S.W.A.T. (2017) s04e14 Episode Script
Reckoning
1
Previously on SWAT
What's this business idea?
Auto repair shop.
Nichelle's
not giving us the money no more,
and no bank in the world's
- gonna give us a loan.
- But I will.
- What?
- I mean, what exactly
are we talking about here?
You giving us a loan?
I was thinking I'd be more
of a partner in the business.
Durham, why are you here so late?
I was hoping our kid'd be
asleep by the time I got there.
Annie's kind of an expert on toddlers.
Why don't you and the family
come over for dinner Friday night?
She's here as a tactical
emergency medical support.
(GUN FIRING)
A TEMS officer?
Nora Fowler, right?
Why'd you sign up for this?
I've seen combat as an Army medic.
I was an EMT for LAFD,
finished first in my class
in mountain rescue, in deep water
So this is another notch
on your résumé, then?
- No. I'm looking to save lives.
- Stay back until we've cleared.
I'm trained to go
into hostile situations.
- What are you doing?
- I know you run the show around here,
but need to trust me,
or she won't survive.
HONDO: The white nationalists
who killed Erika, the Imperial Dukes.
Now, we've already
taken down four of them,
but I can't shake the feeling
that there's more out there.
I did some thinking after you left.
Vodka wears off,
and Erika's still dead,
and I feel worse.
There's a community center near here
that has a grief group this evening.
- Could you maybe come with me?
- Your wheels or mine?
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
(SCREAMING)
Out of my way!
We're LAPD. Get out of the area. Move.
Out that way. Out that way.
DEACON: Hondo, we've got
two armed robbery suspects in custody.
It's up to you guys
to bring in the runner.
HONDO: Use your eyes, Chris.
Getting in position.
I see movement. Guy's passing
the red tent.
It's too cluttered. I don't have a shot.
HONDO: What do we got, Chris?
CHRIS: He posted up.
Blue and white RV, second from the end.
Street, go left. Go left.
This is Sergeant Harrelson,
LAPD! What's your name?
Let me through! I can do this all day!
- And we still got people around.
- HONDO: This guy's reckless.
If we push him, he's gonna keep
spraying bullets.
Hondo, I have something.
- Not much. Just his weapon.
- Take it, Chris.
Down on the ground.
- On the ground. Turn around.
- STREET: Don't move!
HONDO: Keep your hands up.
Final suspect in custody.
STREET: Not bad, Chris.
Maybe next time, try using your sights?
Nice job to you, too.
Hey. Heard you guys
brought in those fugitives.
DEACON: Wanted to make sure you had
- an easy shift, Durham.
- (CHUCKLES)
Hey, it was nice to see
you and your wife last weekend.
Annie and I appreciated
the grown-up company.
Yeah, I know the feeling. Actually,
that's a "thank you."
The wine's for Annie,
and the book's for you.
Goes over the policing tactics
we were talking about.
Helped me learn to walk with dignity.
Thank you.
Yeah, I'm always looking
for a good read.
- Yeah.
- All right.
(CHUCKLES): Okay, okay.
This place is cleaning up nice.
Starting to look more like an auto shop
and less like a trash pile.
Some of us are willing to put in
the elbow grease.
We found some cabinets
the last owners left.
- Free tool storage.
- Nice.
Well, I'm here to be of use. (CHUCKLES)
Wait a minute. What's going on here?
I don't recall seeing any of that
before we signed the lease.
Not hard to miss
a cracked window when the place
is full of junk.
Paint's fresh, Leroy.
It's nothing, man.
I-It was 'cause of me.
Look, I was here yesterday,
- and these two guys came by.
- LEROY: They, uh,
told him the block
was dangerous and the shop
needed their protection.
An extortion racket.
They want to be paid
to not cause trouble.
Nah, nah, nah, nah. I'm gonna
talk to the property manager,
see if we can back out of this place.
- No way.
- LEROY: What, you want to split
- at the first hard thing?
- HONDO: We picked this spot
because this neighborhood has a good rep
and it wouldn't associate
ex-con mechanics
with current gang activity.
Now, if that's changed
MAN: No, it's not a gang.
I'm James. I own the market next door.
Wanted to come by and say welcome.
HONDO: How you doing? I'm Hondo.
That's Leroy and Darryl.
Listen, uh, this isn't a rough area.
Just some guys making mischief.
Leader's named Alex.
They showed up a couple months ago.
You know, throw 'em a few bucks,
they leave you alone.
That's not an option for us.
He's a cop.
SWAT, actually.
Whoa. Well (SIGHS)
They're getting a fee
from everyone around here,
so if there is anything you can do
Consider it done.
Yo, Fowler.
- Hey.
- Hey, Luca.
You get here early?
Yeah. Figured I'd make sure
that Tan's treating my girl right.
- (CHUCKLES)
- I didn't know you lived close by.
Sort of. About six miles.
Wow.
- Pre-shift workout, nice.
- It wakes me up.
Plus, it gives me a chance
to enjoy my favorite
terrible music judgment-free.
Yeah, I hear that.
All right. I'll see you in there.
Yeah.
Better get comfy in here, Luca,
'cause 50-Squad is not handling
the full armory inventory again.
Hey, Hicks's rules. Loser of
the Spring Relay has to do it.
How many years in a row losing
has it been for you guys?
Two? Three?
Look, 20-Squad only edged us out
by a hair last year.
But face it: You're on the downswing,
and I don't see a winning
three-man combo in your ranks.
Oh, I got some ideas about our lineup.
Like what? Strapping on jet packs?
Guess you'll have to wait and see.
Tabitha Lewis turned up
in the ER this morning
with a broken arm.
Who's Tabitha Lewis?
Wife of Jared Lewis.
Habitual domestic abuser,
white nationalist
and most certainly a member
of the Imperial Duke cell
that we brought down.
Group that killed Erika Rogers.
FBI suspects he was in
the recruiting process then.
He wasn't a full soldier.
But LAPD's on alert
for anything involving
the Imperial Dukes.
So the 911 call from Lewis's
home address got flagged.
Lewis was gone when the
ambulance arrived,
but Tabitha's not claiming
it was an accident this time.
Well, it sounds like maybe she's
done protecting her husband.
I volunteered SWA to go in and question her.
Agent Carr knows
this is personal for us.
FBI is working a paper trail
to find Lewis.
This is an opportunity
for SWAT to be proactive.
To avenge the death of one of our own.
Well, if Tabitha confirms Lewis
was being recruited,
tells us where he's hiding,
we can grab him up for more
than just domestic violence.
But we only got one shot at it.
If we spook her, Tabitha's liable
to clam up, or worse,
go running to Lewis
and tell him that we've been
asking questions.
These two been married for ten years.
Even if he's been harming her,
she likely holds
the same racial views as him.
What if we lean into her prejudices?
You want to put on a show?
We could use Luca.
And you, if you're down?
To use a racist's beliefs against them?
Yeah. All day, every day.
Who are you?
Get out of my room.
I don't think so. Victor Tan, LAPD.
I need some answers.
LUCA: Excuse us, Mrs. Lewis.
I was hoping to chat
with you about your husband?
I already told the nurses
and the doctors
all about what Jared did.
Well, you still got to talk to us, so
Please?
Okay, how about I take
it from here, pal?
Sorry about him.
He's a real pain in the ass.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY) It's all right, Officer.
I read your statement. You know
we'll bring your husband in
- for domestic abuse.
- Good.
I'm over his nonsense.
I think, if you help me with
some other questions we have,
we could keep you safe from
Lewis for a really long time.
- I'll answer whatever I can.
- Have you ever heard
Lewis mention the Imperial Dukes?
(SCOFFS) Sure, he talks
about all the "good things"
they're doing for America.
Recently? Is he still with them?
Come on. You're done with him, right?
Lewis must have been meeting them
in a different part of town, though,
'cause he's been staying out later.
Did he say what the Dukes are planning?
Kept talking about their "victory."
Killing that Black cop
was just the beginning.
He said they're gonna
show the whole city
what they're capable of.
HONDO: If Lewis is still active,
that means we're looking
at a second Imperial Duke cell.
And they're planning an attack
they call the "Reckoning."
The Reckoning?
What the hell does that mean?
LUCA: Tabitha didn't know,
but she says it's supposed
to be worse than anything
they've done before. And, Hondo?
Whatever it is, she said
it's going down today.
SFBI's research hasn't
turned up anything about
an Imperial Duke attack
called the Reckoning.
Patrol's on high alert
for Lewis and the Dukes.
Luca's back with Tabitha, seeing
if he can get more out of her.
L.A.'s a diverse city with a lot
of places and events they could attack,
try and kick off their race war.
Last time they hit businesses
and cultural centers.
Might share a goal,
but we can't assume these
are the same Dukes as before.
Cells can operate very differently.
What do we know about this one?
Tabitha gave us Lewis's
last few public usernames.
FBI plugged them
into our ongoing research.
Showed who he interacts with and how.
"This video proves
a Black celebrity's company
"is secretly trafficking children.
It's time to wake up."
This is crazy conspiracy theory stuff.
Makes people click. They think
that they're helping kids,
really, they're getting fed
disinformation.
Now, all of these accounts are Dukes?
It's likely some are.
Lewis's activity suggests this
cell is a propaganda machine.
Well, he's good at it. Guessing
that's why this second cell
risked recruiting him
after we shut down the first.
So they're building
a legion of followers to help
spread their ideas across the Internet.
They want attention.
This attack will likely give
the Dukes some message
to push on social media.
But these accounts switch topics
every other minute, looking to trend.
What's their real focus?
FBI believes they discuss
real plans face-to-face
or in an encrypted forum.
But we haven't been able to
crack where they're meeting
in person or digitally.
Too many blank spaces.
We don't know the when,
where or how of this attack.
Just that it's somehow worse than Erika.
HICKS: Well, we know Lewis is involved.
So we find him, we find the rest of 'em
and answers will follow.
Deac. There you are, man.
Listen, I got to skip
out of here for a second.
What's going on with you?
Sorry nothing.
Well, maybe something.
Annie and the kids?
No, no. They're good. Everything's fine.
Um (SIGHS)
I'm probably just
overthinking something.
So lay it on me.
I'll overthink it with you.
You know Lee Durham, the new kid
- that just joined 60-Squad?
- Sure.
He's taken a shine to you.
Can't fault his taste.
Yeah, right.
He gave me this book,
Principled Policing in a Modern Era.
- Never heard of it.
- No, me neither.
But I wanted to be polite,
so I read a few chapters.
It's self-published. It, uh
it promotes some pretty
aggressive predictive tactics:
Surveilling citizens
with no criminal ties,
weaponizing programs like
See Something/Say Something.
Deacon, in my life,
I've had to learn to not
cry wolf just because
something smelled a bit funky.
I mean, the kid could've just picked up
the first book
with the word "police" on it.
He ever given you a weird vibe before?
A little.
When he gave me the book,
he used the words, "walk with dignity."
At first I thought it
was just odd phrasing,
but I remembered that
that list of white nationalist
code phrases.
I went back and looked at it.
Yeah, how'd it go? "I aim to
walk the path with dignity"
"pure of body and spirit."
It's not one of the most common ones,
and he didn't use the exact same quote.
I mean, Durham had to have been vetted
to be a SWAT recruit, right?
He's been in LAPD a long time.
I'm sure he's clean and buckled up.
We can pull his file,
take a look for ourselves.
Did your husband
ever talk about weapons?
Like, maybe a new gun he'd
bought or something a friend had?
He always wanted one
of those James Bond guns.
LAPD. Can I help you?
Stop!
(GRUNTS)
I got some questions for you.
- Hey, you got him?
- Yeah.
So the Imperial Dukes
really are active again?
- That's frightening.
- Yeah. Hopefully this guy
spits out some answers,
keeps us ahead of 'em.
Listen, I got to get into
Interrogation, but real quick:
Have you heard about Hicks's three-man
relay race happens every year?
Winner gets showered with honor
and glory, loser has
to spend a couple days taking
inventory of the armory?
- Yeah, that's the one.
- Mm-hmm.
I wanted to ask if you'd consider
joining 20-Squad's team. We'd have
Tan, Street and you.
That's a winning combo.
I don't think I'm right for it.
Are you kidding? You're perfect!
I looked you up. You're a high school
cross-country All-American?
That was before I had a kid.
You run six miles to work
multiple times a week.
I know I'm a good runner, Luca.
That's not the problem.
So what is it?
I don't just work with you guys.
I mean, I ride with all
the squads here and
Picking favorites just sounds
like making more enemies than friends.
Sorry.
- It's a no.
- Okay, then.
No sweat.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Yo, Alex.
Yo.
You don't mind if my boy here
makes sure our rights
- aren't infringed on, do you?
- As long as y'all don't
mind me asking you
to stop squeezing businesses
for protection money.
The market, salon,
auto shop, everything.
Don't hit 'em up again.
Don't know what
you're talking about, sir.
HONDO: Y'all need cash?
Then make the money the right way.
Come by the auto shop,
- and we'll hook you up with a gig.
- Working for you?
A cop?
No way.
Real recognize real.
HONDO: Ain't nothing about you real,
man.
So why don't you check that attitude,
and be a part of keeping
this neighborhood nice?
Because I can promise you this
I will be.
You got nothing on us,
or you would've brought out
the cuffs already.
Yeah. So, uh
bounce, my brother.
Be seeing you around then.
Guy from the hospital is Kyle Falley.
He's not talking,
but Tabitha ID'd him as one
- of Lewis's friends.
- He's probably an Imperial Duke
tasked with keeping
eyes on Lewis's wife.
I pulled his records Unmarried,
lives in the Valley,
teaches third grade.
Teacher?
He's also been posting on Twitter
about needing
to defend against illegals,
"using force if necessary."
I can't imagine being a kid in
his class, soaking up that hate.
And did you know
Lewis works as a headhunter?
What kind of applicant
is he fighting for?
Or against?
Anyway, Falley's, uh, financials
Hey, Chris? You're putting up
a good front.
But this is the Imperial Dukes.
Lewis was involved
with the cell that killed Erika.
It's-it's okay if today's a tough day.
I'm not worried I'm gonna choke
in the field or anything, but, um
I just started to get my head
straight again, you know?
- And suddenly the Dukes are back.
- I need to stay busy
and, uh, try not to dwell on Erika.
That's what's gonna stop
this Reckoning
and bring this new cell down.
Makes sense.
Look.
Falley owns a shell corporation.
Leases a warehouse in North Hollywood.
Contract started six weeks ago.
That's when Tabitha said
Lewis started staying out later.
Lewis's cell phone pinged
towers near the warehouse,
starting right after
Falley rented the space.
If they met up there,
other Imperial Dukes probably did, too.
Sounds like they've been
planning these attacks for a while.
Could be their base of operations.
DEACON: Got the warrant.
Last loading dock is Falley's.
7,800 square feet.
Owner hasn't had a reason to go in
since the Dukes started renting it.
Means we've got no idea
what the setup looks like.
Used to manufacture
aerospace parts there,
so the walls are insulated.
The thermal drone scan
gave us nothing real.
All right, eyes on me.
Yes, we're going blind into the layout,
and we don't know
how many Imperial Dukes
might be in there or what
kind of weaponry they got.
This isn't the most
unknowns we've faced.
And even if it was,
we know how to handle it.
Street, go.
Tan.
(DEVICES BEEPING)
Ready, Hondo.
- 25-David, set.
- HONDO: On my count.
Three, two, one.
(POWER TOOL WHIRRING)
DEACON: Drop it!
30-David. One suspect down.
Clear.
Got some weaponry semiautos.
Someone else is here.
- HONDO: We got movement.
- STREET: Shots fired!
One in the back. Move.
Street, go right.
CHRIS: All clear.
Better to not leave here in a body bag.
Okay.
Guns to the side push 'em out.
- Okay.
- Drop the weapon, on the ground.
Get on the ground,
hands behind your head!
Street.
This is 20-David, we're Code 4.
Search the space. We need details
on what this Reckoning is.
Stacks of ammo, but I haven't
seen planning materials
or schematics that indicate
a how or where.
White supremacist literature
and a lot of empty beer cans.
Looks like an Imperial Duke social club.
DEACON: Hondo, got something.
All this junk piled up?
Looks like someone was
trying to hide this.
It's methyl isocyanate.
Useful as a liquid but
deadly if it vaporizes.
Inhale it, it'll burn your lungs out.
Kills within minutes.
Toxic gas.
Well, that answers one
question the what
- But it doesn't answer the where.
- Well, it gets worse.
The tank is empty. Looks
like someone transferred it
to another container and got
it off-site before we arrived.
They still have their weapon.
Our friends from the warehouse,
Franklin Russo and Cormac Hill.
Pulled security cam footage,
found three more cell members.
I.D.s still pending.
My question is, how'd these guys
get their hands on methyl isocyanate?
Tank of MIC was stolen
from a factory a month ago.
We couldn't find any connection
to the Imperial Dukes.
Facility manager says they have
inventory flux all the time.
Plant assumed it was a computer error.
TRANSLATION: They didn't investigate.
Dukes pump this stuff into the air,
we're looking at mass casualties.
Plus, it's strong You don't need
an enclosed space to kill by exposure.
So they could hit
a building, park, anything.
Even though they're targeting
people of color,
it's too wide a net.
I mean, it'd be hard
to walk right up some place
with a bunch of gas.
They must have some
kind of delivery plan.
It could help us zero
in on their target.
Find it. I'll see what Luca and Deacon
are getting out of Hill
in interrogation.
I'm fine. It's just
These guys keep slipping
through our fingers,
and I'm sick of it.
How about you help me
do this research and
we use it to nail 'em?
The MIC
who are the Imperial Dukes
planning to use it on?
One day, your eyes will be opened.
The inferior races, the crisis actors
and deep state politicians
will be rounded up.
It is our duty to keep justice
alive until then.
Look, justice doesn't
involve attacking people
for having different beliefs
or a different skin color.
Well, they come for us,
for our whiteness,
and you do nothing.
How will they come for us?
You say my eyes will be opened
eventually, why not now?
They teach our children
to hate themselves.
They're trying to replace white culture.
They tear down our monuments.
Tell us what monument.
Maybe we can help protect it.
The Imperial Dukes will be the
first soldiers in a great war.
Great war?
You can't stop what's already here.
I don't agree with
the destruction of statues,
but Hill shouldn't need
one to remember history.
He's not gonna give us anything
real about their plan.
He doesn't have to.
Was going through the stuff
we found at the warehouse.
Hill, Falley and Russo all have
authenticator apps on their phones.
This is Hill's.
Constantly shifting password.
Well, Agent Carr said the Dukes
have an encrypted forum.
I'm thinking maybe this unlocks it.
Okay.
Listen, Darryl, Alex and
his guys are just punks, man,
but they ain't gonna back down easy
from messin' with the auto shop.
So they're just gonna ruin our business?
Not true.
I already talked to Patrol
and they're gonna keep
extra eyes on the whole block.
LEROY: So your cop solution didn't work,
and now you're gonna double down?
I thought you were supposed
to be a silent partner.
Also picked up some security cameras,
so if they come back, we got something
- to bring 'em in on.
- But how long's
- that gonna take?
- Too long.
Or until the building burns down.
- Whichever comes first.
- It's not gonna come to that.
Doing things right takes time.
We just need a little patience.
I'll come by tonight
and install the cameras.
Hey, what's up?
So, I pulled everything the
department has on Lee Durham.
I'm not seeing anything.
Also made some calls; No one's
got a bad word to say about him.
Well, if there was something
really damning in his history,
it would show up in his SWAT interview.
Well, wait a minute.
Look at that.
He worked Patrol in Granada Hills.
Black residents make up
five percent of that population,
30 percent of Durham's arrests.
- Targeting?
- Cop who sees Black people as criminals
finds a reason to book them more often.
Could just be bad training.
(SIGHS) Geez, I don't know.
I mean, this is all
just so circumstantial.
Except
that phrase he used.
That was odd.
Deacon, to bring a complaint
to Internal Affairs
saying Durham is a racist on the job
you better be damn sure.
Are you?
- No.
- When Durham said those words to you,
it might've been an attempt
to feel you out.
You can use it the same way.
Reply with the other half
"Pure of body and spirit"
See what he does.
(SIGHS) God, I hope this is
all just nothing.
ROCKER: and if you join our
relay team, we have a gift card
to that Japanese place on Third
with your name on it.
FOWLER: Thank you, but
Look, I don't know
what Luca offered you
Well, I didn't try to bribe her.
It's not a bribe.
A bonus offer.
And you're only mad 'cause I figured out
your plan to bring in a ringer.
This is low, Rocker, even for you.
It's not my problem if 20-Squad
isn't willing to do
what it takes to win.
FOWLER: All right, this is pointless,
'cause I'm gonna be cheering
from the sidelines.
ROCKER: No way.
The whole place knows
that you're the real deal.
Every squad wants you.
You can't let the people down.
You just have to pick
who you're partnering up with.
Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
Might as well get something
out of it for me.
So, here's the deal:
Gift cards, hook-ups, swag
- Best offer wins.
- (PHONE VIBRATES)
Oh, I gotta go.
Uh, tell everyone
to get their pitches in.
I'll commit to a team
by the end of the day.
Yep.
So this is the Imperial Dukes'
private forum.
You really gotta know their lingo
Most of this is in-jokes and memes.
It's the motherlode.
FBI's downloading everything we can,
prioritizing the search,
for mentions of the Reckoning attack,
toxic gas
What is this?
TAN: That's new. Looks
like a private message.
"LAPD raided warehouse.
Is the other behind the veil?"
HICKS: We're logged in
as a member of the cell.
He thinks we're Hill.
This is a Bible reference.
The Dukes twist
a lot of religious imagery.
He's asking if Russo's dead.
Isaiah 25:7.
"The veil that is spread
over all nations."
The reading at my father's funeral.
Yeah, but if Hill got out,
how would he know
what happened to Russo?
Let's keep it biblical:
"I am not Lot's wife."
"Do you have the van?"
- The van? I don't know this code.
- It might not be code.
There was a van at the warehouse.
It's sitting in the motor pool,
waiting to be swept for prints.
What would they need it for?
Part of the Reckoning plan?
Or maybe just a way
to prove it's really Hill?
Yeah, we'll look into the van.
Right now, we need to answer.
"Meet at the Alameda Tavern
parking lot at 4:00 p.m."
Restaurant's white-owned
in a mostly white suburb,
not a likely target.
You already found their HQ
Could it be a staging area
- or a meet point?
- Or a trap.
Lure SWAT in, instead
of killing one officer,
take out a whole team.
Website says
the restaurant's closed today.
DEACON: Infrared scan turned up nothing.
Building's empty and secure.
CHRIS: Couple civilians around,
but no unusual loitering.
It's past 4:00.
FOWLER: Where are these guys hiding?
They want to see the van
before showing themselves.
If it's a trap, they want
us all the way in it.
- Street, you're a go.
- All right. Coming in.
Van's in position.
Two men approaching on foot.
HONDO: Got eyes on 'em.
At least one's carrying. Move in.
LAPD! Show your hands!
Show your hands, now!
HONDO: Hands in the air.
Fowler. Stay by the car.
Keep your hands up. Don't move.
Tell us your target.
Hey, we didn't do anything illegal.
I got a permit for that gun.
We're not the rioters.
Rioters?
What's he talking about?
MAN: We came to defend this place.
Wait, hold up. You're here
to protect the restaurant?
Yeah, isn't that why you're here?
- Protect it from what?
- The anti-fascists
planning on burning it down.
Look, this guy sounds twisted,
but not like an Imperial Duke.
- Where'd you hear about this?
- It's all over social media.
Pics of their Molotov cocktail
assembly line and everything.
Okay, searching now.
CHRIS: Another group of four incoming.
They don't seem like the Dukes either.
FOWLER: They've got protest signs.
Street, go with Fowler Intercept.
HICKS: We see the
pictures he's talking about,
but a reverse image search
shows the actual original post.
Look, these pictures are really
from four years ago in Indiana.
HICKS: They're photoshopped
to include today's date
and this restaurant.
The Dukes are using their
Internet followers against us.
It wasn't a trap.
This whole thing's a distraction
to keep us running around the city.
All right, get the hell out of here.
Everybody back to HQ
until we find the real target.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey.
All right, I'll see you then.
Heard the Imperial Dukes
called off the meet,
wiped the whole secret forum clean.
Fake images of the restaurant
were posted
before we even got in position.
And now they're just in the wind.
Knowing the Dukes are out there
walking around free
after killing Rogers
I hope SWAT can stop 'em
for good this time.
Well, their kind of hate,
it's hard to swallow.
Yeah. That's for sure.
Hey, listen, me and some buddies
are grilling tonight
after all this is over.
Maybe you stop by, have a beer?
If I'm free, I'm there.
Yeah?
(CHUCKLES): All right.
(SIGHS)
HICKS: Need some good news.
CHRIS: Been exploring how the Dukes plan
to get their toxic gas to their target.
We found a decal in the van
for Castanera Party Rentals.
What if they're planning
to pass themselves off
as event deliverymen?
Hide toxic gas canisters
with chairs and tables.
The company also has heat lamps.
The kind that run off
small propane tanks.
Fill the tanks with MIC instead
You could walk right in anywhere.
Temperature drops below 70,
you got heat lamps
at every party in Los Angeles.
And nobody thinks twice
if there's a stack
of backup tanks lying around.
There was welding equipment
at their warehouse.
They rigged the tanks
so all they have to do
is set 'em up and walk away.
Valves open, MIC vaporizes,
injuring or killing anyone
in the immediate area.
They get to claim "victory"
online, get publicity
Spread their racist message further.
Maybe even start
the war they want so badly.
Let's hope it doesn't inspire copycats.
STREET: The van and the decal
help sell the charade,
but the Imperial Dukes
don't need any of this
- to carry out their attack.
- No.
They're doing this one way or another.
I'm gonna call the party rental company,
get a list of their events today.
Be ready to roll out.
Milk helps with eye irritation
after exposure.
I'm gonna grab some
portable respirators, too.
Well, hopefully,
we contain the gas tanks
before it ever gets to that.
Hey, Luca, we got a destination?
Yeah, just got a list of today's events
from the rental company.
Five spots, all over town.
All right, target's got to be something
the Dukes can promote online.
Yeah. Wedding seems too low-profile.
Silent auction Wait, wait.
Camden College is re-dedicating
their Physical Sciences Lab.
Yeah, read about that. They're removing
the name of some donor
who supported racist policies.
It says here they're
renaming the building
in honor of the Mendez family,
who fought
to end segregated schooling
in Southern California.
Yeah, Hill was really worked up
about the "erasure of white
culture" and "losing monuments."
To the Dukes,
replacing a name on the wall
is worth killing over.
These are exactly the type
of victims they want.
The keynote speaker is
the college's diversity chair,
and the event's co-sponsored
by three different
BIPOC-focused clubs.
Okay, ceremony starts in an hour.
Dukes might be there already.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Don't stop, let's go!
Understood.
Rocker, officers are evacuating
the speakers and early arrivals.
They'll keep civilians
out of the danger zone.
50-Squad's gonna take
a perimeter position.
Don't want any of these guys
slipping through a crack.
Deacon.
Event coordinator confirmed
that the rental company's
deliverymen are working on the quad.
(VALVE SQUEAKING)
30-David, it's the Imperial Dukes.
STREET: Hey, Hondo,
looks like Lewis and the other Dukes
- are arming the tanks.
- HONDO (OVER COMM): Roger that.
Everybody mask up.
Watch the tanks.
This stuff is flammable and deadly.
Deacon, on your count.
Three, two, one.
- HONDO: LAPD!
- Cops!
STREET: Hands where we can see them!
DEACON: Suspect one down.
Everybody, take cover!
CHRIS: Put your weapons down.
TAN: LAPD!
- LAPD! Show your hands!
- Nowhere to go! Give it up!
They're aiming for the tanks!
Suspect two down.
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
Move in, now!
(WOMAN SCREAMS)
I got Lewis.
Chris, I got your six.
HONDO: Check the tanks.
No release mechanism, just propane.
Lewis is rabbiting, headed north!
ROCKER: Moving to intercept.
26-David, with you.
Got to stay on him!
STREET: LAPD!
Stop!
Lewis turned southeast. Following.
He wants us to move in close,
leave an exit open
so he can double back and slip the net.
ROCKER: Just tell me where to be.
- I got leaking MIC!
- HONDO: Fowler!
We need a containment chamber now!
There's toxic gas in the air.
(GAS HISSING)
Tank's secured. I'm checking the others.
(GASPING, COUGHING)
HONDO: Can't use that gun, man.
The gas in the air is flammable.
- You're breathing poison.
- (COUGHING)
TAN: These all look secure.
HONDO: On your stomach.
Three down. Fowler, we need oxygen.
FOWLER: Roger, incoming.
LAPD!
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
Way to corral him.
Final suspect down.
You catch him, you clean him.
With pleasure.
Last of the tanks disabled.
20-David. Code 4.
Multiple members in custody,
propaganda machine's gone quiet.
SWAT dealt the Imperial
Dukes a real blow today.
FBI was able to download
the bulk of the encrypted forum
before it was erased.
I am putting together
a team to go through it.
Lot of insight to be had on
cell organization, activities.
I thought the Dukes totally
abandoned this forum. Commander.
It's a new private message.
"LAPD still has a chance to be
on the right side of history.
War is coming."
It's time-stamped 30 seconds ago.
Cross-checking our records.
This user communicated
with the first cell.
Looks like he gave orders to both.
Brains of the operation.
The leader,
connection between all the L.A. cells.
And he's still out there,
planning for war.
LUCA: Yo, Fowler.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Decided to put in
a "join my relay" team offer after all?
I already got some deals
that are gonna be tough to beat.
No, my first one still stands: Nothing.
Okay? No gift cards,
no all-expenses paid.
Just join 20-Squad's team.
Hmm, that's definitely not gonna top
the spa day from 50-Squad.
You know, I've been thinking about it.
This highest bidder stuff is noise.
You turning me down
this morning was real.
Oh, yeah?
You think you don't fit in here at SWAT.
You were trying not to make waves,
keep your head down
until Rocker upped the ante.
You were in Germany
when I first started.
People still aren't sure if
I even belong in this building.
Don't even know why
- a TEMS officer is important.
- No, I get you.
So here's my real offer. Next
time that we have a night off,
I'll run you through the
SWAT training course.
Okay, whether you join my team or not.
I'll show you how we train,
and get the best out of you.
I don't know about one time
through the course.
Maybe if you offer to train me
up until I kick ass,
- however long it takes.
- Yeah, okay,
and I thought us SWAT guys
were the competitive ones.
Hey, I can go see if Rocker's team
will offer me the same terms.
No, no. We got a deal.
Hey.
I wanted to thank you
for keeping me busy today,
taking my mind off of everything.
Well
you need help, I'm always here for you.
But you're stronger
than you know, Chris.
Think I realized it as I booked Lewis,
no piece of trash
is gonna threaten my sanity.
I'm glad you got some closure.
No. There are more
Imperial Dukes out there,
believing in the cause
that killed Erika,
planning more violence.
When they're gone,
that's when I'll have closure.
DURHAM: "I didn't like
her in the first place."
(LAUGHTER)
I'm like, "Why wouldn't
you tell me that?"
It was nine years ago.
Figured you guys could use more ice.
Hey, always.
Deacon, nice to see you, man.
Gibson and Ellis.
Man, I haven't seen you clowns in ages.
- You got to catch up.
- Thanks.
Here's to walking the path with dignity.
Pure of body and spirit.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY) Told you guys.
Figured you didn't want to talk
about this stuff at work,
but just know,
you're among friends here.
Who's ready to eat? (CHUCKLES)
GIBSON: (LAUGHS) Let's go.
(LAUGHTER)
DARRYL: I ain't playing,
I ain't playing.
- Oh, man.
- Quite a party going on in here.
You two seem to be in better spirits.
Uh, got nothing for you
to worry about anymore.
Yeah, my pops ran all those guys off.
JAMES: Got them to
leave the whole block alone.
And how exactly did
you manage that, Leroy?
Stop clutching your pearls, all right?
I didn't do nothing criminal.
I know you had more than a civil chat
and a handshake deal with those guys.
Those wannabes were happy
to wrap up their little scheme
the second they heard my name.
A Hammer O.G.
What'd you do?
Did you threaten to put in work
if they cross your territory?
Oh, that so different
than promising to bring down
the thunder of the LAPD on their asses?
Oh, I guess it is, because at
least they respected me enough
to run along.
- Leroy.
- Didn't need your permission, Hondo.
Damn sure don't need it
to do whatever else
might be necessary.
Darryl got dreams for this place,
and I'm-a see them through.
DARRYL: Is everything okay?
Yeah, sure is.
So tell me about this
neighborhood business council.
Mm.
Help me with these cameras, kid.
We still need those?
Darryl, I know it looks like
your pops took care of things,
but running those guys off
was not a smart thing.
I thought that's what we wanted,
for them to leave us alone.
Think about it, kid.
Okay, so they left us,
but where'd they go?
- Probably to some other block.
- And you think
they learned that extorting
money from people is wrong?
You think they're just gonna stop?
Probably not.
Best-case scenario,
they start picking on someone else.
Worst-case, they get all worked up
and decide to come and hit back
on your father, hard.
Now, look, your pops,
he knows what's up, and
I'm sure he's got a plan
or five if it comes to that.
That also worries me.
But the thing is, D,
sometimes a short-term solution
just creates a long-term problem.
(SIGHS)
I feel you.
But I don't know if the rest
of the neighborhood does.
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
Some things take more time than others.
ELLIS: My son went to a march. (SCOFFS)
Doesn't understand
why it broke my heart.
GIBSON: A couple cops
making split-second bad decisions
does not mean the whole
damn system is broken.
It's Monday-morning quarterbacking.
I mean, a Black suspect
comes at me with something
looking like a weapon,
you think I'm spending time
worrying what color he is?
(CHUCKLES): No. And saying so
doesn't make me a racist.
All right? It makes me a realist.
DURHAM: No, man,
they loop us all together
like we're some Imperial Dukes.
It's just ridiculous.
GIBSON: Their type of violence?
I-It makes the whole movement look bad.
And it takes away the focus
of the politically correct BS
- that's gone too far.
- ELLIS: One day
we're gonna look up and find
the inmates running the asylum.
(DURHAM CHUCKLES)
More like animals running the zoo.
I can't even imagine what it's
like for you every day, Deac.
I'm not sure how you mean.
DURHAM: Harrelson.
I mean Hondo's a good guy, I guess,
but everyone knows that his promotion
was affirmative action nonsense,
all about capitulating
to the social justice warrior crowd
over at the city hall.
He has no business being
the SWAT team leader over you.
I see it in your eyes.
It eats you up
to have to take orders from him.
I feel you.
World's gone mad.
Previously on SWAT
What's this business idea?
Auto repair shop.
Nichelle's
not giving us the money no more,
and no bank in the world's
- gonna give us a loan.
- But I will.
- What?
- I mean, what exactly
are we talking about here?
You giving us a loan?
I was thinking I'd be more
of a partner in the business.
Durham, why are you here so late?
I was hoping our kid'd be
asleep by the time I got there.
Annie's kind of an expert on toddlers.
Why don't you and the family
come over for dinner Friday night?
She's here as a tactical
emergency medical support.
(GUN FIRING)
A TEMS officer?
Nora Fowler, right?
Why'd you sign up for this?
I've seen combat as an Army medic.
I was an EMT for LAFD,
finished first in my class
in mountain rescue, in deep water
So this is another notch
on your résumé, then?
- No. I'm looking to save lives.
- Stay back until we've cleared.
I'm trained to go
into hostile situations.
- What are you doing?
- I know you run the show around here,
but need to trust me,
or she won't survive.
HONDO: The white nationalists
who killed Erika, the Imperial Dukes.
Now, we've already
taken down four of them,
but I can't shake the feeling
that there's more out there.
I did some thinking after you left.
Vodka wears off,
and Erika's still dead,
and I feel worse.
There's a community center near here
that has a grief group this evening.
- Could you maybe come with me?
- Your wheels or mine?
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
(SCREAMING)
Out of my way!
We're LAPD. Get out of the area. Move.
Out that way. Out that way.
DEACON: Hondo, we've got
two armed robbery suspects in custody.
It's up to you guys
to bring in the runner.
HONDO: Use your eyes, Chris.
Getting in position.
I see movement. Guy's passing
the red tent.
It's too cluttered. I don't have a shot.
HONDO: What do we got, Chris?
CHRIS: He posted up.
Blue and white RV, second from the end.
Street, go left. Go left.
This is Sergeant Harrelson,
LAPD! What's your name?
Let me through! I can do this all day!
- And we still got people around.
- HONDO: This guy's reckless.
If we push him, he's gonna keep
spraying bullets.
Hondo, I have something.
- Not much. Just his weapon.
- Take it, Chris.
Down on the ground.
- On the ground. Turn around.
- STREET: Don't move!
HONDO: Keep your hands up.
Final suspect in custody.
STREET: Not bad, Chris.
Maybe next time, try using your sights?
Nice job to you, too.
Hey. Heard you guys
brought in those fugitives.
DEACON: Wanted to make sure you had
- an easy shift, Durham.
- (CHUCKLES)
Hey, it was nice to see
you and your wife last weekend.
Annie and I appreciated
the grown-up company.
Yeah, I know the feeling. Actually,
that's a "thank you."
The wine's for Annie,
and the book's for you.
Goes over the policing tactics
we were talking about.
Helped me learn to walk with dignity.
Thank you.
Yeah, I'm always looking
for a good read.
- Yeah.
- All right.
(CHUCKLES): Okay, okay.
This place is cleaning up nice.
Starting to look more like an auto shop
and less like a trash pile.
Some of us are willing to put in
the elbow grease.
We found some cabinets
the last owners left.
- Free tool storage.
- Nice.
Well, I'm here to be of use. (CHUCKLES)
Wait a minute. What's going on here?
I don't recall seeing any of that
before we signed the lease.
Not hard to miss
a cracked window when the place
is full of junk.
Paint's fresh, Leroy.
It's nothing, man.
I-It was 'cause of me.
Look, I was here yesterday,
- and these two guys came by.
- LEROY: They, uh,
told him the block
was dangerous and the shop
needed their protection.
An extortion racket.
They want to be paid
to not cause trouble.
Nah, nah, nah, nah. I'm gonna
talk to the property manager,
see if we can back out of this place.
- No way.
- LEROY: What, you want to split
- at the first hard thing?
- HONDO: We picked this spot
because this neighborhood has a good rep
and it wouldn't associate
ex-con mechanics
with current gang activity.
Now, if that's changed
MAN: No, it's not a gang.
I'm James. I own the market next door.
Wanted to come by and say welcome.
HONDO: How you doing? I'm Hondo.
That's Leroy and Darryl.
Listen, uh, this isn't a rough area.
Just some guys making mischief.
Leader's named Alex.
They showed up a couple months ago.
You know, throw 'em a few bucks,
they leave you alone.
That's not an option for us.
He's a cop.
SWAT, actually.
Whoa. Well (SIGHS)
They're getting a fee
from everyone around here,
so if there is anything you can do
Consider it done.
Yo, Fowler.
- Hey.
- Hey, Luca.
You get here early?
Yeah. Figured I'd make sure
that Tan's treating my girl right.
- (CHUCKLES)
- I didn't know you lived close by.
Sort of. About six miles.
Wow.
- Pre-shift workout, nice.
- It wakes me up.
Plus, it gives me a chance
to enjoy my favorite
terrible music judgment-free.
Yeah, I hear that.
All right. I'll see you in there.
Yeah.
Better get comfy in here, Luca,
'cause 50-Squad is not handling
the full armory inventory again.
Hey, Hicks's rules. Loser of
the Spring Relay has to do it.
How many years in a row losing
has it been for you guys?
Two? Three?
Look, 20-Squad only edged us out
by a hair last year.
But face it: You're on the downswing,
and I don't see a winning
three-man combo in your ranks.
Oh, I got some ideas about our lineup.
Like what? Strapping on jet packs?
Guess you'll have to wait and see.
Tabitha Lewis turned up
in the ER this morning
with a broken arm.
Who's Tabitha Lewis?
Wife of Jared Lewis.
Habitual domestic abuser,
white nationalist
and most certainly a member
of the Imperial Duke cell
that we brought down.
Group that killed Erika Rogers.
FBI suspects he was in
the recruiting process then.
He wasn't a full soldier.
But LAPD's on alert
for anything involving
the Imperial Dukes.
So the 911 call from Lewis's
home address got flagged.
Lewis was gone when the
ambulance arrived,
but Tabitha's not claiming
it was an accident this time.
Well, it sounds like maybe she's
done protecting her husband.
I volunteered SWA to go in and question her.
Agent Carr knows
this is personal for us.
FBI is working a paper trail
to find Lewis.
This is an opportunity
for SWAT to be proactive.
To avenge the death of one of our own.
Well, if Tabitha confirms Lewis
was being recruited,
tells us where he's hiding,
we can grab him up for more
than just domestic violence.
But we only got one shot at it.
If we spook her, Tabitha's liable
to clam up, or worse,
go running to Lewis
and tell him that we've been
asking questions.
These two been married for ten years.
Even if he's been harming her,
she likely holds
the same racial views as him.
What if we lean into her prejudices?
You want to put on a show?
We could use Luca.
And you, if you're down?
To use a racist's beliefs against them?
Yeah. All day, every day.
Who are you?
Get out of my room.
I don't think so. Victor Tan, LAPD.
I need some answers.
LUCA: Excuse us, Mrs. Lewis.
I was hoping to chat
with you about your husband?
I already told the nurses
and the doctors
all about what Jared did.
Well, you still got to talk to us, so
Please?
Okay, how about I take
it from here, pal?
Sorry about him.
He's a real pain in the ass.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY) It's all right, Officer.
I read your statement. You know
we'll bring your husband in
- for domestic abuse.
- Good.
I'm over his nonsense.
I think, if you help me with
some other questions we have,
we could keep you safe from
Lewis for a really long time.
- I'll answer whatever I can.
- Have you ever heard
Lewis mention the Imperial Dukes?
(SCOFFS) Sure, he talks
about all the "good things"
they're doing for America.
Recently? Is he still with them?
Come on. You're done with him, right?
Lewis must have been meeting them
in a different part of town, though,
'cause he's been staying out later.
Did he say what the Dukes are planning?
Kept talking about their "victory."
Killing that Black cop
was just the beginning.
He said they're gonna
show the whole city
what they're capable of.
HONDO: If Lewis is still active,
that means we're looking
at a second Imperial Duke cell.
And they're planning an attack
they call the "Reckoning."
The Reckoning?
What the hell does that mean?
LUCA: Tabitha didn't know,
but she says it's supposed
to be worse than anything
they've done before. And, Hondo?
Whatever it is, she said
it's going down today.
SFBI's research hasn't
turned up anything about
an Imperial Duke attack
called the Reckoning.
Patrol's on high alert
for Lewis and the Dukes.
Luca's back with Tabitha, seeing
if he can get more out of her.
L.A.'s a diverse city with a lot
of places and events they could attack,
try and kick off their race war.
Last time they hit businesses
and cultural centers.
Might share a goal,
but we can't assume these
are the same Dukes as before.
Cells can operate very differently.
What do we know about this one?
Tabitha gave us Lewis's
last few public usernames.
FBI plugged them
into our ongoing research.
Showed who he interacts with and how.
"This video proves
a Black celebrity's company
"is secretly trafficking children.
It's time to wake up."
This is crazy conspiracy theory stuff.
Makes people click. They think
that they're helping kids,
really, they're getting fed
disinformation.
Now, all of these accounts are Dukes?
It's likely some are.
Lewis's activity suggests this
cell is a propaganda machine.
Well, he's good at it. Guessing
that's why this second cell
risked recruiting him
after we shut down the first.
So they're building
a legion of followers to help
spread their ideas across the Internet.
They want attention.
This attack will likely give
the Dukes some message
to push on social media.
But these accounts switch topics
every other minute, looking to trend.
What's their real focus?
FBI believes they discuss
real plans face-to-face
or in an encrypted forum.
But we haven't been able to
crack where they're meeting
in person or digitally.
Too many blank spaces.
We don't know the when,
where or how of this attack.
Just that it's somehow worse than Erika.
HICKS: Well, we know Lewis is involved.
So we find him, we find the rest of 'em
and answers will follow.
Deac. There you are, man.
Listen, I got to skip
out of here for a second.
What's going on with you?
Sorry nothing.
Well, maybe something.
Annie and the kids?
No, no. They're good. Everything's fine.
Um (SIGHS)
I'm probably just
overthinking something.
So lay it on me.
I'll overthink it with you.
You know Lee Durham, the new kid
- that just joined 60-Squad?
- Sure.
He's taken a shine to you.
Can't fault his taste.
Yeah, right.
He gave me this book,
Principled Policing in a Modern Era.
- Never heard of it.
- No, me neither.
But I wanted to be polite,
so I read a few chapters.
It's self-published. It, uh
it promotes some pretty
aggressive predictive tactics:
Surveilling citizens
with no criminal ties,
weaponizing programs like
See Something/Say Something.
Deacon, in my life,
I've had to learn to not
cry wolf just because
something smelled a bit funky.
I mean, the kid could've just picked up
the first book
with the word "police" on it.
He ever given you a weird vibe before?
A little.
When he gave me the book,
he used the words, "walk with dignity."
At first I thought it
was just odd phrasing,
but I remembered that
that list of white nationalist
code phrases.
I went back and looked at it.
Yeah, how'd it go? "I aim to
walk the path with dignity"
"pure of body and spirit."
It's not one of the most common ones,
and he didn't use the exact same quote.
I mean, Durham had to have been vetted
to be a SWAT recruit, right?
He's been in LAPD a long time.
I'm sure he's clean and buckled up.
We can pull his file,
take a look for ourselves.
Did your husband
ever talk about weapons?
Like, maybe a new gun he'd
bought or something a friend had?
He always wanted one
of those James Bond guns.
LAPD. Can I help you?
Stop!
(GRUNTS)
I got some questions for you.
- Hey, you got him?
- Yeah.
So the Imperial Dukes
really are active again?
- That's frightening.
- Yeah. Hopefully this guy
spits out some answers,
keeps us ahead of 'em.
Listen, I got to get into
Interrogation, but real quick:
Have you heard about Hicks's three-man
relay race happens every year?
Winner gets showered with honor
and glory, loser has
to spend a couple days taking
inventory of the armory?
- Yeah, that's the one.
- Mm-hmm.
I wanted to ask if you'd consider
joining 20-Squad's team. We'd have
Tan, Street and you.
That's a winning combo.
I don't think I'm right for it.
Are you kidding? You're perfect!
I looked you up. You're a high school
cross-country All-American?
That was before I had a kid.
You run six miles to work
multiple times a week.
I know I'm a good runner, Luca.
That's not the problem.
So what is it?
I don't just work with you guys.
I mean, I ride with all
the squads here and
Picking favorites just sounds
like making more enemies than friends.
Sorry.
- It's a no.
- Okay, then.
No sweat.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Yo, Alex.
Yo.
You don't mind if my boy here
makes sure our rights
- aren't infringed on, do you?
- As long as y'all don't
mind me asking you
to stop squeezing businesses
for protection money.
The market, salon,
auto shop, everything.
Don't hit 'em up again.
Don't know what
you're talking about, sir.
HONDO: Y'all need cash?
Then make the money the right way.
Come by the auto shop,
- and we'll hook you up with a gig.
- Working for you?
A cop?
No way.
Real recognize real.
HONDO: Ain't nothing about you real,
man.
So why don't you check that attitude,
and be a part of keeping
this neighborhood nice?
Because I can promise you this
I will be.
You got nothing on us,
or you would've brought out
the cuffs already.
Yeah. So, uh
bounce, my brother.
Be seeing you around then.
Guy from the hospital is Kyle Falley.
He's not talking,
but Tabitha ID'd him as one
- of Lewis's friends.
- He's probably an Imperial Duke
tasked with keeping
eyes on Lewis's wife.
I pulled his records Unmarried,
lives in the Valley,
teaches third grade.
Teacher?
He's also been posting on Twitter
about needing
to defend against illegals,
"using force if necessary."
I can't imagine being a kid in
his class, soaking up that hate.
And did you know
Lewis works as a headhunter?
What kind of applicant
is he fighting for?
Or against?
Anyway, Falley's, uh, financials
Hey, Chris? You're putting up
a good front.
But this is the Imperial Dukes.
Lewis was involved
with the cell that killed Erika.
It's-it's okay if today's a tough day.
I'm not worried I'm gonna choke
in the field or anything, but, um
I just started to get my head
straight again, you know?
- And suddenly the Dukes are back.
- I need to stay busy
and, uh, try not to dwell on Erika.
That's what's gonna stop
this Reckoning
and bring this new cell down.
Makes sense.
Look.
Falley owns a shell corporation.
Leases a warehouse in North Hollywood.
Contract started six weeks ago.
That's when Tabitha said
Lewis started staying out later.
Lewis's cell phone pinged
towers near the warehouse,
starting right after
Falley rented the space.
If they met up there,
other Imperial Dukes probably did, too.
Sounds like they've been
planning these attacks for a while.
Could be their base of operations.
DEACON: Got the warrant.
Last loading dock is Falley's.
7,800 square feet.
Owner hasn't had a reason to go in
since the Dukes started renting it.
Means we've got no idea
what the setup looks like.
Used to manufacture
aerospace parts there,
so the walls are insulated.
The thermal drone scan
gave us nothing real.
All right, eyes on me.
Yes, we're going blind into the layout,
and we don't know
how many Imperial Dukes
might be in there or what
kind of weaponry they got.
This isn't the most
unknowns we've faced.
And even if it was,
we know how to handle it.
Street, go.
Tan.
(DEVICES BEEPING)
Ready, Hondo.
- 25-David, set.
- HONDO: On my count.
Three, two, one.
(POWER TOOL WHIRRING)
DEACON: Drop it!
30-David. One suspect down.
Clear.
Got some weaponry semiautos.
Someone else is here.
- HONDO: We got movement.
- STREET: Shots fired!
One in the back. Move.
Street, go right.
CHRIS: All clear.
Better to not leave here in a body bag.
Okay.
Guns to the side push 'em out.
- Okay.
- Drop the weapon, on the ground.
Get on the ground,
hands behind your head!
Street.
This is 20-David, we're Code 4.
Search the space. We need details
on what this Reckoning is.
Stacks of ammo, but I haven't
seen planning materials
or schematics that indicate
a how or where.
White supremacist literature
and a lot of empty beer cans.
Looks like an Imperial Duke social club.
DEACON: Hondo, got something.
All this junk piled up?
Looks like someone was
trying to hide this.
It's methyl isocyanate.
Useful as a liquid but
deadly if it vaporizes.
Inhale it, it'll burn your lungs out.
Kills within minutes.
Toxic gas.
Well, that answers one
question the what
- But it doesn't answer the where.
- Well, it gets worse.
The tank is empty. Looks
like someone transferred it
to another container and got
it off-site before we arrived.
They still have their weapon.
Our friends from the warehouse,
Franklin Russo and Cormac Hill.
Pulled security cam footage,
found three more cell members.
I.D.s still pending.
My question is, how'd these guys
get their hands on methyl isocyanate?
Tank of MIC was stolen
from a factory a month ago.
We couldn't find any connection
to the Imperial Dukes.
Facility manager says they have
inventory flux all the time.
Plant assumed it was a computer error.
TRANSLATION: They didn't investigate.
Dukes pump this stuff into the air,
we're looking at mass casualties.
Plus, it's strong You don't need
an enclosed space to kill by exposure.
So they could hit
a building, park, anything.
Even though they're targeting
people of color,
it's too wide a net.
I mean, it'd be hard
to walk right up some place
with a bunch of gas.
They must have some
kind of delivery plan.
It could help us zero
in on their target.
Find it. I'll see what Luca and Deacon
are getting out of Hill
in interrogation.
I'm fine. It's just
These guys keep slipping
through our fingers,
and I'm sick of it.
How about you help me
do this research and
we use it to nail 'em?
The MIC
who are the Imperial Dukes
planning to use it on?
One day, your eyes will be opened.
The inferior races, the crisis actors
and deep state politicians
will be rounded up.
It is our duty to keep justice
alive until then.
Look, justice doesn't
involve attacking people
for having different beliefs
or a different skin color.
Well, they come for us,
for our whiteness,
and you do nothing.
How will they come for us?
You say my eyes will be opened
eventually, why not now?
They teach our children
to hate themselves.
They're trying to replace white culture.
They tear down our monuments.
Tell us what monument.
Maybe we can help protect it.
The Imperial Dukes will be the
first soldiers in a great war.
Great war?
You can't stop what's already here.
I don't agree with
the destruction of statues,
but Hill shouldn't need
one to remember history.
He's not gonna give us anything
real about their plan.
He doesn't have to.
Was going through the stuff
we found at the warehouse.
Hill, Falley and Russo all have
authenticator apps on their phones.
This is Hill's.
Constantly shifting password.
Well, Agent Carr said the Dukes
have an encrypted forum.
I'm thinking maybe this unlocks it.
Okay.
Listen, Darryl, Alex and
his guys are just punks, man,
but they ain't gonna back down easy
from messin' with the auto shop.
So they're just gonna ruin our business?
Not true.
I already talked to Patrol
and they're gonna keep
extra eyes on the whole block.
LEROY: So your cop solution didn't work,
and now you're gonna double down?
I thought you were supposed
to be a silent partner.
Also picked up some security cameras,
so if they come back, we got something
- to bring 'em in on.
- But how long's
- that gonna take?
- Too long.
Or until the building burns down.
- Whichever comes first.
- It's not gonna come to that.
Doing things right takes time.
We just need a little patience.
I'll come by tonight
and install the cameras.
Hey, what's up?
So, I pulled everything the
department has on Lee Durham.
I'm not seeing anything.
Also made some calls; No one's
got a bad word to say about him.
Well, if there was something
really damning in his history,
it would show up in his SWAT interview.
Well, wait a minute.
Look at that.
He worked Patrol in Granada Hills.
Black residents make up
five percent of that population,
30 percent of Durham's arrests.
- Targeting?
- Cop who sees Black people as criminals
finds a reason to book them more often.
Could just be bad training.
(SIGHS) Geez, I don't know.
I mean, this is all
just so circumstantial.
Except
that phrase he used.
That was odd.
Deacon, to bring a complaint
to Internal Affairs
saying Durham is a racist on the job
you better be damn sure.
Are you?
- No.
- When Durham said those words to you,
it might've been an attempt
to feel you out.
You can use it the same way.
Reply with the other half
"Pure of body and spirit"
See what he does.
(SIGHS) God, I hope this is
all just nothing.
ROCKER: and if you join our
relay team, we have a gift card
to that Japanese place on Third
with your name on it.
FOWLER: Thank you, but
Look, I don't know
what Luca offered you
Well, I didn't try to bribe her.
It's not a bribe.
A bonus offer.
And you're only mad 'cause I figured out
your plan to bring in a ringer.
This is low, Rocker, even for you.
It's not my problem if 20-Squad
isn't willing to do
what it takes to win.
FOWLER: All right, this is pointless,
'cause I'm gonna be cheering
from the sidelines.
ROCKER: No way.
The whole place knows
that you're the real deal.
Every squad wants you.
You can't let the people down.
You just have to pick
who you're partnering up with.
Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
Might as well get something
out of it for me.
So, here's the deal:
Gift cards, hook-ups, swag
- Best offer wins.
- (PHONE VIBRATES)
Oh, I gotta go.
Uh, tell everyone
to get their pitches in.
I'll commit to a team
by the end of the day.
Yep.
So this is the Imperial Dukes'
private forum.
You really gotta know their lingo
Most of this is in-jokes and memes.
It's the motherlode.
FBI's downloading everything we can,
prioritizing the search,
for mentions of the Reckoning attack,
toxic gas
What is this?
TAN: That's new. Looks
like a private message.
"LAPD raided warehouse.
Is the other behind the veil?"
HICKS: We're logged in
as a member of the cell.
He thinks we're Hill.
This is a Bible reference.
The Dukes twist
a lot of religious imagery.
He's asking if Russo's dead.
Isaiah 25:7.
"The veil that is spread
over all nations."
The reading at my father's funeral.
Yeah, but if Hill got out,
how would he know
what happened to Russo?
Let's keep it biblical:
"I am not Lot's wife."
"Do you have the van?"
- The van? I don't know this code.
- It might not be code.
There was a van at the warehouse.
It's sitting in the motor pool,
waiting to be swept for prints.
What would they need it for?
Part of the Reckoning plan?
Or maybe just a way
to prove it's really Hill?
Yeah, we'll look into the van.
Right now, we need to answer.
"Meet at the Alameda Tavern
parking lot at 4:00 p.m."
Restaurant's white-owned
in a mostly white suburb,
not a likely target.
You already found their HQ
Could it be a staging area
- or a meet point?
- Or a trap.
Lure SWAT in, instead
of killing one officer,
take out a whole team.
Website says
the restaurant's closed today.
DEACON: Infrared scan turned up nothing.
Building's empty and secure.
CHRIS: Couple civilians around,
but no unusual loitering.
It's past 4:00.
FOWLER: Where are these guys hiding?
They want to see the van
before showing themselves.
If it's a trap, they want
us all the way in it.
- Street, you're a go.
- All right. Coming in.
Van's in position.
Two men approaching on foot.
HONDO: Got eyes on 'em.
At least one's carrying. Move in.
LAPD! Show your hands!
Show your hands, now!
HONDO: Hands in the air.
Fowler. Stay by the car.
Keep your hands up. Don't move.
Tell us your target.
Hey, we didn't do anything illegal.
I got a permit for that gun.
We're not the rioters.
Rioters?
What's he talking about?
MAN: We came to defend this place.
Wait, hold up. You're here
to protect the restaurant?
Yeah, isn't that why you're here?
- Protect it from what?
- The anti-fascists
planning on burning it down.
Look, this guy sounds twisted,
but not like an Imperial Duke.
- Where'd you hear about this?
- It's all over social media.
Pics of their Molotov cocktail
assembly line and everything.
Okay, searching now.
CHRIS: Another group of four incoming.
They don't seem like the Dukes either.
FOWLER: They've got protest signs.
Street, go with Fowler Intercept.
HICKS: We see the
pictures he's talking about,
but a reverse image search
shows the actual original post.
Look, these pictures are really
from four years ago in Indiana.
HICKS: They're photoshopped
to include today's date
and this restaurant.
The Dukes are using their
Internet followers against us.
It wasn't a trap.
This whole thing's a distraction
to keep us running around the city.
All right, get the hell out of here.
Everybody back to HQ
until we find the real target.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey.
All right, I'll see you then.
Heard the Imperial Dukes
called off the meet,
wiped the whole secret forum clean.
Fake images of the restaurant
were posted
before we even got in position.
And now they're just in the wind.
Knowing the Dukes are out there
walking around free
after killing Rogers
I hope SWAT can stop 'em
for good this time.
Well, their kind of hate,
it's hard to swallow.
Yeah. That's for sure.
Hey, listen, me and some buddies
are grilling tonight
after all this is over.
Maybe you stop by, have a beer?
If I'm free, I'm there.
Yeah?
(CHUCKLES): All right.
(SIGHS)
HICKS: Need some good news.
CHRIS: Been exploring how the Dukes plan
to get their toxic gas to their target.
We found a decal in the van
for Castanera Party Rentals.
What if they're planning
to pass themselves off
as event deliverymen?
Hide toxic gas canisters
with chairs and tables.
The company also has heat lamps.
The kind that run off
small propane tanks.
Fill the tanks with MIC instead
You could walk right in anywhere.
Temperature drops below 70,
you got heat lamps
at every party in Los Angeles.
And nobody thinks twice
if there's a stack
of backup tanks lying around.
There was welding equipment
at their warehouse.
They rigged the tanks
so all they have to do
is set 'em up and walk away.
Valves open, MIC vaporizes,
injuring or killing anyone
in the immediate area.
They get to claim "victory"
online, get publicity
Spread their racist message further.
Maybe even start
the war they want so badly.
Let's hope it doesn't inspire copycats.
STREET: The van and the decal
help sell the charade,
but the Imperial Dukes
don't need any of this
- to carry out their attack.
- No.
They're doing this one way or another.
I'm gonna call the party rental company,
get a list of their events today.
Be ready to roll out.
Milk helps with eye irritation
after exposure.
I'm gonna grab some
portable respirators, too.
Well, hopefully,
we contain the gas tanks
before it ever gets to that.
Hey, Luca, we got a destination?
Yeah, just got a list of today's events
from the rental company.
Five spots, all over town.
All right, target's got to be something
the Dukes can promote online.
Yeah. Wedding seems too low-profile.
Silent auction Wait, wait.
Camden College is re-dedicating
their Physical Sciences Lab.
Yeah, read about that. They're removing
the name of some donor
who supported racist policies.
It says here they're
renaming the building
in honor of the Mendez family,
who fought
to end segregated schooling
in Southern California.
Yeah, Hill was really worked up
about the "erasure of white
culture" and "losing monuments."
To the Dukes,
replacing a name on the wall
is worth killing over.
These are exactly the type
of victims they want.
The keynote speaker is
the college's diversity chair,
and the event's co-sponsored
by three different
BIPOC-focused clubs.
Okay, ceremony starts in an hour.
Dukes might be there already.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Don't stop, let's go!
Understood.
Rocker, officers are evacuating
the speakers and early arrivals.
They'll keep civilians
out of the danger zone.
50-Squad's gonna take
a perimeter position.
Don't want any of these guys
slipping through a crack.
Deacon.
Event coordinator confirmed
that the rental company's
deliverymen are working on the quad.
(VALVE SQUEAKING)
30-David, it's the Imperial Dukes.
STREET: Hey, Hondo,
looks like Lewis and the other Dukes
- are arming the tanks.
- HONDO (OVER COMM): Roger that.
Everybody mask up.
Watch the tanks.
This stuff is flammable and deadly.
Deacon, on your count.
Three, two, one.
- HONDO: LAPD!
- Cops!
STREET: Hands where we can see them!
DEACON: Suspect one down.
Everybody, take cover!
CHRIS: Put your weapons down.
TAN: LAPD!
- LAPD! Show your hands!
- Nowhere to go! Give it up!
They're aiming for the tanks!
Suspect two down.
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
Move in, now!
(WOMAN SCREAMS)
I got Lewis.
Chris, I got your six.
HONDO: Check the tanks.
No release mechanism, just propane.
Lewis is rabbiting, headed north!
ROCKER: Moving to intercept.
26-David, with you.
Got to stay on him!
STREET: LAPD!
Stop!
Lewis turned southeast. Following.
He wants us to move in close,
leave an exit open
so he can double back and slip the net.
ROCKER: Just tell me where to be.
- I got leaking MIC!
- HONDO: Fowler!
We need a containment chamber now!
There's toxic gas in the air.
(GAS HISSING)
Tank's secured. I'm checking the others.
(GASPING, COUGHING)
HONDO: Can't use that gun, man.
The gas in the air is flammable.
- You're breathing poison.
- (COUGHING)
TAN: These all look secure.
HONDO: On your stomach.
Three down. Fowler, we need oxygen.
FOWLER: Roger, incoming.
LAPD!
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
Way to corral him.
Final suspect down.
You catch him, you clean him.
With pleasure.
Last of the tanks disabled.
20-David. Code 4.
Multiple members in custody,
propaganda machine's gone quiet.
SWAT dealt the Imperial
Dukes a real blow today.
FBI was able to download
the bulk of the encrypted forum
before it was erased.
I am putting together
a team to go through it.
Lot of insight to be had on
cell organization, activities.
I thought the Dukes totally
abandoned this forum. Commander.
It's a new private message.
"LAPD still has a chance to be
on the right side of history.
War is coming."
It's time-stamped 30 seconds ago.
Cross-checking our records.
This user communicated
with the first cell.
Looks like he gave orders to both.
Brains of the operation.
The leader,
connection between all the L.A. cells.
And he's still out there,
planning for war.
LUCA: Yo, Fowler.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Decided to put in
a "join my relay" team offer after all?
I already got some deals
that are gonna be tough to beat.
No, my first one still stands: Nothing.
Okay? No gift cards,
no all-expenses paid.
Just join 20-Squad's team.
Hmm, that's definitely not gonna top
the spa day from 50-Squad.
You know, I've been thinking about it.
This highest bidder stuff is noise.
You turning me down
this morning was real.
Oh, yeah?
You think you don't fit in here at SWAT.
You were trying not to make waves,
keep your head down
until Rocker upped the ante.
You were in Germany
when I first started.
People still aren't sure if
I even belong in this building.
Don't even know why
- a TEMS officer is important.
- No, I get you.
So here's my real offer. Next
time that we have a night off,
I'll run you through the
SWAT training course.
Okay, whether you join my team or not.
I'll show you how we train,
and get the best out of you.
I don't know about one time
through the course.
Maybe if you offer to train me
up until I kick ass,
- however long it takes.
- Yeah, okay,
and I thought us SWAT guys
were the competitive ones.
Hey, I can go see if Rocker's team
will offer me the same terms.
No, no. We got a deal.
Hey.
I wanted to thank you
for keeping me busy today,
taking my mind off of everything.
Well
you need help, I'm always here for you.
But you're stronger
than you know, Chris.
Think I realized it as I booked Lewis,
no piece of trash
is gonna threaten my sanity.
I'm glad you got some closure.
No. There are more
Imperial Dukes out there,
believing in the cause
that killed Erika,
planning more violence.
When they're gone,
that's when I'll have closure.
DURHAM: "I didn't like
her in the first place."
(LAUGHTER)
I'm like, "Why wouldn't
you tell me that?"
It was nine years ago.
Figured you guys could use more ice.
Hey, always.
Deacon, nice to see you, man.
Gibson and Ellis.
Man, I haven't seen you clowns in ages.
- You got to catch up.
- Thanks.
Here's to walking the path with dignity.
Pure of body and spirit.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY) Told you guys.
Figured you didn't want to talk
about this stuff at work,
but just know,
you're among friends here.
Who's ready to eat? (CHUCKLES)
GIBSON: (LAUGHS) Let's go.
(LAUGHTER)
DARRYL: I ain't playing,
I ain't playing.
- Oh, man.
- Quite a party going on in here.
You two seem to be in better spirits.
Uh, got nothing for you
to worry about anymore.
Yeah, my pops ran all those guys off.
JAMES: Got them to
leave the whole block alone.
And how exactly did
you manage that, Leroy?
Stop clutching your pearls, all right?
I didn't do nothing criminal.
I know you had more than a civil chat
and a handshake deal with those guys.
Those wannabes were happy
to wrap up their little scheme
the second they heard my name.
A Hammer O.G.
What'd you do?
Did you threaten to put in work
if they cross your territory?
Oh, that so different
than promising to bring down
the thunder of the LAPD on their asses?
Oh, I guess it is, because at
least they respected me enough
to run along.
- Leroy.
- Didn't need your permission, Hondo.
Damn sure don't need it
to do whatever else
might be necessary.
Darryl got dreams for this place,
and I'm-a see them through.
DARRYL: Is everything okay?
Yeah, sure is.
So tell me about this
neighborhood business council.
Mm.
Help me with these cameras, kid.
We still need those?
Darryl, I know it looks like
your pops took care of things,
but running those guys off
was not a smart thing.
I thought that's what we wanted,
for them to leave us alone.
Think about it, kid.
Okay, so they left us,
but where'd they go?
- Probably to some other block.
- And you think
they learned that extorting
money from people is wrong?
You think they're just gonna stop?
Probably not.
Best-case scenario,
they start picking on someone else.
Worst-case, they get all worked up
and decide to come and hit back
on your father, hard.
Now, look, your pops,
he knows what's up, and
I'm sure he's got a plan
or five if it comes to that.
That also worries me.
But the thing is, D,
sometimes a short-term solution
just creates a long-term problem.
(SIGHS)
I feel you.
But I don't know if the rest
of the neighborhood does.
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
Some things take more time than others.
ELLIS: My son went to a march. (SCOFFS)
Doesn't understand
why it broke my heart.
GIBSON: A couple cops
making split-second bad decisions
does not mean the whole
damn system is broken.
It's Monday-morning quarterbacking.
I mean, a Black suspect
comes at me with something
looking like a weapon,
you think I'm spending time
worrying what color he is?
(CHUCKLES): No. And saying so
doesn't make me a racist.
All right? It makes me a realist.
DURHAM: No, man,
they loop us all together
like we're some Imperial Dukes.
It's just ridiculous.
GIBSON: Their type of violence?
I-It makes the whole movement look bad.
And it takes away the focus
of the politically correct BS
- that's gone too far.
- ELLIS: One day
we're gonna look up and find
the inmates running the asylum.
(DURHAM CHUCKLES)
More like animals running the zoo.
I can't even imagine what it's
like for you every day, Deac.
I'm not sure how you mean.
DURHAM: Harrelson.
I mean Hondo's a good guy, I guess,
but everyone knows that his promotion
was affirmative action nonsense,
all about capitulating
to the social justice warrior crowd
over at the city hall.
He has no business being
the SWAT team leader over you.
I see it in your eyes.
It eats you up
to have to take orders from him.
I feel you.
World's gone mad.