The Laughing Man press conference degenerates into utter chaos when not only is the group under the attack under what appears to be the "real" Laughing Man but also numerous amateurs who make bungled attempts on the Superintendent General's life. Section Nine finds itself badly overwhelmed by the sheer randomness, numbers, and arrogant stupidity of the attackers as well.
Against all odds, they get the Superintendent General to safety and open a case full-time into the Laughing Man.
Tropes in this episode include:
- Asshole Victim: The Chief is involved in at least one murder and probably two, so the audience has very little investment in seeing him survive.
- Hilarity Ensues: Essentially what the Laughing Man's threat creates. While there's nothing funny about an assassination attempt, random citizens jumping in and claiming to be the Laughing Man while trying (badly) to kill the Superintendent leads to a lot of comedic situations. Made all the more hilarious by how completely confused and out of depth the Section 9 team is dealing with the uncoordinated amateurs.
- Karma Houdini: The Chief manages to duck responsibility for Yamaguchi's murder. Played with as the Laughing Man imposters shoot him twice and make him live in fear for his life for an indefinite period.
- Kicking Ass in All Her Finery: When one of the security detail is hacked and begins attacking his charge and fellow bodyguards, the Major manages to knock him out while still in her snazzy dress uniform, getting only some Action Dress Rip in the process.
- Loony Fan: The Laughing Man turns out to have a small army of these. Played with as none of them are in contact with him.
- Save the Villain: The Chief is involved in a murder and about to get away with it but Section Nine has to keep him from getting assassinated.
- Villain with Good Publicity: The Laughing Man turns out to have a large amount of public support due to his logo, theatricality, and opposition to Asshole Victim corrupt officials as well as corporations.
