Tuesday September 2, 2008
5012-07-701
Vic and Ronnie attempt to deal with the serious repercussions of Shane's involvement with the Armenians. A federal agent arrives to help investigate a recent wave of violence in Farmington. Meanwhile, a man who was acquitted of his wife's murder two years ago comes into the Barn to confess that he was responsible.
Write a Recap »SPOILERS** Vic and Ronnie learn about the Armenian threat, and confront Shane over the kidnapping of Vic's family, Acevadea and Vic team up to bring down Pezuela, but have different ideas about how to use the blackmail box. hide show
SPOILERS!!!
This episode was good enough, but let itself down in a few places.
We get a strong opening scene, perfect for a first episode. Immediately, that sense of urgency and tension that so typifies The Shield is established, confronting us with Mara, bound and gagged, and Shane, unsuspecting, returning home. I already felt nervous about what was to come.
Shane is now a complete mess. I didn't think it was possible to have a character behave like he is somewhere complete despair and regret, while still maintaining his instincts for survival (Walton Goggins- AMAZING). Vic is moving even closer to crossing the line from cop to criminal once and for all- orchestrating a gang war to protect himself and his family? Crazy, even for Mackey. I'm not completely sold on this idea yet anyway…judging by Vic's previous actions- he would never allow a gang war to happen if he could prevent it. Ronnie's allegiances are really made clear when he murders Zodofian. The character has never killed before (he has never really done much of anything before- I still love him though!), I think having him kill that guy immediately made him a more prominent character. I was completely shocked when Ronnie turned and shot Zodofian- it really solidifies him as the soilder, loyal to Vic, willing to kill to protect his friend. It will be interesting to see where things will go with him and Shane- right now, Vic has asked Ronnie to play it cool with Shane- can he do that? Maybe not. I predict sserious tension there. A Poigionent moment- Vic tells Ronnie "Don't get sucked into that black hole that got Shane"- is this foreshadowing a dark path for Ronnie? Maybe. It was a really effective line anyway, reminding us once again that Shane is responsible for the loss of Lem (which is still palpable! i miss him in every episode). It also reminds us that they have lost Shane too- and nothing will be the same again. BUT- Shane definitely wants back into the fold- hinted at in a nice little scene where Vic tells Shane and Ronnie of his plan to take the heat off them for the money train…there is almost a hint of a smile on Shane's face when Vic describes his plans…as if he has already been welcomed back. It has happened before, so maybe Shane thinks it will happen again. that "black hole" comment just made me wish that they couild all just man-hug one another, and go back to being buddies.
Tina and Julian- Irritating. I have never held much interest in Tina, she seems to be around a lot, but is completely pointless as far as I can tell. I hope she is axed soon, because I really don't want to see any more time wasted on a Tina is a crappy cop / Tina involved in love triangle / Dutchboy loves Tina storyline. Enough already, get rid of her. Another one that could go for the chop is Julian. Since the "Julian is secretly gay storyline was dropped, there really is not much happening there. I doubt the gay storyline could have been dragged out forever, but it made the character sympathetic. I was once interested in what was going to happen to Julian, but now all he gets from me is a tired sigh. And Julian on the Strike team? NO. That does NOT work. Something big better happen with Julian if I am to keep any interest in the character (oooh!! Now that I think of it…maybe he is doing a Terry and is working for justice or some such thing?? We know Julian loves playing by the rules!!). Billings made me laugh as usual, but I hope they don't over expose him, as I can see that getting old fast.
HATED the scene where Vic provides his "diversion" during that shootout scene. The dialogue in it was poor, and unworthy of The Shield- ie " Not big enough for ya???" "Tell him I took a wrong turn!"- for some reason this just seemed a little bit CSI to me…it just was NOT Mackey. We know Vic is a smartmouth at times, but the character has never been a swaggering, cheesy-dialogue spouting A**hole. I hope they never EVER repeat this type of thing.
The Pezuela / Mexican cartel storyline is picked up nicely too, with Vic trying to use the box of tricks he has come to posess as a means to keep his job. I can see this one playing out for a while, which I'm happy about. I just hope that it does not dominate the rest of the series. While it is an interesting storyline (and I guess it will be big for Acevadea), I want more strike team action. I always felt that real weight in this show was the emotional aspect. For me that's what makes the show so special- amazingly emotional scenes involoving characters you really feel for. This being the last series, I hope they give us plenty of Vic / Shane / Ronnie scenes.
Not too many qualms with this opening episode- parts of it were brilliant. But some parts were a real let down for me. The Shield has always had very strong opening episodes, and while this is definitely not one of the best, it satisfied me. I just hope it is back to its usual brilliance for the next 11 episodes. I need it to be brilliant, cos its the last series ever :-( .
Setting the stage... hide show
First off...gotta love the beating administered to Shane. I never, ever liked Mara. Personally when she was added to the show I felt the dynamic of the show change (still haven't forgotten what she did to Tavon)& it's no wonder his character has degenerated to this point. Ronnie stepping up so coldly, executing Zadofian. Honestly, I was shocked to see it, as he has always been the unassuming member of the team. It will be interesting to see how his fate pans out. Steve being exposed as the fraud he is...I find it funny how he can turn it on when his manhood is in question, but yet seems intent on getting over in life...what a joke, and what about Dutchboy making a fool of himself with Danny. This guy is a great detective, but he can't seem to navigate the waters outside of police work. Still having trouble getting my head around Claudette commanding the barn, messing with our guy Vic, but as always (up to this point) he has found a way to end up on top. Gotta keep an eye on Aceveda, did Vic make a mistake joining forces with him? Anyway, I am glad to be a part of the Shield family, looks like we're in for quite a ride.
In the most anticipated show this fall, we start to see how the dominoes will tumble towards the grand finale hide show
As a Shield fan, we have seen it all unfold to this point. Shane's betrayal, the strikes teams demise, and the impending doom of The Barn. However, how is everything go to play out is the big question left for us. The first episode of the final season does exactly that, as it sets the pace. We see what Mackey will do to survive, even if it means working with Aceveda, and we see the true Shane, the one who is in to deep but still cares deeply for the friends he lost. Its an emotional, yet still gritty episode, and while at times it may seem that nothing really happened but alot did.
In no ways, is this near the most exciting episode of Shield, but it never had to be. My only complaint with the episode is the Billings/Dutch storyline, as I was just not convinced of the characters in the scene. I also wonder what Tina's role will be this season, because if we get another single dutch/Tina/other love triangle, I will go crazy because it is the one weakness in this superb show. Do yourself a favor and watch The Shield, because it is the biggest show ending this season, and it will be quite a journey to that point.
The seventh and final season begins with Vic and Ronnie on the trail of the Armenians whom Shane consorted with. Elsewhere a man confesses to his involvement in the murder of his wife (a crime he was acquitted of two years ago). hide show
The final season of one of the best crime dramas of recent years managed to get itself off to a good start. The episode's storylines are well written and keep the viewer's attention from start to finish. Another highlight to this episode is watching how Claudette and Dutch turn the tables on Billings and force him to reveal his scam. Though we have seen it countless times throughout the run of the series, watching Vic get himself out of seemingly impossible jams is always enjoyable. After seeing him do that, you find yourself almost hoping he gets away with everything.
A great start to series finale hide show
The Shield
Season 7
Episode 1 Synopsis
Coefficient of Drag
Wow, this one wasted no time getting off the ground. Where do I begin? Okay, Shane is arriving home late at night. He opens his door and sees Mara bound and gagged on the couch. Shane pulls his gun and starts looking through the house for an intruder. Vic and Ronny jump out of the shadows and start beating him in retaliation for what Shane did to Vic's wife and daughter. In between blows he tries to explain why he did what he did. That he was trying to save their lives because of the hit that was put on him by Diro Kazhekian. That she found out Vic was responsible for the money train heist. (Again, Shane leaves out the part that he is the one who told Diro) That he is the one that shot the sent assassin in Vic's house. Vic and Ronny aren't sure what to believe but tell Shane they are going to check out his story and be back for him if it isn't true. Shane releases Mara and gives her the backstory on why Vic did what he did. Mara is worried and wants Vic out of their lives. Vic spins a tale to his wife about Shane overhearing someone talking about hurting his family so he tried to protect them not hurt them. Leaving out the fact that hit is legit due to the Armenian Money Train heist
Meanwhile, in Farmington the Mexican cartel is trying to send a message by having 2 El Salvadorians executed and having their bodies dragged along a stretch of street that separates the Mexicans and El Salvadorians. Leaving a blood trial a mile long with the mangled body parts at the end of the marker. Claudette wants Vic to see if he can get any leads on this. But he and Ronny are trying to find the would be assassin that was going to kill Vics wife and daughter to get information from him to see if Shane was telling the truth. Shane is also trying to find the guy too so he can turn him over to Rezian and the Armenians.
Shane is too late. Vic and Ronny find the man holed up in a hotel room recovering from his wounds. Shane hides outside wating for Vic and Ronny to leave.Vic begins to be beat him. Ronny gets Vic under control and they do indeed find out that Shane is the one that shot him. Vic leaves and after he is gone Ronny kills the man shooting him twice in the chest then he too leaves. Ronny has clearly shown his loyalties to Vic and will probably be a darker character this year. Shanes mind spins out of control as he goes upstairs and finds the dead man. He then cuts off the mans feet to make it look as if Diro Kashekian ordered the hit putting the blame on the Armenian Mob.
Billings returns to the barn continuing his lawsuit and scam. He is supposedly being offered a settlement to make the problem go away, but Dutch enlists his help on an old case that Billings worked regarding a murdered wife a few years back. Billings continues to play the part of the disabled cop but does help Dutch if anything just to help speed along his settlement. Unfortunately for him, he did too good of a job with the investigation showing he is trying to scam the Barn. Claudette tells him that his lawsuit now has no merit and it would be best to get back to work. Billings agrees but says he will be doing the minimal work required of him. Like that is any different than before, right?
Vic and Aceveda drive to a remote location with the blackmail box of goodies that Pezuela had collected. Vics plan is to take out one of the files of a high ranking official and use it against him as leverage to help him keep his badge. Acevada doesn't want that and thinks they should reach out to Pezuala and tell him that other parties are trying to buy the box to use for their own personal clout of owning the politicians in the city. Vic convinces Pezuala to help him keep his job in exchange for finding the information.
A witness comes forward to tell Vic that she can identify one of the drivers of the body drag. Many of them are holed up in a store loaded with weapons. The police move in on them and a shoot out ensues with bullets flying everywhere. Vic drives into the store pinning the baddies and allowing the cops to arrest them all for their cache of weapons. Later while getting all the weapons cleared out, it seems one of the men was still hiding in the store. He jumps out and attacks Danny from behind. He takes off as the other officers on the scene, including Hanlon make their way back into the store. Danny is upset because she thought the room was cleared out and vows to have the person fired that failed to clear out the room properly. It possibly was Hanlon but we don't know yet.
Vic and Ronny are meeting with Shane later that evening. Vic and Ronnie know that Shane is working for the Armenians but need to keep him under control to think they trust him. They plan to turn the Armenians against the Mexicans and create a gang war of epic proportions.
I thought it was a pretty good season opener. Especially since it is the last season it appears that all hell is going to break loose this year, and I predict that more than one main character is going to die before its all said and done. I love this show
Gino24
Editor
John_Q_Public
Milks23
SrRui
