Written By: William N. Fordes & Sean Jablonski
Directed By: David Platt
Briscoe and Green investigate a building explosion. Frank Miller (not that one), a Desert Storm veteran is charged with arson, as he suspected the victim was a terrorist. Evidence is uncovered indicating that the victim indeed was a terrorist.
This episode contains examples of:
- Always Murder: Given the explosion that starts the episode, the police wonder if it was an accident for a little while.
- Asshole Victim: Once we learn Yusuf Haddad was a terrorist. Nora, Jack and Serena all make it clear that doesn't mean he deserved to be murdered.
- "Could Have Avoided This!" Plot: If Miller had taken the evidence he gathered to the NYPD's or FBI's Counter-Terrorism Unit (or gone to the media), he'd be a hero and Yusuf would be the one in trial.
- Cowboy Cop: Or cowboy soldier in the case of Lt. Miller. One of his former superiors calls him one. He claims that he regularly violated policies and procedure.
- Fiery Cover Up: The explosion at the beginning of the episode, done by the murderer, is designed to help destroy the evidence leading to the murderer. It also ends up destroying evidence that could've been useful in a terrorist investigation.
- Noble Bigot with a Badge: Briscoe appears to be this, at least a little bit, regarding Muslims.
- Post-9/11 Terrorism Movie: Or episode, in this case.
- Profiling: Discussed with Briscoe and Green.Briscoe: Hey, take a look, partner. There's supposed to be two towers standing over there.
Green: Look, man, I know, but it's that kind of thing that gets me pulled over on the turnpike every other month. You forget, I lived in the Middle East. Not every guy wearing a kufi is the enemy. - Spy Speak: Yusuf Haddad apparently used that. He talked about bringing his wife and children over to America when he wasn't married.
- Waxing Lyrical: Jack ends the episode paraphrasing Emma Lazarus' poem.Jack: Give us your tired, your poor... Your terrorists.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: It is revealed that Yusuf Haddad was indeed a terrorist, and was planning to organize an attack before he was killed by the defendant, Frank Miller.
