THE ROOKIE
Season 7, Episode 16
"The Return"
Previously on "The Rookie"...
CHEN
I've been thinking about taking the sergeant's exam.
BRADFORD
If you pass, then I wouldn't be your supervisor anymore.
LOPEZ
So you two can get back together?
BRADFORD
No, it's a good move for her career, but, yeah, it's come up.
TAMARA
Is this the new boot?
CHEN
Tamara, Seth.
RIDLEY
It's a pleasure to meet you.
CHEN
Tamara and Seth are on a date?
JUAREZ
They'd be so cute!
CHEN
I have caught Seth in several serious lies.
LUNA
You think he's lying about his cancer coming back?
CHEN
Tamara, you can't date him.
TAMARA
That's not up to you.
NOLAN
Tell me you saw that game last night.
BRADFORD
My God, every painful second.
PENN
Morning, y'all. It's as hot as a billy goat in a pepper patch out there. New rookie?
NOLAN
Uh, not that I know of.
RIDLEY
Good morning.
PENN
What the hell are you doing here?
RIDLEY
I'm back in the FTO program.
CHEN
This can't be happening. I mean, he lied about having cancer and a host of other things.
BRADFORD
Legally, he was fired because he refused to follow a lawful order to take a blood test.
GREY
Ridley claims that he was duped by his oncologist into believing he was sick when he wasn't. He sued the city for wrongful termination and medical discrimination.
NOLAN
Well, why doesn't the city fight it?
GREY
Bad publicity, a weak case, a sympathetic plaintiff, take your pick. Point is, he's back, and we need someone to train him.
CHEN
Well, I don't want him. I am not a TO anymore.
GREY
Relax. You're off the hook. The button's on Nolan.
NOLAN
Understood.
GREY
He can still be washed out for cause, but every infraction has to be documented. Otherwise, he'll just launch a fresh lawsuit alleging retaliation.
CHEN
What is she doing here? Sorry, excuse me. Hey. I didn't know you were stopping by.
TAMARA
Oh, my gosh. Hi. Yeah, I gave Seth a ride.
CHEN
Oh.
TAMARA
He was nervous about the reception he was going to get.
CHEN
Yeah, I mean, he should be.
TAMARA
Promise me you'll hear him out? Seth is very vulnerable right now, and he needs a friend.
CHEN
Tamara, I was never his friend. I was his training officer. And he--it doesn't matter. I mean, Nolan's going to be training him, so we probably won't even cross paths that much, so...
TAMARA
Can we all have dinner tonight, away from work, so you get to know the real Seth? Please, just hear him out.
CHEN
God, I would only say yes to you.
TAMARA
Thank you.
NOLAN
Officer Ridley, we'll be skipping roll call today. Get the war bags, set up the shop.
RIDLEY
Yes, sir.
NOLAN
This is not a do-over. Your previous errors have been documented. You bring them with you into my shop.
RIDLEY
Yes, sir, but I need you to know that the doctor tricked me too. That was an insurance scam.
NOLAN
Let me be perfectly clear. I don't care. No, that's not even accurate. I don't believe you...
RIDLEY
All right.
NOLAN
And I won't believe anything you say without independent verification. I am your nightmare TO. I was raised by a pathological liar, a woman who had absolutely no compunctions about lying to her own child about everything. The truth was whatever served her and only her. The only thing that matters to me are actions. You do your job perfectly, and I'll have no choice but to pass you. Do you understand?
RIDLEY
Yes, sir.
NOLAN
All right, let's go have a great day.
CHEN
He is a danger to any case he works on and any cop he works beside. I mean, he had to have seen that coming.
JUAREZ
Oh, well, if he did and came back anyway, maybe it says something about how dedicated he is to the job.
CHEN
Oh, no! No. No, no, no. This is an ego thing.
JUAREZ
What does Tamara say?
CHEN
She puppy-eyed me into having dinner with them.
JUAREZ
You fell for that?
CHEN
I know, I know. I--ugh.
JUAREZ
Oof.
CHEN
What if you and Rodge joined us for dinner? I really need the buffer. Please?
JUAREZ
I just shunned the guy! Now you want me to have dinner with him?
CHEN
Please? I'll make my lasagna. You love my lasagna.
JUAREZ
OK, we don't have a dining room table, and dinner for five is gonna be tight.
CHEN
That's true. Uh...
BRADFORD
Hey.
CHEN
Hi. What are you doing tonight?
BRADFORD
"Call of Duty." Why?
CHEN
What would you say to a home-cooked meal?
BRADFORD
I'd ask what the catch is.
CHEN
Seth will be there.
PENN
What? Why?
JUAREZ
Hey, Miles!
PENN
Wait, you're-- you're cooking for him?
CHEN
It's complicated.
JUAREZ
There were puppy eyes.
CHEN
Look, the point is, our table won't fit everybody and...
BRADFORD
And mine will.
CHEN
Yeah. Please? I'll--I'll owe you.
BRADFORD
OK. Uh, 7:00.
CHEN
Yeah, that sounds great. We'll be there. Thank you.
JUAREZ
"I owe you"?
CHEN
Shut up.
PENN
I'm hearing the city cut Seth a check for back pay? Ten grand. Now he gets a free meal.
BRADFORD
All right, boot, I'm going to give you some sage words of advice. You ready? Put Seth Ridley out of your mind.
PENN
It's just frustrating.
BRADFORD
Mark my words, this guy will wash out again. OK, you get tangled up in his drama, he'll pull you down with him.
DISPATCH
7-Adam-100, we have reports of a reckless driver on the north side of Hansen Reservoir.
BRADFORD
Copy. Show us responding.
TULSA
Skrrt! We are turning up right now, bitches! Yeah! Fully gassed up-- literally. I got my foot on the gas because we're pushing 90! And it is litty. Hey, hey, but you know your boy still got time for a litty bit of this.
AIMEE
Ah! What is up, you little freaks? Make sure to keep sharing this stream. We got to keep the views high because looking this good isn't cheap. First 50 people to comment on my last post gets a shout-out in this stream. Mm.
TULSA
Whoo! We're flying, no cap! Don't at me 'cause you hate me--
TULSA
Whoa. Yeet! 115 MPH down Foothill Boulevard.
BRADFORD
This idiot famous or something?
PENN
That's Tulsa Braden. Huge on ClipTalk. He and his buddies perform dangerous stunts for likes and a whole lot of ad money.
BRADFORD
Where's Darwinism when you need it? Sir, you were spotted driving at a high rate of speed.
TULSA
Uh, hell, yeah, I was. What's the point of doing it if I'm not gonna get spotted?
PENN
Is the car in the reservoir?
TULSA
That car is a submarine now, my man.
CROWD
We love you, Tulsa!
TULSA
Ah.
BRADFORD
Wow. OK. Anyone else in the vehicle?
TULSA
Uh, no, man. Just me and my girl. Oh, my God, Aimee's in there. When we hit the water, she was laughing, I swear to God.
BRADFORD
Turn around.
TULSA
Hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?
BRADFORD
You're under arrest.
PENN
Water was up to her neck when I pulled her up!
AIMEE
Oh, my God, why do men have such a hero complex? I would have been fine.
TULSA
My girl just owned your ass. Love you, baby!
AIMEE
Love you, baby!
MAN
Yo, Grumpy Cop just arrested Tulsa. They're taking him to Mid-Wilshire Station. We've got your back, brah!
AIMEE
Oh, my God, the drama. I'm fine.
BAILEY
Relatively speaking, sure. But you could have water in your lungs, and LA water is not exactly known for its purity. The bacteria that might be in your system is not the same kind you're going to find in kombucha.
AIMEE
Ugh, this is actually abysmal. Am I right, guys?
BAILEY
You know, you got off lucky today, right? He could have killed you both.
AIMEE
Thanks, boomer. But, uh, I don't think I actually asked for your advice. I'm not stupid. I can handle myself.
PENN
So I probably swallowed some of that reservoir water too. Should I be worried?
BAILEY
She was in there longer than you. You're probably fine.
PENN
Yeah. Yeah, probably.
DISPATCH
All units, incoming 10-3-3 silent, manually activated holdup alarm. 4514 Broward Street, cross of Fifth.
NOLAN
Control, we're code 6. All right, what do we do?
RIDLEY
We get a little closer, assess the situation. 90% of silent alarms are activated inadvertently.
NOLAN
All right.
GENE
Listen to me. Listen. You can fix this.
NOLAN
Gun.
GENE
Now, give me the gun.
ROBBER
I'm not leaving here with nothing.
GENE
Stay calm, man. The police are here. But they're not going to shoot, right?
NOLAN
As long as that barrel stays aimed at the ground. Better yet, you put that down so there's no accidental escalation.
GENE
Listen to me. I've been where you are. I know how scared you feel right now. You don't want to do this.
ROBBER
I need the money for rent.
GENE
I hear you. I did six years for armed robbery back home in Nevada, but I got my life together, and it turned out OK. You don't want to make a bad situation worse.
NOLAN
He's right. You're not walking out of here with any cash. That part is over. The smartest choice you can make now is to give yourself up.
GENE
He didn't hurt anyone.
NOLAN
Agreed. And if he puts the gun down, I will speak to the ADA on his behalf.
NOLAN
Nice work.
GENE
Thanks. I don't know what came over me. I just thought if I could get him to focus on me, then it'll be OK.
NOLAN
I hate to think what would have happened if you weren't here.
GENE
Sorry, I'm late. I'm supposed to go pick up my daughter at the preschool.
NOLAN
Yeah, of course. We need a witness statement, but we can take care of that later. Do you have a driver's license?
GENE
Here you go.
NOLAN
Thanks. We'll get in touch if we need you, and thank you again for what you did here.
GENE
Of course. Thank you.
NOLAN
Can you tell me what you did wrong back there?
RIDLEY
I have no idea.
NOLAN
As you said, 90% of alarms are activated inadvertently. Right now, the entire district is waiting to hear from you to see whether or not that was real. So when they didn't hear from you, they assumed the worst. Right now, they're racing from across town to come and help you because you didn't update the call.
RIDLEY
I'm sorry. That won't happen again. Dispatch, show a code 4, suspect in custody.
DISPATCH
Copy that, 7-Adam-15.
CHEN
Hey. We're gonna take him to the station.
NOLAN
Thank you.
CHEN
Yep.
RIDLEY
Hey, um, I'm looking forward to dinner.
CHEN
OK.
RIDLEY
Yeah.
CROWD
Free Tulsa!
BRADFORD
God, what the hell?
CROWD
Free Tulsa! Free Tulsa!
TULSA
I told you arresting me was a mistake. My army goes hard.
PENN
How are we going to get him through?
WOMAN
Where are you taking him? He's a vegan. You know that, right?
TULSA
You guys are my family.
WOMAN
We love you.
BRADFORD
All right, quiet down.
OFFICER
Move. Move.
CHEN
Hey, everybody, get away from the vehicle!
WOMAN #2
Just take me. Just take me instead!
CHEN
Get down!
WOMAN #2
I will do the jail time for him. His videos saved my life!
TULSA
Silence is violence.
JUAREZ
Get back! Get back!
RIDLEY
Miles.
PENN
Get lost. I ain't got nothing to say to you.
RIDLEY
I know what you think of me, man.
PENN
Really? Tell me. Because I have no idea what to think of you. We was boys back at the Academy, and I trusted you, and you lied about everything, about the most personal and tragic things.
RIDLEY
It wasn't all lies, man. You have no idea what I have been through.
PENN
Was it hard to have pretend cancer?
RIDLEY
I didn't know!
PENN
So you're not a liar. You're a moron.
RIDLEY
Well, at least I'm not a has-been clinging to my glory days.
PENN
What?
NOLAN
What happened out there?
BRADFORD
Downfall of western civilization. Some idiot livestreams his life and millions watch. Got me rooting for a zombie apocalypse.
NOLAN
I had a civilian risk his life to talk down an armed gunman today. Where's his fandom?
BRADFORD
Hey, what happened here?
RIDLEY
Uh, it was my fault, sir. I managed to open the locker door into my face, sir.
NOLAN
All right, let's go get that looked at. And you're going to fill out an incident report to document that injury so you can't change your story later. With me.
BRADFORD
I thought I told you to stay cool. Striking another officer will earn you an automatic bounce.
PENN
You heard him. It was the locker.
BRADFORD
This is what happens when you let liars stay on the job. They infect the team, and pretty soon, everyone's a liar.
TULSA
In and out of jail in record time! Hey, can y'all go show some love on Aimee's latest post? She just bailed me out of jail with her hospital bracelet still on, come on! Wifey vibes right there.
AIMEE
You're my ride or die, baby.
WESLEY
What are you two doing here?
TULSA
Look who it is. ADA Wesley Evers. He's the one trying to bring down your boy. Get a good look at his face. That's the face of a straight-up hater.
AIMEE
The unfairness of this so-called justice system is atrocious.
TULSA
Disgusting.
AIMEE
Now we've got somewhere, or rather, someone, to direct all of our anger at.
WESLEY
This is a bad idea for both of you. You really want to bring more charges to Tulsa?
AIMEE
I'm sorry, are you actually threatening us right now? Did you guys hear that? The persecution literally just doesn't stop.
WESLEY
OK, can you call security, please?
AIMEE
If it wasn't for my bottled smiles, I'd be, like, totally crashing, like going full postal right now. Anyway, ILYSM, babes. Make sure to take care of yourselves during such a trying time.
TANNER
All right. Let's go.
AIMEE
What?
TULSA
Get ready to have your life turned upside down, Evers. None of your little fancy degrees will help you hide from the Internet! This is war! And I got a whole army behind me!
WESLEY
Thanks for coming.
TULSA
Tulsa Nation!
WESLEY
Everybody back to work.
GREY
I got bad news. I just got a call from the Nevada Department of Corrections. You ran the name of a witness in your liquor store robbery, Gene Webster?
NOLAN
Oh, no, he was more than just a witness. He talked down the gunman at great personal risk.
GREY
CJIC flagged his name. Webster was released from custody in 2019, but it was a clerical error. He still has five years left on his sentence.
RIDLEY
So what happens now?
NOLAN
We bring him in. He has to go back.
RIDLEY
That guy's a hero. I mean, we have to bring him back to prison because they screwed up?
NOLAN
Officer Ridley and I will pick him up.
GREY
What happened to your face?
RIDLEY
My cheek met the business end of a locker door, sir.
GREY
Dismissed.
CYNTHIA
Hi.
NOLAN
Hi.
CYNTHIA
You must be here to take Gene's statement. Come on in.
GENE
Hey. You didn't have to come all the way out here. I was just headed to the station.
NOLAN
Uh, can we have a moment?
CYNTHIA
Um, no. No. I'll stay.
GENE
What's going on?
NOLAN
Well, there's no easy way to say this. We run backgrounds on everyone involved at a crime scene. When we ran your name, the Nevada Department of Corrections flagged it. According to their records, you should still be in prison.
GENE
No, they gave my things back, showed me how to get to the nearest bus stop. I didn't escape.
NOLAN
No, I know. It was a clerical error. Instead of being released, you were supposed to be transferred to another facility in Las Vegas.
CYNTHIA
So what-- what does that mean?
NOLAN
We're here to take you back.
GENE
What?
CYNTHIA
No, no. You can't do that.
GENE
I have a job, a--a family. It's the prison that screwed up!
NOLAN
I know, and it is completely unfair, and you should hire a lawyer and fight it, but our hands are tied. We have to take you back now.
GENE
I think I'm gonna be sick.
CYNTHIA
Our daughter's taking a nap right now. What am I supposed to tell her?
NOLAN
Well, I can give you the number for a great family psychologist.
CYNTHIA
Well, then, all fixed, right? I can't believe this is happening.
NOLAN
We'll give you a minute to get ready.
GENE
OK.
RIDLEY
You know, I know how hard this is. You know, you thought you earned a second chance, and now it's being ripped away. [clears throat] But your family knows who you really are. Nolan! Nolan, he's running!
CYNTHIA
Gene?
NOLAN
7-Adam-15, in pursuit of fugitive suspect Gene Webster. White male, 40s, blue jeans, plaid shirt.
JACK
Mom, look!
LOPEZ
Hi, baby.
AGGIE
Whoo! Here she is, folks. Wesley Evers's wife. Angela, is it?
LOPEZ
What the hell are you people doing?
MIA
Exposing corruption.
AGGIE
Your husband is trying to railroad Tulsa Braden.
LOPEZ
Get that camera out of my face.
JACK
Hi, Mom!
LOPEZ
And you do not have consent to film my child.
MIA
Oh, my God, calm down. OK? We'll put an emoji over his face or whatever.
9-1-1 DISPATCH
911. What's your emergency?
LOPEZ
This is Detective Lopez, 23-31. I have an angry crowd at my 10-10. My son is in danger. Send backup now. Code 3.
MIA
You could end this right now. All you have to do is admit that Tulsa has been wrongfully prosecuted.
LOPEZ
What is wrong with you? Your hero could have killed people today.
AGGIE
Yeah, but unlike you, he didn't kill people, so...
LOPEZ
You better watch your mouth.
MIA
Or what? You and your rich husband will sic the Illuminati on me? What does your kid think of that? Huh? Huh? What--
LOPEZ
I'm taking you in. Anyone else want to spend the night in jail?
AGGIE
That's police brutality!
CHEN
Hey!
JUAREZ
Everybody back up. Back up! Let's go!
MIA
Wow, guys. Corruption is so real. Of course you get here after the assault. I bet your body cams are conveniently turned off too.
JUAREZ
OK, you know, there's such a thing as being too online.
MIA
That's just a lie propagated by people in power to keep people like us quiet. OK, Tulsa's one of us!
CHEN
You know that Tulsa had enough resources to bail himself out before he spent even one hour in a jail cell? Do you have those resources? Do any of you have enough money for that? No.
MIA
OK, please, just-- just don't arrest me. Look, I'm sorry I acted out. I actually have an impulse control disorder and social anxiety that's exacerbated by large crowds.
LOPEZ
Like I want to spend my evening at juvenile booking.
CHEN
You are very lucky. Try to stay offline.
MIA
Thanks.
CHEN
Mm-hmm.
LOPEZ
What the hell was that?
NOLAN
Hey.
BAILEY
Hey. Are you ready to head home?
NOLAN
Yeah, just about. Quick question-- why are you reading the California Police Background Investigation Manual?
BAILEY
I am putting together a helpful checklist for you of the myriad of infractions you can use to kick Seth out of the program.
NOLAN
You're worried about me.
BAILEY
You're riding around with a sociopath. Of course, I'm worried about you.
NOLAN
Well, I got to tell you, building a covert file on my problematic rookie is so very hot. But don't worry. I'm--I'm fine with Seth.
BAILEY
OK, well, then why do you look so troubled?
NOLAN
There was a robbery earlier, and a civilian managed to talk down the shooter, but it turns out that civilian has some unfinished time on an old prison sentence. They want him back for it. When he found out, he ran.
BAILEY
Oh, that's awful.
NOLAN
I can't help but think if he had just kept his head down and not been a literal hero, he'd be at home right now with his wife and daughter.
BAILEY
Well, maybe something would have gone sideways in the store. Maybe someone would be dead.
NOLAN
I just hope he does the right thing, turns himself in, doesn't do anything to make the situation worse.
CHEN
Hey, where are the salad forks?
BRADFORD
I'm a 45-year-old guy who lives alone. There's one kind of fork.
JUAREZ
OK, almost done.
RODGE
So what's the game plan?
JUAREZ
We're going to eat, be pleasant, and find an excuse to duck out early.
RODGE
You want me to fake an allergic reaction?
JUAREZ
No. OK, well, only if I do this signal.
RODGE
Got it. [doorbell rings]
BRADFORD
Welcome.
TAMARA
Hi.
BRADFORD
I'll take your jackets.
TAMARA
Thank you so much for doing this.
CHEN
Yes, anything for you.
RIDLEY
I got you flowers. We--we got you flowers.
CHEN
Oh. Thank you.
JUAREZ
What are the chances he took these off a grave?
LOPEZ
OK, here's another one.
WOMAN
Well, I made it back home. And I hope you guys have a good night. It's gonna be super great. Oh! Oh! Whoops. Oops.
WESLEY
How goes the doxxing?
HARPER
Oh, no, no. This isn't doxxing. We are harvesting information from public profiles that these fools uploaded themselves. You want to do crime and then brag about it for clicks, I am here to keep track.
LOPEZ
Mm-hmm.
HARPER
I already have enough evidence for a dozen arrest warrants.
WESLEY
Well, Tulsa's not going to care if his fans end up in jail. What about Aimee? Anything on her?
LOPEZ
Her social media reflects a basic LA cool girl aesthetic, but her actual background is much more interesting. She was an honor student all throughout high school, graduated top of her class, was captain of the debate team, and won the National Mathlete Summit two years in a row.
WESLEY
Well, her Instagram bio just says "Too glam to give a damn," painted nail emoji, so.
HARPER
You know, I thought that we, as a gender, were past dumbing ourselves down for tools like Tulsa.
LOPEZ
Mm. Maybe she doesn't see it that way.
WESLEY
What do you mean?
LOPEZ
I mean, I think we should talk to her without her other denser half around, and if she's as smart as she seems, maybe we could talk some sense into her.
WESLEY
Hmm.
TAMARA
I've been volunteering with this great organization that's focused on building trust with mentally ill homeless people.
CHEN
What? That sounds perfect for you.
TAMARA
Yeah. Seth's going to join me one of these days.
RODGE
(in Spanish) Not sure building trust is his thing.
RIDLEY
Hablo español.
RODGE
Just a joke. Didn't mean anything by it.
RIDLEY
Yeah, don't worry. I, uh... [clears throat] I get it.
CHEN
Oh, wait. Hold on. What is this?
RIDLEY
What-- that's not what it looks like.
CHEN
This looks like an engagement ring. Tamara, are you crazy?
TAMARA
We're not getting married. I mean, not right away.
CHEN
Then what is the ring for?
RIDLEY
It's more of a promise ring.
RODGE
That's what an engagement ring is.
RIDLEY
I had a little bit of extra money.
CHEN
You had extra money? What, the ten grand from the city that you got in back pay after you were fired for lying on the job? Is that the money you're talking about?
TAMARA
I knew you already made up your mind! You weren't going to give him a chance.
CHEN
Tamara, he has had so many chances. You know, he's lying to you, the same way he lied to me the whole time.
TAMARA
We are leaving. Thanks for dinner and for being such a good friend.
CHEN
I've sent Tamara a dozen texts. Still no response.
JUAREZ
Look, they're young. It'll fizzle out.
CHEN
Just-- I don't get it, you know? I mean, she survived on the streets. I really thought she had better instincts than this.
RODGE
Well, living with you taught her to trust people. In a way, this is your fault.
JUAREZ
(in Spanish) You're not helping.
RODGE
(in Spanish) I'm sorry.
JUAREZ
She does have good instincts, and they will kick in.
CHEN
When? Before she's walking down the aisle?
RODGE
Oh, hi.
BRADFORD
Hey.
RODGE
One more for breakfast?
BRADFORD
Oh, no, I can't stay.
CHEN
Hey.
BRADFORD
Hey.
CHEN
What's up?
BRADFORD
I, uh-- I thought I'd give you a ride to the sergeant's exam, run you through some last minute sergeant scenarios.
CHEN
That's sweet of you. I'll go get my coat.
BRADFORD
What was that?
JUAREZ
Hmm? What? Nothing.
BRADFORD
Look, we're friends. I'm supporting her.
RODGE
Get your mind out of the gutter. They are just friends.
JUAREZ
Absolutely, he is supporting her.
RODGE
Mm.
BRADFORD
OK.
NOLAN
So how was the big dinner?
RIDLEY
I assumed Celina was live tweeting all the details.
NOLAN
She was. I was just being polite. Night shift says Gene is still in the wind, but his wife pulled $5,000 out of their checking account.
RIDLEY
Sounds like they're making a run for it.
NOLAN
There's a unit on the house right now. We'll take over after roll call.
RIDLEY
OK.
AIMEE
You can't hold me here. I didn't commit a crime.
LOPEZ
We're not arresting you, Aimee, although your stunt at the DA's Office is definitely questionable. We're just here to talk.
AIMEE
OK, I get it. You're trying to play the whole sisterhood women helping women angle. I'm way too smart to fall for that.
HARPER
Yeah, not too smart to hang out with a loser like Tulsa.
LOPEZ
We know your history, Aimee. You had a bright future.
Oh, my God. I am so sick of people talking to me about my bright future. Do you know when people, like, actually started paying attention to me? Because it sure wasn't after I led the mathlete team to victory in high school. No, it was when I started getting regular spray tans and waxes and posting bikini pictures and never leaving the house without a full face of makeup and dating Tulsa.
HARPER
Well, why couldn't you do both? You don't have to hide your intelligence to be liked.
AIMEE
Oh, come on. I think we all know what society does to women who try to do both. We're prudes or we're sluts. There's no in-between. And for the record, I think I do actually have a bright future ahead. Just wait and see. If you're not following me already, I think you're really gonna want to keep up.
RIDLEY
I have been trying so hard, but nobody seems to care.
NOLAN
It's been 30 hours.
RIDLEY
I know, but--
NOLAN
No, you don't. You don't know what it's like to feel tricked, to realize that the person you thought you knew is really just a character someone created.
RIDLEY
Well, it wasn't all a lie. I love my job. I love Tamara. That is real. So how do I make people see that?
NOLAN
You can't. You just have to keep working at it all day, every day. Maybe people will see it. Maybe they won't. Cancer's not going to get you out of trouble this time. There are no shortcuts. Control, we have eyes on fugitive suspect's wife heading south on Liberty. Grey MDX, license plate number 2-Adam-Bravo-Mary-5-4-3. Mobilize additional units to support.
BRADFORD
Describe the LIVEN system of a supervisory response to an in-progress emergency.
CHEN
Locate, Isolate, Verify, Evacuate, Negotiate, or Neutralize.
BRADFORD
Very good. Feel ready?
CHEN
Yeah, as I'll ever be. It was nice of you to drive.
BRADFORD
Yeah, no problem.
CHEN
And helping me study.
BRADFORD
Just returning the favor.
CHEN
Right. So this has nothing to do with the promise of physical intimacy if I make sergeant?
BRADFORD
OK, when you make sergeant. And, no, friends help each other without even thinking about the joys of physical intimacy.
CHEN
Are you mocking my language choice? Do you really think that's the best path forward?
BRADFORD
Yeah, absolutely. But we both know when you pass the test, we won't have the rank problem anymore.
CHEN
That's true.
BRADFORD
Not that either of us are reading anything more into that.
CHEN
Right.
RIDLEY
Thanks. I owe you one. -- Gene's wife got three phone calls last night. Two were from burner phones. One was from a phone registered to Miguel Reese. Now, Reese is a low-level smuggler, and he works for José Seguera. Seguera is a known coyote, smuggling people across the border from Mexico. And he did two years in the Nevada penitentiary for it.
NOLAN
He did time with Gene.
RIDLEY
Exactly. So it seemed that Gene is relying on an old friend to get him out of the country.
NOLAN
And he asked his wife to bring Seguera the money to pay for it.
RIDLEY
Right.
NOLAN
Your need for praise is radiating off you like a fever.
RIDLEY
Right, yeah, well, so no "attaboy" or anything?
NOLAN
You don't get extra credit for doing your job, Officer Ridley.
RIDLEY
How about if I have the address the phone call came from?
NOLAN
Now that's worth praising. Get backup moving. Bring the world.
RIDLEY
Control, 7-Adam-15.
NOLAN
All right, Officer Ridley, what do we do?
RIDLEY
Well, the safest thing would be to wait until backup arrives, but it's ETA two minutes. But without eyes on the back of that warehouse, they could easily slip away while we wait, so I say we do a preliminary recon. at least get eyes on the suspects so we can better advise on tactical operations when the cavalry arrives.
NOLAN
Good. All right. Let's do it. Stay behind cover as much as possible.
REESE
She only brought five.
CYNTHIA
It was all that I could get on such short notice. But I can get you more after you get him out of the country.
SEGUERA
What's this? You want me to smuggle your husband on a layaway plan?
GENE
Come on, José. We go back. You know I'm good for it.
SEGUERA
True, true. We go back.
GENE
Yeah.
SEGUERA
Back on the yard. Yeah, we looked out.
GENE
We used to look out for each other, yeah.
SEGUERA
Hey, but when you cut out of there... Did I ever get-- I don't know-- any money on my commissary account? Or was it just out of sight, out of mind, dog?
GENE
Is that why you're jamming me up? Because I didn't buy you deodorant and Pop Tarts?
SEGUERA
Nah, fool. I'm jamming you up because you and your wife pulled down six figures last year, and what I do ain't cheap.
GENE
We're not rich, man. I got a mortgage and a kid in Los Angeles. We're barely scraping by.
SEGUERA
Barely scraping by with a mortgage, OK. Homeowners. [laughs] Hey, why don't I get Miguel to go bring the kid down here and we'll see if maybe that opens up your pockets more, dog?
BRADFORD
What's the situation?
NOLAN
We have four men holding our suspect and his wife. One of them has a shotgun. I'm assuming the others are armed as well.
BRADFORD
SWAT will be here in six minutes.
NOLAN
Yeah, I'm afraid we don't have six minutes.
BRADFORD
All right, we'll go around back, get set up. In case if we have to act, we're in position.
NOLAN
On me.
BRADFORD
Control, this is escalating quickly. Making entry now.
DISPATCH
Dispatch copies the officers making contact. SWAT and air support are 49, code 3.
SEGUERA
This is less than optimal, Gene. Less than optimal. This ain't working, OK? Maybe if she would have brought more cash, you know, we could have-- we could have figured it out, but I don't know if I can trust it, you know? And you're a fugitive, right? And she's-- she could just go snitch, easily ID us. So I'm just going to have to keep this five and dump your bodies in the bay.
CYNTHIA
No.
GENE
Don't do that, man. Hey.
RIDLEY
We gotta do something.
NOLAN
Hold steady. We don't have a clear shot.
GENE
Come on. Don't do that. Please, come on, man.
CYNTHIA
No, Gene.
NOLAN
Police! Drop those weapons!
GENE
Cynthia!
CYNTHIA
Gene!
RIDLEY
Thanks.
NOLAN
Stay behind me.
REESE
Ah!
NOLAN
Go around.
CYNTHIA
No!
REESE
Get up!
CYNTHIA
Stop!
NOLAN
Drop the gun!
RIDLEY
Nolan, look out!
NOLAN
No! Easy, I got it. Easy. Hold still. Help is on the way. I need a tourniquet!
GENE
Take my belt.
BRADFORD
Officer down. I need a medevac chopper at my location now. Severe left leg trauma, conscious and breathing. Help is on the way. This is going to hurt.
TAMARA
Hi.
CHEN
Hi.
TAMARA
How'd the test go?
CHEN
Yeah, I mean, I think I did well.
TAMARA
I'm sorry about running out like that. I never want to lose our friendship.
CHEN
Tamara, that's not possible.
JUAREZ
Hello? Something happened. Seth's in the hospital.
PENN
I feel like such an ass. I could have taken the high road with Seth, but instead I let my anger and my resentment get the better of me.
BRADFORD
Well, he earned that anger and resentment.
PENN
I know.
BRADFORD
Look, he's a bad person who did a heroic and selfless thing, which makes this complicated. You're allowed to feel bad on multiple levels here.
SURGEON
So he's awake and recovering in ICU. Unfortunately, there was too much damage to the tissue, bone, and arteries of his left leg. We had to amputate below the knee. I'm sorry. We did everything we could.
NOLAN
Of course.
GREY
Thank you, Doctor. It'll be a long recovery, but he's eligible for disability.
NOLAN
He saved my life. I'm going to go check on him.
GREY
I'll update the others.
NOLAN
Seth?
RIDLEY
Sir. I, uh... [clears throat] It doesn't seem real, but it's-- it's true.
NOLAN
It's going to take some time. You've been through a lot.
RIDLEY
I don't remember much at the end. Gene and Cynthia--
NOLAN
Safe. Nevada has agreed to release Gene, time served. The DA is going to waive charges here. He's going home to his family.
RIDLEY
It's not a bad way to end my career.
NOLAN
It's gonna take you time to learn to use your prosthetic, but your career is only over if you want it to be.
RIDLEY
I'm pretty sure we all know what the station wants. Karma's a bitch, right?
NOLAN
Look, what you did today, sacrificing yourself for another officer, it bought you a lot of goodwill. Now you can use that to excuse more bad behavior, or you can use it to become a different person. I'm sure the last thing you want right now is advice, but this tragedy has brought you to a crossroads. You can choose a different path. It's just going to require complete honesty.
RIDLEY
I don't know if I can, Nolan. I've tried. And I keep promising myself that this is going to be the last time that I'm going to lie, and it never is.
NOLAN
I'll give you a minute.
TAMARA
Are you OK? Of course not. I don't know why I asked that.
RIDLEY
I'm OK. Um, I just-- [exhales]
TAMARA
What? Do I need to get the doctor?
RIDLEY
No. No, I need to tell you something. I knew that I didn't have cancer.
TAMARA
What?
RIDLEY
I lied to you. And I lied to everyone because-- I don't--I don't know why. No, no, that's another lie. I do know. I lied because I'm a coward.
TAMARA
I don't understand. The doctor said--
RIDLEY
I lied. I paid the doctor to say that my cancer was back. I was failing at my job, and instead of just owning up to my own mistakes or doing better, I-- I did what I always do. I made myself a victim. I'm sorry, Tamara. I am so sorry.
TAMARA
Lucy warned me.
RIDLEY
Yeah, she's right, but, Tamara, I need you to know that you and me, that was real.
TAMARA
No, it wasn't. I didn't even know you.
TULSA
Yo, fam. Hey, can I ask y'all to move just a little bit, please? Thank you. Much love. Much love, Tulsa Nation. -- Deadass, deadass, there is a loser over there with my name tattooed on his arm. So cringe, I can't. And don't even get me started on that uggo over there. I mean, how is she OK leaving the house looking like that? You would never let yourself look like that, right, Aims? You know what a real woman is supposed to look like.
HARPER
I can't believe Aimee leaked this.
LOPEZ
She must have planned it all along.
AIMEE
I am finally ready to stand in my truth. Tulsa is a gaslighting narcissist, and we will not let him win.
HARPER
Think it'll have any effect?
WESLEY
It already has. Fans are so mad, Tulsa packed his bag, checked himself into a rehab facility.
LOPEZ
Yikes.
AIMEE
And I know a lot of you are probably wondering, what's next for me? Am I going to be OK? Well, the answer is unequivocally yes because tomorrow I will be launching my very first skincare line, Survivor Skin, skincare for survivors.
LOPEZ
OK, I'm done with the Internet for today.
WESLEY
Hmm. You know, I did see some fans posting videos calling us the new real life power couple. Yeah, no, they said that your-- your hair is goddess coded.
LOPEZ
Wow.
WESLEY
Yeah.
LOPEZ
Well, maybe we'll just check out one of those videos real quick.
WESLEY
OK.
LOPEZ
Palate cleanser.
WESLEY
OK.
BRADFORD
How's Tamara?
CHEN
When I left her, she was Googling how to join a nunnery.
BRADFORD
That's probably a good idea.
CHEN
It'll pass.
BRADFORD
How are you doing?
CHEN
I don't know. I--with everything that happened today, I have no idea how I did on the test. I either aced it or missed every question, so...
BRADFORD
Well, for now, there's no way to know, so let's assume you aced it.
CHEN
And what should we do based off of that assumption?
BRADFORD
Celebrate?
CHEN
You know I didn't take this test for you, right?
BRADFORD
Of course, it was a smart career move.
CHEN
It is a smart career move. And I haven't passed yet, so nothing's really changed.
BRADFORD
Well, this time next week, we'll know.
CHEN
Yes, we will.