Blue Bloods s06e16 Episode Script
Help Me Help You
1 The Times wants an interview regarding the new Critical Response Command.
Refer them to the Chief of Counterterrorism.
Thank you.
They want you.
GORMLEY: They're lucky if anyone in this department talks to 'em after that hack job they did on excessive force in the NYPD.
That was a different reporter.
And I wasn't aware that you read The Times.
I do.
For laughs.
What's next? City Council Speaker Thomas was sworn in yesterday.
Oh, another cop-hater.
Here's an idea: let's limit these briefings to âthings that Frank doesn't know.
â Her press conference after was about how her top priority is dismantling our Broken Windows policy.
She's been a broken record about that for years.
As a councilwoman.
Now she's the Speaker.
Now she has muscle.
We base our decisions on the Broken Windows paradigm.
The moment someone tells me I can't is the moment I'm out of here.
Period.
There's no doubt that poor and minority neighborhoods are being singled out in the enforcement of minor offenses.
Only because that's where most of the offenses occur.
But you can't say that.
I just did.
I mean he can't.
I will, if she pushes me.
Look, it's her own constituents that'll be hurt the most if we look the other way.
Well, she is.
Pushing.
Legislation that will decriminalize several lower-level offenses.
She's proposed that bill before and lost, handily.
To review: Now she's the Speaker.
Now she has muscle.
So do I.
You don't want to go to war with the new Speaker her first week in office.
Let me set up a meeting, find common ground.
If there were common ground between the speaker and me, we would have found it a long time ago.
âTalk first.
Fight last.
â Frank Reagan.
You do say that, boss.
Fine.
Set up a meeting with the Speaker.
And you'll play nice? Right up until nice doesn't work.
(indistinct conversation in distance) Thank you for coming, Attorney General Schneiderman.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Your Honor.
Good to see you, Erin.
Nice to see you, sir.
Oh, Zach.
I can't believe she's gone.
That makes two of us.
How are the kids holding up? Ellen was a wonderful mother.
They depended on her.
We all did.
I hear they charged the driver that caused the accident.
His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
His third DWI.
You know, when I first started working at the DA's Office for you, Ellen used to bring me sandwiches.
She used to tell me that I was too skinny.
(both laugh gently) Me, too.
Then when I became a judge, she started bringing salads.
Told me I was getting fat sitting around all day.
(both laugh) Do you need anything? I'm okay, Erin.
I hear that you didn't postpone the sentencing hearing for this afternoon.
I thought you might take some time off.
I need to work.
Once the kids go home and the dust clears it's just gonna be me.
A lot of people love you, including me.
You're not alone.
Linda.
Hey.
Thanks for coming, Danny.
Look, I know you're pissed I told Sean he could keep playing hockey, but can't we just I am.
But that's not why I asked you to come here.
Hi, Maria.
Hey.
What's going on? Uh, one of the accountants here is having trouble with her ex-husband.
Linda, we can't just get involved Her name is Lori D'Angelo, and she's a friend of mine.
Can we talk to her? Mm-hmm.
Lori, we're Detectives Reagan and Baez.
I'm sorry to bother you guys.
Why don't you tell us what's going on.
Well, I've been divorced for a year.
My ex can't let go.
What's his name? Ronald D'Angelo.
He's not a bad guy.
He just keeps stopping by and watching the building.
It-It's not fair to us.
Who's âusâ? Our son, Matthew.
He's nine.
Ronnie has visitation rights.
I've put up with his behavior in the past for Matthew's sake, but then I started dating Paul.
And Ronnie didn't like that.
He freaked out.
He, um, started taking Matthew without asking and making threats.
I just Did you file a complaint? Well, I-I didn't want to get the police involved, but well, after last night Ronnie and Paul got into a big argument.
It was awful.
And Matthew saw all of it.
This is a very unfortunate situation.
I'm just not sure that we Why don't you tell us where we can find your husband.
We'll talk to him.
(clears throat) Thank you, Detectives.
Mr.
Greer, you've been convicted of assault.
The court will now consider your sentence.
Counsel? My client deeply regrets his actions, Your Honor.
He has no criminal record, and his wife has taken responsibility for her role in the incident.
We request the court show leniency in this matter.
Ms.
Reagan? The People have no objection.
Mr.
Greer, if I go easy on you, will you promise not to do it again? Yes, Your Honor.
When you married your wife, did you promise to honor and cherish her? Don't look at your lawyer.
Did you make that promise? Yes, sir.
Then you committed violence against her.
You broke that promise.
So why should I believe you'll keep your promise to me? Your Honor I hereby sentence you to the maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.
We're adjourned.
(gavel bangs) Blue Bloods 6x16 Help Me Help You @elderman I've got Speaker Thomas and DCPI Moore.
(sighs) Okay.
Madam Speaker.
It sounds so good when you say it.
Congratulations on your inauguration.
Thank you.
We are all looking forward to working with the council going forward.
Wow.
You said that so convincingly I actually almost believed you.
But keep working on it.
Shall we sit? Sure.
We'll take it from here, Garrett.
I'm happy to stay.
Well, here's to a constructive dialogue.
(door opens, closes) I think he thinks we need a chaperone.
Or a referee.
You know, I got to tell you, I like this couch.
It's kind of nice.
I bet you get a lot of great power naps on this bad boy.
Look, Regina, I know that we haven't always agreed in the past We have never agreed about anything in the past.
The point is I've always respected your opinion, and I hope you can respect mine.
Oh, I do.
Depending on what it is.
Okay.
Decriminalizing quality-of-life crimes is a huge mistake.
I would think the cops would be thrilled not to have to arrest everyone who drinks a beer on their own stoop.
Look, Broken Windows is an essential part of the fabric that protects this city.
You can't just cherry-pick and pull threads, or the whole thing unravels.
It's an excuse for the NYPD to intrude on the private lives of its citizens.
And you know it.
No, I do not.
Yes, you do.
And now you're trying to tell me that harassing people for jaywalking keeps the city safe.
Yeah.
And I've got the numbers to prove it.
I have the numbers that say, in minority neighborhoods, they're starting to get a little tired of constantly being hassled by the police.
Then tell them to try obeying the law.
Everybody who's hassled by the police is breaking the law? I don't think so.
My people risk their lives every day to keep your neighborhood safe.
Safe? Animals in the zoo are safe.
But it's not a really good way to live.
Come on, Regina, don't My people don't trust the police.
This is an issue for you.
Why don't you see this? Maybe you need to fix the police's broken windows before you start trying to fix broken windows everywhere else.
I don't even know what that means.
You don't? Really? The city council defers to you on matters of public safety, yes? I offer advice when called upon.
You call the shots, and you win all the time.
I'd like to think the city wins.
Yeah, I know you'd like to think that, but I don't think that.
I'd like the city council returned to the people it's supposed to protect.
You've tried this before.
And failed.
Yeah.
But now I got the numbers and a gavel.
Don't get up.
I wore a uniform in the bad old days, and we are not going back there.
Not on my watch.
And the NYPD will not continue to treat ordinary citizens like common criminals.
Not on my watch.
Commissioner.
(door opens) (door closes) (sighs) I took my son to the Ranger game, and then I took him home, and my wife, Lori, had this guy over there.
You mean her boyfriend, Paul Rossi.
Yeah, whatever.
The officers said you threatened him.
Like I said, I got upset.
He say something to set you off? Lori told me they might be getting married.
Uh-huh.
Bet you didn't want to hear that.
I love my wife.
Lori's not your wife anymore.
Divorce is a sin.
Yeah, well, so is harassing your ex-wife.
Okay? Look, we're both Catholic.
We get it, but you got to knock it off.
Let me just show you this.
You know, I'm not perfect but I'm a good husband.
I'm a good dad.
Okay, it's time to stop looking backwards, okay? BAEZ: Lori's moved on with her life.
You need to do the same.
The Bible says, âWhat God joins together, man can't separate.
â I believe that.
A family is not something that you just throw away.
Neither is the rest of your life, so back off.
(sighs) You got it? Yeah, got it.
WILSON: I was going through some stuff at the house.
Came across this.
Wow.
It's the day I won my first case.
How come I got older, and you didn't? Oh, right.
And now you've got my job, and I'm a crusty old judge.
Well, you were definitely a little crusty today.
Oh, you think my sentence in the Greer matter was too harsh? I would never question your judgment.
But? There's no excuse for domestic violence, ever, but the maximum sentence on a first-time offender? I've been on this bench for seven years now.
I've watched a parade of violent offenders march into my courtroom, begging forgiveness for the damage they've caused.
You've always been a big fan of forgiveness.
Unfortunately, people tend to mistake mercy for approval.
Giving offenders like Mitchell Greer a pass only encourages them to go out and do the same thing again.
Or something worse.
Some people do learn from their mistakes.
Yes.
But those who don't ruin lives.
I won't be a part of that.
Not anymore.
LORI: Ronnie, you need to leave us alone.
RONNIE: You can't marry this guy! You destroyed our family! We're not a family anymore, Ronnie! Let's just calm down, okay? Mind your own business! This is my business! Come on! Come on.
They're really getting married.
Yeah, I heard, and I'm sorry about that.
But you can't keep doing this, okay? I'm fighting for my family! This ain't the way to do it! Without them, I got nothin'.
Detective, I am nothin'.
Yeah, well, things could get worse, you don't knock it off.
Get me a radio from the car.
It's okay, it's okay.
No! Hey.
Hey! No! Get your hands off me! What should we do with him, Detective? Lock him up for harassment.
(sighs) Maybe this'll teach him a lesson.
DANNY: I doubt it.
Would it kill you to hold back a little just once? I did! Not according to Speaker Thomas! Oh, the world according to Speaker Thomas? You really gonna go with that, Garrett? She's allowed to have her opinion, Frank, whether you like it or not.
You saw the way she came in here, loaded for bear.
It was straight downhill after that.
Upshot is now she's gonna fast-track her bill to dismantle Broken Windows.
Well, not because of me.
Well, you sure didn't help your cause.
Well, what was I supposed to do? Smile and nod and say, âRight you are?â Now she's scheduled a public hearing on policing in the hood.
It's gonna be a greatest-hits compilation of NYPD overreach.
Well, I'm not going.
You can't go! But we do need a counter.
Like what? The New York Times has been hounding me for a one-on-one with you.
Fox in the henhouse.
No! Roger at Metro desk.
He covers us fair and square.
Straight interview-- PC explains why the policy works.
Softballs only.
I can guarantee it.
The last thing Metro desk wants is to lose access to One PP.
Set it up.
No ad hominem attacks on the speaker.
Stick to theory and procedure.
Excuse me, Ms.
Reagan? Elliot, you can call me Erin.
Sure, right.
(chuckles) Um, sorry to bother you.
It's just, uh, I'm in the middle of my first solo case.
Yeah, the meth dealer from the Bronx? How's that going? Well Um, you know, yup, pretty well, I think.
Um, at least it was.
What's the problem? Well, it's-its not a problem, per Se.
The judge just threw out a key piece of evidence for the defense.
Well, that sounds like a good thing.
Right, sure.
It's just this evidence is potentially exculpatory.
It kind of proves the defendant wasn't part of this drug transaction.
Well, why did the judge toss out the evidence? He didn't really explain his ruling at all.
Did the defense object? Strenuously, and when I supported their objection, the judge was not happy.
He said I was a disgrace to the DA's Office.
In open court.
What's the name of the judge? Uh, Judge Wilson.
(sighs) (siren wailing) I have a right to move on with my life, to be happy without being terrorized.
Of course you do.
Maybe it's not my place, but I do think Ronnie's just afraid.
Afraid that your fiancé is gonna take his place as Matthew's dad.
That's crazy.
Matty loves his father.
I have never said a bad word about him, and I never will.
Have you filed for an order of protection yet? Not yet.
But I feel like I have no choice.
You have every right to.
Ronnie's way out of line here, but there may be another way to go before you file.
What's that? I think if you talk to Ronnie, and you just let him know that he's gonna remain a part of his son's life, I think that could go a long way.
You really think that is gonna make a difference? I think it's worth a shot.
He's outside with my partner.
You could talk to him, and if you like what he has to say, okay.
And if you don't, you file.
I don't know.
I don't We'll be right here.
Nothing's gonna happen.
Okay.
Send him in.
(sniffles) For what it's worth, he seems like a decent guy.
He is.
I'm sorry, Lori.
I (clears throat) I don't want it to be like this.
I don't, either.
Have a seat.
I'm so glad I caught you before you left.
I can't have you go hungry.
Well, you shouldn't have bothered.
Arthur Avenue spaghetti and meatballs, your favorite.
In that case, I'm glad you bothered.
Look, one of my ADAs came to me.
He was very upset.
ADA Pinsky.
You were very tough on him.
He challenged an evidentiary ruling, one that saved the state's bacon.
One he disagreed with.
He thought the guy should walk.
And? And I read the transcript.
I think he may have a point.
Although I don't owe you an explanation, the evidence in question, while relevant, is potentially prejudicial and misleading.
But it also proves he may be innocent.
This defendant is a repeat drug offender with six prior convictions.
But that doesn't prove that he's guilty in this case.
Our friendship does not give you the right to question my judgment.
I came to you because I think your judgment is being affected by Ellen's death.
You're way out of line.
I urge you to revisit your ruling in this matter.
Really? Why? Zach.
And if I don't? I will be forced to file a complaint with the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
That's your right.
Just remember what I taught you.
Actions have consequences.
(elevator bell dings) I think I've lost my appetite.
Danny.
What going on? I went to pick up Matthew from the playground after school.
He wasn't there.
Did anyone see him? He was playing with his friends, and then he was gone.
She thinks Ronnie took him.
I shouldn't have listened to you.
I should've, I should've pressed charges or filed a restraining order.
All right, calm down.
Calm down? You were the one who said that I should trust Ronnie.
And now Matthew is missing.
Find my son.
Sarge! Sarge, anything on the whereabouts of Matthew D'Angelo? Not yet.
You guys canvassing the neighborhood? Uh, as soon as we get the interviews.
Look, not for nothing, Sarge, but we're on the clock here.
We're talking about a missing kid.
Yeah? Yeah.
You think I should be taking notes? No offense, okay? Just keep us posted on the interviews, Sarge.
(sighs) Stepping out of line isn't gonna bring Matthew back any faster.
I didn't want anything to do with this case to begin with.
Oh, now it's my fault? I didn't say it was your fault.
No, actually, you just kind of did.
(phone ringing) I didn't mean it.
Okay, well, look, we tried to help those people, and it went south, but instead of pointing fingers, let's just focus on finding the kid.
Okay.
Reagan.
(sighs) Yeah.
Okay, we're on our way.
Somebody just spotted a little kid with Matthew's description a few blocks from here.
Come on.
That him? That is him.
Matthew You okay? I'm fine.
Where's your dad? I don't know.
(clatter in distance) Hey, you.
Hey.
Get on your feet.
Hey! What's going on? Who are you? Bill Donnelly.
I live in this building.
You know that boy, Matthew D'Angelo, has been reported missing? Missing? Yeah.
No, no.
This my son Eddie.
They're in the same class.
This your dad? Yeah.
Matthew said his mom told him it was okay if he came over.
I guess I probably should've checked with her.
It's all right.
We'll take him home.
Give him his ball.
Hey, kiddo.
You got a second? Sure, boss.
What's up? Just got off the phone with the DA, who just got off the phone with a very irate friend of ours.
Judge Wilson? He said that you questioned his ruling in an ex parte meeting.
I did.
He also said that you threatened to lodge a complaint with the CJC.
He didn't leave me much choice.
He arbitrarily excluded key evidence in a felony drug case.
He's also angry, and he's taking it out on defendants in his courtroom.
Help me here.
We're prosecutors.
That is our problem why? We are also officers of the court.
We have an affirmative duty to ensure that justice is done.
We're talking about Zach Wilson.
He and I cut our teeth together in this office.
He taught you everything you know.
I know.
And he's in trouble.
And if somebody doesn't stop him, he's going to destroy his reputation, maybe even his career.
The DA does not want a war with the judiciary.
It's bad for business.
So what am I supposed to do? Apologize to Judge Wilson.
And don't file that damn complaint.
I can't do that, Dennis.
It's not a request, Erin.
The DA wants this to go away.
Now.
Speaking of brave, I saw your article in yesterday's Times, Dad.
And it wasn't supposed to be brave, Jamie, it was supposed to be a concise, reasoned case for our Broken Windows policy.
Well, someone forgot to tell the writer.
Mmm.
You saw it.
DANNY: Me, too.
Guy sure made you look like you got it out for the Speaker.
No, I was quoted out of context.
Do you still have it? I want to read it.
Please, Nicky, I'm eating.
JAMIE: Dad, you called Speaker Thomas âdangerously ignorant.
â In what context is that not inflammatory? I thought you said it was âbrave.
â SEAN: I'd stick with brave.
Me, too.
FRANK: And what I said was changing effective police policy without regard to the fallout is âdangerously ignorant.
â You didn't think the Speaker could read between the lines? I never attached a name to it.
Well, I will.
Regina Thomas is a chronic loudmouth who thinks this city would be better off without cops.
I kinda like her.
What? LINDA: Well, not everything she says, but, you know, the spunk and the style.
Come on.
Well, come on down to the hearing she's chairing tomorrow.
I'm sure she'll play all her greatest hits.
You're going to make an appearance? I have to.
Now.
I mean, that Times interview came off as an attack on the whole council.
JAMIE: Well, I'll be the first to stand up.
I can tell you from the front lines, Broken Windows works.
You dismantle it, all hell breaks loose.
All hell breaks loose again.
Again.
NICKY: People do have the right to question the police and its tactics.
Yeah, but when politicians do it, you can bet there's an angle.
Why can't cops and politicians just be on the same side? They can, in a perfect world, but this ain't one.
FRANK: Politicians have a job to do, Jack.
But when it comes to keeping people safe, there's no place for politics.
But Nope.
I just think that No.
What, I can't Nope.
Not fair.
(chuckles) Okay.
Okay.
Calm calm down.
It's gonna be okay.
We're gonna find him.
Right.
All right, I'll call you back.
That was Lori D'Angelo.
Why am I not surprised? Danny Well, did her son go missing again? I mean, maybe she should check his bedroom before she calls the cops this time.
No, it was not Matthew this time.
It's her fiancé, Paul.
Oh They were supposed to go ring shopping today.
Hmm.
He never showed up.
He never even called.
Wow.
Maybe his cell phone died.
Or maybe he came to his senses.
Danny, that's not funny.
Come on, the kids are in the car.
Lori says he calls or he texts if he's gonna be five minutes late.
And you know what? It's been ten hours.
Well, did she call anyone? Did she call his friends? Did she call his family? Yeah, and she even checked the hospitals.
No one has heard from him.
So come on, could you just Please, Danny.
(sighs) I'll look into it.
All right.
FRANK: Oh, you know me, John.
(laughs) Well, I appreciate it, Councilman.
See you tomorrow.
How's the vote counting looking? It'll be close.
Thank you.
And what's up with you? What do you mean? Oh, come on, something's going on.
There's a judge who's been making questionable rulings.
Highly questionable.
Anybody approach him? I did.
And? And it didn't go very well.
(laughs) There are extenuating circumstances.
He recently suffered a personal tragedy.
Judge Wilson.
He hired me, Dad.
Taught me how to be a prosecutor.
I know that.
But it does sound like he's not doing his job.
I've been ordered not to pursue the matter.
I see.
If I do lodge a formal complaint in defiance of the District Attorney, it could damage Wilson's career.
And yours.
I could destroy a good man.
And ruin everything I've worked for.
Yeah.
You could win the battle, but lose the war.
What am I supposed to do? (sighs) It's hard to do the right thing when you don't know what the right thing to do is.
But I think you know.
(exhales) When the time comes, you'll know what to do.
(footsteps approaching) (knocking at door) You wanted to see me? Yeah.
I was hoping you could clear something up for me.
Sure, what's that? See, I just got a call from the Commission on Judicial Conduct, confirming our complaint against Judge Wilson.
Dennis But I said that was impossible.
because Deputy Bureau Chief Reagan and I discussed this and agreed the matter would be dropped.
Well, I didn't actually agree to that.
It was a direct order! From the DA and from me.
I couldn't.
I have an obligation You have an obligation to follow the directives of the guy whose name is on the door.
That's the job.
That's what the job has always been.
It's not that simple, Dennis.
Look, Erin I've always liked and respected you, but you went rogue here and we don't do that.
You're suspended.
Effective immediately.
Going to Mark's after school.
Have I met his parents? Mom, Dad already said it's fine.
I met Mark's dad, okay? He's not a serial killer.
At least, he doesn't look like one, but then again, they never do.
Have his mother call me! Any sign of Paul Rossi? Not yet.
But I will go by his office after work and speak with his co-workers, okay? I got a bad feeling about this.
What else is new? What's that supposed to mean? Nothing.
No, seriously, what is that supposed to mean? I said nothing! Dan, you got something to say to me? Okay.
Ever since you got shot, it's like you're walking around looking for what else can go wrong.
You're just trying to figure out what can happen next.
That is not true.
It is true! You know, you used to call me once a tour.
Now it's four and five times.
You got the kids on a tight leash and you're dragging me into your friends' imaginary disasters.
Well, pardon me for caring about the people in my life! Look, bad things happen, okay? And I know.
We have had our share.
But you can't walk around living in fear.
You think that's what I'm doing? That's what I know you're doing! And it needs to stop.
Or what? Or what?! (gavel raps) The Committee on Public Safety appreciates you joining us today, Commissioner.
Glad to be here.
And the full council will be voting on a bill to decriminalize several minor offenses, an action which you, Commissioner, have called âdangerously ignorant.
â FRANK: Comments I made in the press were misconstrued.
While I strongly disagree with the bill that is under consideration, it was not my intention to disrespect this body, and I apologize.
I thought you were just disrespecting me.
(scattered laughter) This committee has raised questions about a policy that has kept this city safe for more than two decades.
What I'd like, Madam Speaker, is the opportunity to answer those questions.
Commissioner, the people in my district view the NYPD as an invading army.
What do you have to say to them? Well, most complaints concerning low-level crime come from districts like yours, Councilman.
We are there because your people ask us to be there.
Isn't Broken Windows just another Stop and Frisk? When you start selectively enforcing the law, the bad guys start selectively obeying it.
Now, that is very, very catchy.
But what about the ordinary citizens that go to make up our district? Madam Speaker, I came here to defend a policy that I believe in, and you came here to challenge the very foundation of that belief, so, if your bill passes, the press will say you won.
If it fails, they'll say I did.
But either way, they'd only be half right.
The truth is, we'd both lose.
How is that? Well, if you succeed in undercutting Broken Windows, that's a nice headline for you, but when the crime rate soars-- and it will-- you'd get the blame.
And if the policy stays in place, despite the attacks on it by this council, I will look like a tone-deaf autocrat, and the gap between my department and the public will grow larger.
What do you suggest? Once upon a time, there was a thing called compromise.
It's become kind of a dirty word these days.
But our country was founded on it.
And it served us all very well.
For a very long time.
Thank you for the civics lesson.
Everything okay, Detective? Actually, no.
Your wife's fiancé went missing.
You know anything about that, Ronnie? No.
Sorry.
Hey! Ronnie! Ronnie! (grunts) RONNIE: Shut up! Shut up! (muffled screaming) (muffled screaming continues) RONNIE: Shut up! (screaming continues) Drop the gun, Ronnie! He's trying to take my family! You don't want to do this.
(muffled): Help! I have to! You said divorce was a sin, you remember that? Well, murder's a bigger sin.
Now drop the gun! I just want 'em back.
(groaning) Hey.
You shoot him, and I'm gonna shoot you.
(sniffles) I don't want to do that, Ronnie.
'Cause if that happens, then Matthew's not gonna have a father.
Hey, look at me.
Look at me! (panting) Your wife left you.
I can see what it's doing to you.
It's tearing you up, Ronnie.
(sighs) Don't do the same thing to your son.
(sobbing) (sighs) Put it down.
There you go.
(muffled protests) (Ronnie sighs) Step back.
(sighs) Speaker Thomas.
Give us the room, please.
As if he doesn't know it's me? (Regina sighs) My people just informed me that, uh, I don't have the numbers, and my bill is going to be voted down.
Not if it doesn't come up before the full council.
You knew you had the numbers.
(scoffs) You knew it this whole time.
I also know that what I said in there is true.
You losing doesn't mean I win.
(scoffing chuckle) Well Just so we're clear, Broken Windows goes too far.
I mean, you just keep putting people in the system, and every time you arrest more people, you create new criminals.
Well, we can talk about that.
Wait, you're willing to discuss a change in the policy? Yeah.
Be happy to hear your ideas.
(chuckles) Oh, your nose is growing.
But you know what? I'm gonna take you up on it.
I'm gonna come and see you.
Good.
Madam Speaker.
Commissioner.
If you don't mind, I'll just slip out the back.
All right.
To be continued? Exactly.
(knocking on door) Sorry to drop in unannounced.
You're a judge.
You can do whatever you want.
I was sorry to hear about your suspension.
Me, too.
(door closes) I spoke with the Commission on Judicial Conduct today.
I thought the DA withdrew my complaint.
He did.
I called them.
I don't understand.
You were right, Erin.
I allowed my personal life to cloud my judgment.
I see that now.
(sighs) You suffered a huge loss, Zach.
Yes, but others shouldn't suffer because of it.
The commission is reviewing all my recent rulings, and I reassigned my cases.
I'm going to be taking an indefinite leave of absence.
I am so sorry.
Don't be.
You did the right thing.
And you were willing to pay the price for it.
Just like you taught me.
And so the teacher becomes the student.
I spoke to the DA, explained the situation, he intends to lift your suspension.
Thank you.
Any chance I could get some of that spaghetti and meatballs to go? How about to stay? (chuckles) (door opens) There's chicken on the stove.
Thank you.
Lori told me what happened.
She's-she's really grateful.
Well, she was right.
Just lucky I got there in time.
What's gonna happen to Ronnie? Well, Ronnie'll be charged for the gun and if he's lucky, the kidnapping will get knocked down to unlawful imprisonment.
(sighs) (sighs deeply) I said some stuff this morning I shouldn't have said.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know you were so mad at me.
I'm mad at myself.
For what? When you were in the hospital (sighs) I didn't think you were gonna make it.
I (sighs deeply) There's not a lot that scares me, you know? The thought of losing you s really scared the hell out of me.
I think it still does.
And I'm seeing this guy, Ronnie, and all he's going through being alone, and his life's torn to shreds.
I know it's not you who's living in fear.
I'm the one that's doing it.
I don't know how to stop it.
(sighs) I still get afraid every time you walk out that door.
It ever get easier? You learn to live with it.
And to be grateful when the door opens and we get to be together again.
I'm not going anywhere.
(sighs quietly) @elderman
Refer them to the Chief of Counterterrorism.
Thank you.
They want you.
GORMLEY: They're lucky if anyone in this department talks to 'em after that hack job they did on excessive force in the NYPD.
That was a different reporter.
And I wasn't aware that you read The Times.
I do.
For laughs.
What's next? City Council Speaker Thomas was sworn in yesterday.
Oh, another cop-hater.
Here's an idea: let's limit these briefings to âthings that Frank doesn't know.
â Her press conference after was about how her top priority is dismantling our Broken Windows policy.
She's been a broken record about that for years.
As a councilwoman.
Now she's the Speaker.
Now she has muscle.
We base our decisions on the Broken Windows paradigm.
The moment someone tells me I can't is the moment I'm out of here.
Period.
There's no doubt that poor and minority neighborhoods are being singled out in the enforcement of minor offenses.
Only because that's where most of the offenses occur.
But you can't say that.
I just did.
I mean he can't.
I will, if she pushes me.
Look, it's her own constituents that'll be hurt the most if we look the other way.
Well, she is.
Pushing.
Legislation that will decriminalize several lower-level offenses.
She's proposed that bill before and lost, handily.
To review: Now she's the Speaker.
Now she has muscle.
So do I.
You don't want to go to war with the new Speaker her first week in office.
Let me set up a meeting, find common ground.
If there were common ground between the speaker and me, we would have found it a long time ago.
âTalk first.
Fight last.
â Frank Reagan.
You do say that, boss.
Fine.
Set up a meeting with the Speaker.
And you'll play nice? Right up until nice doesn't work.
(indistinct conversation in distance) Thank you for coming, Attorney General Schneiderman.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Your Honor.
Good to see you, Erin.
Nice to see you, sir.
Oh, Zach.
I can't believe she's gone.
That makes two of us.
How are the kids holding up? Ellen was a wonderful mother.
They depended on her.
We all did.
I hear they charged the driver that caused the accident.
His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
His third DWI.
You know, when I first started working at the DA's Office for you, Ellen used to bring me sandwiches.
She used to tell me that I was too skinny.
(both laugh gently) Me, too.
Then when I became a judge, she started bringing salads.
Told me I was getting fat sitting around all day.
(both laugh) Do you need anything? I'm okay, Erin.
I hear that you didn't postpone the sentencing hearing for this afternoon.
I thought you might take some time off.
I need to work.
Once the kids go home and the dust clears it's just gonna be me.
A lot of people love you, including me.
You're not alone.
Linda.
Hey.
Thanks for coming, Danny.
Look, I know you're pissed I told Sean he could keep playing hockey, but can't we just I am.
But that's not why I asked you to come here.
Hi, Maria.
Hey.
What's going on? Uh, one of the accountants here is having trouble with her ex-husband.
Linda, we can't just get involved Her name is Lori D'Angelo, and she's a friend of mine.
Can we talk to her? Mm-hmm.
Lori, we're Detectives Reagan and Baez.
I'm sorry to bother you guys.
Why don't you tell us what's going on.
Well, I've been divorced for a year.
My ex can't let go.
What's his name? Ronald D'Angelo.
He's not a bad guy.
He just keeps stopping by and watching the building.
It-It's not fair to us.
Who's âusâ? Our son, Matthew.
He's nine.
Ronnie has visitation rights.
I've put up with his behavior in the past for Matthew's sake, but then I started dating Paul.
And Ronnie didn't like that.
He freaked out.
He, um, started taking Matthew without asking and making threats.
I just Did you file a complaint? Well, I-I didn't want to get the police involved, but well, after last night Ronnie and Paul got into a big argument.
It was awful.
And Matthew saw all of it.
This is a very unfortunate situation.
I'm just not sure that we Why don't you tell us where we can find your husband.
We'll talk to him.
(clears throat) Thank you, Detectives.
Mr.
Greer, you've been convicted of assault.
The court will now consider your sentence.
Counsel? My client deeply regrets his actions, Your Honor.
He has no criminal record, and his wife has taken responsibility for her role in the incident.
We request the court show leniency in this matter.
Ms.
Reagan? The People have no objection.
Mr.
Greer, if I go easy on you, will you promise not to do it again? Yes, Your Honor.
When you married your wife, did you promise to honor and cherish her? Don't look at your lawyer.
Did you make that promise? Yes, sir.
Then you committed violence against her.
You broke that promise.
So why should I believe you'll keep your promise to me? Your Honor I hereby sentence you to the maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.
We're adjourned.
(gavel bangs) Blue Bloods 6x16 Help Me Help You @elderman I've got Speaker Thomas and DCPI Moore.
(sighs) Okay.
Madam Speaker.
It sounds so good when you say it.
Congratulations on your inauguration.
Thank you.
We are all looking forward to working with the council going forward.
Wow.
You said that so convincingly I actually almost believed you.
But keep working on it.
Shall we sit? Sure.
We'll take it from here, Garrett.
I'm happy to stay.
Well, here's to a constructive dialogue.
(door opens, closes) I think he thinks we need a chaperone.
Or a referee.
You know, I got to tell you, I like this couch.
It's kind of nice.
I bet you get a lot of great power naps on this bad boy.
Look, Regina, I know that we haven't always agreed in the past We have never agreed about anything in the past.
The point is I've always respected your opinion, and I hope you can respect mine.
Oh, I do.
Depending on what it is.
Okay.
Decriminalizing quality-of-life crimes is a huge mistake.
I would think the cops would be thrilled not to have to arrest everyone who drinks a beer on their own stoop.
Look, Broken Windows is an essential part of the fabric that protects this city.
You can't just cherry-pick and pull threads, or the whole thing unravels.
It's an excuse for the NYPD to intrude on the private lives of its citizens.
And you know it.
No, I do not.
Yes, you do.
And now you're trying to tell me that harassing people for jaywalking keeps the city safe.
Yeah.
And I've got the numbers to prove it.
I have the numbers that say, in minority neighborhoods, they're starting to get a little tired of constantly being hassled by the police.
Then tell them to try obeying the law.
Everybody who's hassled by the police is breaking the law? I don't think so.
My people risk their lives every day to keep your neighborhood safe.
Safe? Animals in the zoo are safe.
But it's not a really good way to live.
Come on, Regina, don't My people don't trust the police.
This is an issue for you.
Why don't you see this? Maybe you need to fix the police's broken windows before you start trying to fix broken windows everywhere else.
I don't even know what that means.
You don't? Really? The city council defers to you on matters of public safety, yes? I offer advice when called upon.
You call the shots, and you win all the time.
I'd like to think the city wins.
Yeah, I know you'd like to think that, but I don't think that.
I'd like the city council returned to the people it's supposed to protect.
You've tried this before.
And failed.
Yeah.
But now I got the numbers and a gavel.
Don't get up.
I wore a uniform in the bad old days, and we are not going back there.
Not on my watch.
And the NYPD will not continue to treat ordinary citizens like common criminals.
Not on my watch.
Commissioner.
(door opens) (door closes) (sighs) I took my son to the Ranger game, and then I took him home, and my wife, Lori, had this guy over there.
You mean her boyfriend, Paul Rossi.
Yeah, whatever.
The officers said you threatened him.
Like I said, I got upset.
He say something to set you off? Lori told me they might be getting married.
Uh-huh.
Bet you didn't want to hear that.
I love my wife.
Lori's not your wife anymore.
Divorce is a sin.
Yeah, well, so is harassing your ex-wife.
Okay? Look, we're both Catholic.
We get it, but you got to knock it off.
Let me just show you this.
You know, I'm not perfect but I'm a good husband.
I'm a good dad.
Okay, it's time to stop looking backwards, okay? BAEZ: Lori's moved on with her life.
You need to do the same.
The Bible says, âWhat God joins together, man can't separate.
â I believe that.
A family is not something that you just throw away.
Neither is the rest of your life, so back off.
(sighs) You got it? Yeah, got it.
WILSON: I was going through some stuff at the house.
Came across this.
Wow.
It's the day I won my first case.
How come I got older, and you didn't? Oh, right.
And now you've got my job, and I'm a crusty old judge.
Well, you were definitely a little crusty today.
Oh, you think my sentence in the Greer matter was too harsh? I would never question your judgment.
But? There's no excuse for domestic violence, ever, but the maximum sentence on a first-time offender? I've been on this bench for seven years now.
I've watched a parade of violent offenders march into my courtroom, begging forgiveness for the damage they've caused.
You've always been a big fan of forgiveness.
Unfortunately, people tend to mistake mercy for approval.
Giving offenders like Mitchell Greer a pass only encourages them to go out and do the same thing again.
Or something worse.
Some people do learn from their mistakes.
Yes.
But those who don't ruin lives.
I won't be a part of that.
Not anymore.
LORI: Ronnie, you need to leave us alone.
RONNIE: You can't marry this guy! You destroyed our family! We're not a family anymore, Ronnie! Let's just calm down, okay? Mind your own business! This is my business! Come on! Come on.
They're really getting married.
Yeah, I heard, and I'm sorry about that.
But you can't keep doing this, okay? I'm fighting for my family! This ain't the way to do it! Without them, I got nothin'.
Detective, I am nothin'.
Yeah, well, things could get worse, you don't knock it off.
Get me a radio from the car.
It's okay, it's okay.
No! Hey.
Hey! No! Get your hands off me! What should we do with him, Detective? Lock him up for harassment.
(sighs) Maybe this'll teach him a lesson.
DANNY: I doubt it.
Would it kill you to hold back a little just once? I did! Not according to Speaker Thomas! Oh, the world according to Speaker Thomas? You really gonna go with that, Garrett? She's allowed to have her opinion, Frank, whether you like it or not.
You saw the way she came in here, loaded for bear.
It was straight downhill after that.
Upshot is now she's gonna fast-track her bill to dismantle Broken Windows.
Well, not because of me.
Well, you sure didn't help your cause.
Well, what was I supposed to do? Smile and nod and say, âRight you are?â Now she's scheduled a public hearing on policing in the hood.
It's gonna be a greatest-hits compilation of NYPD overreach.
Well, I'm not going.
You can't go! But we do need a counter.
Like what? The New York Times has been hounding me for a one-on-one with you.
Fox in the henhouse.
No! Roger at Metro desk.
He covers us fair and square.
Straight interview-- PC explains why the policy works.
Softballs only.
I can guarantee it.
The last thing Metro desk wants is to lose access to One PP.
Set it up.
No ad hominem attacks on the speaker.
Stick to theory and procedure.
Excuse me, Ms.
Reagan? Elliot, you can call me Erin.
Sure, right.
(chuckles) Um, sorry to bother you.
It's just, uh, I'm in the middle of my first solo case.
Yeah, the meth dealer from the Bronx? How's that going? Well Um, you know, yup, pretty well, I think.
Um, at least it was.
What's the problem? Well, it's-its not a problem, per Se.
The judge just threw out a key piece of evidence for the defense.
Well, that sounds like a good thing.
Right, sure.
It's just this evidence is potentially exculpatory.
It kind of proves the defendant wasn't part of this drug transaction.
Well, why did the judge toss out the evidence? He didn't really explain his ruling at all.
Did the defense object? Strenuously, and when I supported their objection, the judge was not happy.
He said I was a disgrace to the DA's Office.
In open court.
What's the name of the judge? Uh, Judge Wilson.
(sighs) (siren wailing) I have a right to move on with my life, to be happy without being terrorized.
Of course you do.
Maybe it's not my place, but I do think Ronnie's just afraid.
Afraid that your fiancé is gonna take his place as Matthew's dad.
That's crazy.
Matty loves his father.
I have never said a bad word about him, and I never will.
Have you filed for an order of protection yet? Not yet.
But I feel like I have no choice.
You have every right to.
Ronnie's way out of line here, but there may be another way to go before you file.
What's that? I think if you talk to Ronnie, and you just let him know that he's gonna remain a part of his son's life, I think that could go a long way.
You really think that is gonna make a difference? I think it's worth a shot.
He's outside with my partner.
You could talk to him, and if you like what he has to say, okay.
And if you don't, you file.
I don't know.
I don't We'll be right here.
Nothing's gonna happen.
Okay.
Send him in.
(sniffles) For what it's worth, he seems like a decent guy.
He is.
I'm sorry, Lori.
I (clears throat) I don't want it to be like this.
I don't, either.
Have a seat.
I'm so glad I caught you before you left.
I can't have you go hungry.
Well, you shouldn't have bothered.
Arthur Avenue spaghetti and meatballs, your favorite.
In that case, I'm glad you bothered.
Look, one of my ADAs came to me.
He was very upset.
ADA Pinsky.
You were very tough on him.
He challenged an evidentiary ruling, one that saved the state's bacon.
One he disagreed with.
He thought the guy should walk.
And? And I read the transcript.
I think he may have a point.
Although I don't owe you an explanation, the evidence in question, while relevant, is potentially prejudicial and misleading.
But it also proves he may be innocent.
This defendant is a repeat drug offender with six prior convictions.
But that doesn't prove that he's guilty in this case.
Our friendship does not give you the right to question my judgment.
I came to you because I think your judgment is being affected by Ellen's death.
You're way out of line.
I urge you to revisit your ruling in this matter.
Really? Why? Zach.
And if I don't? I will be forced to file a complaint with the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
That's your right.
Just remember what I taught you.
Actions have consequences.
(elevator bell dings) I think I've lost my appetite.
Danny.
What going on? I went to pick up Matthew from the playground after school.
He wasn't there.
Did anyone see him? He was playing with his friends, and then he was gone.
She thinks Ronnie took him.
I shouldn't have listened to you.
I should've, I should've pressed charges or filed a restraining order.
All right, calm down.
Calm down? You were the one who said that I should trust Ronnie.
And now Matthew is missing.
Find my son.
Sarge! Sarge, anything on the whereabouts of Matthew D'Angelo? Not yet.
You guys canvassing the neighborhood? Uh, as soon as we get the interviews.
Look, not for nothing, Sarge, but we're on the clock here.
We're talking about a missing kid.
Yeah? Yeah.
You think I should be taking notes? No offense, okay? Just keep us posted on the interviews, Sarge.
(sighs) Stepping out of line isn't gonna bring Matthew back any faster.
I didn't want anything to do with this case to begin with.
Oh, now it's my fault? I didn't say it was your fault.
No, actually, you just kind of did.
(phone ringing) I didn't mean it.
Okay, well, look, we tried to help those people, and it went south, but instead of pointing fingers, let's just focus on finding the kid.
Okay.
Reagan.
(sighs) Yeah.
Okay, we're on our way.
Somebody just spotted a little kid with Matthew's description a few blocks from here.
Come on.
That him? That is him.
Matthew You okay? I'm fine.
Where's your dad? I don't know.
(clatter in distance) Hey, you.
Hey.
Get on your feet.
Hey! What's going on? Who are you? Bill Donnelly.
I live in this building.
You know that boy, Matthew D'Angelo, has been reported missing? Missing? Yeah.
No, no.
This my son Eddie.
They're in the same class.
This your dad? Yeah.
Matthew said his mom told him it was okay if he came over.
I guess I probably should've checked with her.
It's all right.
We'll take him home.
Give him his ball.
Hey, kiddo.
You got a second? Sure, boss.
What's up? Just got off the phone with the DA, who just got off the phone with a very irate friend of ours.
Judge Wilson? He said that you questioned his ruling in an ex parte meeting.
I did.
He also said that you threatened to lodge a complaint with the CJC.
He didn't leave me much choice.
He arbitrarily excluded key evidence in a felony drug case.
He's also angry, and he's taking it out on defendants in his courtroom.
Help me here.
We're prosecutors.
That is our problem why? We are also officers of the court.
We have an affirmative duty to ensure that justice is done.
We're talking about Zach Wilson.
He and I cut our teeth together in this office.
He taught you everything you know.
I know.
And he's in trouble.
And if somebody doesn't stop him, he's going to destroy his reputation, maybe even his career.
The DA does not want a war with the judiciary.
It's bad for business.
So what am I supposed to do? Apologize to Judge Wilson.
And don't file that damn complaint.
I can't do that, Dennis.
It's not a request, Erin.
The DA wants this to go away.
Now.
Speaking of brave, I saw your article in yesterday's Times, Dad.
And it wasn't supposed to be brave, Jamie, it was supposed to be a concise, reasoned case for our Broken Windows policy.
Well, someone forgot to tell the writer.
Mmm.
You saw it.
DANNY: Me, too.
Guy sure made you look like you got it out for the Speaker.
No, I was quoted out of context.
Do you still have it? I want to read it.
Please, Nicky, I'm eating.
JAMIE: Dad, you called Speaker Thomas âdangerously ignorant.
â In what context is that not inflammatory? I thought you said it was âbrave.
â SEAN: I'd stick with brave.
Me, too.
FRANK: And what I said was changing effective police policy without regard to the fallout is âdangerously ignorant.
â You didn't think the Speaker could read between the lines? I never attached a name to it.
Well, I will.
Regina Thomas is a chronic loudmouth who thinks this city would be better off without cops.
I kinda like her.
What? LINDA: Well, not everything she says, but, you know, the spunk and the style.
Come on.
Well, come on down to the hearing she's chairing tomorrow.
I'm sure she'll play all her greatest hits.
You're going to make an appearance? I have to.
Now.
I mean, that Times interview came off as an attack on the whole council.
JAMIE: Well, I'll be the first to stand up.
I can tell you from the front lines, Broken Windows works.
You dismantle it, all hell breaks loose.
All hell breaks loose again.
Again.
NICKY: People do have the right to question the police and its tactics.
Yeah, but when politicians do it, you can bet there's an angle.
Why can't cops and politicians just be on the same side? They can, in a perfect world, but this ain't one.
FRANK: Politicians have a job to do, Jack.
But when it comes to keeping people safe, there's no place for politics.
But Nope.
I just think that No.
What, I can't Nope.
Not fair.
(chuckles) Okay.
Okay.
Calm calm down.
It's gonna be okay.
We're gonna find him.
Right.
All right, I'll call you back.
That was Lori D'Angelo.
Why am I not surprised? Danny Well, did her son go missing again? I mean, maybe she should check his bedroom before she calls the cops this time.
No, it was not Matthew this time.
It's her fiancé, Paul.
Oh They were supposed to go ring shopping today.
Hmm.
He never showed up.
He never even called.
Wow.
Maybe his cell phone died.
Or maybe he came to his senses.
Danny, that's not funny.
Come on, the kids are in the car.
Lori says he calls or he texts if he's gonna be five minutes late.
And you know what? It's been ten hours.
Well, did she call anyone? Did she call his friends? Did she call his family? Yeah, and she even checked the hospitals.
No one has heard from him.
So come on, could you just Please, Danny.
(sighs) I'll look into it.
All right.
FRANK: Oh, you know me, John.
(laughs) Well, I appreciate it, Councilman.
See you tomorrow.
How's the vote counting looking? It'll be close.
Thank you.
And what's up with you? What do you mean? Oh, come on, something's going on.
There's a judge who's been making questionable rulings.
Highly questionable.
Anybody approach him? I did.
And? And it didn't go very well.
(laughs) There are extenuating circumstances.
He recently suffered a personal tragedy.
Judge Wilson.
He hired me, Dad.
Taught me how to be a prosecutor.
I know that.
But it does sound like he's not doing his job.
I've been ordered not to pursue the matter.
I see.
If I do lodge a formal complaint in defiance of the District Attorney, it could damage Wilson's career.
And yours.
I could destroy a good man.
And ruin everything I've worked for.
Yeah.
You could win the battle, but lose the war.
What am I supposed to do? (sighs) It's hard to do the right thing when you don't know what the right thing to do is.
But I think you know.
(exhales) When the time comes, you'll know what to do.
(footsteps approaching) (knocking at door) You wanted to see me? Yeah.
I was hoping you could clear something up for me.
Sure, what's that? See, I just got a call from the Commission on Judicial Conduct, confirming our complaint against Judge Wilson.
Dennis But I said that was impossible.
because Deputy Bureau Chief Reagan and I discussed this and agreed the matter would be dropped.
Well, I didn't actually agree to that.
It was a direct order! From the DA and from me.
I couldn't.
I have an obligation You have an obligation to follow the directives of the guy whose name is on the door.
That's the job.
That's what the job has always been.
It's not that simple, Dennis.
Look, Erin I've always liked and respected you, but you went rogue here and we don't do that.
You're suspended.
Effective immediately.
Going to Mark's after school.
Have I met his parents? Mom, Dad already said it's fine.
I met Mark's dad, okay? He's not a serial killer.
At least, he doesn't look like one, but then again, they never do.
Have his mother call me! Any sign of Paul Rossi? Not yet.
But I will go by his office after work and speak with his co-workers, okay? I got a bad feeling about this.
What else is new? What's that supposed to mean? Nothing.
No, seriously, what is that supposed to mean? I said nothing! Dan, you got something to say to me? Okay.
Ever since you got shot, it's like you're walking around looking for what else can go wrong.
You're just trying to figure out what can happen next.
That is not true.
It is true! You know, you used to call me once a tour.
Now it's four and five times.
You got the kids on a tight leash and you're dragging me into your friends' imaginary disasters.
Well, pardon me for caring about the people in my life! Look, bad things happen, okay? And I know.
We have had our share.
But you can't walk around living in fear.
You think that's what I'm doing? That's what I know you're doing! And it needs to stop.
Or what? Or what?! (gavel raps) The Committee on Public Safety appreciates you joining us today, Commissioner.
Glad to be here.
And the full council will be voting on a bill to decriminalize several minor offenses, an action which you, Commissioner, have called âdangerously ignorant.
â FRANK: Comments I made in the press were misconstrued.
While I strongly disagree with the bill that is under consideration, it was not my intention to disrespect this body, and I apologize.
I thought you were just disrespecting me.
(scattered laughter) This committee has raised questions about a policy that has kept this city safe for more than two decades.
What I'd like, Madam Speaker, is the opportunity to answer those questions.
Commissioner, the people in my district view the NYPD as an invading army.
What do you have to say to them? Well, most complaints concerning low-level crime come from districts like yours, Councilman.
We are there because your people ask us to be there.
Isn't Broken Windows just another Stop and Frisk? When you start selectively enforcing the law, the bad guys start selectively obeying it.
Now, that is very, very catchy.
But what about the ordinary citizens that go to make up our district? Madam Speaker, I came here to defend a policy that I believe in, and you came here to challenge the very foundation of that belief, so, if your bill passes, the press will say you won.
If it fails, they'll say I did.
But either way, they'd only be half right.
The truth is, we'd both lose.
How is that? Well, if you succeed in undercutting Broken Windows, that's a nice headline for you, but when the crime rate soars-- and it will-- you'd get the blame.
And if the policy stays in place, despite the attacks on it by this council, I will look like a tone-deaf autocrat, and the gap between my department and the public will grow larger.
What do you suggest? Once upon a time, there was a thing called compromise.
It's become kind of a dirty word these days.
But our country was founded on it.
And it served us all very well.
For a very long time.
Thank you for the civics lesson.
Everything okay, Detective? Actually, no.
Your wife's fiancé went missing.
You know anything about that, Ronnie? No.
Sorry.
Hey! Ronnie! Ronnie! (grunts) RONNIE: Shut up! Shut up! (muffled screaming) (muffled screaming continues) RONNIE: Shut up! (screaming continues) Drop the gun, Ronnie! He's trying to take my family! You don't want to do this.
(muffled): Help! I have to! You said divorce was a sin, you remember that? Well, murder's a bigger sin.
Now drop the gun! I just want 'em back.
(groaning) Hey.
You shoot him, and I'm gonna shoot you.
(sniffles) I don't want to do that, Ronnie.
'Cause if that happens, then Matthew's not gonna have a father.
Hey, look at me.
Look at me! (panting) Your wife left you.
I can see what it's doing to you.
It's tearing you up, Ronnie.
(sighs) Don't do the same thing to your son.
(sobbing) (sighs) Put it down.
There you go.
(muffled protests) (Ronnie sighs) Step back.
(sighs) Speaker Thomas.
Give us the room, please.
As if he doesn't know it's me? (Regina sighs) My people just informed me that, uh, I don't have the numbers, and my bill is going to be voted down.
Not if it doesn't come up before the full council.
You knew you had the numbers.
(scoffs) You knew it this whole time.
I also know that what I said in there is true.
You losing doesn't mean I win.
(scoffing chuckle) Well Just so we're clear, Broken Windows goes too far.
I mean, you just keep putting people in the system, and every time you arrest more people, you create new criminals.
Well, we can talk about that.
Wait, you're willing to discuss a change in the policy? Yeah.
Be happy to hear your ideas.
(chuckles) Oh, your nose is growing.
But you know what? I'm gonna take you up on it.
I'm gonna come and see you.
Good.
Madam Speaker.
Commissioner.
If you don't mind, I'll just slip out the back.
All right.
To be continued? Exactly.
(knocking on door) Sorry to drop in unannounced.
You're a judge.
You can do whatever you want.
I was sorry to hear about your suspension.
Me, too.
(door closes) I spoke with the Commission on Judicial Conduct today.
I thought the DA withdrew my complaint.
He did.
I called them.
I don't understand.
You were right, Erin.
I allowed my personal life to cloud my judgment.
I see that now.
(sighs) You suffered a huge loss, Zach.
Yes, but others shouldn't suffer because of it.
The commission is reviewing all my recent rulings, and I reassigned my cases.
I'm going to be taking an indefinite leave of absence.
I am so sorry.
Don't be.
You did the right thing.
And you were willing to pay the price for it.
Just like you taught me.
And so the teacher becomes the student.
I spoke to the DA, explained the situation, he intends to lift your suspension.
Thank you.
Any chance I could get some of that spaghetti and meatballs to go? How about to stay? (chuckles) (door opens) There's chicken on the stove.
Thank you.
Lori told me what happened.
She's-she's really grateful.
Well, she was right.
Just lucky I got there in time.
What's gonna happen to Ronnie? Well, Ronnie'll be charged for the gun and if he's lucky, the kidnapping will get knocked down to unlawful imprisonment.
(sighs) (sighs deeply) I said some stuff this morning I shouldn't have said.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know you were so mad at me.
I'm mad at myself.
For what? When you were in the hospital (sighs) I didn't think you were gonna make it.
I (sighs deeply) There's not a lot that scares me, you know? The thought of losing you s really scared the hell out of me.
I think it still does.
And I'm seeing this guy, Ronnie, and all he's going through being alone, and his life's torn to shreds.
I know it's not you who's living in fear.
I'm the one that's doing it.
I don't know how to stop it.
(sighs) I still get afraid every time you walk out that door.
It ever get easier? You learn to live with it.
And to be grateful when the door opens and we get to be together again.
I'm not going anywhere.
(sighs quietly) @elderman