Special Agent Dale Cooper, "Twin Peaks"(01 of30)
Open Image Modal[Speaking into tape recorder] "Diane, it struck me again earlier this morning, there are two things that continue to trouble me. And I'm speaking now not only as an agent of the Bureau but also as a human being. What really went on between Marilyn Monroe and the Kennedys and who really pulled the trigger on JFK?"
Sgt. David Gabriel, "The Closer"(02 of30)
Open Image Modal"You have the right to remain silent! Why don't you use it?"
Special Agent Fox Mulder, "The X-Files"(03 of30)
Open Image Modal"I have lived with a fragile faith built on vague memories from an experience that I could neither prove nor explain. When I was 12, my sister was taken from me, taken from our home by a force that I came to believe was extraterrestrial. This belief sustained me, fueling a quest for truths that were as elusive as the memory itself. To believe as passionately as I did was not without sacrifice, but I always accepted the risks -- to my career, my reputation, my relationships, to life itself."
Lt. Cedric Daniels, "The Wire"(04 of30)
Open Image Modal"I'll swallow a lie when I have to. I've swallowed a few big ones lately. But the stat games... that lie, it's what ruined this department. Shinning up s*** and calling it gold, so that Majors become Colonels and Mayors become Governors; pretending to do police work while the next generation ****ing trains the next how not to do the job."
Lt. Columbo, "Columbo"(05 of30)
Open Image Modal"Oh, there's just one other thing..."
Thomas Magnum, "Magnum, P.I."(06 of30)
Open Image ModalYuri Dolgof: You're a private investigator?Magnum: Yes.Yuri Dolgof: You are wearing a swimsuit.Magnum: Don't worry; I got a whole closet full of pants.
Det. Elliot Stabler, "Law & Order"(07 of30)
Open Image Modal"Each case gets a little more horrific than the last. I go home to my wife, what am I supposed to do? Talk about my day? Honey, today, some man cut a baby out of his wife's stomach. Pass the gravy."
Angel, "Angel"(08 of30)
Open Image Modal"All I wanna do is help. I wanna help because, I don't think people should suffer as they do. Because, if there's no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world."
Mike Hammer, "Mike Hammer" (1956)(09 of30)
Open Image Modal"They say the show must go on. No one ever gave me a good reason why it should, but it does."
Detective Zach Nichols, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"(10 of30)
Open Image Modal"I try to avoid transferential relationships with dead people -- it's always so one-sided."
Ellery Queen, "Ellery Queen"(11 of30)
Open Image ModalSgt. Thomas Velie: "We've had nothing but murders and robberies lately."Ellery Queen: "Post-war prosperity, Velie."
Lt. Horatio Caine, "CSI: Miami"(12 of30)
Open Image ModalDr. Woods: "He died hours before this accident ever happened."Caine: "So our accident... [puts on sunglasses] is not an accident at all."
Det. Sammy Bryant, "Southland"(13 of30)
Open Image Modal"No. No no, I-I am a Gangs Detective. I cannot have a f****** 'Find My Friend App' on my phone."
Jonathan Ames, "Bored to Death"(14 of30)
Open Image Modal"I do my best work hungover. I have less brain cells to confuse the issue."
Gil Grissom, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"(15 of30)
Open Image Modal"I don't trust people; they tend to lie. Evidence never lies."
Det. Vince Korsak, "Rizzoli & Isles"(16 of30)
Open Image Modal"Hey, I've had three wives because of the job."
Joe Mannix, "Mannix"(17 of30)
Open Image ModalMannix: "Lew, we've been here before. I know you won't change the system. I know I won't change the system. It's logical. Can me."Lew Wickersham: "You're my best man!"Mannix: "I know."
Sgt. Andy Sipowicz, "NYPD Blue"(18 of30)
Open Image Modal"I guess what you heard didn't include the words coming out of my mouth."
Jim Rockford, "The Rockford Files"(19 of30)
Open Image Modal"Reading that detective fiction doesn't help. I mean, things aren't like that, you know? They're not black and white. They're aren't any heroes left; they die young. [Pointing to a book cover] His gun is deadly? Mine's in a cookie jar."
Det. Vic Mackey, "The Shield"(20 of30)
Open Image Modal"Good cop and bad cop have left for the day. I'm a different kind of cop."
Barnaby Jones, "Barnaby Jones"(21 of30)
Open Image Modal"I can eat anything as long as I can wash it down with a glass of cold milk."
Adrian Monk, "Monk"(22 of30)
Open Image ModalMonk: "There's an old saying: 'Don't change anything... ever.' "Natalie: "That's an old saying?"Monk: "I've been saying it for years."
Det. Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, "Law & Order: SVU"(23 of30)
Open Image Modal"You have the right to an attorney and if you throw up in my car, I'll kill ya."
Lt. Theo Kojak, "Kojak"(24 of30)
Open Image Modal"Who loves ya, baby?"
Det. Lt. Provenza, "The Closer"(25 of30)
Open Image Modal"When my first wife and I divorced, I agreed to split my pension with her on the day I retire... I'll be damned if she gets a nickel!"
Perry Mason, "Perry Mason"(26 of30)
Open Image Modal"When you pick someone to lie to, Mrs. Granger, never choose your doctor or lawyer. In both cases they can be fatal."
Frank Cannon, "Cannon"(27 of30)
Open Image Modal"OK, sir, I'll take your case and investigate what happened... But just remember, the truth is like rain -- it doesn't care who gets wet."
John Shaft, "Shaft"(28 of30)
Open Image Modal"Don't let your mouth get your ass in trouble."
Det. James "Jimmy" McNulty, "The Wire"(29 of30)
Open Image Modal"The game is rigged."
Sherlock Holmes, "Sherlock Holmes" (1954)(30 of30)
Open Image ModalWatson: "That was a close call, Holmes."Holmes: "It certainly was. If you hadn't lingered to pass the time of day with that barmaid, we'd have had ample time."Watson: "How did you know that I..."Holmes: "Your elbow, it's wet."Watson: "Well?"Holmes: "You've obviously been leaning on a bar somewhere and if I know you, it wasn't a bar *man.* Was she pretty?"