Major Crimes (2012–2018): Season 4, Episode 13 - Reality Check - full transcript

The team investigates a murder during the taping of a reality competition show pitting married couples against each other; Sanchez is reminded of his late wife; Rusty meets Slider's lawyer.

Nate: 10 couples have fallen.

Only two remain.

They've survived every challenge...

And each other...

To get to the finals

and their chance at $1 million.

Can Les and Colleen Dickerhoof
pull it out in the end,

or will Chip and Donna Cochran,
the couple we love to hate,

be the first across the
finish line... again?

[ Screaming ]

[ Groans ]



Don't miss "American Scavenger Hunt"...

This Wednesday night.

It's all come down to this.

Sykes: That's her. Donna Cochran.

Her husband, Chip, was
thrown from the vehicle...

Injured but alive. He's on
his way to the hospital.

Mm.

Ooh.

Why two steering wheels?

Sanchez: They were installed in the car

as part of a reality-show challenge.

Each vehicle had two drivers, sir.

Yeah, all the contestants are
dysfunctional married couples

competing for $1 million.



Wow.

Husband and wife driving the same vehicle,

arguing about money.

What could possibly go wrong?

So, where did the car fall from?

There's a switchback 300 feet above us.

They must have lost
control at the turn and...

Husband was found halfway
down the hill, Tao.

Really? Interesting.

Any witnesses?

Another vehicle like this one

was about 50 yards ahead of the curve,

and a small production crew was
about the same distance behind,

but no one was near enough

to see the car when it went over the edge.

And this production crew is where?

Tailed the ambulance that took the husband,

filming the whole thing.

Something's not right here.

There are lots of small cameras
positioned inside the car.

I'll unload the video at the print shed.

Maybe we can see what happened.

[ Cellphone rings ]

Yes, Lieutenant.

Julio, where are you?!

I'm in Griffith Park on Mount
Hollywood Drive, around...

No, you're not! I'm on
Mount Hollywood Drive!

And why am I up here by myself, surrounded

by press everywhere?!

Sir, you went where the
car drove off the cliff.

We're 300 feet below, where the car crashed.

Tao thinks it might not be an accident.

Uh... back! Get back!

Make sure

they stay 50 yards.

Push them back 50 yards.

[ Cellphone rings ]

Ye gods, it's Flynn calling... again.

You get Tao up here...

Now.

Sir.

Tao.

Ugh.

Flynn, you better be dying.

I'm watching you on the news.

- Tragedy on the TV set of "American Scavenger Hunt."
- You look better from behind than you do from the front.

You're supposed to be resting.

I'm just enjoying your show.

Ask the Lieutenant to have
Julio meet me at the hospital.

Yeah, Sharon says she would like...

[ Beep ] Hello?

What? He hung up on me.

[ Chuckles ] I'll call him on my way.

Would you send me something to do?

You're not supposed to be working.

Please? I'm fine, really.

I mean, I can watch television

and work on field cards at the same t...

Apparently,

um, Patrice is standing by if you need her.

- I'm good, and Slider's lawyer is coming, so...
- Oh, right.

And if anything goes wrong
with Andy, you call...

Call 911 first, and then call you.

And drove over the cliff.

Donna Cochran died at the scene.

Chip has serious injuries

and was taken to an area hospital.

Is this an accident or not?

I don't think so. Let me
look at these skid marks.

The husband was found
halfway down the cliff,

supposedly thrown from his car.

But his seatbelt wasn't engaged,

his airbag never went off,

and his car door was ripped
off during the crash.

And the woman...

In the vehicle...

Was also wearing a red bandana.

So, why is this one up here?

Sharon: Her husband was thrown from the car,

or did he jump out just in time?

Maybe. The car had two sets of controls.

The husband could have
forced the car to the edge

and bailed out before the crash,

maybe rolled down the side of the hill a bit

to make it look like more
of an accident, ma'am.

Hey, folks, do you mind just
standing here for a moment?

Yes, we do mind. Step aside.

But we're filming. It'll... ma'am?

Les: I don't know how something
like this happened.

The Scavenger Hunt team is so careful.

Safety being our number-one priority.

- How was that?
- Nate: Good.

Colleen, can you say a few
nice words about the Cochrans?

Very few.

We want the audience to
know that in the game,

it may have looked like we thought

Chip and Donna were total freaks, but...

[Voice breaking] Deep down,
we knew they were...

They were people, not like us, but human.

- Ma'am...
- What's going on here?

Uh, hi.

Nate Olin, host and...

Executive producer/creator of
"American Scavenger Hunt."

This is part of my...

Mr. Olin, the police need
this hallway to remain clear.

But, um, see, the waiting room
is not as good a backdrop for...

Is it better than being under arrest, Nate?

[ Bag crinkles ]

'Cause I'm about to arrest you.

All right. We'll move.

Excuse me.

Sharon: Mr. Cochran.

L.A.P.D.

We'd like to ask you some
questions about the accident.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Did Nate
send you guys in here?

'Cause I told him I'm not
talking to anybody right now!

You guys need to wait.

Just make an appointment with my publicist.

You don't ask the L.A.P.D. to wait, sir.

We ask you to wait.

[ Bag crinkles ]

- Is this yours?
- Well, it's got to be.

I mean, it's too big for
Donna's tiny brain pan.

Where is my psycho wife, anyway?

- No one seems to know.
- She's nearby.

Can you tell us something

about the moments leading up to the crash?

Well, we were arguing.

She was jealous, you know,

accusing me of dropping my
pants for another woman.

At first, I thought she was
just having one of her tantrums,

because that's part of our brand.

But then, she starts yanking the wheel

towards the edge of the
cliff, driving crazy.

Why didn't you try steering yourself?

Does the fact that I couldn't
get control of the car

make me look responsible to you two idiots?

No.

What makes you look responsible to us idiots

is that we found this bandana

one foot from the edge of the cliff.

Okay, I felt like my wife
was trying to kill us,

so I jumped from the car.

Haven't you seen what she's
done to me on the show?!

- Mitzy: Oh, Chip!
- Oh, geez.

I can't believe Donna's gone.

- Oh, no, ma'am, please.
- What do you mean, gone?

Don't mess with me, Mitzy. Not today.

Ma'am, I need you to turn
around and walk out of the door!

I'm not leaving after he just lost his wife

and nearly died himself.

Chip, stay with me while
I post this on Twitter.

Is what my sister saying true?

That Donna's...

That my wife is...

She's dead?

Yes.

We're very sorry.

You're sorry?

You're standing here asking me questions,

making me think my wife is in another...

Chip, honey, let me handle this.

Listen, police officers,

we're gonna need some family time here.

We appreciate your public service...

So much.

Thank you.

Bye!

Absolutely. You can have some time.

The doctor said you can be
released in a few minutes.

The nurse will let us know when he's ready

and we'll be back to take him downtown.

Nate: Sure. Yeah, we had a camera
crew following the little race.

But network legal is so
worried about liability,

they've already confiscated all
the video from the accident.

I'm sorry.

Mr. Olin, as the host of the show,

did you observe the Cochrans enough

to know if they got along?

Uh...

This is one of cable's most popular shows,

in addition to being our
network's number-one series,

and the Cochrans are why.

So the way he talked about his wife,

that was just an act?

No.

They're awful, hateful people

with absolutely no redeeming
qualities whatsoever.

But our audience loves to hate them.

See, to the fans, they're not the Cochrans,

they're the Cockroaches. [ Chuckles ]

We just cut a whole promo based on them.

Eat it! Put it inside you!

- Get it!
- Nate: You've seen them struggle.

Eat it, Donna!

I can't even figure out how
you guys got on this show.

Nate: You've watched them attack others.

What he means is, you guys are just ugly.

You know, like on the outside.

You're just... you're just...
You're physically ugly.

Are they mean enough to win?

Hurry up, you idiot!

Put your foot higher,

you fat loser!

Watch "American Scavenger Hunt"...

[Screams, grunts]

Wednesdays at 9:00 on Slag TV.

What a disgusting couple.

And they're pure gold.

Of course, they were a team.

- Nurse: Okay, Detective.
- Sadly.

Uh, Chip is ready to go, ma'am.



I think he may be avoiding us, ma'am.

That's an interesting reaction

from someone we told to stay here.

Well, it could be Chip
thinks he's still racing.

Or maybe he knows it's "game over."

[ Snoring ]

[ Knocking on door ]

Bobby G. Monroe.

- Are you Rusty?
- Yeah, yeah.

Thank you so much for making time to see me.

Uh, this way.

Nice to meet you, finally.

- Yeah.
- Oh, he's...

- He's not gonna be here while we...
- Oh, no, no.

In fact, I need to check
to make sure he's not dead.

Andy. Andy.

[ Snorts ]

Slider's lawyer is here.

Hey, Bobby.

Still in the dirtbag business?

I am.

You still charging people with crimes

for which they can be executed by the state?

Okay, okay. Don't answer that, Lieutenant.

Bobby is here to argue with me, not you.

Okay.

You can talk till you're blue in the face.

Not gonna change a thing.

I'll be down the hall with my laptop.

Do you mind if we leap right into business?

Because Greg Rasenick isn't my only client.

But he is the only one going
to court this year, isn't he?

I-I looked you up.

Lots and lots of death-penalty cases.

It's my entire practice.

Well, I'm sorry to interrupt it.

Have a seat.

Thank you for coming to me,

because I'm... I'm a
little pinned down today.

But I tried to interview Greg last week

using the questions I had e-mailed to you.

But they weren't very helpful,
because he can't read.

Oh, well, that's not
unusual for a kid like him.

Right.

And he won't cooperate with
me, but he admires you.

At least, he... he quotes you a lot.

Uh-huh.

And I was thinking that
if you could be there

the next time I try to talk to him...

Okay, look, I signed off on
this whole interview thing

and agreed to not treat it as evidence,

but I don't see how it helps my case.

And what are you, anyway... 14?

I'm almost 20, and...

Frame the story for me in adult terms.

What's your angle?

Are you trying to get Greg to
say he's sorry for what he did?

God, no. Actually, I'm barred

from even asking him about the murder.

Well, what is it, then?
Be... be honest with me.

Okay, I'm trying to figure out

if Slider was always this way,

or was there a turning point

when he changed from street kid to killer?

Allegedly.

Allegedly.

Slider told me you're
letting him take the stand.

It's not ideal,

but it's the only way
he'd let me represent him.

Well, then I want you to see

how easily your client loses it with me

when I ask him just some...
some pretty simple questions.

And then I want you to imagine
how he'd react at trial,

under cross-examination from Andrea Hobbs.

I'm offering Slider an
opportunity to practice some...

Some ordinary social interaction

before you put him in front of a jury.

If I were you, I'd want
to see how he behaves.

[ Phone rings ]

Julio found Miss Mitzy at her house.

He's on his way up with her right now.

And still no sign of the brother.

Does Mitzy have a criminal record?

No. Just a social one.

She says on Facebook she left
her job as a dental hygienist

three months ago to start
her own publicity firm.

So, Chip's sister is also his publicist?

Apparently.

Oh, and something else
that's pretty interesting...

In everyday life, Chip is a stuntman.

So he would know how to jump
out of a moving vehicle.

Mike, do we have anything else

on the car they both were driving?

Mechanic said good brake
lines, no flat tires.

Could have been hacked,

but I'd have to go over the drive-by-wire.

Drive-by-wire?

Cars like this, when you
steer or step on the brake,

- a computer translates that action into a signal, which...
- Oh, my God.

Are you saying that...

That this drive-by-wire
could have been hacked?

Yes, and the car could be driven remotely.

As if installing an extra steering wheel

and another pair of brakes
didn't create enough trouble.

Sharon: Buzz, there were onboard cameras.

Yes, but no memory cards.

Everything was transmitted
directly to the follow van.

Mitzy: I'm tweeting about this.

You're not accusing my
brother of crashing his car

without having me documenting ev... hey!

You can't cut me off
from the world like that.

The world wants a break. Ma'am.

Mike.

Good luck.

Tao: This is your vehicle, is it not?

You can't prove that.

I saw you helping Chip into your minivan

before you drove him away.

We have video of you assisting
him escape from the hospital.

Well, maybe that was me.

But Chip was overwhelmed with grief.

He just lost his wife.

He shouldn't have to answer questions

from a bunch of
celebrity-crazed police officers.

Would you treat Justin Bieber like this?

Who? Justin who?

Tao:Ma'am, we just need to know
where your brother's gone.

Chip wanted to protect his
privacy and his dignity.

Is that why you helped him
escape in his hospital gown?

To protect his dignity?

No. I needed to take him somewhere

where he could properly
communicate his loss.

Are you talking about a lawyer?

No, I'm not talking about a lawyer.

In Hollywood, what happened to Chip

can only be discussed in one forum.

He's there right now, live! [ Scoffs ]

What am I dealing with here?

Haven't you ever heard of Mario Lopez?

I'm surprised we're not watching it.

I mean, the fact is, you know, Donna and I,

we shared a deep and
abiding love, man, you know.

We're not hateful people.
We're just misunderstood.

I mean, sure, we said some awful,

awful things to each other,

but that was our way of
expressing our affection.

Amy, call the producers of that show

and have them hold Mr. Cochran
until Julio can arrest him.

I'm... I'm sorry, man, I'm a...

I'm a bit of a wreck right now.

It's all right. Listen, Chip,

do you think that you might want

to take a little time for yourself

and just sort of get away

and be out of the public eye?

I don't think so.

I think Donna would have wanted me to...

To push on with the spin-off.

Our fans, they don't call us

the Cockroaches because they hate us.

They call us the Cockroaches
because we're survivors.

[ Voice breaking ]Donna, if
you're listening up there,

I celebrate you.

You scripted his responses?

Chip helped.

You know, Chip, in an "extra" exclusive,

we actually obtained footage of...

- Of your crash from the network right here.
- What?!

- So I'd like for you to check this out.
- He never told me that.

W-wait a minute.

How did Mario Lopez

get footage of that crash before we did?

Exactly. I want a copy of
whatever video they have...

Immediately!

Thoughts. I know it's some
pretty sensitive stuff,

but if you can please
comment on the other side,

that would be great.

Yeah, o... Yeah, o-okay.

Let's take a look.

You're sleeping with her, aren't you?

You and that goat-faced bitch!

[Tires squealing] Ugh!

Stop that! Stop it! I'm not doing anything!

You're yanking the steering wheel, Chip!

- Stop it!
- Slow down, Donna!

We're getting too close to the edge, Chip!

Stop! You're gonna kill us both!

- Stop!
- Karma's a bitch, Donna!

I don't want to die!

[Screams]

Oh, come on! I was exaggerating.

You know, for the camera.

Look, "Scavenger Hunt" is edited

so that we come off as the villains.

But my wife, she was totally sweet

an... and endearing.

And accused you of an affair
as you drove her off a cliff.

I already told you... That didn't happen.

She was jealous all the time.

The affair, you know,

it was a figure of her imagination.

Did she also imagine you
screaming "karma's a bitch"

right before you jumped out of the car?

Yeah, okay, that was... That was instinct.

And training... you
being a stuntman and all.

That's one hell of a lucky
coincidence, don't you think?

Look, I thought the producers

asked her to drive that close to the edge

to see what I would do,

because they've done stuff like that before.

You guys don't know how this works

'cause you're not famous.

But my wife and I, we're
reality stars, okay?

We were gonna get our own spin-off.

It's a technical term. You...
you wouldn't understand.

Everyone here knows what the
word "spin-off" means, okay?

We also know all about motives for murder!

I had no motives!

Think about it... Without Donna,

what would our spin-off be about?

[ Scoffs ] Of course, now I could date.

I mean, that... That would be a show.

[ Sighs deeply ]

Could he be telling the truth?

- [ Cellphone chimes ]
- I don't know.

But in a car with two steering wheels

driven by a married couple,

I'm gonna have a hard time proving intent.

[ Chuckles ]

Mike and Amy are ready for you.

Okay. Buzz...

I have an errand I need you to run.

Tao: We've gone through
the timecode on the video,

matching it to the corresponding points

in the tire tracks from the crime scene.

While they were arguing,

the Cochrans drifted onto the
dirt shoulder of the road.

If you watch, the first
swerve occurs right there

at 4 minutes, 24 seconds into the race.

Which corresponds to this
point in the tire tracks.

The swerving continues for 10 seconds,

as they fight for control, back
and forth, back and forth.

But then, at the 4 minute, 34 second mark,

the tire tracks go straight,

directly towards the edge of the cliff.

Whoosh!

The Cochrans were definitely
not in control of their vehicle.

For the last 20 yards, at least.

So, either the steering wheels locked

or they were hacked.

S.I.D. is studying the car's computer now.

We should have a report shortly.

In the meantime, we need to find out

who else had access to that
car before the challenge,

and who would want the Cochrans dead.

Wait, does this mean we need to
watch them on the television?

I've got that covered.

- Hey, Buzz.
- Lieutenant.

The captain said you wanted something to do.

Yeah?

Oh, no. Don't tell me.

Welcome to all three seasons of
"American Scavenger Hunt."

Thank you.

Enjoy.

Flynn: Run, Reggie, run!

It's in the freezer... Oh, my God.

How can you walk away from the refrigerator

and not open the freezer?

Sorry about that.

Hmm. It's okay.

They love that show in prison, too.

Look, how about this?

I have a motion to suppress

Greg's confession in court tomorrow.

I thought you tried that already.

Three times. Four is about average.

Anyway, I'll arrange for you
to videotape an interview

with Slider before his hearing,

and then later you devote another post

of this little show of yours, "Identity,"

to a conversation with me
about the death penalty.

Well, as a... as a journalist,

I'd have to challenge everything you say.

I can handle that debate.

Agreed?

Oh, my God, the penguin is in the freezer!

Read the clue again!

I mean, where do they find these people?

Can I ask, are you representing Slider

or your political cause?

Oh, no.

You have to interview Greg
before you can interview me.

Deal?

Ah.

These teams made a pact with the devil

just going on that show.

They all knew that they
were gonna be competing

against the Cochrans when they auditioned.

But we were talking about Episode 9!

Oh, okay.

That's where Colleen stepped up her game.

Colleen Dickhoof, sir?

Colleen

Dickerhoof.

There's an "er" between the "dick"

and the "hoof," Julio.

And her husband's name is Les.

Colleen and Les were the couple

who were giving the interview

when we got to the hospital, ma'am.

Well, she seems nice.

Oh, yeah, sure. On the surface.

Underneath, she's a snake...

Making passes at all the men,

getting each guy to play
off against the other.

In Episode 9,

Colleen gets her hooks

in the last two husbands on the show.

That would be... Dr. Reggie Fluke,

a computer engineer with sleep apnea,

and Chip Cochran.

Colleen was flirting with Chip, too?

On camera in front of her husband.

I mean, besides the interviews

they do with the contestants,

that was the best part of the show.

One minute, this black widow

is making eyes with Reggie,

and the next, she's winking at Chip.

So how does all this

extracurricular romance affect the game?

Because, before they give you a clue

to track down whatever crazy-ass
item they want you to find,

each team must complete a challenge.

And this Dickerhoof woman,

she got Chip so psyched out

that he tells her on camera
that he sabotaged Reggie...

You know, the computer geek...

And that he made him so late

that the Doctor and Mrs.
Fluke could never catch up.

And then Chip and Donna drove over a cliff.

I'm telling you, it's the Dickerhoofs.

Wait, wait. When you
refer to them as a couple,

shouldn't it be "Dickerhooves"?



Sharon: Okay.

So, how do we know

if Colleen's flirtations were real

or faked for the show?

Chip: [ Chuckles ] It was real all right.

Colleen, she got in my head, you know?

We understand she's a manipulator.

But it never went anywhere.

I was attracted to her, sure.

But people loved hating
me and Donna together.

Look...

Here's the deal.

We've won "Scavenger Hunt"
two times running.

The audience, they're
desperate for us to lose.

By flirting with Colleen,

I gave them hope that that could happen.

But throwing the game because she was hot,

give me a break, man.

Colleen's hot, yeah,

but is she "wow, I'm gonna give
up another $1 million" hot?

No way! Unh-unh.

When Donna accused you of having an affair,

why didn't you tell us she
thought it was with Colleen?

'Cause I knew you'd jump to conclusions

and try and pin the murder on me.

Sanchez: Actually, Mr. Cochran,

we're hoping that you can tell us

who else might have wanted
to hurt you and your wife.

W-what, because suddenly
I'm not guilty anymore?

That's correct.

Yeah, we no longer
suspect you of the murder.

- We're considering other...
- Oh, come on!

I know the "good cop, bad cop" thing.

Mr. Cochran, neither of us

is accusing you of killing your wife.

Uh-huh, sure. What am I, an idiot?

You are no longer a suspect
in your wife's death!

Do you understand?!

[ Chuckles ] Boom.

Ha!

See, I'm getting to you, man!

Now you're really starting to hate me.

And that's why I'm so
valuable to cable audiences.

- I'm like a Tony Soprano or a Walter White...
- What's going on with Julio?

- A bad guy who acts good.
- I mean, these people are awful, but still.

- I'm not sure. He's been like this since the crime scene.
- And then I can get people to hate me so bad...

Maybe you and I can talk
to him later on, Captain.

You know, that spin-off,
that might live after all.

I probably already know the
answer to this question,

but has anyone ever threatened your life?

Threats are the lifeblood of reality TV.

Go online.

- Read the things they say about moi.
- Tao: Mm-hmm.

Other than right this second,

have you ever been
concerned for your safety?

Well, there is this one guy

who popped up recently in the twitterverse.

Calls himself thextermin8r,

'cause we're the
cockroaches, and he's the...

We get it.

Yeah, well,that guy. Thextermin8r.

Buzz.

I'll check online.

With the instagram, the
Twitter, and the YouTube.

Yeah. His hatred is intense.

It's like, uh, poetry.

But more vicious and hateful.

Let's go back to Mrs.
Dickerhoof for a moment.

I understand Reggie Fluke was
also quite taken with her.

Yeah. That was part of Colleen's strategy...

Playing Reggie and me against each other.

That's why I sabotaged fluke
and his wife last week,

which is what she wanted me to do.

Colleen, man.

She came to play.

So, Colleen used Chip to
get rid of the Flukes.

Maybe this week she figured
out a way to get rid of Chip.

Well, we can only ask her.

None of that was my idea.

Wrapping Chip around my little finger...

That was in the script.

Oh, so, there's actually a script.

Colleen: Of course, silly.

Reality doesn't just happen.

Unless you think I make it up all on my own.

Well, if anyone could, I'm
sure it would be you.

The writer guides us in the situations

to stir up drama.

And whatever the show
suggests, you go along with...

Is that right?

Well, we don't really have a choice.

For a chance to win, you have
to give them what they want.

And then give them what they want some more.

Oh?

Oh, so you were only flirting with Chip

because you were told to.

Of course. You're getting it.

See, honey, he's not just a silver fox.

Um...

Do you agree with that, Les?

That Colleen's flirtations aren't real?

No.

It's all for the cameras.

I did go after Reggie on my own.

I didn't like it.

Eyes on the prize, sweetheart.

It worked, right?

Chip made sure the Flukes went home,

and now we win $1 million
and come back next season,

so, you're welcome, Les.

So, how did Chip get the
Flukes out of the way?

In last week's challenge,

couples had to start a fire
before getting their clue.

Reggie couldn't get a spark going.

Because Chip urinated on their wood.

Of course, I didn't suggest anything so...

So vulgar.

And we wouldn't even have known

if Chip hadn't bragged about it.

"I'm responsible for us all
being in the finale, bro."

But now it's just me.

And Les...

Of course.

[ Cellphone chimes ]

Oh, wait a minute.

S.I.D. just sent us the decoded data

from the victim's car computer.

And what's the verdict?

I'm forwarding it to your e-mail right now.

The car was definitely hacked.

Now, how is that possible?

Remotely, likely through the
vehicle's infotainment system.

And you don't need physical
access to the vehicle, either.

With the right computer program,

you could drive the car
from anywhere in the world.

Sharon: But you'd still need to know

when and where the Cochrans were racing.

Can we work our way back to a computer

owned by a person who could
have that information?

You'd need the computer itself.

Well, let me ask you this.

What about my Civic? It's a '99.

Could someone just break in...

You're safe. Well, from hacking.

Sharon: Wait a minute.

Didn't Andy say that the contestant

that was kicked off of last week's show

was a computer engineer?

Dr. Reggie Fluke, yes.

He writes code for video games.

He does more than that.

Captain, I sent an emergency
request to threat management,

and the I.T. guy there says
that the Twitter handle

"thextermin8r" came back to the last guy

eliminated from "Scavenger Hunt."

Reggie Fluke.

Take a look at his most recent tweet.

Okay. "Cockroaches spread disease,

and disease must be eradicated.

#Squashthecockroaches."

Is it just me,

or does Reggie seem like a really bad loser?

[ Door opens ]

[ Chains jangling ]

[ Door closes, lock engages ]

[ Sniffs ]

[ Handcuffs click ]

All right. Wait outside the door.

Guard: Do not approach the prisoner.

Do not feed the prisoner.

Do not hand the prisoner anything.

I'll be right here.

See the way they treat
me? Like a wild animal.

You record all that?

I did, yeah.

So, what do you think?

Cool, huh? Suit, tie, haircut, mint kicks.

I look like a killer to you now?

Greg, remember, we're not
talking about the crime today.

We're gonna talk about
your life, Greg, before...

You went to jail.

Cool.

You know, I always wanted to be on TV.

- Uh, but don't make me look bad.
- No. No, no...

The... The idea is for you...

To look like yourself.

Okay?

Let me just make sure that the...

The cameras are angled properly
and then we'll... we'll start.

Okay?

Boom![Laughs] Yeah. Pfft!

What are you doing?! Everyone's beating us!

We'll be last to leave, Reggie!

I'm trying! I can't get it to light!

You are half a man!

Okay.

That's your computer
engineer with sleep apnea,

Reggie Fluke, aka thextermin8r.

And he was humiliated like
this on national television.

Yeah, but don't forget,
Reggie auditioned for the show

knowing he was gonna be
on with the Cochrans.

He was hoping to win $1 million.

Not worth losing your
relationship for, is it?

Mm.

So, uh...

How's Julio with all of this?

Not very well.

Why do you ask?

Well, a woman killed in a car crash

after her vehicle spins out of control?

- Mm-hmm.
- That's exactly how his wife died.

Well, she had a seizure, but...

Oh, my God.

And Julio watched the video
of Donna going over the cliff.

So...

Is that what Julio has been so upset about?

Ohh.

Um...

Okay, we've only got two
minutes till Chase gets here.

Let's watch this video
of Reggie one more time,

and I will figure out how
to deal with Julio later.

[ Sighs ] Yes, ma'am.

[Laughs]

You are half a man!

His wife left him over
this fire thing, you know.

I have a doctorate in
engineering from M.I.T..

Maybe I can't scavenge,

but I have vast intellectual powers.

Now, that show was deliberately edited

to make me look unlikable

and full of myself.

My client has filed a breach of contract

against the producers,

so he is not at liberty
to discuss the events...

I've seen this lawyer somewhere.

On every bus bench in the valley.

Look, we know that Mr. Cochran
sabotaged that challenge

and that he's responsible for your loss.

Of course he is.

We also know that after
losing that challenge,

you started posting threats

on the Cochrans' social media page

under the handle thextermin8r.

[ Sighs ]

[ Scoffing ] Please.

These are meaningless jests,

protected by the constitution, P.S.

He posted these jokes for
entertainment purposes.

Exactly.

Would the entertainment purposes

include hacking into the Cochrans' car

and driving it over a cliff?

[ Stammer, scoffs ] Never.

I only use my powers for good.

Dr. Fluke, our I.T. specialists
are analyzing the program

responsible for the hack right now.

If we can prove it came from your computer,

there will be no more dots left to connect.

If you'd like to use your powers

to stay out of prison for
the rest of your life,

we're open to hearing
your side of the story.

Is now when I begin addressing
them on a hypothetical basis?

Oh, yeah.

You know, I think "hypothetical"

is my favorite kind of basis.

But technically incorrect.

There's no offer on the table.

- He does have a lawyer.
- Sort of.

My client will now tell you one possible way

that the Cochrans' vehicle might...

Might... have been hacked.

The program disabling the vehicle

was maybe run over Bluetooth.

Now, for those of you

who would like to learn
a little something today,

Bluetooth has a range of
approximately 100 yards.

I was on the other side of town

when the vehicle crashed,
therefore I am not your suspect.

If that were true, though,

the hacker must have been very close by.

[ Knock on door ]

I just got off the phone
with the network, ma'am.

They say since the "Scavenger
Hunt" finale drove off a cliff,

they want to put together
a memorial episode,

and they want to shoot some
interviews in our murder room.

Provenza: Oh, well, I'll
tell them where to go.

No, wait, wait.

Lieutenant, they might help.

How?

Oh, my goodness, Lieutenant,

you don't think reality
just happens, do you?

It needs a script.

I was far out of range when
this terrible tragedy occurred.

How... how do you know
the program was designed

for Bluetooth, Dr. Fluke?

[ Stammers ] A-ca-ca-ba-ga-ga... ba.

My client is very happy to
answer all of your questions.

I, myself, would prefer some assurances

from the D.A...

In writing.

And... in exchange for a plea agreement

for vehicular manslaughter,

and the name of the person who was operating

that hacking program,

assurances will be forthcoming.

[ Door opens, phone rings, door closes ]

This experience has only reminded us

of all we have to be thankful for.

Life is so precious.

Great.

Cut. Print. Moving on.

What is Reggie doing here, Nate?

Don't tell me he's coming back to the show.

We won, didn't we?

Of course.

Mr. Olin...

I'm sorry to tell you

that Reggie Fluke

was involved in planning
yesterday's tragedy.

What?

Oh, man.

We remind everybody that it is just a game,

but, you know, some people

have a hard time separating
reality from, um,reality.

[ Chuckles ]

Which is why we have to try

and corroborate his ridiculous story.

No, your cameraman can stay.

You might get some, uh,

really great material for the show.

But first you have to sign our releases

regarding your rights.

Yeah, this is just formality.

See, look, I'm signing too.

Uh, you have the right to remain silent.

Initial. And then "in a
court of law," initial.

"Attorney," you have a
right to one of those.

And initial, initial, initial.

Sign!

You see, the L.A.P.D.

Has some pretty big liability issues itself.

Now, Reggie... Reggie claims

that the show approached him

about creating a Bluetooth
program for safety purposes.

Hiring a loser like Fluke to ensure safety?

[ Scoffs ] Are you kidding?

Well, he was kind of a
computer whiz, Colleen.

He fixed my laptop using a paper clip.

It was really neat.

Nate, if this is some sort of trick

to take our $1 million...

That is a legitimate worry, Colleen,

because Reggie says the
person who approached him

about hacking the Cochrans' car was you...

Mr. Olin.

Guys, guys... Hold on a minute.

You were in the follow van, weren't you?

Right behind Chip and Donna's car?

Yeah, that's part of my job.
Why is that an issue?

Because Dr. Fluke's program
runs through Bluetooth.

Whoever hacked into the Cochrans' vehicle

had to be within 100 yards of them.

What are you saying?

Turn off the camera, hoodie!

Buzz, will you take over, please?

Mr. Olin, I'd like you to listen to this

and see if it sounds familiar.

You paid Dr. Fluke cash to create a program

to let you hack into the Cochrans' car

and drive it off a cliff
with them inside of it!

No. Hey, it wasn't me.

Colleen and Les were
much nearer the Cochrans!

Hey, we played fair and square.

It's a nice try, Nate.

But the program runs on a cellphone,

and the Dickerhoofs were not allowed

to have one during the race.

Sharon: But you did have one,

and we have a warrant
allowing us to examine it.

I don't understand, Nate.
You said the Cochrans were gold.

Why would you want them off your show?

[ Scoffs lightly ]

My show.

Are you kidding me?

Yeah, I conceived it. I produced it.

And then those Cockroaches
took what I designed

to be a metaphor for marriage

and turned it into "the
Texas chainsaw massacre."

Plus, you know how much I'm getting paid?

$25,000 an episode.

Chip's already made $2 million,

and he was close to getting $3 million.

Well, if you were so unhappy,
why didn't you just quit?

Don't you think I tried?

I have a six-year contract.

I sold a pilot, too.

Great script.

About an autistic child who solves murders.

And the network wouldn't
let me out to do it.

Hey, I went to Yale!

Yeah, I went to U.S.C. Film School!

For this?!

And the way these people talk to me?

"Hey, Shakespeare, why we
eating goat testicles today?"

Because you're a bunch of attention-seeking,

money-grubbing pigs, that's why.

That's a terrible thing to say!

Those... those were goat testicles?

He told me they were tater tots.

Provenza: Congratulations, Mr. Olin.

You are out of your network contract.

Sharon: But you'll probably be
signing a deal with the state

negotiated by your lawyer
instead of your agent.

You know the real irony here?

My killing Donna Cochran is gonna end up

making the show more popular then ever.

Could you say that one
more time, sir, for camera?

Not only did I kill Donna Cochran,

I'm just sorry I didn't get
her horrible husband, too.

There, how's that?

Cut. Print. Moving on.

So, Nate Olin was offered
second-degree murder,

but he's convinced that once
they've had a chance to review

all the episodes of
"American Scavenger Hunt,"

the jury will understand.

[Laughs]Too bad.

Because I really hated that
scheming Dickerhoof lady.

- Hey, mom.
- Hi, Rusty.

How was your interview with Slider?

Interesting.

Knowing he was being filmed
changed his attitude a little.

Oh, Sharon, did you figure out
how to explain things to Julio?

Well, not exactly,

but I think I've offered him a way

to explain things to himself.

And Lieutenant Provenza's gonna
check in on him afterwards

and see how it went.

As the car began to roll over,

the airbags deployed.

While they softened the initial impact,

they can't stabilize the neck.

It broke on the first turn of the car.

But in a way, that's...

That's good news.

Because even though her skull fractured

when her head crashed into the window...

She never felt it.

[ Sighs ]

A-anyway, it's, um, it's all in this report.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Close call, huh?

Am I lucky or what?

If you had been lucky, sir...

Your wife would have gotten
out of the car instead of you,

and you wouldn't have the rest
of your life to wonder what...

You could have done to save her.

The L.A.P.D. sympathizes
with your loss, sir.

Excuse me.

Julio.

Yes, Lieutenant.

Any chance that you could, uh,
help us wrap up our paperwork

so we could get out of here before midnight?

Sorry, sir, I was a little distracted.

Hmm. Feeling better?

I know what's bothering me.

I guess that's better.

Yeah. It is.

It is.

I hope it is.