Fuzzy Thought - Handlers and LRRP Dogs
There are quite a few episodes where Castillo 'unleashes the Rottweiler' - giving Crockett just enough instruction to let him 'do that thing he does so well' ... track, flush, and retrieve. With force when necessary.
They are willing participants in that relationship. Guard Dog and Handler - Castillo's word of control is crisply pronounced two syllables: "CROC-KETT!" causing Sonny to back off, but never down. Sonny continues to glare at the problem like a Border Collie told to hold a pen of cattle or a Belgian Malinois' glaring hold of ... well... anything or anyone else.
Oh - don't get me wrong. We see Tubbs call Crockett back too, but it's very much like a brother might. But Castillo? And Crockett? There's a willing participation to engage 'the enemy' as a hierarchical team - where Sonny 'gets the job done' and Martin sets the boundaries of engagement and protects Sonny from the body politic — allowing Crockett to work outside of the fence - so to speak. Beyond the chain of command and away from most of the political bull shit.
And this relationship works... usually. Every so often there's a glitch because - high powered systems with intense components can occasionally break down. LRRP dogs need their rest... and when they don't get it, all that overload is going to go somewhere.
This is one of the ... maybe 2-3-4 times in the entire series where you see Martin really concerned for Sonny - concerned enough that he tries to actually 'handle' his Sr. Detective. The diner in Shadow in the Dark - where MC is coming into to work and Crockett is already drinking bourbon - is classic Crockett/Castillo. They speak in code to one another most of the time, and that scene highlights it.
"Two coffees" - - - This case has you by the balls, lets talk. "One." - - - Naw, Marty, I gotta do this my way. "Cancel the one." - - - Alright, I'll let it go for now but lunge again and i'll pull that goddamned leash so hard your head will pop off.
This conversation is on going until, at the end of the episode, they sit behind the observation room mirror watching lightbulb guy lick things.
"I want you on the desk for a couple of days." Martin putting on his watch (time... take some time to rest) "I'm just tired. I'll be alright." Crockett scrubs his face like he's waking up from the bad dream. "I know." Martin assures Sonny before walking out (who's a good boy? let's get you off that leash so you can chill)
Beyond the creepy-ass light bulb dude and the crazy cop - this episode demonstrates how far Castillo is willing to let his charge go and how much leeway is allowed before checking in. He knows the Guardian needs space to guard and crazy times = crazy measures.
This Handler/Guard Dog repeat time and again - up to and including Crockett being allowed (one might argue encouraged) time to pop over to the Bahamas to clean up the horror of Frank Hackman.
And it works... until someone else grabs the leash.
