Folks, I’m starting to feel like the old Shield is back. Things are heating in the barn with the arrival of new rooster: Hiatt, Mackie’s replacement and the new leader of the Strike Team. And right from the start Claudette continues to demonstrate increasingly administration-like behavior by lying to Mackie about a fictional retirement hearing to keep him in line during his last three weeks.
Just when I thought Shane couldn’t get any more depraved, he is giving the team a hard time about how they are forgetting about Lem — ironic given he was the one who murdered him. In addition, he is having an ongoing sexual relationship with a “tweener” hooker, pumping her for more than information.
The team is trying to protect a group of seven gang bangers who are purported to be trying to go straight, under the leadership of Vantes. Mackie and Hiyatt have to team up to stay one step ahead and keep as many as they can alive. Mackie begins to associate keeping Vantes alive with Lem.
Aceveda's behavior is one thing that remains consistent; he is playing whatever side he has to in order to ensure his political security. He is being pressured by a local business bigwig to solve a Mexican mass murder, supposedly done by Salvadorians. He gets the case transferred back to the Farmington so he and Claudette can get a win and ensure both their futures.
Danny is adjusting to being back at work, struggling with being a working mom, pumping breast milk in between busts, and calling her day care provider from the squad car on its way to a street slaying.
Dutch is surprised to hear that Tina transferred out (she’s the new PR model for the district), but he continues to prove his superior detective skills by finding important connections that are working towards solving a particularly disturbing rape case involving a runaway who has “go home” carved into her stomach. Steve calls Dutch on his pursuit of Tina and going after Mackie’s ex, a trend that he calls “shitting where he eats.” I’m liking Steve more and more every week.
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
I think he's fessing up to the wife, which doesn't count, but will probably land him a divorce.
New guy was interesting, but needs more fleshing out before I make a decision about him.
Julian on strike team ought to prove for some good confrontation.
2 - El Bicho
"I think he's fessing up to the wife, which doesn't count, but will probably land him a divorce."
Good call, Mat. I had trouble believing he was telling Mackie. Although his wife was responsible for killing that guy from the strike team a few seasons back, so what's another murder between a married couple?
Too many ridiculous moments: Mackie's freakout, his wife stopping by to discuss her dream, Tina transferring out (he didn't even cross a line yet), the tweener having a relationship with Shane. If she's not setting him up, it's a total joke. And what's with the new guy telling Claudette that Mackie might not be such a bad guy?
I do like Steve more and glad to see they've actually given Julian something to do.
I like the show less each week, as I do The Sopranos. Curse you, final seasons!
3 - Mat Brewster
Yeah in the preview confession scene Shane looked like he was in his apartment, not the barn or some other place where he might break down to Vic. Plus, we're only halfway through the season, and a full confession is finale material.
The dream was dumb, the ending freakout a little too much, but I still liked it...mostly.