Welcome Back, Kotter #3 is an issue of the series Welcome Back, Kotter (Volume 1) with a cover date of March, 1977.
Synopsis for "The Return of Augie Berelli!"
A thug visits Kotter and his wife at their home. He warns Kotter that Augie Berelli will be at the school that day and Kotter better be there.
Kotter tells his wife that Berelli, one of the most notorious gangsters in the country, was an original sweathog and a classmate of Kotter's! In fact, Kotter won the heart of a fair maiden also wooed by Berelli, who swore vengeance!
At school, Kotter is beside himself – he believes Epstein's note from his mother, takes Horshack seriously and apologizes to Woodman! The Sweathogs offer to help their teacher.
Berelli walks into the classroom and says hello to Kotter and his nephew Vinnie Barbarino.
NEPHEW!!? That's right, Berelli isn't here for vengeance, but to thank Kotter for the good job he is doing teaching his nephew. The Sweathogs are impressed by Berelli's charm … and wealth!
Kotter reminds his class that Berelli is a criminal, infuriating Barbarino who leaves in a huff.
The FBI approach Kotter and ask him to help catch Berelli. Barbarino hears the conversation and throws a punch at the agent. Kotter agrees to help the FBI in exchange for releasing Vinnie.
The next day, Berelli charges into the classroom to confront Kotter. The FBI get the drop on him, until he takes Kotter hostage. Barbarino tries to intervene and is rewarded with a smack from his uncle. Berelli whispers to Kotter to fight back and catch him. Fumblingly (is that a word?) he finally does so.
It turns out this confrontation was planned by Berelli and the FBI as part of a guilty plea. After Berelli found out Vinnie punched a G-Man, he realized his nephew was going down his path and did not want Vinnie to turn out like him. So, he arranged his capture by Kotter; who has the one thing Berelli does not have – his nephew's respect.
The last panel shows Vinnie at his classroom desk crying.
Appearing in "The Return of Augie Berelli!"
Featured Characters:
- Gabe Kotter
Supporting Characters:
- Sweat Hogs
- Arnold Horshack
- Freddie Washington
- Juan Epstein
- Vinnie Barbarino
See Also