Hollyood director Rupert Payne is famous for his violent over-the-top action movies. He has requested the chance to go on a ride-along with the LAPD and is assigned to Bishop and Nolan. Nolan proves to be a big fan but Bishop is annoyed by his behavior and attempts to bribe her. After witnessing Nolan talk down a mentally ill young man, Tyson Parks, Rupert attempts to help the family only to offend their other son, Malcolm, and get robbed in return.
Meanwhile, Officer Lopez is considered to be a detective and attempts to set up a big bust with bad information that backfires horribly. Worse, Officer Bradford's wife is picked up in a drug bust.
- Angry Black Man: Malcolm is furious at Rupert for trying to give the family money and ends up robbing him.
- Condescending Compassion: Rupert wasn't attempting to engage in this but ended up coming off as this to his assailants.
- Expy: Rupert Payne is one for Michael Bay.
- Friend-or-Idol Decision: Bradford must choose between helping his wife cover up her smuggling cocaine or not. He chooses not to.
- Gone Horribly Wrong: Lopez's attempt to get a big bust results in her knocking herself out of contention from the detective spot.
- Innocently Insensitive: Rupert Payne is somewhat racist (saying Nolan looks more like his protagonists than Bishop) but attempts to do the right thing by helping a young mentally-impaired man's family. Unfortunately, it infuriates the man's brother who believes he's engaging in Condescending Compassion.
- Insane Equals Violent: Averted. Tyson Park's breakdown is scary to both his family and others but he's ultimately harmless. His brother on the other hand...
- Loved I Not Honor More: Bradford chooses his honor as a police officer over helping his wife escape felony charges.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Rupert's attempt to help the Park family gets him shot.
- Punch-Clock Villain: Malcolm's crew aren't interested in punishing Rupert, only robbing his safe.
