Ed Exley is the son of Preston Exley, a legendary LAPD homicide detective. Exley's single mission in life is to follow in his father's footsteps and exceed his father's accomplishments without, however, emulating his father's questionable methods. Exley is at once high-minded, brave, inventive and ruthlessly opportunistic. After becoming a detective lieutenant in Homicide Exley must prove that he belongs, which pushes him into the brutality and corruption in investigating the Night Owl murders that he condemned in his own father. He has contempt for Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) but learns to appreciate Vincennes' street skills. He regards Bud White (Russell Crowe) as a mindless thug , but ultimately sees White's pure dedication and bravery. Bit by bit Exley's arrogance peels away as he confronts his own realities and comes to terms with who the officers he must work with really are; the scene in which he and White interrogate Ellis Loew is a classic turning moment. The tension and ultimately respect that flowers between Exley and White makes for some of the best male/male chemistry on screen since Magnificent Seven.