Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Lou and Hank bring in the South Dakota police after the Blumquists surrender. Captain Cheney learns about Ed's planned meeting with Milligan and decides to use the couple in a motel sting. Lou objects to the risk, but Cheney has him escorted out of the state. Hank stays with the operation, and Peggy and Ed agree to wear a wire for reduced charges. Hanzee watches the preparations and tells Floyd that Kansas City is holding Dodd at the motel. The lie sends the Gerhardt family toward the waiting police. At home, Betsy collapses and cannot answer Lou's call.
At a gas station, Lou discovers evidence of Hanzee's violence and tries to warn the other officers. He returns to the motel as the Gerhardts attack, mistakenly believing that they are fighting gangsters. The police operation collapses under the assault. Floyd realizes that Hanzee deceived her, and he stabs her to death. Bear tackles Lou and begins strangling him, but a flying saucer appears overhead and distracts him long enough for Lou to shoot him. Peggy and Ed flee with Hanzee pursuing them. Hank is wounded but urges Lou to follow before reinforcements arrive. Milligan and Gale Kitchen reach the motel after the fighting and leave again when they see the bodies.