Essay Questions

Why does Bigfoot betray Doc by planting drugs in the trunk of his car?

Bigfoot has been an opposition to Doc the entire film, though they are on the same side of the law. In the end, we learn that Bigfoot has been working alone and at odds with Doc because his partner was killed by a cartel which the LAPD has allowed to be covered up. So, Bigfoot seeks to get revenge for his partners murder and keep his life by planting the stolen heroin on Doc in order for him to take the fall.

Why does Doc begin to work this case at all?

Doc is a private investigator that has no reason to work this case. That is, no reason other than his ex-girlfriend Shasta Fay, who has come to him in tears asking for his help to protect her from danger. Thus, Doc is pulled into this underworld of corruption by his ex, who knowingly involves him without concern for his safety, but in order to ensure she is protected.

How does Doc escape being murdered by the cartel for having the stolen heroin?

Doc has been setup by Bigfoot to take the fall for murdering a cartel hitman. He has a massive amount of their heroin, but Doc isn't killed for it. The reason being is that Doc helped to find Japonica Fenway years prior, and her father Crocker works with the cartel. As a gesture of gratitude to Doc, Crocker stopped the cartel from killing him and allowed him to negotiate Coy's freedom as well without anyone being harmed.