THE SHIELD Season 5 on F/X

I thought the only sour note was it ending. I caught onto the marathon showings a few weeks back, and have been seriously hooked to the show. I don't know what I will do with it on once a week. I guess it's time to throw down for all the DVD's, and Nip/Tuck while I'm at it.

I thought Whitaker was great. Hungry is a good description, but its like a sexual stimulant, the thought of taking down THE Vick Mackey. I cant wait to see where it goes.

Oh and my thought is that Dutch Boy gets into a sexual harrassment suit with the cutie cop.

I sort of liked Whitaker's gum experiment, it was a not so subtle way of showing that his character is very interested in getting a good read on people quickly. I enjoy the fact that he seems to be the first person on the show who looks at bringing Mackey down as fun, and not just because it's their job.

I knew that the cowardly detective from last season would end up as Captain. That was a no-brainer.

I wouldn't be too sure about the new hot cop ending up in a body bag. I remember thinking Army had no chance of living through last season. I will lay 2-1 odds that Mackey has her bent over a desk by episode 10, possibly after she has been on a few dates with Dutch.

Any speculation as to why Claudette is on medication?

Forrest Whitaker is definately chewing up the scenary in that episode.

And does anyone know the song that was playing at the end?

I would love to know what happened to Tavon. They completely dropped the ball on that story, but maybe it comes up in the IAD investigation?

I think the coward cop is perfect as chief. The show can use a bit of light heartedness to break up the high school murders, and such. This season seems to be hitting harder issues already, with the school and minor-cintric crimes in episode 1.

I'm not too keen on Vick hitting it off with the cutie cop. That look he gave the pregnant cop looked like a "my other kids are messed up, maybe I do this one right" look.

I think that's the beauty of this show. Much like our beloved narrator "Alex" in "A Clockwork Orange", you actually root for the bad guy, although Mackey has progressed through the seasons to be more anti-hero than bad guy.

Was it me or did Forrest Whitaker gave off an almost Pedophile vibe in every scene? Came off completly creepy, which will play well to the "who do we root for?" expectations for the final season. All in all, a great season opener.

I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait a week for the next episode. Got so used to having 3 or 4 at a time.

Damn good episode. Anyone notice we went 25 minutes without a commercial? Definitely kept the energy level going. The opening scene? Wow. Mayhem at a funeral home. Not what I was expecting.

I like Whitaker's character up to a point. Him oozing his way into Vic's ex-wife through the kids? Disgusting.

No guesses on who the father of Danny's kid?

As to Claudette? Yeah, I got the feeling something is wrong. I think I read somewhere *spoiler* that one of the characters has a terminal illness *Swipe spoiler to read*

All in all, I like the feel of this season so far.

I was kind of surprised to see the slimy detective guy get the Captain gig.

Great opener. There's a sort of Greek tragedy in knowing this is the last season and this IAD investigation is gonna go down. Tavon HAS to come back into the picture at some point. And Ghost Dog, as always, is the shit, with that totally disconcerting, suspicious lazy eye, a tool I bet most actors really wish they had.

My friends and I were so blown away by this episode. The intensity of the first seven minutes alone served as a great reminder that there's no show on television that can shock you harder than The Shield. I can't believe they got away with hosing down the black students.

As for Whitaker's character, I can see what he's going for with a kind of Columbo-like vibe, but he hasn't pulled it off quite yet.

I hope with this season, it's not just Terry's murder that becomes an issue, but also their other big mistakes like the money train and trying to recover Angie's body.

But from what they showed, this looks like it will be an awesome season.

Two to one, and that her death will seriously fuck with Julian's head.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I loved it in last night's episode when Dutch fucking wailed on that guy who tried to kill Claudette. And speaking of Claudette, what's wrong with her? Is she dying or something?

FUCK! I can't believe I missed this. Does anyone know when I can catch a replay?

F.T.W. Kid

Sunday, 10/9c

I'm not sure I like the Forrest Whitaker character. It seems to me like he's trying to hard unlike Glenn Close who seamlessly fit into the show.

Though this is the last season I'm thinking Vic may not actually go down. Like the drunk driver who walks away without a scratch but takes out a few other people.

And I hope Lem gets a lawyer to tell him his real situation. With the right explanation he could get off.

It does air Sunday at 10, but it will also replay this Friday night at 11. If you're recording it either of those nights set it to stop a good 7 minutes after the hour because the show ran a little over.

I was glad to see Julian have a large role last night, both Danny and him were given nothing to do last season. There hasn't been any mention for quite some time about his marriage or efforts to have a kid.

Did Shane swipe an Ipod from the guy they beat up at the end of the episode?

I am pretty sure he DID swipe his Ipod.

I'll bet the kid is Dutch's or that black dude who was hitting on Danny for awhile in season 3. He pops up in 4 and they engage in relations in a deleted scene.

Good starter for possibly the downfall of Vic and his crew. Forrest reminded me, in some of his mannerisms and speech, of an older, less corrupt Denzel Washington from Training Day. But I'm probably insane, so there that is.

Just checked the tape from last night and yes indeed, Shane grabs the Ipod after they're done beating up Ronnie's attacker. Nice Shane moment, especially since he was mostly in the background for the program.

I just realized that they didn't show the undercover IAD officer that was brought in at the end of last year. He's gonna have to come into play sooner or later.

I don't quite understand why people are confused over what happened to Tavon.

Tavon thinks that he hit Shane's wife. Vick agreed to cover it up and Tavon got a transfer to a different division. While it would be interesting if Tavon ever remembered the actual events that occured, that how the show left it and that was ok with me (hey if your looking for worst drop it that Muslim women upset at the cop for killing her husband, drugs are found in the cop car, and then we never hear about it ever again)

I interested in what this IA intentions are. I am questioning if he is after Mackey or after the entire force (including Acavada). This is where certain decisions (Acavada and Mackey's deal during season 2) can come back bigtime.

Forest Whitaker is a fucking genius.

Right from the beginning appearance, his whole arrogant politeness is inspired. He is playing it wonderfully well. Also, for an earlier comment stating he is trying to hard vs. glenn close's more subdued performance i think given the gravity of his character, being the guy who wants to take Mackey down I think I would encourage the almost supervillain-esque approach he is taking to the character.

A lot of interesting new threads. Claudette's illness seems interesting, but I find the michelle rodriguez- look a like (better face though) and danny's impending pregnancy more interesting B storylines.

Can't wait to see where they go with this.

Great Start

Whitaker was brilliant, and his character will provide an interesting plot line. This was a very strong beginning to the final season, and if they can keep this level up till the end I'll be mighty damn happy. I suspect that the hot new latina is a ruse to divert us from who will actually bite it this year, and my guess is gonnahafta be, Shane.

My problem with Whitaker's creepy and villainous performance is that although in past seasons I've found it possible to sympathize and root for Vic, I don't want to feel manipulated into feeling that way. And setting up Kavanuagh to be the antagonist for the season makes me feel that way. I don't want Kavanaugh to be some perfect, noble cop, but it seems like they're taking it to the other extreme.

I'm leaning toward thinking Vick has to die if this is truly the last season. It's kind of like Sopranos. If Tony doesnt die...how else can it conclude? It will go on forever and ever. I think if the series boasts great ratings again, and Vick does not end up dead, we get another season. I know a lot of people just getting into it thanks to the marathons, and those new viewers will bring in lots of revenue the next year or two.

As long as the series maintains this level of quality, I certainly wouldn't mind if they decided to carry on for another season after this one. I've been a fan since the very first episode, and it's never disappointed me once.

I love this show to death, but this has to be the last season. Multiple arguments have been made in other threads, but for Vic to continually survive is kinda a slap in the face to the viewers who are expecting this show to stay grounded. NO ONE gets away with it forever...I think Gilroy's character and his eventual demise was just a big omen to how Vic should end.

I agree that the show has to end this season. There's only so long they could have gone with the whole "Vic and Co. get into trouble and squeeze out of it" formula. To have this whole season focus on a major IAD investigation and have the Strike Team come out on top - again - would be absurd.

Great opener. I was surprised to see Whitaker's portrayal so far, as its far slimier than that saintly vibe I was expecting. I figured they were going to make him a great cop, noble and upright, and then have a legitimate tug of war for sympathies between Vic and Kavanaugh. Before, its been easy to root for Vic when his adversary was Aceveda, the rape fantasy, opportunistic prick. I thought they were going to make Kavanaugh actually make a good case for Vic's downfall.

While it doesn't seem to be going that way, Whitaker is still good casting because little glimmers of that persona still shine through, like in his appeal to Lemansky.

I think the father of Danny's baby will indeed turn out to be Vic. But I have thought, and would find it iminently more interesting if it was the black dude fence who she was really into back in Season 3. If there really is a deleted scene from 4 with them together, that sort of confirms they were either look at it as a real possibility, or maybe just a diversion from the more obvious possibility of it being Vic's.

Loved everyone again, a great episode. What is the final song there? Highly effective. I loved that the nastiness is intact, and I loved Shane's little background moments, including flirting with the new cop. I liked Duth's crazed attack, hopefully a continuation of one of their oddest and most disturbing subplots, his sort of walking the fine line with murderers and what not, and killing that cat as an experiment.

The song at the end is called "Til Kingdom Come" by Coldplay. Supposedly it was originally written for Johnny Cash before his death.

I liked the song, but I noticed how it ended with a shot of Mackey sort of staring into the distance and they faded to black as if they would close the show that way. But then they go right into Whitaker interrogating Lem. It was almost the show's way of saying that Whitaker's character will be getting the last word this season.

Thanks to those who gave me a heads up on the replay. Damn good opener. I'm hyped for the rest of the season. Whitaker was just chewing up the scenery here and I loved it. I liked his little test with the gum. I also liked the camera work during the riot scene and the chase sequence. They really put you right in the middle of all the chaos. The look on Claudette's face when that Latin teenager tried to give her a shoulder block and flip her over the railing was priceless. This should be a great season and many people should die and/or be thrown in the joint.

F.T.W. Kid

I went back and watched episode 1 last night, in anticipation of tonight. Did anyone else catch the attitude Dutch is sporting now? Between being completely in that kid's face during interogation, then grabbing the kid that tried to take out his partner...I think we may see a dark side of Dutch. Perhaps he is the end of Vic?

Dutch started turning dark after he choked that cat to death.

True, but it seemed like the writers kind of dropped it after that episode. It was shown in a few "in the last episode" montages, but that was all. I'm hoping they really take it somewhere this season.

I was actually relieved that they didn't really take it too far too fast. I mean, a guy who has seen and done as much as Dutch isn't going to go over to the Dark Side because he choked a cat to death. But it is a creepy indicator that the job and his experiences are taking a toll. I don't think Duch is the type who "loses it", more that he enjoys it. He wasn't out of control, and he had none of the nervous smirk he used to have when getting in that kid's face. I'm hoping they expand on this.

A fuse was lit in Dutch when he killed the cat and has been slowly burning ever since. The death of his partner and only friend will probably mark the catalyst that finally sends him over the edge. Just what he will do when he goes is what will be the most interesting.

I loved the second episode. Lem was smart in how he revealed to Vic that IAD was on his ass. They definitely fooled me in extraditing Doomsday, I thought he was gonna get wasted for sure.

Another good episode. I figured that was what they'd do with Lem and Vic to screw up the reception on the mic, so Lem could figure out what's going on. I think he'll still protect Vic though.

Great scene between Cavanaugh, Lem, and Aceveda up front when they realize how much Lem knows about Terry's murder. I've got no real clue what side of the fence Lem is going to end up on. He seems to have reached his breaking point with the Strike Team at the moment, but this isn't the first time.

"Guess Doomsday isn't a member of PETA."

Man...this was a fucking well written episode. The dialogues between Aceveda, lem, and cavanaugh were fucking brilliant.

A great little side story with doomsday, and I loved the solution and the final one liner "i know you hate passing the buck"

Jesus christ, Whitaker is assured an emmy nomination that he will get robbed of next year. He is just doing a phenomenal job. I totally agree with the velvet glove iron fist analogy. He is playing it to a T. He is totally selling everything he does and I love the almost child like enthusiasm he is injecting into the role. It was so awesome seeing him run up to aceveda like a little fat kid running up to the ice cream truck.

My god, this has been brilliant so far.

Good episode. I love how Kavanaugh is such a cocky motherfucker and now Vic is going to get the upper hand. I also liked that Vic couldn't tell Lem that he killed Terry. He basically had to say it with his eyes, almost like he couldn't admit it to himself.

And decapitating the dogs? That was just brutal. I liked that instead of killing Doomsday they just did a dirty deportation instead.

Whitaker freaking out in the car... with that stutter... wow...

"he gonna get paid for today?"

nice stuff ronnie. anyways great start so far to the season. they've really come flying out on all cylinders. usually, it takes 3 or 4 episodes to really lay down the groundwork for the season.

i think you're being pretty naive if you believe this. lot's of "bad" people get away with shit for a very long time and sometimes even forever. the smart ones anyways. i think vic has proven he know's what he's doing. plus, i really don't think shawn ryan has the balls to have vic and the strike team go down in the end. we're in the 5th season and he still hasn't killed off a major character. this is a friggin' cop show! people are supposed to die. we may finally get one if this is in fact the final season.

Shane seems to have a death wish. He's being way too energetic for his own good.

does anyone know when the second half of this season is airing? all i know is the first half ends on march 21. i'm guessing it won't be back until next january.

I know what you mean Hell paso, but I am just putting it in the show's perspective. Obviously in real life, there are alot of ass holes who get away with it. But in this show's universe at least, no one (who deserved it anyway) has gotten away scott free (at least in my memory of the show). And I am a big proponent of the Gilroy parallel being a poetic way of this show ending.

As far as the second half airing, I thought it was my understanding it would air in the late summer, probably along with rescue me.

that would be one awesome summer pairing but i'm not very optimistic it will happen. i'm guessing after thief air's fx will fill some programming for another month or two, it's always sunny in philadelphia maybe???, and then they'll start airing rescue me in the summer, nip/tuck in the fall and the shield again in january. that will be one hell of a wait if it happens. i hope i'm wrong.

Pretty good episode. I liked how Vic made his recorded "confession" to Lem. The Vic/Kavanaugh scene was handled well and hopefully there will be more meetings between the 2 in the future that are less good natured.

Nice to see Brian Peppers landed a guest spot on the show.

Glad to see the return of trailer park trash i.e. Shane's wife. Remembering how much trouble she caused with the money train, I bet she screws something up with IAD too.