(S07E12) "How much memory does that thing got?" - Vic
One down and one to go.
Victor Samuel Mackey. Hard to believe, that after seven seasons, we didn't even know Vic's full name. If you think about it, there's a lot we don't know about him and his past - other than what we've seen him do. A list of deeds that's now on record with the United States federal government. Uncle Sam just gave Vic a free pass.
When I spoke with Shawn Ryan recently, he mentioned that in all his research about dirty cops, when two of them went off the radar like Vic and Ronnie did, one eventually looks out for himself and turns against the other. So while it was shocking to see Vic hang Ronnie out to dry, were you really that surprised?
I said early on in the season how amazing it was that Ronnie had turned into such a pivotal character. A guy who had no lines at all in the pilot episode is now going to take the fall (along with Shane) for every terrible thing Vic ever had a hand in. And the worst part is that Vic is going to lead him on into thinking he's got a deal coming too. Ronnie has no idea that his fate is sealed.
Another thing I've mentioned at least a few times over the course of this season are the brilliant looks some of the actors have been giving. These faces and expressions that just say 1000 different things - especially Shane. This episode, a few others stepped up. I loved Dutch's face when that gambling bum told him that the guy who robbed them was named Trap. Wagenbach made this smug look as if to say, "Only Shane Vendrell would use such a stupid alias." It's no Cletus Van Damme, that's for sure.
Olivia had a brilliant look too. This all-knowing realization in the I.C.E. interrogation room, when she saw Vic for who he really was and the game he ran. It was pure terror and disgust at the same time.
But before she even got to that, there was Vic's face - the long pause. You want immunity? Tell. Me. Everything. His face went white, and he looked mortified as all those past actions came up in his head. Terry Crowley. The money train. Margos. Then it was like a light bulb clicked. A sigh as that mortified feeling turned to relief. How good it must have felt to spew out all that evil and know that he can't get hurt by it. I think what amazed me the most was how his entire impetus for signing the deal was Corinne's safety. It still hasn't crossed Vic's mind that she might be working against him.
More thoughts on "Possible Kill Screen":
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Yes, before you ask, Shawn Ryan did verify that he got the idea for the episode title from The King of Kong. If you don't get it, watch this clip from the documentary. We're almost at the end.
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Shane's Wal-Mart line was priceless.
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I'm still amazed at the downward spiral Shane has taken. Robbing old vice collars at a gambling hall? How is that a good idea? The icing on the cake was when he had to do those two lines of blow to keep his cover. As if things couldn't get any worse for Shane, now he's high. Mara finally breaking is going to be the end, though. She wants to go home?
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The one thing I don't get? Why Olivia and Chaffee weren't more curious about Vic demanding immunity. Doesn't that scream, "I've done something terrible?" All it would have taken was one call to Wyms to get the Cliff Notes.
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Rita didn't know about the calls to Dutch. Do the math. If she didn't make the calls, Lloyd did. That means only one thing.
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I think it's hilarious that Billings' legal issues are still around. Now that's a failure of the system, for a guy like that to still potentially get off. It's like a mirror of Vic's situation, only with no dead bodies and capital crimes involved.
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That final scene with Dutch and Claudette was amazing. In the interview I referenced previously, Ryan said that during a few takes, CCH Pounder actually dropped the F-bomb, and he considered fighting for it to stay.
The possible kill screen is no more. This could have been the end for Vic, but he's going to fight to see one more day with a job that has dental and life insurance coverage. I'll stop talking now. Who's got predictions for how it'll all end for Victor Samuel Mackey?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
11-19-2008 @ 10:13AM
AndySalazar said...
I need to go to bed, but I must write about this.
Amazing.
I cant believe what is going on and how bad this is going to end for everyone. I've said it before this is Shakespearian, and it really is.
Prediction: Vic having found out that Connie has been double crossing him, in a fit of rage finally completely snaps and kills her. He goes to prison, having lost all humanity.
Mara loses the baby, or at least something bad happens with the drugs, and Shane dies a la Omar in the Wire.
Dutch and the serial-killer jr have a face off. one of them doesnt make it out alive.
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11-26-2008 @ 12:48AM
Bob Baft said...
Great, now I don't have to watch the final season of the wire I just bought on DVD since you told me Omar dies. Thanks alot.
11-20-2008 @ 10:22AM
Trevor said...
The last season of the Wire is still WELL worth watching...
11-20-2008 @ 5:10PM
smikwily said...
Omar dying is a spoiler, yes, but knowing how many bullets he's dodged, the one that gets him isn't what you are expecting.
Have to agree - Omar was a guy you liked rooting for, and one I was sad to see go, but the show is great either way.
11-19-2008 @ 10:13AM
Jay said...
The final frame of the episode (which is pictured above) shows Vic Mackey staring straight.
Straight at Olivia, and straight at the viewer.
He is telling us that he is the bad man.
There is no more personal cheering for Vic Mackey; he didn't release the evil from within him, but rather telling us that he is evil.
There's only three men that have earned the right to kill Vic Mackey. One is dead, the other is going to jail, and the final one has nothing else to lose.
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11-19-2008 @ 10:13AM
Stephanie said...
Just found this blog tonight--glad to have some fellow Shield lovers to watch the end with.
One comment--the scene several seasons ago when Dutch killed the cat was the most memorable, creepy, dark side of humanity scene I've ever witnessed on television. You just can't leave that hanging out there. I think (I hope) there must be some connection between that tiny window they showed us onto Dutch's character and the serial killer story line this season. The key to Dutch's interrogator genius has always been his ability to understand and relate to the murderer--because he too harbors something very dark inside.
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11-19-2008 @ 10:13AM
Kate said...
Eight hours later and I am still wrapping my head around this episode. Wow. That is the only semi-intelligent thought I have right now. Olivia and her face were absolutely perfect tonight. Vic Mackey is evil. We have all watched him do bad things for seven seasons but tonight, his staring and her expression proved what kind of person he truly is. Amazing. And Claudette... CCH Pounder was always a fantastic actress but tonight, she blew it out of the water. Next week, it will probably be exhausting - mentally and emotionally - to watch but I need to know how this ends. I feel horrible for Ronnie. The ONE person who has remained loyal to Vic through everything and this is how Vic repays him.
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11-19-2008 @ 10:14AM
tom said...
Honestly, I cant believe that Vic would hang Ronnie out to dry. Something is going to happen that makes it all work out in the end for Vic and Ronnie, this is the way this show has been. Vic always comes out on top/has things his way. It hasnt been some sob story like the final season of the Sopranos when Tony is made into a 'man on an island' type. If Ronnie Kills Vic, which could happen, I will never watch TV again and I will have no respect for Shawn Ryan. Honestly, there are too many holes in the story this season. The TV writers strike has a lot to do with that problem. I still think season 2 was the best ever. Vic wont find out that Corrine was working with the police because Claudettes health is bad, she will either die or be fired from the Captain job and her testimony will be unreliable. Dutch will die, Acavada will become mayor, Vic will work for Ice and I think ultimately, Ronnie will run. I heard that some story lines dont get tied up in a little bow, so I have a feeling we will never know what happens with Mara, but honestly, Shane needs to die. He is the one who started all these problems when he killed his best friend.
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11-19-2008 @ 10:14AM
Jinster said...
It has been a while since a TV show has affected me so deeply. The last time was with this very same show, when Lem died.
Wow. That's all I can say when Vic started confessing to every little bad deed he has done in the past seven seasons.
However, I refuse to believe he has sold Ronnie out. If there is one decent thing about Vic, it is that he is loyal to those that are loyal to him. I can't think of a single moment where he would willingly screw over another member of the original strike team, unless they messed with him first.
I'm tingling with anticipation of the final episode.
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11-19-2008 @ 10:14AM
Dave said...
I just have this feeling that somehow Ronnie finds out Vic sold him out and then Ronnie takes him out Terry Crowley style. Vic really has no redeeming qualities and he never has, this just thrust them all to the forefront.
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11-23-2008 @ 8:54PM
Dan said...
Yup, I think this is how it goes down exactly. Remember when Vic told Olivia exactly where he shot Crowley, pointing right below his own eye, but then pulling his finger back as if a little bit concerned...maybe even sacred? That's exactly where Vic will take the bullet that ends his life. Ronnie will be the trigger-man.
11-19-2008 @ 10:14AM
kw said...
Vic had to sell out Ronnie. He is hustlin soooo hard right now. he is running out of options. This is training day. This show is truly incredible. This show and the wire are the best shows I have seen. I dont know what to do when it is over. Vic is going to Jail. The drug bust is going to go sower and he will lose his deal. This will be a Shakespearean tragedy. Shane is going down. mara will die i think. Ronnie is the loyal sidekick who gets betrayed.
Thats all I have for now. Last night was riveting. Edge of your seat series with intelligent story, drama, and dialouge. Great acting without ever saying a word!!!!!!!!!
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11-19-2008 @ 10:14AM
ma said...
this episode was sooo revealing of vic's character. he is just as psychopathic as the guys he puts away..a criminal. i think he is selling ronnie out since his corrine is now in jail. priorities change....
my prediction, things fall apart for vic meaning he doesn't hold up his end of the deal with the feds...so now that he's confessed to all his sins, they will take him down...but i think vic will refuse to go out like that and kill himself.
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11-19-2008 @ 10:15AM
0megapart!cle said...
I kill you!!
I could live with the name before the jump, but come on now!!! No spoilers before the jump, Jonathon!!!! I don't have time to watch the episode now, but I wanted to get some quick spoiler-free first impressions, which you guys are usually reliable for. I might have to stop reading TV Squad reviews if you guys keep this up, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
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11-19-2008 @ 4:19PM
Eddie said...
Oh God, oh Jesus, you've just gone and ruined the post for me! Great, now I don't have to read it to find out there are already spoilers BEFORE THE JUMP.
What the hell am I supposed to do now? READ the post? Some people are so inconsiderate.
11-19-2008 @ 10:15AM
redrady1 said...
I have always LOVED the Shield, but these last few weeks, I find I'm actually sad everytime the episode ends (knowing that it is one step closer to the end of this GREAT Show).
Mara's comment about 'going home' leads me to believe we're gonna see some sort of a suicide/murder scenerio, (please... begging NOT to see anything done with Jackson)...and Shane has always been such a 'loser' he'll do it, especially since there BOTH on drugs!
Strange idea: what IF Dutch ends up STALKING Rita's son? Alot of us have felt from the 'cat' episode that something is wrong with Dutch and he seems to get alittle TOO into every murderer's head! What if HE goes gunning down the son?
Billings... who cares!
No telling what's going to happen with Vic... I just PRAY that he doesn't find out it was Corrine that set him up.
No Cassidy last night? Hmmmm.
All I know is I have scoured the internet for ANY spoilers for the finale, and NOTHING! Kudos to Mr. Ryan for being able to control any episode leaks!
Even once the Shield ends... it will continue to be my favorite show!
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11-19-2008 @ 10:15AM
Jimmy said...
Several people have commented on CCH Pounder's acting in last night's episode. Unfortunately, her best "look" -- when she found out Vic had immunity -- was cut short when she turned around so quickly. I wish we could have seen her face longer!
Redrady (above) mentioned Cassidy. I can see her playing a major role when she finds out Corrine is in jail. We've already seen her willingness to confront Dani.
Lastly: Nice shout-out for the King of Kong. What a great movie!
Next Tuesday can't get here fast enough.
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11-19-2008 @ 10:15AM
FRAN said...
What an amazing episode. Some random thoughts:
I don't know what's going to happen, but I can say there is NO way Vic will ever let himself go to jail. So that to me is not even an option. He would kill himself before he'd go to jail. I'm not sure what to think about the Ronnie situation though. I know Vic is an evil man- I get that. But he has never sold out those that have been loyal to him like this. I still think he might have something up his sleeve with that. If Vic dies, I think one of two things will happen- he will either kill himself, or one of the cops will get to him (Claudette maybe?). And yes, what a fantastic scene with Olivia. The look on her face, and the drawn out silence before Vic spilled his guts... amazing acting. Primetime TV just can't compare to this.
As far as Mara and Shane- I agree with the person above about the murder-suicide thing. I don't think Jackson will come to harm though. We all know that there has to be one final scene with him and Mackey before anything happens.
I have a feeling Dutch's storyline with the boy might not be completely wrapped up...
And Claudette? Is she going to snap or what?
I'm so amazed by this show and can't wait for next week.
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11-19-2008 @ 10:45AM
AndySalazar said...
Since Ronnie has been wanting to go to Mexico for so long, could Vic just warn him and have him flee to Mexico. I know that if the feds catch a wiff of Vic warning Ronnie that the deal is off, but thats the risk that Vic will take to get Ronnie free.
then is a win- win senario right?
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11-19-2008 @ 10:53AM
lawwizard said...
Vic blows his immunity deal and gets nabbed for everything.
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