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The Shield Season 3 Episode 1

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9.1

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 3/9/04

The Strike team's attempt to play by the book comes to an abrupt end when they discover that two gangs, the Byz Latz and the One-Niners are attempting to alter the balance of power by acquiring MP5s. Claudette and Dutch investigate the murders and feet decapitation of 4 Armenian men by the Armenian mob in their search for the stolen cash from the money train. Meanwhile, Danny who is doing temp work at a high school while waiting for an appeal, discovers she might me be able to get her old job back.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (2)

This isn't a barnburner episode, but it is a worthy season opener, and it hits all of the marks we've come to expect from The Shield: A thrilling opening hook, captivating performances, sure-footed direction and a unique jittery buzz that is all its own.moreless

9.0

By rockin01, Feb 01, 2011

Those folks at The Shield really know how to start off a season with a (literal) bang. As Vic and the Team investigate high-powered guns falling into gang hands, the Armenian bodies start to pile up in retaliation for the money train heist. Danny finds out that she may be able to get back on the force. Julien deals with the fallout from the beating he took from his fellow officers, as Mackey urges him to seek revenge and respect. Claudette and Aceveda's relationship becomes more tense. Dutch goes on the trail of the money train robbers, a course that's sure to intersect with Vic soner or later.

The screen fairly crackles with tension as the major storylines and conflicts for the season are set up beautifully. Man, I'm really beginning to love this show...moreless
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Season 3 starts.

9.0

By blknge, Jun 17, 2007

Even though the DVD covers of season 3 actually make me laugh, the show is a lot deeper than the covers make them look. The third season begins with bitter relations between Claudette and the Captian. This newwer force in another region called the undercover decoy squad is brought up and Acevada is looking into it which causes problems with Claudette. I hope this new squad story goes further, maybe they'll produce better results that might destroy the strike team's rep, this as well as the money train secret will be the main conflicts this season, I hope. It looks like Danny isn't out yet either.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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CCH Pounder	Detective Claudette Wyms
Michael Chiklis	Detective Vic Mackey
Jay Karnes	Detective Holland "Dutch" Wagenbach
Michael Jace	Officer Julien Lowe
Reed Diamond	Detective Terry Crowley - (Pilot Only)
Walton Goggins	Detective Shane Vendrell

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Caroline Macey	Doctor's Daughter	Guest Star
Sean Jeffrey Jones	Guy	Guest Star
Sheila-Sheila	Arno's wife	Guest Star
Joel Rosenthal	Matthew Mackey	Recurring Role
Autumn Chiklis	Cassidy Mackey	Recurring Role
Melanie Myers	Paula	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (2)
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- When the Strike Team and backup units are going to make the bust on Kern's buy for the MP5s, Tommy is the closest to the door. But, when they enter the building Vic is the first one who enters.
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- When Vic takes down the suspect, the suspect elbows him on the right side of the face. However, Vic bleeds out of his left nostril.
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QUOTES (2)
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- (Looking at Van Bro's paintings)
  Shane: Where in the Bible does St. Schlong visit Our Lady of the D-cup?
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- (Looking at the crime photos)
  Lemonhead: They killed these Armenians looking for our money train cash.
  Shane: This means they still think it was an inside job.
  Ronnie: What happens when they run out of feet and realize it was an outside job?
  Vic: There's only four people who know we took that money, and they're all sitting right here. Stick to the plan.
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NOTES (4)
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- The Season 3 DVD includes scenes cut from this episode that include Dutch and Claudette busting in on the Armenian they arrest with the four guns and Danny talking with Julien when she comes to see Aceveda.
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- This episode marks the return of Sticky Fingaz as Kern Little. The only guest star to appear in all three seasons of the show.
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- According to the timeline of the show, it's only been 48 hours since the last episode. Since then, the cutback to the Barn have taken fulleffect, hence why the Strike Team is riding around in a crap car, and not their usual Navigators.
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- Music featured:
  
  Escape (The Piña Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes from the album, "Partners in Crime"
  Holy Roller Novocaine by Kings of Leon from the album "Youth & Young Manhood"
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Shane: Hey, look. It's the Village People.
  
  The Village People were a 1970's disco group known for their costumed personas of a Native American, a Biker, a Policeman and a hardhat-wearing Construction Worker.
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