considerably. She estimates that they need to pool $2,000 to win the auction and the gang, including Louie, barely scrapes up enough. At the auction, Louie attempts various dirty tricks to ensure a successful bid, but the bidding quickly goes above $2,000 and another bidder snares the painting. It is then announced that the artist has passed away, which rubs salt in the wounds of the already dejected cabbies.
#5 - Shut It Down (1)
Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 1/29/1980
After Tony's cab's brakes fail, the cabbies are all furious at the company's frugality when it comes to fixing/replacing cabs. Elaine is elected shop steward, and after an unsuccessful meeting with Mr. Mackenzie, the big boss, the cabbies go on strike. Louie is initially not conerned about the actions of the union, because he's altered the bookkeeping to show that the company spends adequate money on the upkeep of the taxis, but after Alex scares him with talk of God's vengeance, Louie softens. Louie calls in Elaine and agrees to her demands with the caveat that she go on a date with him (continued in the next episode).
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#6 - The Apartment
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/13/1979
When it is discovered that Latka is living at the garage after being kicked out of his apartment, Alex helps him find a place. Latka is able to find one on his own and invites Alex to see it. The apartment appears to be a beautiful luxury penthouse, and he has misunderstood that the $3000 rent is monthly, as opposed to a one time fee. Alex is about to get Latka out of the arrangement, when he gets the bright idea that the whole gang can share the apartment for the month and see how the other half lives. When the month is up, the gang is reluctant to give up their decadent new lifestyle, so they decide to throw a "rent party" in the hopes of staying another month. However, all the party goers (except Elaine) are male and demand their money back when they see there are no available women. Having lost their apartment, the cabbies agree to help Latka find a new place.
#7 - Jim Gets a Pet
Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/18/1979
The gang goes to the track and Jim falls in love with horse racing. Jim starts gambling at the track every day, until Alex tells him of the evils of gambling. Meanwhile, Jim turns out to have already won $10,000 at the track, and what's more, he bought the long-shot horse that he won most of the money on. Jim renames the horse Gary and keeps him in his apartment. However, when the gang comes over to check on Gary, they found he has died. When a depressed Jim returns to the garage, the gang convinces him to hold a funeral service for Gary (since Jim is an ordained minister, after all). Jim gives a touching eulogy that leaves everyone in tears.
#8 - Louie Meets the Folks
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/11/1979
When Zena insists that Louie meet her parents, Louie is so worried about it (Zena's father is a minister) that he bribes Alex to come along with them to dinner, to keep him from embarrassing himself. At dinner, despite Alex's attempts at keeping Louie from acting crude, Louie manages to offend Zena's parents, yet the parents still act gracious towards him. Still, Louie believes the parents have accepted him, until Zena's mother tells him in private that if he tries to marry Zena, she'll have him killed (but makes him vow to keep that a secret).
#9 - Fantasy Borough (2)
Season 2 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/13/1980
In this continuation of the previous episode, the gang continues to fantasize. Alex fantasizes about picking up a beautiful woman in his cab and taking her back to his place. He's having trouble concentrating, however, and strikes out when he learns the woman is his niece. Louie fantasizes that he is the rich owner of the garage during the depression and is married to Elaine. Elaine fantasizes that the whole gang sings "Lullaby of Broadway" in the garage, with a Broadway-style arrangement.
#10 - The Great Race
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/6/1979
After Louie reprimands the cabbies for low bookings and boasts of what a good cab driver he used to be, the cabbies propose a contest to see whether Alex or Louie can book more. Louie agrees with the caveat that Elaine must go out with him if he wins. During the contest, Alex forgoes chances to make big money unscrupulously, while Louie tries to con his passengers out of their money whenever possible. When all is said and done, Louie appears to have won by $15. Later, they determine that Alex has been tipped $40, while Louie has only been tipped 85 cents, and Alex is declared the winner, saving Elaine from a frightful night with Louie.
#11 - Honor Thy Father
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/18/1979
Alex's sister, Charlotte, comes to the garage and leaves a message that their father is ill in the hospital. When Alex finds out, he appears uninterested, and explains that his father ran out on their family and they haven't spoken in almost thirty years. Eventually, Charlotte prevails upon Alex to visit their father and Alex is shocked to see a very frail old man in the hospital. Alex loses his composure and breaks down, telling his father how much he means to him. All of a sudden, Alex realizes he's been baring his soul to the wrong man when his real, healthy-looking father emerges from the bathroom. Alex then again realizes he has nothing really to say to his father and leaves after uttering hardly a word.
#12 - Fantasy Borough (1)
Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/6/1980
After Herve Villachaize (Tattoo from Fantasy Island) leaves a package in Tony's cab, the gang discusses their various fantasies while waiting for him to pick it up. Tony's fantasy is wowing Eric Sevareid (who happens to be a passenger in his cab) with his political insight. Latka's fantasy is to be the taxi dispatcher and turn the tables on Louie. Bobby fantasizes about being a famous singer and conning a homeless Louie out of his last dollar. Jim fantasizes about being visited by aliens. (Part 1 of 2)
#13 - Latka's Revolting
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/27/1979
Latka is listening to a radio station that broadcasts in his native language and learns that revolution has broken out in his country. Panicking, he is visited by his friend, Baschi, who emigrated to the States with him, and who has come to fetch Latka to go home to fight in the revolution (it turns out Latka has somehow reached the rank of general in his country's army). A farewell party is thrown for Latka at Mario's, and before they have to leave for the airport, Elaine asks Baschi to draw a map of their country, in an effort to learn more about where they will be fighting. Through Baschi's drawing of where the enemy troops will be situated, it becomes clear that the revolutionaries have an impossible task ahead of them, and Latka thinks better of leaving (as do the rest of his fellow countrymen).
#14 - Nardo Loses Her Marbles
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/2/1979
Elaine seems to be spreading herself thin lately, between working overtime at the gallery, driving a cab, and raising her kids. She finally loses it at an important gallery reception and Alex drives her home. She starts coming on to Alex, who, worried about her psychological health, rejects her advances and suggests she get some psychological help. He eventually talks her into it and she seems to progress well in therapy. Now more confident of her psychological help, Alex seems no longer adverse to a romance with Elaine, but she remains cool about it.
#15 - Tony and Brian
Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/8/1980
Tony has been spending time with young Brian, who is now out of his wheelchair and is seemingly back in good health. Tony has really enjoyed all the time spent with Brian, and the gang urges Tony to try to adopt the orphaned boy. It turns out, however, that Brian is trying to get a rich family to adopt him and has seemingly found one, the Brennans. Nonetheless, Tony and Alex go to visit Brian at the Brennans, so Tony can ask Brian if he wants Tony to be his father. Brian is touched, but claims he has to think of his future and thus, would rather stay with the Brennans. Later, Brian shows up at Tony's apartment with a suitcase, saying he was rejected by the Brennans and is there to stay. Tony is still hurt that Brian initially rejected him, though, and makes things a little tough on Brian before he agrees to let him stay.
#16 - A Woman Between Friends
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/30/1979
Tony and Bobby's friendship is put to the test when they start dating the same woman, Janet. They begin arguing, prompting Tony to almost punch Bobby out, but eventually Alex convinces them that this rivalry has to end. Tony and Bobby sit down with Janet and ask her to choose between them. Before she announces her decision, Bobby and Tony realize that their friendship could be over, based on her decision, so they decide to both give her up. Janet, bothered that her feelings weren't taken into account, tells them what the guy she was going to choose would be missing, adding that the choice was Bobby.
#17 - Louie and the Nice Girl
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/11/1979
Zena, the woman who refills the vending machines who has made friends with most of the cabbies, admits to Alex and Elaine that she has a crush on Louie. Elaine is bothered by this, but takes comfort in the fact that Zena is probably too shy to introduce herself. However, Zena asks Alex to introduce them and Alex tentatively agrees. Soon, Louie and Zena become an item and the gang is disgusted at the way Louie explicitly describes their sex life. In private, Zena blows Louie's cover by asking Alex why Louie won't make a single move on her. The next time Louie starts boasting, Alex tells him to give up the charade—he knows nothing has happened. Louie then confesses to Alex that he's used to going out with "professionals" and doesn't know what to do with a "nice girl." Louie then breaks up with Zena, but she insists on a goodbye kiss before they part. She kisses him in such a way that he realizes maybe she's not as "nice" as he thought. Zena then pulls him into the bedroom and it
#18 - Wherefore Art Thou, Bobby?
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/16/1979
Tony brings his fare, a young actor new to New York named Steve, to the garage to meet Bobby, so Bobby can give him acting pointers. Bobby takes Steve under his wing and soon Steve is cast as Romeo off-Broadway. A shocked Bobby then quits acting out of frustration, after seeing how Steve gets a job his second day in New York while Bobby still can't get a break. Bobby, resigned to being a full time cab driver, still shows his acting skills when he runs lines with Steve, but it takes some heckling from Louie to convince him to return to acting—in order to make Louie someday eat his words.
#19 - The Lighter Side of Angela Matusa
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/23/1979
Alex meets up with Angela (his overweight date from the previous season) only to learn she's lost 100 pounds. When they go to dinner, he learns that she did it all for him, making him very nervous because he doesn't really want more than a friendship with Angela but hates to discourage her from losing weight and feeling good about herself. Later, Wayne, a guy from Angela's weight clinic, comes to see Alex in the hopes of finding Angela, who's missing (it seems Wayne has a crush on Angela). Together, they find a very depressed Angela, eating alone in a greasy spoon diner. Alex convinces Angela that she doesn't need to be depressed and that she and Wayne belong together. She and Wayne leave together, but Angela confesses to Alex that the reason she had previously rejected Wayne's advances was because he's married with four kids.
#20 - Guess Who's Coming for Brefnish
Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/15/1980
Latka meets and begins dating Simka, a woman from his home country. Things are going well until they hit a roadblock: Simka is a "mountain person," one of the country's underclass that Latka has been taught to make fun of. When they can't seem to work through the situation, they break up, but soon, Latka is miserable and wants Simka back. Too late, though—she's begun dating a handsome young doctor, and Simka gingerly turns Latka down when he asks if she wants to get back together. Latka is left depressed, but has learned a lesson about prejudices.
#21 - The Reluctant Fighter
Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/25/1979
Tony seems to get a big break in his boxing career when his manager informs him that aging former champ, Benny Foster, has selected him as an opponent in his comeback fight. At the press conference before the fight, however, Foster announces that he's coming back to inspire (and presumably, financially aid) a wheelchair bound child, Brian Sims, in need of a kidney operation, who thinks of Foster as his hero. Tony, thinking this is a no-win situation, doesn't want to even go through with the fight, but Alex convinces him that this is still a big break for him and that he should go for it. Tony not only ends up fighting, but knocking Foster out, but still feels bad about disappointing Brian. Tony speaks to Brian in the locker room, hoping it will make him feel better, but Brian punches him. Eventually, Tony prevails upon Brian that he wants to be his hero, and the boy agrees—at least until Tony loses a fight.
#22 - Alex Jumps Out of an Airplane
Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/26/1980
Alex has a new lust for adventure after a thrilling ski trip and begins trying to conquer his fears. He first entertains the crowd at Mario's by playing/singing showtunes on the piano, then he has Tony teach him to box and spars with a talented young boxer who knocks him out. Alex still wants a new challenge, however, and announces he's going skydiving. Once in the air, Alex reconsiders, however, but reluctantly jumps anyway.
#23 - What Price Bobby?
Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 1/22/1980
Bobby feels very lucky when a top notch theatrical agent (Nora) is in his cab. He makes a pitch to her, telling her about what a good actor he is, and initially she shuns him, but later agrees to watch him in the play he currently stars in. Sure enough, Nora sees him and then agrees to work with him, but it soon becomes evident that she has more than a business interest in him. Nonetheless, he begins a relationship with her, and his career is suddenly really starting to take off. Soon enough, Bobby is feeling as though he's prostituting himself and eventually gets up the courage to tell Nora he wishes to keep their relationship on a business level. This does not sit well with Nora, who not only stops representing him, but in their final argument, takes away Bobby's self respect and his shoes!
#24 - Shut It Down (2)
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/5/1980
In the second half of this two-part episode, the cabbies are back on the road after the strike has been settled. Meanwhile, Elaine is dreading the date with Louie and is drunk, sedated, and dressed as dowdy as possible, in the hopes of getting it over with quickly and painlessly. Louie takes her to a Polynesian restaurant/bar and they drink heavily and dance, in hilarious fashion, although Elaine is seemingly not enjoying any of it. At the door of her apartment though, Louie cons her into saying that she didn't have such a terrible time. He then convinces her to give him a little kiss goodnight, but when she attempts to give him a small peck, Louie, being true to form, gives her a rather aggressive open-mouthed kiss, that has them rolling on the floor as she fights him off.