Episode 6 of "Dope Thief" unfolds six weeks after the heinous robbery, with the telltale trail of blood leading into the garage serving as a glaring hint, yet Theresa is resolved to collaborate with Bart in concealing the grim aftermath. Ray's condition is dire; he drifts in and out of a delirious haze, clutching his gun tightly, resolute in refusing any medical intervention or police involvement. Struggling to maintain his grip on reality, Raymond finds a fleeting moment of clarity when Bart performs a hasty cauterization on his wound, jolting him back to consciousness with a jarring clarity.
Meanwhile, FBI agents convene in a hushed deliberation, revealing their strategic masterstroke: Bart's release was a calculated maneuver, placing him under electronic surveillance. Their mission is to shadow Raymond, uncover his collaborators, and gather invaluable intel for the DEA. They are united in their conviction that Raymond operates within a larger web of criminality, his lengthy rap sheet compounding the likelihood of his inevitable incarceration, regardless of their findings—which they suspect will be damning.
Mina, however, remains deeply unhappy. She is acutely aware of Ray's perilous state and, while others sit back and gather intelligence, her sense of justice demands a fairer reckoning. She refuses to countenance his potential demise in this dim apartment, his life ebbing away from a grievous wound. Nor will she abide by the spectacle of another tragic accident unfolding under her watchful eyes.
This episode also serves as the series' required flashback chapter, delving into the tumultuous past that shapes Raymond's present. His substance abuse is rooted in haunting memories, none more haunting than witnessing his birth mother in a bathroom, hopelessly ensnared by drugs. Bart, attempting to drown out the intrusive surveillance chatter by cranking up the music (to no avail), whispers to Theresa that the man lying wounded in the garage is a cartel cleaner, keenly aware of his son's perilous depths. He forecasts a grim prognosis: Raymond's chances of reaching a hospital are slim, a prediction underscored by the surveillance vehicles lurking outside, their presence as omnipresent as the looming specter of justice.
Manny arrives to lend a hand to Ray, armed with his knowledge and experience of achieving sobriety. Determined to keep his friend's spirits alight, Manny's presence is anything but welcome to Bart. Bart confronts Manny, accusing him of being a junkie and questioning his intentions in aiding Ray.
As Bart descends the stairs, he resorts to using glue to treat Ray's grotesque wound, moments before Son and his mother, Xuan, arrive to offer medical assistance. Ray, trapped in a paranoid delirium, mistakenly identifies Son as part of the police force, showering everyone with curses as Xuan and Son struggle to address his wound.
Despite administering an IV and providing whatever makeshift care they can, it's evident that Ray needs professional medical attention. However, with vehicles circling the premises and potential informants lurking within, their options are severely limited.
Just as they ponder their next steps, Ray abruptly rises, makes his way to the attic, and bolts the door behind him. With a gun clutched in his hand, he fires at the music player, each tune serving as a painful reminder of Marletta – a memory he's eager to escape.
The gunshot echoes through the house, drawing the entire group up to the attic – and prompting a second shot from outside. The FBI, complacent in their achievements, dispatches a car to monitor the house, unaware that the cartel has already closed in on them.
Son dispatches his men to survey the surroundings, but the perimeter seems secure. Manny, however, in the grip of his addiction, attempts to negotiate with imaginary crooks. Son's warnings fall on deaf ears as Manny stands defiantly before an approaching vehicle. Much to their surprise, Michelle emerges from the car, sparking an emotional reunion between the two – albeit a fleeting one.
As Michelle comes to the realization that Ray is in dire straits, the group hastily regroups, their minds racing to devise a strategy that might see them through this perilous ordeal unscathed. Ray, convinced that the numerical sequences inscribed on the notes hold the crucial clue, shares his insight with Manny, insisting that this is their sole bargaining chip. He elaborates on how these figures intertwine, yet, beset by delirium that has plagued him throughout the episode, his words fall on deaf ears.
Ultimately, the decision is made to entrust Bart with the task of driving Ray to the hospital, with Manny trailing closely in Son's vehicle. The streets lie eerily deserted, an unsettling silence that Mina keenly perceives as a harbinger of an impending ambush. She demands the deployment of a tactical unit, rallying her comrades to intervene before it's too late.
Conflict erupts, as the biker gang, lurking in ambush, unleashes their assault. The scene descends into bedlam, but through sheer determination, Manny manages to escort Ray inside, where he is promptly attended to by medical personnel on a gurney. Even as he slips into unconsciousness, Ray's faint cries for Bart echo, while Marletta, appearing at his side, gently urges him to let go.
Outside, however, the grim reality sets in: Bart lies mortally wounded, a bullet piercing his skull, marking a tragic end to his bravery.
