A really troubled, highly commendated ex-cop, formerly of Miami Vice, "comes out of retirement" to help Crocket and Tubbs, Hank Weldon(Bruce McGill, totally awesome, impersonations and all), shake down a cocaine drug-lord, seeking the location of an old nemesis, Tony Arcaro, responsible, it seems, for killing his pupil, able to escape prison on a technicality. Crocket and Tubbs, however, are unsure if they can totally trust Weldon, who is clearly off his rocker. David Strathairn, a John Sayles regular, also has a part in this episode as a Fed once the partner of Weldon. While he does show clear signs of lunacy, his information on the assassination of a criminal running a drug operation in the Miami Vice district is legit, not to mention, a possible location where a big drug deal might be going down is offered to Crocket and Tubbs--do they trust that this drug deal is indeed accurate? McGill is the whole show here, his sanity always in question as he careens into impersonating characters when talking about criminals and their activities, referring to his computer as Lorraine, how she is able to provide information the Vice can use. Little Richard has a minor role at the opening of the episode as a flashy street preacher sending out his flock to earn penance for the Lord..this occurs while Crocket and Tubbs are eyeing a pusher in purple shorts, high off "nose candy", nicknamed "Skates" because he likes to roller skate down the sidewalk while looking at the girls in their bikinis and other local color. I think the episode works so well because of how conflicted Crocket and Tubbs are in regards to trusting McGill's questionable Weldon, loose bolts and missing screws, yet the shadows of a damn good cop remain, and we see that Arcaro's ghost still haunts him. Strathairn shows a former partner still shaken by what Weldon went through, not comfortable talking about the past--the reason for this will be revealed at the very end in a powerful finale when Weldon tells Crocket and Tubbs that he has finally found Arcaro. Considered by many to be one of the best episodes of the series.
Review of Out Where the Buses Don't Run
