Aquarius Episode 1.06 Cease to Resist

Days after Hodiak's beating, Manson is feeling better and feeling very much like revenge. Arming himself with cigarettes, blotter acid and Butano's pistol, he looks up Hodiak in the phone book, then makes his way to the address. What Manson doesn't know is that it's Cutler who's sleeping with Hodiak's wife, Opal. Hearing a noise, Cutler investigates the backyard, which is where Manson surprises him with his gun, introduces himself as Jesus Christ and orders him to strip. Cutler complies with a wry smile, then gets the jump on Manson. Once deprived of his gun, Manson runs for it, and 20 minutes later, Cutler is giving fellow detective, Joe Moran, an account of what happened, and telling him not to tell Hodiak.

The next morning, Hodiak asks a fellow detective to research Shafe's army buddy, then makes his way to the Paramount lot, where famous actor Ray Novo was found crucified in his dressing room. Hodiak and Cutler interview 23-year-old Alice Jens, who claims to be Ray's fiancee, but is clearly his beard. Upset, Alice tells Hodiak that Ray's distinctive ruby ring is missing - was he killed for it? Hodiak returns to the precinct to show his old buddy, Father Mackelroy, photos of the murder scene, hoping for religious insight. Noting signs of struggle, Mackelroy only comments that it all seems like a pretty shoddy crucifixion, then turns the conversation to Hodiak's apparent lack of spiritual path. Clearly, Mackelroy is worried about Hodiak's soul. "Hearts don't change," he says. "Guard yours. It's a good one." Hodiak turns his attention to Charmain, whom he tasks with combing through old case files for religious, fetishistic murders and looking into the nails used to crucify Novo. Catching wind of this, Cutler steps in to cut Charmain down, reminding her that her primary purpose is filing. Biology precludes her from becoming the next Detective Hodiak, so why try? Cutler moves on to question Shafe about his undercover work on the drug case. Shafe explains that he's after the kingpin, Guapo, but Cutler doesn't see progress and pulls the plug. Next, Moran tries to follow up on Manson's home invasion, but Cutler brushes him off, without realizing who Manson is or what he was after, and buries the report. Next time a hippie freak comes after him, Cutler will be armed to the teeth.

Emma has made her way back to Manson, who tasks her and Sadie with stealing a car and driving to San Francisco to visit the first of his family members, Mary Brunner, aka Mother Mary. Mary's skeptical about the girls' invitation to rejoin the fold, but she is six months pregnant, which Sadie insists Manson must have sensed. Mary finally consents to pack a bag, which is when Sadie blurts out their true purpose: Mary is to bring the stock bond thingy with her to Los Angeles.

Charmain makes her way to the Paramount lot where she's mistaken for an actress by a studio lawyer, who invites her to "deal with him later." He's stunned to discover Charmain is an actual cop when she uses what little cop clout she has to tell him to step off. Then she finds the nails she's seeking in the soundstage right outside Novo's dressing room. Meanwhile, Hodiak questions a security guard about Novo's call sheet on the day of the murder. It seems Novo drove back onto the lot - after he was wrapped for the day - and he wasn't alone. And no, he wasn't accompanied by girls... Alice pleads with Hodiak not to say anything to the press that might ruin Novo's legacy and confesses the studio paid her to be his beard. The studio also paid for discretion from the men Novo would pick up and bring to the studio in hopes of impressing them. Hodiak dresses down to hit the gay bar across the street from the studio, The Shop, hoping to get intel on Novo. Sadly, he hits a brick wall when the bartender remembers him from a big New Year's Eve gay bar bust a few years ago, so Hodiak drives to the Valley to have a beer with Shafe. Now that Cutler has dropped the hammer on Shafe's case, Hodiak wants him to take his place, going undercover at The Shop - but he's going to have to dress a little nicer and act like a flaming homosexual. Once Shafe dresses up, his wife Kristin wants to know, "Why do you look so handsome?" and has a good laugh when he tells her what he has to do.

That night at the spiral staircase house, Charlie tasks Roy with finding him another gun, since his got lost during the debacle at Hodiak's house. Rather than provide Roy with cash, Manson offers up Katie's services in exchange as payment. Meanwhile, Shafe is a hit at The Shop, where he quickly draws the attention of barfly Chris. Nevertheless, Shafe is super uncomfortable, which he reports back to Hodiak, just as Lieutenant Priore returns to the precinct to take the helm once again. He calls Shafe into his office to reinstate his undercover investigation. Yes, it's taking too long, but it's worthwhile; and Shafe needs to get some results. For her part, Charmain is thrilled to see Priore back in charge. She's got everything prepped for him, including a little speech about how his near-death experience might allow him to see her for who she really is, a fledgling detective. Priore smiles, says, "That's so cute!" and hands Charmain his coffee cup to fill. Just then, Cutler pokes his head in. The commissioner is on the phone for Priore, and he's got a full head of steam.

That night, Shafe returns to The Shop where he's quickly accosted by Chris, who chides him for seeming guilty and uncomfortable. When Chris lays a hand on his shoulder, Shafe's homophobia gets the best of him, and he quickly burns his only friend in the bar. Just as he's trying to make a new friend in a handsome Latino hustler - whom he doesn't notice is wearing Novo's ring - Hodiak calls. Novo's murder case is closed, per the commissioner. Back at the station, Shafe lays into Hodiak for not hating homosexuals, whom he thinks are sick, addicted to danger. Hodiak reminds Shafe that all people are the same - then advises him to go home and kiss his wife. Across town, Cutler is trying and failing to make love to Hodiak's ex, Opal, and he's none too happy about it. He turns on the light and sits up, which is when he discovers Hodiak's watch on the floor by the bed. Later, Cutler asks Hodiak if he has the time, then returns his watch. Now both men know that Hodiak slept with Opal.

Emma and Katie return from San Francisco to present Mary to Manson. Seeing her pregnant belly, Charlie gets on his knees to beg Mary to let him back into her life. She reminds Charlie that he physically hurt her - she couldn't chew for a week - and backs away from his touch. That's when Katie rushes in to take Mary in her arms and ask if the baby is Manson's. "Is it mine, Cherry Pop?" he asks Emma. "It's ours," she answers. Charlie pulls his family into a group hug: they're gonna raise this baby together.