It begins with a bust almost going up in smoke. A counterfeiter torches his own factory as Crockett & Tubbs bring the force down on him, but Zito leaps through the flames to retrieve a scorched bag of phony bills. Sadly, playing with fire has come back to haunt Larry. He arrives on his block to find his house obliterated by a gas main explosion. Switek takes him in, much to the chagrin of Darlene, who’s dated both of them and was just moving in with Stan, while moving out most of his Elvis memorabilia to make room for her Princess Di collection.

The next morning at the station, rumors are going around that John Costelada, South Florida’s former premier fence of hot merchandise, is back in town, so everyone’s being cautious. Since he stays low-profile by strictly brokering, the only way to nail him would be to flip one of his retailers, offer a deal, and catch him in the act. Stan and Larry volunteer, having a history of pursuing Costelada. Their first attempt is a deal with the ridiculously flashy Bonzo Barry, but it’s blown in seconds when his assistant, a former call girl, fingers them as cops. Stan and Larry must find another angle by consulting two experts in stolen property--Izzy and the Noog-man, who’s getting married in a few days.

That night, Darlene is stuffing Stan’s head with what he could become if only he would drop Larry as his partner--Lieutenant, Captain, even Police Chief Switek! But just as she suggests Mayor, Larry’s TV-watching disrupts their cuddling. Stan doesn’t mind when Larry channel-surfs to an Elvis movie, and after a few minutes, Mayor Switek calls the city council back into session. The next morning, Izzy and Noogie arrive at Stan’s arguing over “Who’s The Captain Kirk of this Enterprise?” The four of them work out a plan, but Stan and Larry refuse any more backup from Sonny and Rico. (Like they don’t already have their hands full!)

Izzy and Noogie take Bonzo Barry a little appetizer--30 VCR’s with the promise of a load of monitors to go with them. Barry reports to Costelada, who OK’s the deal. While they’re waiting, Stan and Larry discuss career advancement, and “Mayor Switek” finds out that Darlene wanted Stan ditched so Larry could become Governor. Sonny later catches Larry having dinner in the office, accompanied only by his goldfish. Larry confesses his worries about Stan. In the morning, Castillo orders Stan and Larry to take Izzy and Noogie off the case, not wanting their informants in harm’s way. But even with the supplies withdrawn, Izzy and Noogie refuse to quit, calling Bonzo Barry and informing them the monitors are gone, but they have a bigger deal--a 3-ton cement truck they want to try stealing! Barry doesn’t buy it, but Costelada would like the truck as an introduction (seems he’s always wanted his own fire engine!). The meeting’s arranged. Stan and Larry try again and successfully nail and flip Barry, but the timing couldn’t be worse. Barry calls Costelada in the middle of the truck deal and fingers Izzy and Noogie!

(Good thing they dumped the cement!) Larry rushes to Stan’s house to get him, because Costelada’s planning to execute Barry and the “cops”, then skip town. When Darlene insists that Stan not go or she’s leaving him, he takes down her picture of Di and shows her the door. Stan and Larry leap aboard the boat just as it’s pulling away from the dock. They shoot it out with Costelada’s gunmen, and dash in to rescue their partners. Costelada and Barry return to the dock in handcuffs. That night, Izzy is best man at Noogie’s wedding. Stan thanks Larry for breaking up him and Darlene. That could’ve been him at the altar! Despite its tragic beginning, this was one of the funniest episodes in Vice history!

Thanks to the fellow Miami Vice Fan that wrote this synopsis

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