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« The Shield
May 1, 2007: Haunts
I wish I had the time to go back to the beginning of this series and watch the whole thing from the start again. I'd love to see the point where Shane's life started spiraling out of control. Maybe it was the money train, or hitting Tavon over the head, or even all the way back to the first episode when the strike team killed a cop. There's got to be a dozen other moments as well, but whatever moment it is, one thing is for certain: Shane has no control over what happens now.
This whole season has been a mess for him. I guess it's karma coming back to bite him the butt. Nothing is going right for him, and in reality he deserves it all. But it was a shocker to see him get beat down. If that was me, I would have been crying like a 10-year-old girl. No wait, I would have been dead. But for Shane: eh, no big deal. And the real twists came when we learned that the beating was from Tillie's stepdad, and when Mara found out there were condoms in his personal items — not to mention when Tillie called Shane's cell phone and Mara picked up.
But it was the last scene that was the edge-of-the-seater. After begging Mara, "Just ask me to come back," he pulls out a gun and then confesses to killing Lem. If you did your reading last week, you already knew he was going to reveal that to his wife, but I was still shocked about how it went down. But even more shocking to me was the fact that after all of this came out, Mara embraced him. Now for the first time we know that Shane was being very honest when he said he did it all for Mara and his son. But still, to go from "get out of my life" to a hug was interesting. But who knows how I would feel in that situation (let's hope I never have to find out)?
Now of course this leads us to the fact that Vic is bound to find out sooner or later, especially since Hernan told him flat out that Guardo didn't kill Lem. However that goes down, that is going to make for some riveting television.
In the side stories, the strike team is back on the slaughterhouse case full-time. They seem to be making a little progress, although they need to be making a lot more since Claudette has put it in their heads that solving this case might determine the fate of the Barn. Hiatt's got a bit of intel out of Hernan and now has to figure out where to go with it (and keep Julian from telling the world about it).
Then you have this scumbag Carlos who comes in to lend a hand to Dutch's runaway case. How about this guy? Molests his own daughter and forces her to run away from home, and then abuses other children, too. That's a father-of-the-year candidate right there.
And I'm shocked that Billings was the one who broke this case. Dutch created the profile and didn't even recognize that Carlos fit it exactly, until Steve pointed it out to him. Way to go, Billings. I'm even more shocked that he didn't go around patting himself on the back about it, too.
Last but not least, let's not forget about the special appearance of Action Jackson, Mr. Carl Weathers, playing an old cop down on his luck. Great performance from him and an even better one from Vic when he knocked out that idiot Lester who Joe showed up with.
Five episodes down, five to go in Season 6, and no one is more excited about these final five than I am.
Until next week, friends.
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May 2, 2007 12:16 AM
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This show never fails to deliver. I'm continually blown away by how every single episode has me 100% engaged. And if it were possible, the best show on TV just keeps improving and getting better. Last night was a shining example of that.
Can you believe that Walton Goggins was nearly passed over to play Shane? Last night was his best performance yet - and he's had a lot of great ones (this should get him an Emmy nod). Even though we know he has brought everything on himself and has no one to blame, I really felt for him as he wept and begged Mara and God for forgiveness. Her comforting him was the shocker. If it were me, the thought that would be running through my mind is "If this man is capable of killing his best friend to protect his family, what else is he capable of to protect himself?"
And how - HOW - can he possibly protect himself from Vic? I posted a few weeks ago the idea of Vic finding out but not squealing on him, since he has protected Shane from his numerous mistakes before. If Tillie's step-dad could make Shane look as bad as he did, imagine what a Mackey Whack would look like!
The other story that made my stomach crawl was the molester/rapist. But tip your hat to Billings for picking up on it fairly quickly. I thought he was off base at first, but lo and behold - he and Dutch may make a decent team after all. And the only reason Billings didn't go around bragging about fingering the guy was because he was so repulsed by the confession of what he did to his own daughter.
Only 5 more episodes to go? That's IT? After making us wait so long to finally get our Shield fix, you'd think they could at least add on 2 to 6 episodes. *sigh* Such are the limitations of the best kept-secret on TV I guess.
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May 2, 2007 10:03 AM
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How much do I LOVE this show? Words cannot express how I feel about The Shield. I can't wait for next week because it seems like Vic finally realizes something is wrong with Shane and asks Ronnie to look into how many grenades Shane logged in. This is not going to end good for Shane. I'm glad that they finally showed Mara so that we know they are still married. I was really beginning to wonder about that. Julian is the worst thing that could have EVER happened to the Strike Team. He is either going to get himself or someone else killed trying to do everything like the cop he was before. The Strike Team plays by a different set of rules and I don't think he'll be able to run with the big boys. Isn't he still supposed to be dealing with that whole "trying not to be gay" thing? And where is the woman he married trying to hide who he really is?
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May 2, 2007 10:27 AM
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Great episode as always. I am not going to focus on how many episodes are left, it's too sad.
As for Shane, there really is nothing to say. He deserved it and worse but he so brought it on himself. I think Shane started to really spiral out of control when he thought he could be a better Vic Mackey than the original. That would be last season and the whole Antwon mess. He never got back on track with Lem and the animosity he still held for him couldn't let him trust anyone or anything. Not even Vic. Can't wait for that confrontation, looks like it will be soon.
Loved the side story with Carl Weathers. We get to see what could happen to Vic without the Barn, Strike Team or his badge. Sad.
And lastly, I knew something was wrong with Carlos (the name for one) from the moment he showed up trying to help. Loved that Billings caught it so quickly. I think he and Dutch can actually make a good team. Billings just had to find his inner detective.
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May 2, 2007 11:23 AM
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If Walton Goggins doesn't get an Emmy nomination this year, then the Academy definitely has something against cable shows not call The Sopranos.
This show, especially the last 5 minutes, are Walton Goggins Emmy episode. Unless he has a better performance when Vic confronts Shane about killing Lem.
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May 2, 2007 11:34 AM
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David - thanks for the great review! One thing to note about last nights episode - it was directed by Vic Mackey aka Michael Chiklis himself!
Wow - that was a fantastic episode. I cannot feel sorry for Shane - he just went too far and there is no way that I cannot feel that karma is coming back to bite him on the ass. I have to feel that Vic may feel the same way about Shane! I fear that we will find out all too soon!
Late last night on Spike they showed the Shield episode about the first day at the barn. I believe it was a season 2 episode - this episode showed Aciveda pushing the Strike Team to make an arrest at all cost - otherwise the Strike Team may be replaced. Remember that this was day one - very clearly it was Aciveda that forced this type of behavior! When Vic was explaining to the team that they may have to cross some lines to get the job done - "just this one time" - well Shane was the first one to okay the decision!
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May 2, 2007 11:35 AM
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Another stunning episode. This show is a materpiece. Shanes performance was captivating and seeing mara again was nice event though i think shes a bit of a nut herself. The Dutch case was also good.
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May 2, 2007 12:13 PM
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I don't understand everyone saying that Shane brought this all on himself. Cavanaugh and Acaveda lied to him about Lem. That's the only reason Shane killed him-and you know it really "killed" Shane to do it, but he thought it was the only way to protect Vic, Ronnie, and his family. I wish he would just talk to Vic and tell him exactly what happened and why. I understand Mara conforting Shane. Now she understands the pressure he has been under (no that it excuses having sex with anyone else, especially a teenage prostitute!). I am glad Billings and Dutch are working together. They compliment each other very well. Can't wait for next week!!
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May 2, 2007 1:48 PM
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Just adding my two cents to other posters about Walt Goggins' tour de force performance last night. Why do such great moments like this get ignored by the Emmys? Goggins, Forest Whitaker and even Anthony Anderson have given Emmy-worthy performances on The Shield. Same with Rescue Me, but at least Denis Leary got nominated last year. But I digress.
David Rees Snell (Ronnie) looks so different without his beard! He has a serious set of scars on his left cheek, almost like he was clawed by a wild animal. Still handsome, though...
Detective Billings is actually turning out to be a decent human being. Who'da thunk it? Dutch seems to have that effect on people.
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May 2, 2007 2:35 PM
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huntress Ronnie had his face pressed against an electric burner on a stove by one of Antwon's men (or maybe it was Antwon himself, I forget) in a previous season.
Also nice to see Joe (Carl Weathers), whom we haven't seen since S2 "Partners".
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May 2, 2007 2:46 PM
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Sheldon is right about Ronnie's face. It's great to see that he has those scars. Now only does it make me think back to that gruesome scene but it reminds me that the producers clearly remember what they've done in the past and don't leave little details like this out of the mix later on.
Also Sheldon, thanks for pointing out we'd seen Joe before. My memory couldn't recall if this was his first appearance or not.
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May 2, 2007 3:13 PM
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Thanks, David and Sheldon, for the reminder about Ronnie's scars. Now THAT'S how production continuity is done!
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May 2, 2007 3:49 PM
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It was Amardillio in Season 2 who messed up Ronnies face. Vic had done the same thing to him earlier in the season.
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May 2, 2007 4:03 PM
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Like jnemo1329 stated, it was not Antwon who burned Ronnie but retribution from Armadillo for what Vic did to him. As with that episode from S2, last night's was another fantastic episode. But only 5 left? That sucks.
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May 2, 2007 9:31 PM
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I am still shaking after watching that final scene with Shane. It really got to me - his pain - the guilt - the whole mess of all of it and the beauty of what this all boils down to for everyone on the strike team - its about saving the only thing they have left and that is their families. At one time it was the money but that drove them all apart and they are now left with what really matters - love. Seems crazy to even say that on a show like this but isn't that what the bond of the strike team is about? Brothers? Love?
Anyhow I agree with everyone above - this was Walton Goggins Emmy moment. I know there was talk last year that he may get a nomination but now I hope the show and Walton and Michael all get it. I know they are the underdogs but where else do you see such performances? I found my heart breaking for a man who has done so many bad things - for an actor to make you feel that way and for a show to deliver the writing that gets you in your gut - that just has to be honored!!!
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May 2, 2007 10:03 PM
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