The episode kicks off in the serene setting of Eden Vale, Washington. Gus (portrayed by Charles Napoleon An) informs the robber that upon dropping him off at the pharmacy, he'll have precisely six minutes to execute his plan. As Gus steps into the store, a shocking revelation unfolds: another individual is already in the midst of robbing the pharmacy. Tragedy strikes as the intended robber ends up being shot. Joe Bradley (played by Scott Lee) escorts Melvin to an interview room, issuing a stern warning that Detective Hickman will soon take over the interrogation.
Enter Lou Hickman (portrayed by Leighton Meester), who introduces herself to Melvin as the sole detective on the force. She plants a seed of suspicion, hinting that Melvin might be the offspring of Sheila Mackie. Melvin's noncommittal response fuels her suspicion further. Lou dangling the threat of contacting Sheila sends Melvin into a panic, prompting him to spill the beans about his informant, White Mike. With the name in hand, Lou exits the room and informs Bradley of her breakthrough.
Lily Lim (played by Grace Chow) informs Lou of an incoming call regarding the armed robberies at Eden Vale Pharmacy, where one suspect met an untimely demise. Meanwhile, Lou's brother is retrying his IPC certification in Seattle, amidst some disturbances orchestrated by Henry Hickman (played by Luke Cook). Elsewhere, Sam Szczepkowki (portrayed by William McKenna) halts Lou to convey their dwindling crime scene supplies, while Sarika Ray (played by Shamita Siva) briefs her on the shooting incident. Marla (played by Christine Amor) expresses her concern about the town's dwindling safety. Ray elaborates on the suspects' choice of weapons, and the County Sheriff beats them to the scene once again, with Detective Shane Carson (played by Devon Terrell) already on the premises.
Lou ventures inside to check on the pharmacist, Phil (played by Christopher Stollery). A heated debate ensues between Carson and Lou, clashing over territorial duties and other grievances. Carson discloses that the suspect made off with a concoction of pills, half of which are useless, but managed to secure painkillers and benzodiazepines. Lou introduces White Mike into the conversation.
Back at the station, Lou seeks an audience with Big Hank Hickman (played by Clancy Brown). She contends that Eden Vale is grappling with a crime epidemic, to which Hank dismissively responds. Hank argues that as the country crumbles, Eden Vale serves as a haven for many seeking solace. Lou lambasts the outdated equipment and the lack of a lab, venting her frustration at being surrounded by rookies. Hank reminds her that the City Council's stinginess hinders their resources. He concedes that Lou might benefit from a new partner. As Lou exits his office, Hank attempts to reach Henry, who learns of his father's call seconds later. Tension lingers between them ever since Henry penned an editorial advocating for his father's resignation as Chief of Police.
Lou tasks Sam with scrutinizing gun dealers within a 50-mile radius for any S-110s with camo stocks sold recently. Bradley is instructed to identify the Reagan robber, but Hank interrupts, volunteering to take the lead.
He entrusts Lou with the task of detouring to the airport to fetch a detective before joining them for dinner. Lou acknowledges her father's instruction but is less than thrilled about it. Shortly thereafter, she picks up Henry. Informing him of temporary lodging arrangements at the Evergreen Hotel until he secures a new abode, Lou extends her hospitality. However, Henry's intentions veer towards intimacy, clarifying that he seeks to distance his professional duties from his personal feelings towards Lou and Hank by retrieving his badge.
Meanwhile, Christian McCarty, portraying the De Niro-esque robber, becomes aware of his accomplice's demise. Stirred by a television commercial for an assertive lawyer, he grabs his weapon and storms out of his motel room, fueled by a desire to fight for what he believes is owed to him.
At the police precinct, Henry is introduced to the team, his disbelief evident upon recognizing Joe Bradley's transformation into a police officer. Lou reminds Henry of their dinner engagement at Hank's place, where they are joined by Hank and Nadia Drozdova (Blazey Best). During the meal, Henry reveals having legally expunged his middle name. The conversation diversifies, touching on Nadia's English-learning journey and Hank's curiosity about Carson's divorce setup with Lou, a topic she wishes to avoid.
Later, Lou and Henry visit the crime scene. Henry observes that the majority of valuable pills were untouched, and the robber's choice of a long-distance rifle in close quarters hints at amateurish behavior. They concur that the perpetrator is a novice. Lou notes that witnesses heard Reagan utter, "Come and get me," accompanied by wounds on the back of his non-shooting hands, leading her to speculate about a getaway driver. The missing phone remains a mystery until Henry's near-accident helps locate it. In an encounter with Phil, they reminisce about his troubled past, and Henry probes into the allure of hunting, sparking a private disagreement between him and Lou over the appropriateness of such questions.
The following day, Lou and Henry brief Hank on their findings. Hank presents Henry with a Glock 22 handgun, prompting Lou to privately express her concerns to Hank about potential complications. Sam informs Lou that only one dealer within a 15-minute radius is authorized to service the S-110, identifying Cascade Survival in Birch Creek. Henry expresses interest in investigating, while Lou assigns him and Bradley the task of tracking down the getaway driver's white F-150 truck, instructing him to call if any leads surface.
Lou visits the gun shop, engaging with Dale (Zachary Boulton), who gripes about the erosion of his rights and society's tendency to blame firearms for individuals' mishaps. Lou cunningly tricks Dale into a shooting bet, ultimately winning and compelling him to share his knowledge. In parallel, Joe and Henry discuss the getaway vehicle, with Henry suspecting the truck might have been rented. He directs Joe to the airport without Lou's knowledge. When Lou discovers their absence, she learns from the station that an airport employee recognizes the robber, who was accompanied by an Asian man.
Henry inadvertently insults Lucas (James Martin) by calling him fat. In a moment of frustration, Lou confronts Hank, warning him with a half-joking threat of terminating Henry's involvement.
Lou gently reminded her father of his spiteful refusal to hire Henry, hinting that this might be their only chance to reintegrate him into their lives. Just as the conversation lingered, Sam's call interrupted, conveying the sobering news of De Niro's demise. Henry and Lou hurried to the crime scene, where Henry couldn't help but notice Lou's budding affection for Carson. De Niro had been brutally stabbed, his body likely carried by the river's current. Assessing the scene, Henry deduced that the assailant was tall, mirroring the getaway driver's stature.
At The Pioneer Diner, Gladys (Jeanette Cronin) served them with a side of case discussion. Henry lamented that Lou's plans excluded him deliberately, whereas Lou believed he had spoiled everything. Their argument escalated, with Henry accusing Lou of mirroring her father's traits. A call interrupted, revealing that location data had pinpointed Reagan and the getaway driver's hideout. Rushing to the location, Lou discovered a note intended for the pizza delivery man, shortly before glimpsing the driver nearby. Gus, the getaway driver, fled, sparking a chase that ended with Henry diving into the water to apprehend him.
With Carson's assistance, Lou scanned Gus's fingerprints, while Henry announced the discovery of the F-150 truck. However, Gus seemed oblivious to any murder, prompting Lou and Henry to interrogate him in the squad car. The fingerprint scan exonerated Gus, revealing he had spent the night in the Birch Creek drunk tank. Informing Hank of their findings, they learned that the Sheriff's Department was taking over due to uncertainty about the crime's jurisdiction. Hank's earlier delegation of the case to them became clear—a maneuver to safeguard the city's crime statistics.
At home, Henry noticed Phil's medications meticulously organized alphabetically, questioning why the robber would steal so many near valuable drugs. Lou's mind raced with thoughts of the stab wounds, leading Henry to suggest they perform an analysis without the body. They convened Joe at the Chief's garage, using meat and Joe's expertise to recreate the stabbing. The oddity of the victim sustaining three potentially fatal wounds without moving struck Henry as peculiar.
Nadia's gaze fell upon the terrifying scene outside, as Henry and Lou deduced that De Niro had been stabbed once—with antlers. Hank burst in, startling them, but Henry assured him the murder was solved. Returning to the pharmacy, Henry tested the antlers in Phil's office, prompting Phil's confession. He had hired someone to stage a robbery, intended to distribute drugs to the uninsured. Post-robbery, Phil's accomplice returned, demanding all the drugs. In a fit of desperation, he took down the deer head from the wall and used it as a weapon.
Celebrations ensued at the pub, with Hank, Henry, and Lou rejoicing. Joe, moved by the music, rose to dance. Marci Laine's message reached Henry, informing him of her awareness of his return. Hank proudly addressed his children, while Henry and Lou pondered whether he should address Marci's message. Lou clutched her shield tightly, only to have Henry insistently ask for it.
