Fillmore! is a sharp, satirical animated series that reimagines middle school as a hard-boiled crime drama, where safety patrol officers solve cases instead of cops.
Cornelius Fillmore, a former delinquent turned detective, and his brilliant partner Ingrid Third tackle student misdemeanors with grit, wit, and moral clarity.
The show dives into themes of redemption, justice, trust, and identity—all wrapped in a noir-inspired tone.
This quote collection highlights 25 of the most powerful, poignant, and cleverly delivered lines from the series, revealing the emotional depth and ethical challenges behind every case.
Crime doesn’t take a holiday—neither do I
Episode: 1 (To Mar a Stall)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore’s unwavering dedication to the badge sets the tone for his redemption arc and loyalty to justice.
Everyone’s got a past. It’s what you do with your future that counts
Episode: 4 (A Wurm in Our Midst)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid empathizes with a suspect, reflecting her own journey from outcast to top-tier investigator.
You gotta let the facts talk—even if they say something you don’t want to hear
Episode: 6 (The Nineteenth Hole is a Shallow Grave)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore learns that personal bias can’t get in the way of truth, reinforcing the show’s moral compass.
Justice without compassion isn’t justice
Episode: 12 (South of Friendship, North of Honor)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid chooses empathy over punishment, showing how real strength lies in understanding, not control.
I know what it’s like to mess up. That’s why I try to make things right
Episode: 2 (A Cold Day at X Middle School)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore reflects on his past, reinforcing his drive to prevent others from going down the same path.
Some cases break wide open. Others? They break you
Episode: 9 (Ingrid Third, Public Enemy #1)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore voices the emotional toll of betrayal, showing how trust is the foundation of his partnership with Ingrid.
You can’t fake real friendship—not even with a perfect alibi
Episode: 5 (Immune to All But Justice)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid exposes emotional truth behind a suspect’s lies, proving that motives matter more than actions alone.
Rules don’t mean much if they only protect the wrong people
Episode: 11 (The Unseen Reflection)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore challenges institutional bias, revealing the show’s critique of flawed authority systems.
Sometimes, doing the right thing feels like doing the wrong thing—at first
Episode: 10 (Field Trip of the Just)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid reassures Fillmore during a tough call, showing the emotional weight behind their pursuit of justice.
A badge doesn’t make you good. Choices do
Episode: 3 (Masterstroke of Malevolence)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore addresses a corrupt safety patrol officer, emphasizing character over credentials.
Even good kids make bad calls—it’s what they do next that matters
Episode: 7 (Next Stop: Armageddon)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid shows mercy to a suspect, reinforcing the show’s core belief in second chances.
You spend your whole life running, you’ll never know where you belong
Episode: 8 (Red Robins Don’t Fly at Night)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore counsels a runaway, reflecting his personal journey toward responsibility and self-acceptance.
You don’t always catch the villain, but you always learn the truth
Episode: 13 (A Dark Score Evened)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: A case ends without a clear resolution, reinforcing that truth—not victory—is the real goal.
It’s easy to lose your way when you’re chasing justice
Episode: 15 (Test of the Tested)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore struggles with moral gray areas, reflecting the show’s theme of ethical complexity.
People can change—but you gotta give them a reason
Episode: 14 (The Electric Youth)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid’s faith in redemption leads to a surprising turnaround, proving the power of belief in others.
Guilt doesn’t lie. It just waits
Episode: 16 (Sick Day)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore deduces the truth from subtle behavior, showing the psychological depth behind his detective skills.
Truth isn’t always clean. But it’s real
Episode: 17 (The Laughing Stock of the Art World)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid confronts the uncomfortable side of justice, highlighting the show’s nuanced approach to morality.
You can’t erase the past—but you can rewrite your future
Episode: 19 (Code of Honor)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore guides a troubled student, echoing his own transformation from delinquent to role model.
Loyalty means standing by someone when it’s hard, not just when it’s easy
Episode: 18 (Links in a Chain of Honor)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid defends Fillmore’s reputation during an internal investigation, showcasing their unshakable partnership.
You want justice? You’ve got to earn it
Episode: 20 (Slime and Punishment)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore challenges a suspect who demands forgiveness without accountability, reinforcing justice as earned, not given.
Sometimes, being innocent isn’t enough
Episode: 22 (Good Clean Wholesome Hooligan)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid laments how perception can trap people unfairly, emphasizing the importance of understanding over assumption.
The truth’s messy. But it’s still worth finding
Episode: 21 (Drama Club Drama)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore exposes lies within a school production, reinforcing his unwavering pursuit of truth despite complications.
Even detectives need someone to believe in them
Episode: 24 (Partners in Crime)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid lifts Fillmore’s spirits after he questions his methods, reaffirming the strength of their trust.
Justice isn’t perfect. But it’s better than doing nothing
Episode: 23 (The Ending Credits of Doom)
Speaker: Cornelius Fillmore
Context: Fillmore reflects on the imperfections of the system, choosing hope and effort over apathy.
You’re more than your worst mistake
Episode: 25 (Revenge of the Substitute)
Speaker: Ingrid Third
Context: Ingrid forgives a reformed suspect, completing the show’s message that growth matters more than labels.
