We Do What We're Told... pt. III
Miami Vice ep 5.1: Hostile Takeover
I can't even imagine having to wait an entire summer to find out what happens next. To TPTB's credit, they don't tie everything up in a neat bow in the Season Premiere. In fact, the virtue of Vice is that nothing is ever fully resolved. Life is messy and tends to stay that way in the best episodes.
So. The premiere opens with one of those patented extended visual montages that act to set the scene and mood in a way that I wish more television shows would take the time to do. We're at a glitzy birthday party of some kind. Pretty, glittery bodies gyrate in a crowded suite. An older man dances with a hot young thing.
A white limosine pulls up outside. A short bald dude gets out with a crew of men dressed in white waiters uniforms. He smells blood on the air.
Inside again. Two men aren't feeling the party; they try and corner the older man, Oscar, at the bar. They want to talk business. Someone named El Gato is cutting in on their profits. Oscar isn't having it. The dude with the eighties pop-band hair is Oscar's son, the pretty lady is Oscar's new wife. The son grabs the young wife and kisses her. Oscar is amused. You could cut the tension with a switchblade. Oscar says he needs some air. He heads out to a balcony, muttering that it must be wonderful to be young and know everything.
He's speaking to a black-clad man who turns as he approaches. It's Sonny, hair pulled back in a little ponytail. Same dead-serious look we last saw in the finale. He's clearly working for Oscar, who is head of the Carrerra crime family. They speak of the threat of El Gato. There's no sign of Manolo, the dude Sonny was working for last we saw him. The questions are driving me to distraction. How much time has passed?
Oscar likes Burnett. I dare say Burnett even admires Oscar. In his cold way.
Inside again. The young wife starts to cut the cake; a stripper leaps out of it. Burnett watches everything with his icy gaze. Evaluating. I bet nothing gets past this dude. Something's wrong though - the wait staff are carrying heat. Burnett notices just before the firing starts. He throws himself at Oscar, knocking the old man out of danger, then heads into the thick of things, firing away. He, uh, lands on the birthday cake, which is silly but not that unusual for 80's action scenes. Crawls across the floor like the combat vet he is. The smoke clears and Burnett seems almost stunned.
Roll credits.
Back in OCB Castillo's doing the early version of a powerpoint lecture. I hate it when computers are used gratuitously. It's silly. Oh well. They're going over the details of the shootout.
Castillo is kind enough to do the exposition for us. Manolo, who Sonny had worked for at the end of the last season, was assassinated by order of Sonny's new boss, Oscar Carrerra. It's never explicitly stated but I got the impression Sonny had something to do with it. After all, Manolo would have been a threat. Manolo was executed by Max Headroom (Matt Frewer), who also works for Carrerra. Hmmm. Max Headroom. I wonder if it's on Netflix?
I digress. Castillo continues the exposition. Somebody has to. Carrerra's son Miguel, he of the Flock of Seagulls hair, is a college-graduate Mr. Smarty Pants who thinks he knows how to run the cocaine biz better than the vets like his father and Burnett. What is he, the first MBA drug-kingpin in the making? I guess that wouldn't be too unusual, I just never thought about it.
El Gato is revealed to be Manolo's brother. He's out for revenge for his brother's death. A war is coming; Castillo orders the ever-dwindling Vice team out on the street to find out what's going down. It's left to Trudy to ask about Sonny. Castillo says they lost sight of him after he stopped being Manolo's shooter, that he's wanted in connection for the murder of the cop.
"You know how I feel about Sonny," Castillo says, monotone as ever. "But that doesn't change the situation."
Yeah. That was downright melodramatic, coming from Castillo.
Tubbs follows the boss into his office. He's a mess. Tubbs has always been the sharp dresser of the bunch, never a hair out of place. He's reverted back to open shirt, no tie, he looks rumpled and exhausted. He tells Castillo that the witnesses to the shootout described the man who took out El Gato's guns. It's Sonny. Castillo says he needs a man inside.
IN contrast to Tubbs, Sonny's looking tan, fit, rested, and his suits fit like a glove. Remember how they didn't seem to have been made for him in the last episode?? Well, he's in control now, and his clothes reflect that fact, even if he's never shown explicitly in the driver's seat of anything in this ep. He's the best-dressed one in the gang. Later. What looks like a Carrerra family board meeting, which cracks me up. Poor drug dealers still have to have meetings. God. YOu think you'd escape all that when you choose a life of crime. Miguel and his cohort are pushing to expand the business. Carrerra is conservative. Careful. One of the old guard, like the old mobsters - probably abhors the killing of women and children and donates to the Church even as he orders the executions of his rivals. Burnett stands on the periphery, listening. He's the consigliere, the trusted adviser.
Carrerra asks for Burnett's opinion. He's measured, admitting virtues to both sides of the argument. Careful. Careful. You don't know it yet, but he's playing both sides against the middle. It's chess to him. He doesn't care about the money, he cares about the power. It's not survival anymore; that's what's changed over the summer. Burnett is in control. He's got ambition. It's something Sonny Crockett never really had - not the urge toward power. It's what makes Burnett different from Crockett.
Miguel whines after the others leave the meeting. Burnett listens. Says he hears Miguel's pain. Suggests a way of striking back at El Gato where it will hurt. Miguel is only too eager to make his mark. Miguel's not jealous of Burnett's influence on his father, and isn't that interesting? Burnett plays him like a finely tuned instrument. As he leaves the room, Burnett allows himself a smug smile, and that's when you know Sonny's lost.
And the sly fox, Max Headroom, has been listening all along. Gotta watch that dude. He sees through Burnett's game. He sees talent and wants to partner up. Max offers his muscle. Burnett's response? "Muscle is for people who can't negotiate." I love this dude.
Oh, forgot to mention that Don Johnson directed this ep. He does a fine job. It's not as subtle as Mirror Image was but then it's not really meant to be. They've done the groundwork; now we can sit back and watch Burnett in action. In his native territory, as it were.
Tubbs and Castillo again. Castillo looks a wreck. An army munitions train was hit, two soldiers were killed. He's got to know Sonny is behind it, one way or another. He tells Tubbs to find out who's involved. It's the last we hear of it.
Burnett takes out one of El Gato's men at a bathhouse. This being the 80's the homosexuality of the target is only implied, but the man was about to fondle a pretty blonde thing before Burnett takes them all out. Maybe. It's possible he let the pretty blonde thing go, I couldn't tell. El Gato is distraught; again, it's only implied, but he calls the dead man his "special friend." He's wearing a metallic gold jacket and he's a bit over the top. A bit? No, he's waay over the top. He even swears on his brother's grave that he won't rest until the Carrerras rot in hell. Ah well. Not all of the baddies can be subtle like Manolo senior. A more experienced director might have played it differently; but then, I think it was probably in the script.
Miguel is moving in on his father's woman. Or trying to anyway. Carrerra's pissed that Miguel ordered a hit on El Gato's little friend. It nearly comes to blows; Miguel backs down. Burnett and Max Headroom watch from a distance. They've set a wager over how it will go down. Burnett wins.
El Gato is a sweaty little man. He orders Burnett's death. Miguel and his father argue some more. Miguel wants to wipe out El Gato for good; his father thinks this unwise. Echoes of the Godfather.
A new player has arrived, Carrerra and Burnett go out to meet him. Mr. Cooper, with his easy island accent. Tubbs, under again, alone, searching for his partner and never expecting to come face to face with him so soon. He's momentarily stunned but manages to cover. Burnett approaches. He doesn't seem to recognize the man he supposedly blew away in that dark alley. But there's a tension there. He doesn't trust Cooper. He's uneasy, but still controlled. There are undercurrents to the conversation - Burnett openly stares at Cooper. There's no sign of recognition; but something's there.
Cooper gets Burnett alone. Starts asking him questions. Nothing obvious; just small talk, but Burnett is uncomfortable. Because he doesn't really know the answers. Cooper asks where he's from, if he's been married, and Burnett flashes on Caitlin's face. Flashes on himself, hugging the man in front of him. He reacts with impatience. Brushes off the questions. Coolly accuses Cooper of being a cop. Tubbs is smart enough to know he should leave while he's ahead. There's a moment after Burnett closes the door, after Tubbs has left - Burnett takes a breath. Control broken for that brief second. He's relieved the other man is gone.
Later. Burnett has shed that jacket for the first time in two episodes. He sits in his shirtsleeves drinking and playing backgammon with Miguel as the wife dances, tipsy, around the pool. Deliberately provocative. It's a game but the only one who doesn't know is Miguel, deadly serious, earnest Miguel.
Burnett drinks brandy. It's odd to see him drinking something other than Jack. He's loosened up a bit, he grins, leaves the table for more liquor, leaves the opening for Miguel to go to the girl. Stands back to the scene, fully aware of what's going down, self-assured and self-possessed in a way wholly different from Crockett. Smiling the whole time. Everything's going according to plan. Cooper the only thing unsettling his little power play.
Morning. Burnett has turned inward. He watches a father and son zoom by on a jetski. Flashes on himself with Billy. Himself with Tubbs, way back in the early days, back during Evan. Tubbs worrying for him. Trying to reach him. And then the closest he's come yet to the present - himself at the marina before the explosion. Trying to reassure Tubbs. Burnett squeezes his eyes shut. It must be frightening - he's been locked down, in control until now. He remembers Caitie at their wedding, and the vision is replaced by the sight of the boss's wife, emerging from the water.
She's in on the game. Playing both father and son out of love of Burnett. Burnett might even care back. To whatever extent he's capable.
Later again. Max Headroom delivers all of Carrerra's drivers - guys who risk their necks for the business with little in return. Burnett's a born leader, the way Crockett is - he knows how to talk to people like they're his equals. He's staring a revolt from both sides - top and bottom. He's brilliant, and Max recognizes that. He's organizing the labor, cutting them in on the profit. It's beautiful.
Another setup. You almost feel sorry for poor Miguel. He dares to come to the wife in the house, in her bedroom. There's a conveniently placed gun. Carrerra catches them, as he was meant to do. There's a fight; this time Miguel fights back, killing his father. He doesn't mean it, he's devastated. Just like Burnett knew he would be. Burnett, calm as ever, takes the gun. Secures the scene. Looks up at the girl. Cold as ice.
Miguel is head of the family now; he's not up to the job. A figurehead. A short-lived figurehead. Burnett encourages his self-destruction. Miguel killed his father; he can't forget it. Burnett tried to kill his partner; it haunts him, even if he doesn't remember. The girl accuses Burnett of becoming "Just like them." Burnett denies it - he's not like them. The denial doesn't come across as Sonny Crockett internally fighting against Burnett. No. Burnett's the one who does the denying. It's hubris - he thinks he's too smart to go down like Carrerra or his son. But he will. No one's top dog forever in this world.
Burnett heads for a meeting with some kind of commandante from south of the border; Mexico maybe. They talk as equals - it's a skill that's served Crockett and Burnett alike, this ability to talk to anyone on their own level, to set them at ease, convince them of anything. The ultimate salesman. Everyone knows Burnett's the one running the Carrerra biz now. In return for cooperation with the smuggling, the commandante asks for El Gato's erasure.
Back at the ranch, the lady is pissed; she knows the power is what's drawing Burnett, not her. She interrupts before Max Headroom can fill Burnett in on Cooper's creds. There's a great scene where she lobs a bottle of champagne at him - it hits the wall next to his head and he doesn't flinch. He's not a hard bastard as much as pathologically in control of himself.
Castillo's not loving the idea of Tubbs going in alone. Crockett is unpredictable. Tubbs knows it - he says he'll handle it if Sonny gets in the way. I'm not sure I believe him and neither does Castillo; but he lets him go anyway.
Sonny emerges from the bedroom, all post-coital and rumpled and hot and I'm drooling. Miguel has figured it out, pulls a gun on Burnett. Behind them, there's movement. El Gato's sniper meant to take out Burnett but he hits Miguel instead. For the first time, Burnett looks shaken. He was taken by surprise; that never happens.
There's still the meet with Cooper. It's at a lighthouse, which is appropriately symbolic. Tubbs enters, alone. Burnett stands in the darkness. Alone. There's no thunder and lightening this time; for which I'm eternally grateful. Tubbs expects to meet Carrerra, he's not sure what to do now. He approaches Sonny. Breaks down; asks if Sonny recognizes him.
"Sure," Burnett says, "You're Cooper."
"Sonny, it's me, Rico." Tubbs is trying, really hoping. Putting his neck on the line. Down deep inside I think he expects Sonny to snap out of it.
Sonny gets... weird. He flashes on Rico, saying he loves Sonny. "Rico..." He doesn't quite remember; but something's there.
He smiles, but it's like he's half asleep. "Yeah, I know you. You're Tubbs."
Outside, we hear shots from the lighthouse.
To Be Continued.
I can't even imagine having to wait an entire summer to find out what happens next. To TPTB's credit, they don't tie everything up in a neat bow in the Season Premiere. In fact, the virtue of Vice is that nothing is ever fully resolved. Life is messy and tends to stay that way in the best episodes.
So. The premiere opens with one of those patented extended visual montages that act to set the scene and mood in a way that I wish more television shows would take the time to do. We're at a glitzy birthday party of some kind. Pretty, glittery bodies gyrate in a crowded suite. An older man dances with a hot young thing.
A white limosine pulls up outside. A short bald dude gets out with a crew of men dressed in white waiters uniforms. He smells blood on the air.
Inside again. Two men aren't feeling the party; they try and corner the older man, Oscar, at the bar. They want to talk business. Someone named El Gato is cutting in on their profits. Oscar isn't having it. The dude with the eighties pop-band hair is Oscar's son, the pretty lady is Oscar's new wife. The son grabs the young wife and kisses her. Oscar is amused. You could cut the tension with a switchblade. Oscar says he needs some air. He heads out to a balcony, muttering that it must be wonderful to be young and know everything.
He's speaking to a black-clad man who turns as he approaches. It's Sonny, hair pulled back in a little ponytail. Same dead-serious look we last saw in the finale. He's clearly working for Oscar, who is head of the Carrerra crime family. They speak of the threat of El Gato. There's no sign of Manolo, the dude Sonny was working for last we saw him. The questions are driving me to distraction. How much time has passed?
Oscar likes Burnett. I dare say Burnett even admires Oscar. In his cold way.
Inside again. The young wife starts to cut the cake; a stripper leaps out of it. Burnett watches everything with his icy gaze. Evaluating. I bet nothing gets past this dude. Something's wrong though - the wait staff are carrying heat. Burnett notices just before the firing starts. He throws himself at Oscar, knocking the old man out of danger, then heads into the thick of things, firing away. He, uh, lands on the birthday cake, which is silly but not that unusual for 80's action scenes. Crawls across the floor like the combat vet he is. The smoke clears and Burnett seems almost stunned.
Roll credits.
Back in OCB Castillo's doing the early version of a powerpoint lecture. I hate it when computers are used gratuitously. It's silly. Oh well. They're going over the details of the shootout.
Castillo is kind enough to do the exposition for us. Manolo, who Sonny had worked for at the end of the last season, was assassinated by order of Sonny's new boss, Oscar Carrerra. It's never explicitly stated but I got the impression Sonny had something to do with it. After all, Manolo would have been a threat. Manolo was executed by Max Headroom (Matt Frewer), who also works for Carrerra. Hmmm. Max Headroom. I wonder if it's on Netflix?
I digress. Castillo continues the exposition. Somebody has to. Carrerra's son Miguel, he of the Flock of Seagulls hair, is a college-graduate Mr. Smarty Pants who thinks he knows how to run the cocaine biz better than the vets like his father and Burnett. What is he, the first MBA drug-kingpin in the making? I guess that wouldn't be too unusual, I just never thought about it.
El Gato is revealed to be Manolo's brother. He's out for revenge for his brother's death. A war is coming; Castillo orders the ever-dwindling Vice team out on the street to find out what's going down. It's left to Trudy to ask about Sonny. Castillo says they lost sight of him after he stopped being Manolo's shooter, that he's wanted in connection for the murder of the cop.
"You know how I feel about Sonny," Castillo says, monotone as ever. "But that doesn't change the situation."
Yeah. That was downright melodramatic, coming from Castillo.
Tubbs follows the boss into his office. He's a mess. Tubbs has always been the sharp dresser of the bunch, never a hair out of place. He's reverted back to open shirt, no tie, he looks rumpled and exhausted. He tells Castillo that the witnesses to the shootout described the man who took out El Gato's guns. It's Sonny. Castillo says he needs a man inside.
IN contrast to Tubbs, Sonny's looking tan, fit, rested, and his suits fit like a glove. Remember how they didn't seem to have been made for him in the last episode?? Well, he's in control now, and his clothes reflect that fact, even if he's never shown explicitly in the driver's seat of anything in this ep. He's the best-dressed one in the gang. Later. What looks like a Carrerra family board meeting, which cracks me up. Poor drug dealers still have to have meetings. God. YOu think you'd escape all that when you choose a life of crime. Miguel and his cohort are pushing to expand the business. Carrerra is conservative. Careful. One of the old guard, like the old mobsters - probably abhors the killing of women and children and donates to the Church even as he orders the executions of his rivals. Burnett stands on the periphery, listening. He's the consigliere, the trusted adviser.
Carrerra asks for Burnett's opinion. He's measured, admitting virtues to both sides of the argument. Careful. Careful. You don't know it yet, but he's playing both sides against the middle. It's chess to him. He doesn't care about the money, he cares about the power. It's not survival anymore; that's what's changed over the summer. Burnett is in control. He's got ambition. It's something Sonny Crockett never really had - not the urge toward power. It's what makes Burnett different from Crockett.
Miguel whines after the others leave the meeting. Burnett listens. Says he hears Miguel's pain. Suggests a way of striking back at El Gato where it will hurt. Miguel is only too eager to make his mark. Miguel's not jealous of Burnett's influence on his father, and isn't that interesting? Burnett plays him like a finely tuned instrument. As he leaves the room, Burnett allows himself a smug smile, and that's when you know Sonny's lost.
And the sly fox, Max Headroom, has been listening all along. Gotta watch that dude. He sees through Burnett's game. He sees talent and wants to partner up. Max offers his muscle. Burnett's response? "Muscle is for people who can't negotiate." I love this dude.
Oh, forgot to mention that Don Johnson directed this ep. He does a fine job. It's not as subtle as Mirror Image was but then it's not really meant to be. They've done the groundwork; now we can sit back and watch Burnett in action. In his native territory, as it were.
Tubbs and Castillo again. Castillo looks a wreck. An army munitions train was hit, two soldiers were killed. He's got to know Sonny is behind it, one way or another. He tells Tubbs to find out who's involved. It's the last we hear of it.
Burnett takes out one of El Gato's men at a bathhouse. This being the 80's the homosexuality of the target is only implied, but the man was about to fondle a pretty blonde thing before Burnett takes them all out. Maybe. It's possible he let the pretty blonde thing go, I couldn't tell. El Gato is distraught; again, it's only implied, but he calls the dead man his "special friend." He's wearing a metallic gold jacket and he's a bit over the top. A bit? No, he's waay over the top. He even swears on his brother's grave that he won't rest until the Carrerras rot in hell. Ah well. Not all of the baddies can be subtle like Manolo senior. A more experienced director might have played it differently; but then, I think it was probably in the script.
Miguel is moving in on his father's woman. Or trying to anyway. Carrerra's pissed that Miguel ordered a hit on El Gato's little friend. It nearly comes to blows; Miguel backs down. Burnett and Max Headroom watch from a distance. They've set a wager over how it will go down. Burnett wins.
El Gato is a sweaty little man. He orders Burnett's death. Miguel and his father argue some more. Miguel wants to wipe out El Gato for good; his father thinks this unwise. Echoes of the Godfather.
A new player has arrived, Carrerra and Burnett go out to meet him. Mr. Cooper, with his easy island accent. Tubbs, under again, alone, searching for his partner and never expecting to come face to face with him so soon. He's momentarily stunned but manages to cover. Burnett approaches. He doesn't seem to recognize the man he supposedly blew away in that dark alley. But there's a tension there. He doesn't trust Cooper. He's uneasy, but still controlled. There are undercurrents to the conversation - Burnett openly stares at Cooper. There's no sign of recognition; but something's there.
Cooper gets Burnett alone. Starts asking him questions. Nothing obvious; just small talk, but Burnett is uncomfortable. Because he doesn't really know the answers. Cooper asks where he's from, if he's been married, and Burnett flashes on Caitlin's face. Flashes on himself, hugging the man in front of him. He reacts with impatience. Brushes off the questions. Coolly accuses Cooper of being a cop. Tubbs is smart enough to know he should leave while he's ahead. There's a moment after Burnett closes the door, after Tubbs has left - Burnett takes a breath. Control broken for that brief second. He's relieved the other man is gone.
Later. Burnett has shed that jacket for the first time in two episodes. He sits in his shirtsleeves drinking and playing backgammon with Miguel as the wife dances, tipsy, around the pool. Deliberately provocative. It's a game but the only one who doesn't know is Miguel, deadly serious, earnest Miguel.
Burnett drinks brandy. It's odd to see him drinking something other than Jack. He's loosened up a bit, he grins, leaves the table for more liquor, leaves the opening for Miguel to go to the girl. Stands back to the scene, fully aware of what's going down, self-assured and self-possessed in a way wholly different from Crockett. Smiling the whole time. Everything's going according to plan. Cooper the only thing unsettling his little power play.
Morning. Burnett has turned inward. He watches a father and son zoom by on a jetski. Flashes on himself with Billy. Himself with Tubbs, way back in the early days, back during Evan. Tubbs worrying for him. Trying to reach him. And then the closest he's come yet to the present - himself at the marina before the explosion. Trying to reassure Tubbs. Burnett squeezes his eyes shut. It must be frightening - he's been locked down, in control until now. He remembers Caitie at their wedding, and the vision is replaced by the sight of the boss's wife, emerging from the water.
She's in on the game. Playing both father and son out of love of Burnett. Burnett might even care back. To whatever extent he's capable.
Later again. Max Headroom delivers all of Carrerra's drivers - guys who risk their necks for the business with little in return. Burnett's a born leader, the way Crockett is - he knows how to talk to people like they're his equals. He's staring a revolt from both sides - top and bottom. He's brilliant, and Max recognizes that. He's organizing the labor, cutting them in on the profit. It's beautiful.
Another setup. You almost feel sorry for poor Miguel. He dares to come to the wife in the house, in her bedroom. There's a conveniently placed gun. Carrerra catches them, as he was meant to do. There's a fight; this time Miguel fights back, killing his father. He doesn't mean it, he's devastated. Just like Burnett knew he would be. Burnett, calm as ever, takes the gun. Secures the scene. Looks up at the girl. Cold as ice.
Miguel is head of the family now; he's not up to the job. A figurehead. A short-lived figurehead. Burnett encourages his self-destruction. Miguel killed his father; he can't forget it. Burnett tried to kill his partner; it haunts him, even if he doesn't remember. The girl accuses Burnett of becoming "Just like them." Burnett denies it - he's not like them. The denial doesn't come across as Sonny Crockett internally fighting against Burnett. No. Burnett's the one who does the denying. It's hubris - he thinks he's too smart to go down like Carrerra or his son. But he will. No one's top dog forever in this world.
Burnett heads for a meeting with some kind of commandante from south of the border; Mexico maybe. They talk as equals - it's a skill that's served Crockett and Burnett alike, this ability to talk to anyone on their own level, to set them at ease, convince them of anything. The ultimate salesman. Everyone knows Burnett's the one running the Carrerra biz now. In return for cooperation with the smuggling, the commandante asks for El Gato's erasure.
Back at the ranch, the lady is pissed; she knows the power is what's drawing Burnett, not her. She interrupts before Max Headroom can fill Burnett in on Cooper's creds. There's a great scene where she lobs a bottle of champagne at him - it hits the wall next to his head and he doesn't flinch. He's not a hard bastard as much as pathologically in control of himself.
Castillo's not loving the idea of Tubbs going in alone. Crockett is unpredictable. Tubbs knows it - he says he'll handle it if Sonny gets in the way. I'm not sure I believe him and neither does Castillo; but he lets him go anyway.
Sonny emerges from the bedroom, all post-coital and rumpled and hot and I'm drooling. Miguel has figured it out, pulls a gun on Burnett. Behind them, there's movement. El Gato's sniper meant to take out Burnett but he hits Miguel instead. For the first time, Burnett looks shaken. He was taken by surprise; that never happens.
There's still the meet with Cooper. It's at a lighthouse, which is appropriately symbolic. Tubbs enters, alone. Burnett stands in the darkness. Alone. There's no thunder and lightening this time; for which I'm eternally grateful. Tubbs expects to meet Carrerra, he's not sure what to do now. He approaches Sonny. Breaks down; asks if Sonny recognizes him.
"Sure," Burnett says, "You're Cooper."
"Sonny, it's me, Rico." Tubbs is trying, really hoping. Putting his neck on the line. Down deep inside I think he expects Sonny to snap out of it.
Sonny gets... weird. He flashes on Rico, saying he loves Sonny. "Rico..." He doesn't quite remember; but something's there.
He smiles, but it's like he's half asleep. "Yeah, I know you. You're Tubbs."
Outside, we hear shots from the lighthouse.
To Be Continued.