Inspired, of course, by similar threads on movie cliches, and sitcom cliches (not to mention having just watched a cliche-ridden episode of “Law & Order: SVU”). Let’s see if this flies.
You know the drill by now, I start by setting up a cliche situation from a police/law-enforcerment agency procedural show, and the next poster finishes it, then sets up another cliche.
To start with, a female police officer (it’s always the female officer on the squad) is being pursued by an unseen, but violent stalker. When her commanding officer suggests put some plainclothes surveillance men to watch over her. the female officer says…
The female officer usually has a chip on her shoulder, doesn’t she?
Okay, my setup:
The big, burly commanding officer takes the “hero” cop off of the case he’s been intensely pursuing, and put’s him on some kind of administrative leave.
…gets killed on what appears to be a routine bust by what later turns out to be his partners in crime for whatever courupt illegal activity he was involved in.
Meanwhile, back in the DAs office, representatives from the opposing counsel suddenly show up with dozens of bankers boxes full of documents. The DA then…
…says “they’re trying to bury us with paper. Well, better order in,” he comments as he rolls up his sleeves. His assistant(s) make faces as they must now cancel social appointments, arrange for babysitters, worry about their kids forgetting what they look like etc.
Meanwhile, in a van filled with surveillance equipment, a cop watches a monitor. His partner opens the back door and climbs in, carrying cups of coffee. The first cop takes one and says…
either “Took you long enough, didn’t it?” OR “You didn’t miss anything.”
When the precinct captain demands that an accused (wrongly, naturally) cop turn in his badge and his gun while the investigation is underway, the cop will…
…continue to secretly investigate the case, of course. When the couse of his inquiries brings him face to face with the sneering suspect, the steely-eyed cop snaps back with…
…slam the gun & badge down on the table, look the captain straight in the eye and says “Are you happy now? You’ve know you’ve wanted to do this for years.” (or words to that effect.)
The investigating officers question a suspect at his job site. The suspect is sullen, uncooperative and refuses to answer questions. The officers…
…brandish a video tape and say “maybe THIS will get you to talk!”
A cop and his partner approach the front door of a suspect/witness. They knock, but there’s no response. They then…
When the sweet little old lady sleuth in the quaint English village looks out her front window and sees two young people kissing, she of course knows that…
…the young woman’s husband will be found poisoned in about 2 minutes. However, the young woman’s lover will have an airtight alibi. With impeccable timing, old lady sleuth will unravel their web of murderous deceit but it will take her nearly 97% of the episode to do so.
Meanwhile, the cop, stripped of his badge, returns to the crime scene later that night. He walks down the trash-filled alley. Thunder rumbles. He lifts up the police tape, stoops under and looks around. Sirens blare in the distance. An alley cat jumps out and startles him. As he watches the cat scamper away, something catches his eye! He squints, looks more closely, and sees…
The Criminal Forensics Unit (or Crime Scene Investigators ™ if you must) is called out, the yellow tape is strung, and dozens of cops, paramedics, firemen from any number of precincts/stations converge on the location from seemingly nowhere. The lead investigator examines the body, turns to his (or her) junior investigator and says…
restrains him, saying, “C’mon, Joe. He’s not worth your badge. Let’s take him in.” The hero reluctantly assents. Later, in court, as the judge takes her seat, the hero and the main badguy lock eyes on each other, and…
We would also have accepted an alternate ending where the bad guy pulls a hidden piece and the hero shoots him ten times.
…the judge declares a mistrial due to some technicality. A few minutes later, the bad guy and his entourage are surrounded by reporters as they leave the courthouse. As the bad guy is making his victory speech…
is prevailed upon by his younger, gung-ho, white partner to do something he really doesn’t want to do. After he does it, the partner will grin and say…
“How’s your pretty little wife, detective? Daughter still on the soccer team?” Enraged, the hero takes a step towards the monster, but his level headed partner steps betweem them and says…