The episode begins seemingly soon after the last one ended. Vic's driving, drifting, listen to a song in the radio. The lyrics of the song are very fitting to Vic's current state as he drives to Rawlings fittingly empty home. I think this episode is so powerful for me because it views Vic at his most hopeless. Vic is once again forcing himself to do everything alone, pushing the people he loves away. Vic seems suicidal in this episode, almost as if he's genuinely considering death as a way out. The cinematography especially in this episode is top notch. Love the colorful city lights in the night, and all the lighting used this episode, as well as more dynamic and cinematic cinematography than usual. He goes confront Antwon, almost as if it's their last confrontation letting him decide what Vic will do to en this. Vic is taking on the responsibility for everything this episode, solving the leak, the murders, Antwon, Shane, his family, the strike team, etc. There's a sense of finality to this episode. Antwon puts pressure on Shane to finish off Vic, so we know its happening this episode, it's just a matter of time. Vic seems to be trying to leave everyone off well. He keeps mending his friendship with Danni, and goes with what Rawling says despite his frustration. The desperation and tension keeps increasing with Shane as he tries to get the location of the dead girl's body that would incriminate him by interrogating one of Antwon's men, but Army accidentally shoots him when they don't know how to deal with him, something he probably picked up from old Shane. It now shows he has seemingly no other option adding to the sense of dread in this episode. It's happening. Vic seems the most in control as he slowly realizes what to do, and Rawling is starting to unravel herself with the tension of everything, but Vic doesn't budge almost as if it won't affect him soon. Vic goes to his family leaving money for them, which he has never done. He wants to take care of them, make sure everything works out.
"Are you okay?" "Nothing I can't handle." "I want to say good night to the kids." "This feels like goodbye... Vic?"
Vic is looking out for everyone, even Rawling this night. With Danni. It really seems like Vic is going all out, and he's doing things he wouldn't normally use. He has sex with Danni in the car almost as if its the last good thing he'll have before what's coming. Shane is looking for Vic, and he meets with Lem and Ronnie for what could be the lsat time. They respect Vic's wishes despite everything and Shane leaves to find Vic. Vic rides in the car, no music this time, as his mind is clear, he's focused and knows what's going to happen. Shane calls to meet and leave the conversation eerily vague. It's really happening now. They meet next to a railroad with train passing by, nothing is getting in its way. Shane stands in the spotlight ready to explain everything, but Vic doesn't wait and pulls a gun. He knows this could be the end.
"It's you or me... right?" Vic knows this could be the end.
And yet, Vic lets him explain, giving him a chance despite everything.
"I'm in trouble man... and I don't know how I got this deep." Vic puts the gun down, and accepts his fate. After everything that has happened he lets Shane have it. In a way he started everything, so he lets it end with him.
"You have one shot... take it." "No... NO... I would never choose him over you. We let that money train bulls*** get in the way, but you're- come on you're my friend.
Vic pulls the gun again in Shane's most vulnerable moment, as he's giving him everything.
"Look, I need you." Both characters are surprised by each other, Vic being the more impulsive one for once, and Shane only saying what's necessary and having a moment to breathe before everything happens. Shane closes his eyes ready to accept what happens too.
"Will you help me?" Vic looks around as the train passes again, and puts the gun down one more time before he joins Shane closing his eyes.
WOW... Just Wow. This episode is so brilliant because it really makes it feel like it could go either way. The performances by Michael Chiklis and Walton Goggins are once again spectacular. This is such a hard scene to watch and the tension is as strong as it has ever been between these 2 characters. This is on par with the ending scenes of the last 2 episodes in season 3. Another masterful scene from The Shield, one of the best in the show, and a highlight in all of TV. What a magnificent ending to this chapter in the character's journey. The way it changes what you expect to happen with every possible scenario in just a single scene shows how brilliant the writing has been. This honestly feels like the climax of the entire season and arcs for the characters, and it's simply beautiful. The brotherhood between these characters has gone through so much and we see that culminate here once again. I cannot praise this scene enough and this episode enough. A few other storylines happened during this episode heavy episode. The tensions between Aceveda and Rawling grows, Aceveda continues to deal with the scarring his rape left last season, Dutch and Claudette finally seem to be getting better along and have the funny case of the coffee bandit, among other storylines, all strong. However, I just wanted to focus on Vic and Shane, explaining why this is one of the most important episodes for Vic and why this is one of my favorite episodes of the show ever, with another masterful scene. Thank you to all the cast, crew, and writers for creating something so amazing once again.
"Are you okay?" "Nothing I can't handle." "I want to say good night to the kids." "This feels like goodbye... Vic?"
Vic is looking out for everyone, even Rawling this night. With Danni. It really seems like Vic is going all out, and he's doing things he wouldn't normally use. He has sex with Danni in the car almost as if its the last good thing he'll have before what's coming. Shane is looking for Vic, and he meets with Lem and Ronnie for what could be the lsat time. They respect Vic's wishes despite everything and Shane leaves to find Vic. Vic rides in the car, no music this time, as his mind is clear, he's focused and knows what's going to happen. Shane calls to meet and leave the conversation eerily vague. It's really happening now. They meet next to a railroad with train passing by, nothing is getting in its way. Shane stands in the spotlight ready to explain everything, but Vic doesn't wait and pulls a gun. He knows this could be the end.
"It's you or me... right?" Vic knows this could be the end.
And yet, Vic lets him explain, giving him a chance despite everything.
"I'm in trouble man... and I don't know how I got this deep." Vic puts the gun down, and accepts his fate. After everything that has happened he lets Shane have it. In a way he started everything, so he lets it end with him.
"You have one shot... take it." "No... NO... I would never choose him over you. We let that money train bulls*** get in the way, but you're- come on you're my friend.
Vic pulls the gun again in Shane's most vulnerable moment, as he's giving him everything.
"Look, I need you." Both characters are surprised by each other, Vic being the more impulsive one for once, and Shane only saying what's necessary and having a moment to breathe before everything happens. Shane closes his eyes ready to accept what happens too.
"Will you help me?" Vic looks around as the train passes again, and puts the gun down one more time before he joins Shane closing his eyes.
WOW... Just Wow. This episode is so brilliant because it really makes it feel like it could go either way. The performances by Michael Chiklis and Walton Goggins are once again spectacular. This is such a hard scene to watch and the tension is as strong as it has ever been between these 2 characters. This is on par with the ending scenes of the last 2 episodes in season 3. Another masterful scene from The Shield, one of the best in the show, and a highlight in all of TV. What a magnificent ending to this chapter in the character's journey. The way it changes what you expect to happen with every possible scenario in just a single scene shows how brilliant the writing has been. This honestly feels like the climax of the entire season and arcs for the characters, and it's simply beautiful. The brotherhood between these characters has gone through so much and we see that culminate here once again. I cannot praise this scene enough and this episode enough. A few other storylines happened during this episode heavy episode. The tensions between Aceveda and Rawling grows, Aceveda continues to deal with the scarring his rape left last season, Dutch and Claudette finally seem to be getting better along and have the funny case of the coffee bandit, among other storylines, all strong. However, I just wanted to focus on Vic and Shane, explaining why this is one of the most important episodes for Vic and why this is one of my favorite episodes of the show ever, with another masterful scene. Thank you to all the cast, crew, and writers for creating something so amazing once again.
