The Guilty (2021) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Joe Baylor's Night Shift Begins

LAPD officer Joe Baylor starts his intense night shift at a 911 call center. He grapples with the stress of numerous emergency calls amidst a raging wildfire in the Hollywood Hills, all while being scrutinized for an incident that occurred eight months prior.

When

Night

Where

LAPD 911 Call Center

Emily Lighton Calls for Help

A desperate young woman, Emily Lighton, connects with Joe on the 911 line but struggles to communicate her critical situation. It's revealed that she is being kidnapped and is trapped in a vehicle with her abductor, heightening the urgency of Joe's response.

The Call Ends Abruptly

As Joe collects crucial information, the call is unexpectedly cut off when the driver of the white van becomes suspicious. This prompts Joe to relay what he knows to the highway patrol, although they encounter difficulties locating the vehicle.

Contacting Emily's Daughter

Determined to find Emily, Joe calls her home and speaks with her daughter, Abby. During this conversation, Abby discloses vital information that her mother is being taken by her ex-husband, Henry Fisher, which provides Joe a crucial lead.

Tracking Down the Abductor

Utilizing the information from Abby, Joe secures Henry's phone number and tracks down the van's license plate number. He quickly shares this critical intelligence with the California Highway Patrol and ensures a patrol car is dispatched to check on Abby and her baby brother.

Joe Attempts to Reach His Estranged Wife

Joe, amidst the chaos, makes an attempt to reach out to his estranged wife, Jess. He wishes to communicate with their daughter, Paige, but Jess firmly insists she will not attend the upcoming hearing and requests that Joe stop calling.

Confronting Henry Fisher

In a desperate move, Joe contacts Henry directly, hoping to intimidate the abductor. Their conversation escalates tension, and Henry ultimately hangs up, leaving Joe with few options and increasing the urgency of the situation.

Wellness Check on Abby

Joe receives a frantic call from Abby, which convinces him to allow two LAPD officers to conduct a wellness check at their home. To everyone's horror, the officers discover Abby in distress with blood on her hands and her brother, Oliver, gravely injured.

Where

Abby's Home

Rick Investigates Henry's Apartment

Joe’s former partner, Rick, who is supposed to testify at Joe's hearing, investigates Henry's apartment. Inside, he finds disturbing documents that give insight into Emily's past and the troubled relationship between her and Henry.

Where

Henry's Apartment

Emily's Desperate Situation

In a critical moment, Emily calls Joe again, revealing her panic and urging him to help her as she is trapped in the back of the vehicle. She expresses disturbing thoughts about her son Oliver's health, indicating a dire circumstance.

Emily Strikes Back

During an attempt to escape, Emily manages to strike her kidnapper, Henry, with a brick. This act of defiance provides a moment of hope, but her situation remains precarious as Joe continues to provide support over the phone.

Discoveries at Henry's Apartment

Rick uncovers letters and paperwork at Henry's apartment indicating Emily had once been a patient at a psychiatric treatment facility. This shocking revelation sheds light on the troubling dynamics surrounding Emily's predicament.

Where

Henry's Apartment

Emily Contemplates a Daring Leap

In a fragile state, Emily reveals to Joe that she is contemplating jumping from an overpass, feeling overwhelmed by her circumstances. Joe reassures her, sharing his own painful past, which connects with her deeper feelings of despair.

Where

Overpass

A Life Saved

Through compassionate dialogue, Joe successfully persuades Emily to come down from the overpass. This pivotal moment brings relief as Joe learns that Oliver is alive and receiving medical attention in the ICU.

Where

Overpass

Joe's Decision to Face Consequences

Overwhelmed by the events, Joe reaches out to Rick, urging him to tell the truth at the upcoming hearing, even if it means potential imprisonment. He also tells a reporter from the L.A. Times of his intention to plead guilty to manslaughter, marking a significant turning point in both his personal and professional life.