Ripp is definitely not all that bright about a lot of things. I think I've been pretty clear about that. He almost failed high school, afterall.

As for the Tank thing, Ripp may not have been completely unaware of the fact that he would get that reaction from him, as he suggested to Buck. Part of him wanted Tank to do that.

Yeah, Johnny does kinda looked pissed there, doesn't he? *snicker* It's his tight-lipped smile (or half-smile, rather). Maybe he's just finding the smelled to be offensive. I actually thought that his expression looked very purposeful and dutiful, like he didn't want to be doing it, but was pleased with himself for being so virtuous. That's SO Johnny. He was just doing it to be a hero.