Synopsis:
After Todd Brotzman happens upon a murder scene, he meets self-proclaimed detective, Dirk Gently; and is drawn into a case involving the death of reclusive millionaire, Patrick Spring, and the kidnapping of his daughter Lydia.Tropes:
- Answer Cut: When Ken screams at Bart that he doesn't know who Dirk Gently is, the scene cuts to Dirk greeting Todd outside the apartment building.
- Bad Job, Worse Uniform: Todd's embarrassing bellboy outfit.
- Bloody Handprint: Can be seen at the crime scene in the opening scene. Its originator is only revealed at the end of the season.
- Chained to a Bed: Farah is introduces handcuffed to a bed and about to have her face cut off by a baddie.
- Collateral Damage:
- Hugo tries to shoot Todd but the bullet misses and kills one of Gordon Rimmer's drones.
- Dorian, the violent landlord, kills himself with a stray bullet in Todd's apartment.
- Disproportionate Retribution: Yeah, Todd did steal from Dorian. But instead of evicting him and calling the police, Dorian trashes his car and then threatens him with a gun.
- Dope Slap: Riggins slaps Hugo in the car when the latter repeatedly fails to follow instructions.
- Driver Faces Passenger: Dirk does it and almost runs over Gordon Rimmer crossing the street.
- Drives Like Crazy: Dirk driving the electric blue Corvette Stingray.
- Early-Bird Cameo:
- The crying woman with the smudged makeup who Todd is consoling at the hotel room will have a small role in a later episode.
- Gordon Rimmer can be seen early as an innocuous pedestrian being almost run over by Dirk in the street.
- Enter Stage Window: How Todd is introduced to Dirk, complete with a genuine & enthusiastic "Hi!" from the latter, while he's still halfway in. Cue Todd freaking out over a complete stranger climbing into his apartment uninvited.
- George Jetson Job Security: After he's interviewed over what he saw, Todd's boss immediately fires him for being involved with the case. "Involved" as in being the guy who found the bodies. Never mind the fact that he was the one who told Todd to check in on the penthouse that the murders occurred in. He then refuses to give him his payment like he asked because of "same-day termination."Todd: I just opened the door!
Boss: Well, some doors shouldn't be opened. - Gilligan Cut: Dirk proclaims that he will be sleeping on Todd's couch that night. Cut to him being throwing from the apartment by Todd.
- Girly Run: When Ken is being chased by Bart in the first episode, he demonstrates a decidedly unimpressive running style. It's made all the worse by the fact that Bart, who the name notwithstanding is a girl, runs a lot more skillfully (and quickly catches up with him).
- I've Heard of That — What Is It?: When Amanda tells Dirk that she has Pararibulitis, he answers "Ah, of course. Beat ... What's that?"
- Mexican Standoff: Riggins and Hugo from Project Blackwing and Zimmerfield with Estevez from the Police Department have a standoff in front of Todd's apartment building while the Rowdy Three are raging inside.
- Montage Out: The episode closes with a montage showing the whereabouts of all the major players we met so far.
- My Future Self and Me: Todd sees his future self and thinks it's a vision.
- Ominously Open Door: Todd finds the door to the penthouse ajar. Sure enough, he stumbles across a gruesome crime scene inside.
- Out of Job, into the Plot: Todd loses his job in this episode which frees him up to go on adventures with Dirk.
- Stealth Hi/Bye: In front of Amanda's door, Dirk sneaks up on Todd and prides himself on his ninja-like stealth skills.
- Stereo Fibbing: When Amanda asks if Dirk is a friend of Todd's, Todd answers no while Dirk says yes. They repeat this skit until they swap their answers.
- Trash the Set: The Rowdy Three taking Todd's apartment apart.
- Weapon Stomp: In the apartment above Todd's, a baddie steps on a machete that Farah is trying to reach.
