A guitar noodles on the soundtrack as some white text on a black background informs us that we are in Miami, Florida. As opposed to Miami, Ohio. Because that would be a completely different show. Fade up on a man and a woman talking over drinks in a restaurant and laughing flirtily. He is guessing various occupations she might have, such as schoolteacher, social worker, contracts lawyer, and art dealer, and she is telling him that he's wrong, wrong, wrong. But in a nice, sexy way. She finally asks if he wants to know, and he says that he doesn't. The man is Patrick Dempsey and the woman is Carla Gugino, a.k.a. the titular Karen Sisco.
Cut to three days earlier (which we know thanks to some more on-screen text). Karen drives into a motel parking lot during a driving rainstorm. She asks her partner if he's clear on the plan, and he says that he is. Karen gets out of the car and draws a deep breath.
Cut back to the flirty restaurant scene. Karen asks Patrick Dempsey why he's fiddling with a cigarette. Patrick explains that he quit smoking, but that he keeps the cigarette around to remind him that he can. That he can smoke? That he cannot smoke? Patrick asks Karen for a hint about her job. Karen laughs and says, "Play the game, play the rules." Which is another line that doesn't really make sense, but these two have good chemistry, so I'll let it slide.
Cut back to the rainy motel parking lot. Karen and her partner run up to a door on the second floor with their guns drawn. Through lightning flashes, we see that the back of their jackets say that they are U.S. Marshals. Karen and her partner take their places on either side of the door. Karen knocks and announces that they are U.S. Marshals, in case you missed the yellow lettering on the back of their jackets. Someone inside starts shooting through the door, and Karen and her partner dive for cover.
Flirty restaurant. Patrick Dempsey asks Karen if the giant bruise on her upper left breast is a birthmark. If I had a giant bruise like that, I would not be wearing a lacy camisole to show it off, but that's just me. I probably wouldn't wear a lacy camisole, full stop.
Motel. Karen kicks in the door and enters the room.
Restaurant. Patrick Dempsey reaches out and touches the bruise. Karen barely flinches. He asks if it hurts. Karen doesn't answer.
Motel. Karen's partner says he will check out back, and runs out onto the balcony. Karen hears a noise behind her and spins just in time to catch a bullet in the chest. Karen hits the ground and looks up to see the gunman standing over her, gun pointed. The gun goes off.
Back at the flirty restaurant, Patrick is still guessing occupations, and his guess this time around is yoga instructor. Karen asks again if he gives up, and he says that he doesn't. Karen replies, "We'll see."
The credits are all in super-cool Miami-type bright orange and red colors, and the theme song is "It's Your Thing" by the Isley Brothers. I like this show already.
Karen drives down the highway, palm trees reflected in her sunglasses. Her cell phone rings, and she brushes aside a badge and a gun in her purse in order to retrieve it. It's her dad, Marshall Sisco (played by the awesome Robert Forster). Marshall is walking across a street. He tells Karen a story about a guy who went in to rob a bank and told his partner to circle the block. The robber came running out and got hit by a car. Karen guesses that his partner was driving the car, and Marshall chuckles and says that irony is not dead. Karen asks if he's working today. Marshall says that he's investigating a guy in a wheelchair for an insurance scam.
Marshall spots Wheelchair Guy being pushed around by a much younger woman. Marshall asks Karen whether Karen's told her new guy what she does for a living. Karen says that he still wants to guess. Marshall thinks the guy sounds like an insurance agent, and Karen says that he's a charter fisherman who owns his own boat. Just like Jake Hansen on Melrose Place! Marshall asks the guy's name, and Karen says that it's Carl Wilkins, so that's what I'll be calling him from now on instead of Patrick Dempsey. Marshall says he's always wanted to own his own boat. Karen reminds him that he gets seasick, but Marshall doesn't see the connection. Karen has pulled into a parking garage and moved around to get something out of the trunk of her car. She tells her dad that she has to go, because she's back at work. Marshall hesitates, and then asks how she's feeling. Karen rolls her eyes and says, "Not you too." Marshall says he'll see her tomorrow night for poker, and they hang up. Marshall is now standing in a car showroom, and a salesman asks if he can help. Marshall gets permission to take pictures of some cars, but really he's taking pictures of Wheelchair Guy, who is talking to someone elsewhere in the room.
Karen walks into her office. Some random person welcomes her back. Karen's partner, Danny, asks if she saw his report. Karen says she did, but that she won't read it until she finishes hers. Danny asks if she's still fuzzy on the details, and Karen admits that she is. Danny offers to help her out, but Karen doesn't seem that interested in his help. Danny thinks the incident was "textbook," and Karen says that if it were, the guy wouldn't be dead. Gary Cole pops up out of nowhere and adds, "Good point." Where in the hell did he come from? Karen asks who the new guy is. Danny says that it's Konner, who transferred from D.C., and brought in Hector Mercante, solo. I would be impressed if I knew who the hell Hector Mercante was. Also, why did they spell his character's last name with a K? That's just annoying.
The boss calls Karen over, so she and Danny part ways. The boss reminds Karen that she was supposed to take a week off. Karen has grabbed a case file and wants to pick the guy up. A woman calls hello to Karen, and the boss informs Karen that the woman is Devlin, a shrink. Karen greets her. Devlin says that she wanted to check on Karen's progress -- which is "standard procedure after a fatal" -- and schedule a time for them to talk. Karen isn't interested. Devlin points out that Karen hasn't filed a report. Karen says she will. Devlin asks when. Karen says she will when she's clear on what happened. Devlin starts reciting the details of Danny's report, and Karen wants to know whether Devlin is asking or telling her this information. Devlin asks why Karen doesn't remember. The boss pipes up that Karen took a slug to the chest and woke up with "every bone in her body bruised and a Tijuana-sized headache." The boss is sure that Devlin has had nights like that. Devlin looks at him sharply. The boss asks if she remembers the details. Devlin knows she's beat, and tells Karen, as she walks out, to make an appointment. Hmm, what's up with the boss and Devlin? Interesting. The boss's name is Amos, by the way. Just found that out. Karen looks at Amos and questions him calling her "girl." Amos says it was a figure of speech, and orders Karen to take light duty for the rest of the week, and to take the rest of the day off. Hello? Your boss is ordering you to take time off. Go home! Get in your jammies! Karen walks out smiling.
Karen gets into her car, wincing in pain. She uses her rear-view mirror to check out her bruise, and then fades into a repeat of the opening scene at the rainy motel. Everything is the same at first. Karen and Danny pull in. They run to the door. Karen identifies them, and the guy inside shoots. They burst in. Danny runs out back. Karen gets shot. Except this time, she sits up and sees the guy pointing a gun at her before she comes back to the present. Her cell phone is ringing. It's Marshall, and he tells Karen to come by wherever he is. I guess she just knows where he's at, because she takes off.
Latin-flavored music plays. Latin flavor tastes like chicken. Anyway, Karen and Marshall are at a restaurant or bar or something. Marshall says something about Karen being on courthouse duty. A giant man walks up and says he's not too big on courthouses himself. Karen calls him Mordecai and says she thought he was doing time up at Glades (which I know from watching Out Of Sight is a prison in Florida). Mordecai says he got time off for good behavior, and now he's working for Marshall. Karen checks out the photos Marshall took earlier, and he asks how he can get the guy to jump out of his wheelchair. Karen suggests setting fire to his pants, and Marshall jokes that his pants are already on fire. Karen wonders why they called her there, because she has to meet someone. Mordecai asks whether she's told the guy what she does yet. Karen gives her dad a look for letting that information out, and Marshall says that they were talking about boats and the subject came up. Mordecai agrees that a man needs a boat.
Marshall walks Karen to her car, and they banter some more about boat ownership. Marshall finally admits that Amos called and asked Marshall to talk to Karen. Karen gives her dad another look. Marshall says, "So we talked! You look great. Don't stay out too late." Karen smiles and starts her car.
Karen and Carl hang out in a club. Carl is still guessing occupations. Karen asks about his boat. Carl says it's good in a storm, and is named Bimini Cove. Carl guesses Karen's a romance novelist, and Karen laughs. Carl says that he's had his boat for ten years, and when he's working on it, he knows who he is. I don't know what that means either. Karen asks what he did before that, and Carl says that he sold cars, and that he was good at it, but he didn't feel it. So he went with a dream, and he was seasick at first, but then he resolved it and never looked back. Karen smiles at him and asks how he knew she drinks bourbon. Carl says it was a lucky guess. Karen says he doesn't smell like a sailor, and Carl says he uses regular soap. Karen nuzzles up and asks if he wants to get out of there. Carl certainly does.
Cut to Karen and Carl making out in the hallway outside Karen's super-cool apartment which even has a porthole window in the front door. Karen tells Carl to hold on, and Carl says that they should probably wait. Karen unlocks her door and says that she needs to be dressed and out of there by 7. Carl guesses, as he follows her inside, that she's a flight attendant. So then they totally do it, and I'm not giving you the details, because I'm sure you can imagine it.
Karen wakes up the morning at 5:59 AM. Oh, hell no. She rolls over and finds the other side of the bed empty. But there's a note. It reads, "See U Tonight? Carl." First of all, the "U" would be immediate grounds for dismissal, because Carl is not Prince and Prince is the only person allowed to do that. Second of all, did he need to sign it? Was he worried that she wouldn't know whom the note was from? Anyway, Karen smiles, and then her alarm goes off, so she rolls over and hits the snooze.
Karen and Danny are on courthouse duty, as they walk outside to the front steps. Danny is still urging Karen just to sign off on his report since she can't remember the details of the incident. Karen asks how long he's been a Marshal. He says it's been three or four years, and that his father and brother were both Marshals as well. Karen says it's a lot to live up to, and Danny says he can handle it. Before Karen can say more, a jail transport vehicle pulls up. Konner (Gary Cole) escorts the defendant out of the truck and up the courthouse steps. Danny says he heard that Hector, the defendant, butchered six of his partners with a chainsaw. Hector walks by and says hello to Karen. Danny can't believe that she knows the guy. How long have Karen and Danny been partners, anyway? Amos rolls up and says that Karen caught Hector the first time. Again, not really impressed, since I don't know who in the hell Hector is, and whether he is, in fact, dangerous.
Amos introduces Fuentes, a weaselly-looking FBI agent. Karen says she knows him, and Fuentes smarms, "Not well enough." Karen shoots back, "How's the family, Ed?" Amos tells Danny to go get him some coffee. Hee! Danny is such a bitch. Amos tells Karen that Fuentes wants to know about Carl Wilkins. Karen asks who that is. Fuentes says that Karen saw him Thursday and Friday, and took him back to her place last night. Karen asks if Fuentes is stalking her. Fuentes wants to know what Carl thinks about Karen being a Marshal. Karen wants to know what this is about. Amos suggests that they go someplace more private. Karen says they're fine where they are. Fuentes sleazes that it's a delicate situation when they find out that "a U.S. Marshal is sharing her bed with a bank robber." Karen's facial expression doesn't change.
Cut to Carl, talking to a loan officer in a bank, à la George Clooney in Out of Sight. Carl fidgets with an unlit cigarette and says he'd like to take out a sizable loan. It's really too bad that they keep putting Patrick Dempsey in a position to be compared to George Clooney like that. I like Dempsey, but he's no Clooney.
Karen, Amos, and Fuentes view surveillance footage of a bank robbery, but the robber is wearing a ski mask. Fuentes says that there have been four robberies in the area in the past six weeks, and they were all Florida Southern branches. Amos asks whether Carl is their only suspect. Fuentes says that they have others, but they think Carl is their guy, and that he has a black partner. Karen says, "So a guy in a ski mask. What else you got?" Fuentes sighs that they have partial prints but no matches. Karen curtly asks, "Priors?" Fuentes admits that Carl has none under his current name. Fuentes adds that a witness IDed a getaway car and two-thirds of a plate. Karen says the FBI doesn't have anything. Fuentes says that their information brought them to Carl, which brought them to Karen. He adds that Carl is good for an amateur, and keeps changing his methods. Fuentes finally gets to the point: they'd like to know more about Carl. He looks at Karen pointedly. Karen wonders why they don't question Carl themselves. Fuentes says that since Karen is so close, they thought she might "snuggle up to the guy, get to know his secrets, find out how he does what he does." Man, that Fuentes is a sleaze. Amos adds, "If he does what he does." Karen declines the offer, saying she's not going to do Fuentes's job for him. Fuentes points out that Karen is a federal agent. Karen starts to reply, but Amos interrupts, "She's a U.S. Marshal. Marshals work on warrants. If you put one out, we'll discuss it." Fuentes picks up his materials and leaves, but first asks Karen to get Carl's prints. Karen, cool as the other side of the pillow, replies, "I've got 'em all over me." Fuentes shakes his head and leaves. Amos asks Karen if she's okay. Karen wonders why she wouldn't be.
Karen talks to Marshall on her cell phone. Marshall watches Wheelchair Guy as he says that the world is full of idiots. Karen says that Fuentes thinks he knows a friend of hers. Marshall asks if it's by name or reputation, and Karen says it's a little of both. Karen sits down at a computer as Marshall says that there's nothing wrong with having friends. Marshall asks, "So what if he is? Your friend. A little of both. Takes all kinds to make a world, sweetheart. Trick is to keep in mind which kind you are." Karen uses the computer to do a search on Carl's name, and pulls up a picture of Carl on his boat, advertising his charter fishing services. Karen asks if she's supposed to watch her step. Marshall says she said it, and he didn't. Marshall watches as Wheelchair Guy and his bimbo pull away with a squeal of tires. Wheelchair Guy leans out the passenger window and yells out, "Nice car!" Marshall hangs up with Karen and chuckles. Karen continues to stare at Carl's picture on the screen.
Karen walks out of the office. Devlin the shrink asks if Karen is avoiding her. Karen denies it. Devlin asks if she has a minute for coffee. Karen gets into the elevator and declines the offer, saying, "Coffee keeps me up." The elevator doors close. Why don't elevator doors close on cue like that in real life? Instead, you might get off a good retort, and then you both have to stand there and wait for the doors to close. It just ruins the moment.
Karen drives out to the marina. Heh. She's holding a cup of coffee. She walks into the marina offices, where some Southern rock is playing. She asks the guy at the counter if he knows Carl Wilkins. At the sound of the name, a black guy drinking a beer nearby perks up. Counter Guy knows Carl. Karen asks if he knows where Carl keeps his boat. Beer-Drinking Black Guy watches Karen thoughtfully.
Karen walks out to the docks, where she finds Carl's boat out of the water in dry dock. Karen gets closer to the boat and sees a big orange sign that says, "Notice Of Repossession." Karen walks back to her car. She notices some FBI agents nearby. She knocks on the window and startles the agents inside. One agent rolls down the window. Karen hands him her coffee and says, "Tell Fuentes he could have saved me the trip. You can get rid of that. I'm done with it." Karen walks off, leaving the agents befuddled.
Karen carries a bag of groceries into her apartment. She enters to find her father and three other guys (including Mordecai) playing poker. They all greet her warmly. Marshall asks if she wants some dip, and Karen declines. Carl walks out of the kitchen and urges Karen to try the dip, since Marshall made it himself. Karen is shocked to see Carl there. Marshall explains that they found Carl on the stoop when they arrived, so they invited him up. Karen asks if they introduced themselves, and Mordecai says they did. Carl says they are "[his] kind of guys." Karen looks at him, wondering if he knows what he just said. Carl follows Karen into the kitchen and says he thought they had something on for that night. Karen says that something came up. Marshall pipes up that they've been talking about boats, which is an interesting topic. Karen says that's what she hears. Carl starts to talk to Karen, but Mordecai blurts that Carl doesn't have a boat. Karen looks at Carl, who says that he's been wanting to tell her every night but kept coming up with reasons not to. Carl admits that he lost his boat three months earlier, because business was down and he didn't want to see what was coming, so he's been hiring out. Random Poker Guy yells that Carl was embarrassed. Carl tells Karen that she means a lot to him, and that he doesn't want this to mess anything up. Marshall watches this whole exchange with interest while totally pretending that he's not listening. Karen starts silently unpacking her groceries. Carl says he's going to go, and tells the poker guys that it was nice to meet them. Karen refuses to meet his eyes until he says that maybe he could make her dinner tomorrow. Karen smiles and says maybe. On his way out, Carl guesses that she's a pediatrician. Karen smiles and shakes her head. Carl leaves. Karen asks Marshall, "You didn't tell him?" Marshall asks if she's referring to the fact that she's a Marshal or the fact that the poker guys are all ex-cons. Karen says, "Either." Marshall says it didn't seem relevant.
Karen washes her face, preparing for bed. She pushes on the bruise on her chest, and then flashes back to the night of the motel incident, starting with the moment when the guy shot at them through the door. This time, Karen remembers that she said they should get backup, and Danny said, "Screw the backup!" before kicking open the door and running in. Karen followed. Karen breaks out of her reverie when her father calls to her to tell her that he's leaving. He's sad that no one ate his dip. Marshall says that the guy who gave him the dip recipe is a diamond thief doing twenty years in Glades. Before he went into jail, he buried his loot in the woods, figuring it would be safe there. Karen says that twenty years is a long time. Marshall says that the guy got out, but couldn't remember where the loot was, and the harder he tried, the more he forgot. Karen says, "You're saying just let it come." Marshall says he was just talking about the dip. He starts to leave, but Karen calls him back and asks what he thought about Carl. Marshall says he doesn't know, and that he'd tell her if he did, but "life's a crap shoot." Marshall leaves for real, and Karen starts brushing her teeth. She finds the beer bottle that Carl was drinking from, and notices that it has prints on it. She sets it back down.
Back at the bar at the marina, the Beer-Drinking Black Guy is drinking another beer while "Here I Am (Come And Take Me)" by Al Green plays in the background. I hope they do a soundtrack for this show, because I would so buy it. The guy sits down at a table with Carl and says he didn't think Carl was coming, because "love works its wonders from time to time." Carl says with a smile that it's nobody's business. Beer Drinker says that they need to talk about whether Carl is with it or not. Carl says he's willing to do one more to get his boat back. Beer Drinker hands Carl a package, and Carl opens it up to find a gun. Beer Drinker says it's clean, with no serial numbers. Carl tucks the gun into his waistband. Meanwhile, Karen sits in her car out in the parking lot.
Karen is at the firing range, shooting at a human figure. Of course, all of her shots are dead center. Has there ever been a law-enforcement officer on television who's a mediocre shot? Not a terrible shot or a great shot, but somewhere in the middle? Karen reloads her gun, and we see that Konner is watching her. He walks up to her and compliments her work. He says that he heard about her problem with the shooting the other night. He hands Karen a bag and tells her to try it, because it jogs the memory. Konner walks away. Karen opens the bag and finds a bottle of bourbon.
Karen puts her things down on her desk, and then notices Fuentes standing in Amos's office doorway, looking at her. She stalks up and asks if he gets off on watching her. Fuentes says it's called intelligence, and that he understands that she visited a boatyard. Karen says that just because Carl missed his payments doesn't mean he robs banks. Fuentes says that it's a motive. Karen says, "Then arrest him." Fuentes says that they intend to, and pauses before adding, "If no one tips him off." Karen asks if Fuentes wants to clarify that. Amos warns Fuentes to back off. Fuentes tells Karen that they don't need her anymore, because a woman who used to date Carl has come forward. Carl wanted to know all about her job; she worked for a bank.
Wheelchair Guy rolls up to a restaurant. A valet (it's Mordecai!) greets him. Wheelchair Guy tips Mordecai a dollar (a whole dollar!) and tells him to get the wheelchair out of the trunk. Marshall watches and takes photos from across the street. Karen is there, too. Marshall asks how much she really likes Carl. Karen smiles and says that she likes him a lot. Marshall says that Carl "must be doing something right besides knocking off banks." Marshall tells Karen that if she wants to find out whether Carl is clean, she should assume that he isn't, because if he's not clean, he'll make a mistake. I'm not sure I followed all of that, but okay. Marshall says that bank robbers are dumb. Karen says that Carl isn't dumb. Marshall says he might be one in a million. Just then, Mordecai takes a crowbar to Wheelchair Guy's windshield. Wheelchair Guy comes running out sans wheelchair and starts yelling. Marshall snaps some photos. Karen asks if Marshall thinks she should draw Carl out and set him up. Marshall says he thinks she should find a new boyfriend. Aw. Her daddy cares.
Karen sits in her apartment. There's a knock at the door. It's Carl, holding a grocery bag. He says that it's dinner, and that he's going to make her "a sailor's meal." Carl walks into the kitchen, where he spots the badge that Karen "accidentally" left on the counter. He says that she's a cop, and Karen clarifies that she's a U.S. Marshal. Carl asks what she does, exactly. Karen says that they mostly execute warrants and go after fugitives and parole violators. Carl asks if Marshals go after murderers. Karen says she would if the murderer were involved in a federal crime. Carl asks if she's good at it. Karen says that she is. Carl says that bank robbery is a federal crime. Karen nods slightly. Carl asks if she catches many criminals, and Karen says that she gets nine out of ten. Carl says that he's had a fantasy since they met: he wants to take her and sail down to the Keys. Karen interrupts him to say, "I'm a Marshal. I catch the bad guys and put 'em away. I like catching the bad guys. It's my choice. You're going to have to make yours." They're both near tears. Karen kisses him. Carl says that he'll call her in the morning, and walks out. Karen realizes that he's gone forever. Or is he?
Karen sits on her couch and takes out the bourbon that Konner gave her. She pours herself a shot and drinks it. The bourbon does its job, and we're back at the motel. Same beginning as the times. Karen knocks on the door, and the guy shots at them. Karen wants backup, but Danny isn't interested and charges inside. Danny runs out back. Karen gets shot and goes down. Karen sits up and sees the guy pointing a gun at her. Danny comes back inside and hesitates instead of shooting the guy to save his partner. Karen somehow manages to pick up her arm and shoot the criminal herself.
The morning, Karen is woken up by the phone ringing. She lets the machine get it. It's Carl, and he says he's leaving town for a while, but first he's going to Coral Gables to check on a loan. Carl keeps talking, but Beer Drinker hangs up the phone and reminds Carl that he was supposed to keep it "short and sweet." He then asks whether Carl told Karen about Coral Gables. Carl says he did.
Karen gets dressed, which includes strapping on an ankle holster and putting a loaded gun in it. I totally want an ankle holster now. I don't want a gun, though. Maybe I could carry a bottle of water in there or something. Hee! That would be funny. Karen gets on the phone and says that she needs a trace.
Cut to Karen talking on the phone as she drives. She tells Amos to call Fuentes and tell him to cover every Florida Southern branch in Coral Gables. She adds, "No, I doubt he's there. But I'm going to find out."
Carl and Beer Drinker sit in a diner. Beer Drinker asks Carl if he's going to eat. Carl says he isn't hungry. Beer Drinker asks if it's the girl, and laughs that Carl really isn't cut out for this line of work. Carl angrily tells him to finish up. Beer Drinker says he's done, and pays the tab.
Karen pulls up outside the diner and finds the two FBI agents from earlier. She asks where the suspects are. An agent says that they are inside, and points out their car. He also compliments Karen on finding out that the location would be Coral Gables. Karen walks into the diner, but it's empty. She's also wearing a pink scoop-neck top that really shows off her giant bruise.
Carl and Beer Drinker are outside a Florida Southern Bank branch. Beer Drinker asks Carl if he's ready. Carl hesitates. Beer Drinker says that they're almost there, and that it will only take three and a half minutes; then Carl can get his boat while Beer Drinker gets his house and yard. Carl chews his gum and then says okay, but that they should do it "calm and simple."
Karen walks up to the car the FBI agents identified, and busts the window. She reaches in and unlocks the door, and then opens it. Inside, she finds a brochure that lists all of the Florida Southern branches in Fort Lauderdale. Man, bank robbers really are dumb. The agents pull up and ask Karen what she's doing. Karen instructs them to tell their boss that it's Fort Lauderdale, not Coral Gables.
Carl and Beer Drinker don ski masks and walk into the bank, guns held high. Carl tells everyone not to move, except for one teller, whom he commands to fill a bag with unmarked bills. Beer Drinker calls out to Carl and asks where the guard is. Carl looks around, and the teller takes advantage of his distraction to step on an alarm button. The guard is taking a piss, and the alarm button causes his beeper to go off.
Karen drives and her phone rings. She answers it and asks, "When?" and then speeds up.
Beer Drinker yells that he doesn't like this. Carl asks the teller to go faster. Beer Drinker says that there should be a guard. Carl tells him to shut up. They hear sirens outside. Beer Drinker says that someone tripped the silent alarm. Carl looks around, and the teller slowly picks up a letter opener. Beer Drinker says that they have to leave. The teller once again takes advantage of the distraction to stab Carl in the hand with the letter opener. Man, she really loves her job. I would be like, "Take it! Take all of it!" While Carl is pulling the letter opener out of his hand, the guard shows up and fires two shots, but we don't get to see whether they hit anyone yet, because the scene freeze-frames and fades to red.
Karen pulls up to the bank branch, which is now lousy with cops and yellow caution tape. She flashes her badge and walks up to a body covered with a yellow tarp on the floor. She steels herself, and then lifts the tarp. It's Beer Drinker. He's dead. An agent walks up, and Karen asks what happened to the other one. The agent says he's "in the wind," but that the FBI has his plates. The guy asks if it's Karen's case, and Karen says that it is now.
Carl screeches his car to a stop beneath an overpass and starts beating on the steering wheel just like Cameron in Ferris Bueller. Then he takes off. So he pulled over just to beat on his steering wheel? Weird.
Karen watches as a U.S. Marshal helicopter lands. Amos gets out and asks what's up. Karen tells him that they picked up a car and found the clothes, but no money. Amos asks how much money it was, and Karen says it was enough to travel well. Fuentes weasels up and says that a guy matching Carl's description just bought an Amtrak ticket to New York. I'm so sure he'd take Amtrak. Please. Fuentes tries to rub it in that Carl ditched Karen. Amos says, "Have I ever told you how much I do not admire your work?" Fuentes walks off, and Amos asks Karen if she thinks it's Carl. Karen says that Carl is not on a train, and he's not headed north.
On-screen text tells us that it's two days later. Carl walks around on a boat. Unbeknownst to him, Karen stands on the dock, watching. Carl spots her and says he knew the train wouldn't fool her. He asks how Beer Drinker is, and Karen says he's dead. Carl says he didn't want it to end like this. Karen (her bruise still really prominent) says, "That's the trouble with robbing banks. Unintended consequences." Carl clarifies that he was talking about them, and Karen says she was, too. Carl points out that he has a case of bourbon, so Karen could step on the boat now and they could be in St. Lucia in two weeks. Karen reminds him that he broke the law, and somebody got killed, so he's staying there. Carl says that the only way she can stop him is to shoot him, and she wouldn't do that. He starts untying the boat, and finally turns around to see Karen pointing a gun at him. Carl softly says that he won't go back. Karen continues to point the gun at him. Carl starts the engine and starts talking about how beautiful it is in the islands. He turns the wheel and revs the engine, and Karen shoots him in the shoulder. Carl falls to the deck. Karen steps forward and says, "Carl, I want you to know. I had a pretty good time, considering." Carl chuckles weakly.
Karen walks into the offices in slow motion. She sits at a computer, typing, with a sad look on her face. She walks into Amos's office and sets something on her desk. She says it's the report he's been waiting for, and asks if she's back on warrants. Amos says it's a little late to be asking that. Karen struts out. Danny walks up and asks Karen if she filed her report yet. Karen says that she did. Danny asks if she remembered what happened. Karen says she did, but that she saved his ass anyway. Danny thanks her. Karen tells him that, in return, she doesn't care what he tells his family, but that he has to get out of the Marshals, because he doesn't have the stomach for it. Karen walks off, and Konner watches her. Is Gary Cole going to be a regular on this show? Because I thought he was going to be on The West Wing. ["He is, but if he gets as much screen time as the last fictional Veep, that'll only tie him up for like an episode and a half every season." -- Wing Chun] I hope he sticks around. He's awesome.
A song about being "drained of emotion" plays, and have I mentioned how nice it is to have a change from the usual WB ovaries warbling on the soundtrack? Karen walks out onto the balcony and greets her father. He asks how her trip was, and she goes, "Eh." He agrees that travel is a bear, but that it used to be easy. Karen says it never did, and Marshall agrees. Karen looks out at the water and says that Marshall did it. Marshall says that a man ought to have a boat, and we see one docked nearby. I thought it was going to be Carl's boat, but it totally wasn't. Marshall says that his boat needs a name, and asks if she has any ideas. Karen doesn't. Marshall says it might not need a name, and Karen agrees. Marshall says that he might take the boat out one of these days and catch a whale. Karen smiles. Marshall asks about her bruise, and Karen says it's getting better. She leans on her father's shoulder and he puts his arm around her as they stare at his new boat.
time: Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, explosions, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.