The Shield

Dead Soldiers

Season 2, Episode 2, Aired 1/14/03

Episode Summary

As Vic gets closer to finding his family, the Strike Team focus their attention to Armadillo after he burns down Tio's HQ. Now Vic must prevent Claudette from finding out the truth about his connection to Tio and his men. Meanwhile, Dutch is followed around by the new civilian auditor to solve a meter-maid murder, and Danny and Julien try to clear up issues between feuding neighbors.moreless

9.4

EPISODE RATING: Superb

144 votes

Your Rating: 10

"Perfect"
Your Rating: 9.5

"Superb"
Your Rating: 9

"Superb"
Your Rating: 8.5

"Great"
Your Rating: 8

"Great"
Your Rating: 7.5

"Good"
Your Rating: 7

"Good"
Your Rating: 6.5

"Fair"
Your Rating: 6

"Fair"
Your Rating: 5.5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 4.5

"Poor"
Your Rating: 4

"Poor"
Your Rating: 3.5

"Bad"
Your Rating: 3

"Bad"
Your Rating: 2.5

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 2

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 1.5

"Abysmal"
Your Rating: 1

"Abysmal"

Rate It

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

CCH Pounder

Detective Claudette Wyms
Michael Chiklis

Detective Vic Mackey
Jay Karnes

Detective Holland "Dutch" Wagenbach

Fan Episode Reviews (3)

See All

Review

9.5

"Superb"

By cavanagh15, Oct 29, 2010 Report Abuse

As Vic gets closer to finding his family, the Strike Team focus their attention to Armadillo after he burns down Tio's HQ. Now Vic must prevent Claudette from finding out the truth about his connection to Tio and his men. Meanwhile, Dutch is followed around by the new civilian auditor to solve a meter-maid murder, and Danny and Julien try to clear up issues between feuding neighbors.

Another really strong episode to begin the second season of The Shield. This episode had many distinct parts to it. Vic and hsi Strike team continue to work on Armadillo, the new drug lord who is trying to tie all gangs together in an effort to unite everyone under one common leader - himself. Vic tries to work against Claudette in this episode to make sure she doesn't find out about something that she shouldn't. I liked the character interactions here. We see Vic and David's new found agreement put to the test on the very first episode afterwards. The public audit woman teams up with Dutch in an effort to make sure she doesn't get near Vic. These scenes were also really well done - even though she figures out that the city official she was sent to look at was simply a meter-maid. The part of the episode I didn't like the most was Julian and Danny answering the house calls of the fighting black woman and Arab man, which ended in the Arab man getting shot. The scenes just didn't feel connected at all to the rest of the episode. Danny and Julian aren't tied up in anything regarding the Strike Team or the drug busts, so you kind of half expect them to be off doing "normal / other" cases in the meantime. It just didn't fit inside of the episode.

Vic's wife returns to town with the baby and the private investigator that she hired is now looking into Vic. Vic gets thrown around when he tries to confront the guy, which is something you don't see too often. We're so used to Vic winning that we forget he doesn't get to win every battle.

The ending with Vic burning the face of after Tio was killed was actually really powerful. The blood all over his face and the terror looks from his own teammate easily made this the best scene of the episode and of season two so far.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
1 0
It's too bad I'm not allowed to write a one-word review, because after this episode, all can think of to say is- "Day-umm!" Or is that two words...

9.6

"Superb"

By rockin01, Oct 29, 2010 Report Abuse

The wheels come off the bus in this episode- just about everybody loses it. Vic goes over the top, even for Vic. The war between Armadillo and Tio heats up (literally) to a white-hot pitch. Corinne (I'm really starting to not like this woman) takes a dramatic step. Aceveda goes all-out in protecting Vic, and it starts becoming obvious. Kellis starts to get impatient with the runaround, snapping at Dutch and Aceveda. Danny has to use deadly force in a dispute between neighbors. And Claudette bares her fangs after Mackey and Aceveda thwart her attempts to connect Vic to Tio. C.C.H. pounder turns in a ferocious performance that actually had me- I'm serious- fearing for Vic's safety. A brilliant, edge-of-your-seat climax tops it all off. It's official- I am now hooked.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
3 0
An amazing continuation to the season premiere

9.9

"Superb"

By nadavp3, Oct 29, 2010 Report Abuse

A brilliant episode, in which the season major story arcs begin to unravel.

This episode introduces Armadillo, the big bad of the season, and charges It's character with the motivation of a true villain.

One story that will unfold throughout the season is the story of Danny and the Arab immigrant. An example of an accurate and delicate portray of the xenophobia and racism since sept. 11. This intense scene shows how a seemingly simple situation of neighborly dispute can get out of hand, and turn into disaster.

This episode also shows the escalation of the disagreement between Vic and Wyms, that will rich its peek on the season final, leading her to an important decision.

Finally, the last scene, which is extremely violent, brings Vic to a new low point, when he crosses the line for real this time, and leave no room for doubt regarding his problematic behaviour.

He and his team mates are horrified for the first time since the beginning of the series form his actions.

A Must-See episode, just the taste of what's to come during the rest of the excellent second season.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
5 0

Write a Review

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

Trivia
ADD TRIVIA
- Near the end of the episode when Vic and his team pull up in front of Armadillo's house, the black SUV driven by Vic does not have its headlights or parking lights on. All of the rest of the vehicles do. Also, in the first shot the SUV is shown turning into and then pulling up the driveway. However, when the shot widens and moves the viewpoint to the center of the porch, the SUV is seen on the street again driving up diagonally across the apron of the driveway and parking angled toward the camera. Edit
- The stove top lit up quicker than a normal stove would. To get that rosey glow, it would have taken at least three minutes. Edit
- Take a look at the soda can Claudette gives to Tio. The show couldn't show the Coca-Cola can, so they covered up the logo. Why? The show is sponsored by Pepsi. Edit
Notes
ADD NOTES
- The ASPCA protested this episode because of the pig found in front on the Comic Shop. Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- Dutch: If you knew you shot her, why did yu agree to the residue test? Barney: Well, if I didn't take it, I'd look guilty. And, you said it was a government test, so I figured, how reliable could it be? Edit
- Dutch: You failed the GSR, Barney. Barney: Oh, really? Can I take it again? Dutch: (incredulous) No! Edit
- Vic: If you're such a good boy then do as I say. Pack up your shit, and get on the next donkey back to home. Armando: But I just got here, I think I'll stay for a while. Vic: Come on, maybe you can stay at my house for a while. Armando: Ya, what's the charge Vic: I'll think of something on the way. Edit
Allusions
- Help by adding allusions to this episode. Add allusions