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« The Shield
April 17, 2007: Maybe He Didn't Do It
"He killed Lem. Don't you remember his body, his face? You think you could just forget that, huh? Don't you think he deserves to die for what he did?"
Those words, screamed at Shane Vendrell by Vic Mackey, helped mold a scene that had to be the most powerful one of the entire series. Wow! You knew Vic was going to do something harsh to Guardo if he found him, but wow! I mean, wow! I know I'm saying that word a lot right now, but that one word — wow! — really sums up the boldness, the intensity, the determination, the shock, the brutality, the hatred.... I could go on forever trying to describe the meeting of Guardo and Vic but nothing could do it justice, so I choose "wow!"
This whole season, you could see the anger in Vic's eyes and you could smell the revenge coming, but despite everything that's happened over the previous five seasons, even my eyes were wide open in shock this time around. Guardo, hung by a rope, getting brutally beating by Vic with a monstrous metal chain was crazy. Shane stopping the beating only to have Vic draw his weapon and pop Guardo was even more intense, especially with that look of pure evil in Vic's eyes. And what can you say about Shane in this situation? I mean, the guy still hasn't cracked. How is that possible? I mean, granted that confessing to Lem's murder while Vic is killing Guardo might not be the smartest move, but I cannot believe he's been able to keep it in this long. But now that Guardo's been killed, set on fire and buried, is it really over? You'd think Vic would be at peace and would let it drop. But what about Shane? His mindset certainly is getting worse each week, so I can't picture that we've heard the last of this, especially since Dutch is still out seeking answers.
Despite the fact that once the scene with Vic and Guardo took place all the other stories took a backseat for me, there was still a lot going on this week to discuss.
First of all, I'm really hating two people right now and I don't mean the actors playing them, but rather the personalities of the actual characters. One of them would be Steve Billings. His lazy attitude always rubbed me the wrong way, but he's really becoming a total idiot now. Steve can flat out tell Dutch what his shortcomings are but doesn't want to hear it in return. He corrals one bad guy and then has to brag to the whole department later. And when is his lackadaisical attitude going to get Dutch shot or killed?
The other character I can't stand is Tina. She is playing the fact that she's smokin' hot to perfection and manipulating every guy who lays eyes on her. I mean, she clearly flirts with Dutch, but then when Dutch brings her over to his place she gets offended when he insinuates it might be a date. Before that, when Ronnie tackled the guy in his case she looked like she wanted to jump him right there (and of course, Dutch looked like he wanted to puke). And was it me, or did it even look like the photographer was flirting with her for a second? She appears to be getting better as a cop, but still isn't up to par yet. Yet thanks to her ability to flirt, the only male cop who notices her lack of ability is the gay one. But watch out, Tina, Sargeant Danny is on the case now! Ain't no flirting going to work on her.
Then there's Claudette, who I love as the captain more and more each week. I love seeing her in power, manipulating everything around her. Sticking Ronnie on the case with Dutch was a great ploy to get info on Vic's whereabouts, even if it didn't pan out. I hope the growing death toll in Farmington doesn't get her the boot, because she's a great leader.
Finally, who's this Hiatt guy and what's he doing in the barn? Vic's replacement, huh? Interesting. Someone's going to replace the baddest cop in the land? C'mon, not a chance, right?
Until next week, friends.
PS. Anyone else sense an Emmy or two or three coming down the pike?
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Apr 18, 2007 12:02 AM
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This show is so freakin' awesome. It's great and the Emmy's of which you speak should rain down on everyone involved with this show. From the acting to the cinematography, it's all right on the money.
I can't imagine what Vic is going to do to Shane when he learns the truth about Lem's death. (Frankly, I can hardly wait for that scene!) I think Ronnie might suspect that something is different with Shane. The look Ronnie gave Shane when Shane was pleading with Vic just before Vic capped Guardo seemed to indicate that he was puzzled by Shane's attitude. Ronnie's a sharp guy and he may be the one to break this open for Vic. We shall see!
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Apr 18, 2007 2:27 AM
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I love that Ronnie was given so much to do last night. He has always been the Ringo to Vic, Shane and Lem's John, Paul and George. Plus the actor who palys Ronnie is just smokin' hot!
This show is so great. The tension we used to feel weekly watching shows like 24 and the Sopranos I still always feel watching The Shield. I am on the edge of my seat throughout almost every minute of every episode.
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Apr 18, 2007 9:22 AM
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I agree. This show was phenomenal and it deserves many emmys. Last night had me on edge through the whole. Thing was Shane gonna crack? would vic go to far? I was cringing for every scene where vic had that chain. yikes. now that is brutal. id love to see vic take on jack bauer. lol. who would win there. I second the opinion above about Ronnie. He's always been the fourth wheel on the strike team. Its been nice seeing him shine this season. He's quite good. The review mentioned distaste for Billings and Tina. Personally, I view both as comedic reflief in the tense reality of the show. Billings is duch a dip and it what he did last night was totally in character. Tina, oh Tina. I love when she gets to teh crime scene and starts screaming get on the ground, i will shoot. I think its hilarious. Shes always so gung ho. Ronnie Leading Billings Dutch and Tina last night was like strike-out team. I thought it was great and cant wait for more.
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Apr 18, 2007 9:55 AM
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Michael Chiklis scares the crap out of me. That torture/death scene with Guardo was absolutely the most frightening/compelling thing I've seen on TV in awhile. His pleasure in killing the man he believes murdered Lem was almost sexual in nature. Shane should be quaking in his boots!
David, you're right about that photographer and Tina. He gave her a long, appraising look as he passed by. Slut! Poor Dutch, he sure can't pick 'em.
I'm with you, Buffy Freak. Ronnie's been in the background for the last four years, and it's good to see him get more screen time. He's never been quite equal to Shane and Lem in Vic's eyes. I actually think Ronnie enjoyed working with Dutch and the other cops.
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Apr 18, 2007 10:02 AM
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A riveting thrill ride of a character drama unlike virtually any other I've watched on television (24, e.g., is more predictable and so limited in its character development and depth).
I revel in every character (though I can appreciate how some can be annoying at times but as another poster said, the annoyances are so in character). The actor playing Steve is so deadpan and understated.
All my muscles were tensed throughout last night's episode. Yes, I did think Shane's interruptions would expose his culpability or maybe even lead to him spilling it all. The meth investigation meshed so well, interposing suspense and comedic relief.
Such a satisfying show.
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Apr 18, 2007 10:03 AM
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While you were saying "Wow", I was saying "Daaaaaaayum". Vic was a crazed psychopathic killer in this episode. The look in his eyes was so scary, I swear his eyes glowed orange not long before he shot Guardo.
I don't necessarily like Tina, but I don't blame her for what I consider to be mens' weakness. If men are going to drool all over you anyway, why not use it to your advantage? And how is she a "slut" because some man found her attractive and was checking her out?
I liked seeing Ronnie show some leadership and skill. I thought he might enjoy just being a good cop for once, without trying to run an angle. But he stood there and watched Vic brutalize Guardo, so maybe not. No way could I have been in that room. No way.
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Apr 18, 2007 10:12 AM
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It'll be a crime if Vic Mackey and Shane don't at least get nominated for an Emmy this year. Both these actors are amazing this year, Shane wants to tell Vic so much about what happened, but knows he'd be strung up if he did. Vic is just a force of nature this season.
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Apr 18, 2007 10:43 AM
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You say "Wow." I say "HOLY SH*T!"
This is NOT the show to watch right before bed - a total rush each and every episode - it takes me another hour to settle down and get to sleep!
The look in Vic's eyes as he was beating Guardo and then right after he shot him?! OMG OMG OMG ... he scares the crap out of me, too!
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Apr 18, 2007 11:36 AM
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phoenixfactor - "strike-out team"
Ha. That's good. Wish I had thought of it myself.
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Apr 18, 2007 11:51 AM
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thanks david feel free if they band together again. Thanks for the great reviews
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Apr 18, 2007 12:06 PM
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David - thanks for enjoying the show as much as we do - it shows in your writing!
I was very impressed with Ronnie's capabilities. He pretty much ran the show with the Dutch Boy - makes you wonder just where the Barn would be if they had no more Strike Team!
Dutch's meeting with the undercover agent will have a future affect on the show - for sure! If Dutch gets his hands on Guardo's girlfriend - well, there will be some explaining to do! I am sure that the body will never be recovered but there wil be a lot of fingers to point!
I'm just not too sure about Dutch - he is not that stable of an individual. Give him a couple of tough cases, some female rejection and I think he will be well on his way to a major meltdown. Doe everyone remember the cat strangling incident?
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Apr 18, 2007 12:17 PM
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Loved last night as always! I only cringed when he shot Guardo, for some unknown reason I wasn't expecting that. Then I noticed Ronnie looking at Shane very curiously. I think that conversation they had the episode before popped into his head just then.
It was very nice to see Ronnie doing more than brining up the rear end of the strike team. Honestly I never remember his name when I think of the strike team. It was always Vic, Shane, Lem and the other one.
I don't hate Billings, I see him as the comic relief, this episode showed him actually doing stuff more so than the entire last season when he was captain.
Claudette is great as usual, loving her as captain. Emmy's should be awarded to Chiklis, Pounder, Shane (Jay Karnes, right?) and hopefully the show itself - writers and directors included!
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Apr 18, 2007 12:22 PM
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As my husband and I have been watching the new season from the very beginning my husband said that he thinks that Vic knows that Shane killed Lem and that he is setting Shane up. I disagreed until last night. Watching the way Vic cuts his eyes at Shane and the way he is behaving has made me wonder. I mean Vic may have killed Guardo anyway because Guardo was really a bad guy but does anyone else think that Vic knows that Shane is actually responcible for Lem's murder?
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Apr 18, 2007 1:02 PM
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I can't buy that one - Vic showed way too much emotion for him to be hiding anything!
I tend to lean toward Dutch figuring out that Shane acted alone - and having to tell Vic about it!
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Apr 18, 2007 6:17 PM
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