Warning! This article contains spoilers for Your Friends & Neighbors' episode 3.

Jon Hamm's character, Andrew Cooper, sets out to steal valuable items from his rich neighbors while being critical of their lavish lifestyle and lack of self-awareness. He tries to find a solution to his growing financial troubles, but stealing seems to be the only way out.

After snagging an expensive bottle of alcohol from a neighbor, he visits a get-together organized by his ex-wife's new partner. This is where he sets his eyes on the former NBA star's championship ring and comes up with the disastrous idea of stealing it. Towards the end of the episode, he manages to hack the lock on the cabinet that stores the ring by watching a YouTube tutorial. However, just when he tries to reach the ring, someone seemingly catches him red-handed.

Who Catches Cooper Stealing In Your Friends & Neighbors Episode 3's Ending?

The Episode Maintains An Air Of Mystery Surrounding Who Catches Him

Although the episode in the Jon Hamm Apple TV+ crime thriller does not reveal the identity of the person who catches Cooper, it seems possible that Nick himself caught him stealing his NBA ring. If it is actually Nick, the former NBA star might spare him, believing Cooper only wanted to take his ring to exact revenge on him for ruining his marriage. Since the beginning of the series, Cooper has been making Nick feel guilty for dating his ex-wife. He might get away by guilt-trapping him and making him believe that his actions were driven less by his financial situation and more by unresolved resentment.

Realizing that Cooper may be able to afford a high-profile lawyer like Rick Massiello through his stealing endeavors, Barney might let him get away with the stealing.

Given how Cooper is the main character in the series, it seems unlikely that getting caught will end his stealing spree so soon. This makes it hard not to believe that Barney might have caught Cooper. In the Your Friends and Neighbors episode, Barney reveals that he, too, has been struggling both mentally and financially. He complains about how Cooper was his only high-profile client, which is why his downfall is also affecting him. Realizing that Cooper may be able to afford a high-profile lawyer like Rick Massiello through his stealing endeavors, Barney might let him get away with the stealing.

Why Cooper Lies To His Wife About How He Lost His Job

Mel, Too, Lies To Him About Something

In the episode's final arc, Mel finally learns the truth about Cooper's departure from Bailey's company. When she asks him about it, Cooper claims to have found other opportunities that help him keep his head above the water. He lies to her and does not open up about his struggles because he wishes to preserve the image of control. As critical as he may be of his neighbors and their day-to-day habits and lifestyles, he, too, is trapped in the same game of maintaining appearances.

Surprisingly, Mel, too, does not seek his help when she learns about the growing moth infestation in her home. After she learned that she would need $9000 to get rid of the moths nesting in her home, it was hard not to believe she would eventually approach Cooper and ask him for the money. Instead, she tells Cooper that they must look for a private tennis coach for their daughter so that she can have a shot at getting into Princeton. This seems to establish that, deep down, Mel understands that Cooper is working hard to them and may not be able to carry so many financial burdens at once.

What Cooper Means When He Says Everything In His Town Is A Metaphor

The Line Shows How Critical He Is Of His Neighborhood

When Cooper says everything in his neighborhood is a metaphor, he seemingly implies that nothing around him is as it seems. Nearly everything from mansions to local communities, relationships to events, is layered with agendas and ulterior motives. Things and even relationships are not valued for what they are. Instead, they are only evaluated based on what they represent. Every little thing is either a grand symbol of one's status or a subtle representation of one's hunger for power. Despite being critical, Coop realizes he is no less of a metaphor himself.

Why Lu Does A Background Check On Cooper Before Accepting His Stolen Watches

Lu Wishes To Know More About Her Best Potential Client

To Cooper's surprise, Lu seems to know everything about him when he meets her in Your Friends and Neighbors' episode 3. Lu had previously refused to take one of his stolen watches because she found it suspicious that he did not have receipts for any of the watches. After running a background check on him, she struggles to understand his motives but agrees to strike a deal with him. She assures him she will buy his stolen items and offer him a good price. However, if he gets caught and discloses her name as his buyer, she would not think twice before harming his family.

Although Lu's warning makes Cooper feel a little concerned, he eventually agrees to accept her offer. With this, Lu ensures that she gets a constant influx of expensive luxury items from Cooper while keeping herself safe. By striking a deal with someone like her, however, Cooper seems to have unknowingly sunk his nails further into the criminal world in Your Friends & Neighbors' episode 3. This might be his first step in the journey towards becoming something like Breaking Bad's Walter White.