Castillo finds out that General Lao Li, who was his Archenemy in Thailand while he was part of the DEA, has moved to Miami. Years ago, Castillo has his team ambushed by Lao Li's forces after he was betrayed by an unknown source. He is initially reluctant to get the Miami PD involved but Crockett convinces him that Lao Li may be attempting to expand his operations into Miami. Castillo believes they can get some more information from Lao Li's old CIA contact, Dale Menton.
Dale Menton is sarcastic and condescending to Castillo throughout their conversation before admitting to being the one who gave up his team to Lao Li. Castillo almost kills Menton in the police station before Crockett stops him. Castillo proceeds to get Lao Li's address and the two meet with the General stating that he's only interested in retiring in Miami with his vast fortune. Castillo doesn't believe him but receives May Ying's address as a peace offering (or threat). May Ying survived her kidnapping and is now married with a young son.
Castillo decides he needs to go after Lao Li and notes that the man's grandsons are very interested in the drug business.
- A Day in the Limelight: Castillo has much of this episode focused on him and his past with General Lao Li.
- Batman Gambit: Castillo releases Lao Li's grandchildren in order to trick Lao Li into incriminating himself when he wants to execute them.
- Bullying a Dragon: Menton taunts Castillo with having sold his men, fellow American agents, out and is almost strangled to death for his troubles.
- Cool and Unusual Punishment: The "Omnibus Crime Bill of 1984" (better known today as civil forfeiture) allows Crockett and Tubbs to confiscate all of Menton's wealth. It is also what inspired Miami Vice in the first place.
- Did Not Think This Through: Menton doesn't seem to think admitting to involvement in the deaths of multiple American DEA agents will have any serious blowback on him.
- CIA Evil, FBI Good: Menton is a dirty CIA agent who betrayed his fellow Americans to his local drug dealer contact in the Thailand Military. He justifies it as a way to preserve his course but given the amount of money he makes from the association, it's obviously self-serving BS.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: At the end of "Golden Triangle", to the extent of becoming O.O.C. Is Serious Business. He takes Crockett up on his offer of a drink, after having socially-distanced himself from the rest of the department for the majority of the first season.
- Karma Houdini Warranty: Menton and Lao Li both got away with their crimes for many years but are both arrested at the end of the episode. Menton notably involved in a planned murder, drug trafficking, and other crimes unrelated to his CIA work as well as Lao Li ordering the murder of his grandchildren.
- Kinslaying Is a Special Kind of Evil: General Lao Li is happy to murder both of his grandchildren for threatening his retirement.
- Lost Lenore: Castillo's wife, May Ying, who was presumed dead before the events of the series... that is, until it's revealed that she survived and moved to Miami. Sadly, she's now married and has a child of her own.
- Precision F-Strike: Menton calls Castillo a bastard, which was not normally permitted on television at the time.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Olmos does not speak in Castillo's normal mumbling voice, expresses anger when he tries to choke Menton, and even goes so far as to shout (albeit just a single word, "Wrong!") at Menton after the final confrontation.
- Retired Monster: Lao Li is actually sincere in his desire to become one of these and get the family out of the drug business. Unfortunately, his grandsons have other plans.
- Smug Snake:
- Menton is confident his CIA contacts can protect him from any arrest but Crockett and Tubbs point out that his massive bribes from Lao Li aren't protected by them. He's also in the United States now.
- Both of Lao Li's grandchildren don't seem to think that threatening their Retired Monster grandfather's retirement will have any reprocussions.
- Tranquil Fury: Castillo seems prepared to kill Menton by choking him to death in the middle of the police station.
- Underestimating Badassery: Menton and Lao Li both think that Castillo as a lowly police captain can't bring down their operation. They're wrong.
- Worthy Opponent: General Lao Li proclaims Castillo to be one of these at the end.
