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Post by acc on Oct 15, 2008 5:51:39 GMT -5
This very last episodes, 7x07 "Bitches Brew," represented the halfway point of Season 7, The Final Act.
What do people think of the season at this point? Is it as great as you hoped it would be? Has it kept you riveted episode to episode? Or has it been strangely disappointing? What do you think has worked, and what do you think hasn't? Which characters are getting short-changed? Which characters/actors are making big waves and stepping up? Which writer(s) do you think has left the greatest impact with their episode(s) thus far?
Are you happy with the progression of the arcs? Are things going too slow? Too fast? Just right? What were the most shocking moments so far? What was a letdown and disappointment? What was the big happy surprise that completely took you by surprise?
Are you, as jadedgirl interestingly posits in her 7x07 post, hoping the writers cash in on the Cruz Pezuela arc soon because you think it's "getting nuts" as she says, and they need to focus on closing things from eons ago?
Or are you satisfied with the way in which the writers have built the labyrinthine world of The Shield to its current place, with Vic and ICE teaming up to target a significant wing of the Mexican Mafia?
Which scenes have been the most memorable? "Sit back and watch the gang war"? Claudette's confrontation with the Spook Street shooter? Robert Martin being assassinated? Shane narrowly escaping death? Dutch's informing Claudette that he has hired a cleaning lady for her home? Lloyd's chilling last scene with Dutch (as of now, at least). Tavon peering into Shane's soul? "How does your jaw feel"? "I'm still a goddamned cop!"? Billings requesting sushi from Dutch? Danny packing things up? Ronnie pulling the trigger on Zadofian? Julien nearly screwing up Vic's plan concerning Rios? Tina finding a naked guy with blood? "Natural... but *small*..." "We both know who you are." "Someone died here today"/"Well, it sounds like he was a nutjob." Dutch's taco chat with his FBI profiler contact. "Vic and Ronnie tried to kill me tonight... Yeah... They set me up..."? Kleavon playing the justice system for all it is or isn't worth? Danny's confession to the raped Korean girl, receiving one in return? Aceveda's revelation to Vic about Olivia? Farrah cackling as she plays Vic one more time?
I'll try to provide answers to my own questions in the next 24 hours. As for now, though, I'll sleep on all of them.
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Post by n00b on Oct 15, 2008 12:48:12 GMT -5
I am pleased so far. What's ironic to me is that I am unable to even remember some of the larger points from earlier episodes in this same season - this has been such a roller coaster ride, I can only keep the most current storylines in my mind at once. This is the definition of "gripping" to me, when I get so "in the moment" with the current episode I'm watching.
I think, and hope, the Pezuela thing will be wrapping up in the next few episodes.
Danny leaving has me worried. I hope this is not Caterine Dent's final appearance, though it would be very fitting and very well done, in a subtle yet stark Shield-ian way.
I'm convinced now the Shane vs. Ronnie vs Vic standoff will last until the very end.
I'm also convinved that Vic will find yet another way to hold on to some form of law enforcement authority until the end - be it continuing with LAPD or signing on officially with ICE.
I think Aceveda's role, and the dirt on his hands, will increase as the end draws near.
I, sadly, don't think Claudette will make it to the end.
I'm still unsure on Dutch. He could either be the bloodhound who finally nails Vic for good. Or he could be left standing in the rubble that's left of Farmington in the end, quietly mutterig to himself "You gotta be shittin' me!"
I also think Julian will, maybe even unbeknownst to him, have a role in the downfall of Vic and the ST.
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Post by Lemonhead on Oct 15, 2008 12:54:01 GMT -5
I'm very pleased thus far. It's been a fantastic season, and it's getting better and better. My only complaint is with the Cruz Pezuela arc; they need to finish this and soon; it's getting a tad drawn out, IMHO. But thankfully, not to the point of absurdity.
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Post by acc on Oct 15, 2008 13:40:34 GMT -5
Seems like quite a few people think the Cruz arc needs to find a resolution in the near future (say, the next three episodes) because it just seems to keep expanding. Right now, it feels like an operation that legitimately could take up the rest of the season, easily, but it's somewhat difficult to see what Cruz's direct role in Vic's probable final downfall is.
To answer more of my own questions...
I am highly pleased with this season. Just about every time I've been wondering what others on this board were thinking when they were so much more enthusiastic about an episode than I was on first blush, I would go back to the episode in question and like it a lot more (like 7x03) or positively love it (like 7x06). And some of the more controversial episodes like 7x02 have been ones I greatly enjoyed, partly because they demonstrated that the writers were confident enough in their abilities that they didn't have to go at 100 m.p.h. right out of the gate this season.
Concerning characters... No question, Ronnie has made an indelible impact this season in a way he never had before. David Rees Snell has been able to take everything the writers have given him and made it thrive in front of the camera. I also think Catherine Dent deserves some special mention, as she has been underused throughout rather significant swathes of the series, and this season the writers have given her more to work with than possibly at any time since the series began. David Marciano as Billings makes me laugh, including all of the little things like looking so embarrassed when he and Dutch brought Lester into the interrogation room. Michael Chiklis as Vic and Walton Goggins as Shane are so great, but so expectedly so, that we almost take them for granted. Chiklis has been expert this season at expressing Vic's unfettered fury when he feels he's been pushed too far, as in the aftermath of the Martin killing and Farrah playing him yet again. Goggins keeps displaying the battle within Shane's soul, of sorts, wanting to simply depart this world as he told Mara way back in 6x07, and get out of Vic's life, but now believing he has to strike back against Vic and Ronnie for their preemptive strike against him. Jay Karnes as Dutch, naturally, is wonderful, and I hope the writers give him more storylines, or at least a fine continuation of his look at Lloyd.
One character who, for the most part, hasn't received his proper due thus far is Julien. Michael Jace is giving it his all, and his actorly enthusiasm seems to match Julien's on the Strike Team, making that a perfect dramatic fit. However, he hasn't been given much except nearly screwing up Vic's plan vis-a-vis Rios in 7x04 and now his interroation of Farrah and first officer-involved-shooting and -killing. It would be interesting if this shooting led to something more for the character.
More later, and I look forward to more responses from people... Thanks, n00b and Lemonhead!
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Post by -|E|- on Oct 15, 2008 14:10:05 GMT -5
ACC!! Stellar thread topic, once again. Thanks for being such a maniacal Shieldaholic! This season is BETTER than I had hoped it would be, actually. I'm glued, nailed, screwed, riveted, and clamped to my couch from the moment the FX voice says, "The following program is rated MA-LSV," until the end of my 2nd viewing (I watch it on my DVR during SOA). OK, I do occasionally find myself on my feet screaming something like, "Shane, you moron!" haha. What hasn't worked? Hmmm... OK, the sleepwalking dude puzzled me. I mean, it wasn't that interesting, and isn't Claudette going to be in some serious shitt for leaving soda cans in the room with a person obviously in need of a mental health evaluation? I think things in the first ep whizzed by so fast I was dizzy, but either they've found a more doable pace or I've learned to keep up. Perhaps a mix of both? I'm kind of sad to say I haven't been that surprised by too many things thus far. I saw the "writing on the wall" (in the writers' room) when I was on the set last summer, and until recently have been reading spoilers like a serious addict -- having an insider mailing me script sides and emailing me tidbits didn't help a bit. hehe. As the season progresses, this will improve for me since I know less and less as we move forward. Some things that did catch me pleasantly off guard, however were the attempt on Shane and how he got out of it -- that blew my mind.... I didn't see that one coming at all. And seeing the inside of Claudette's house was a bit of a shock. The line that keeps popping into my head is Shane's "And the worst part is, they think I'm too stupid to realize it." The look on his face at the end of that scene was so .... well, shitt. I got no words for it. It was just Walton Goggins at his best. I love that man. I'm all mixed up about how I feel about Vic and Shane at this point, but I know I love Walton and Chikky. I honestly feel blessed to have been in on this show from Pilot, to have found a group of intelligent people to discuss it with, and to have been invited to visit the set twice. No words can ever express how deeply addicted to the show and to this forum I have become. "Insanely obsessed" barely touches it, really.
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Post by n00b on Oct 15, 2008 16:12:29 GMT -5
I've been peeking into a few select spoilers myself. And one thing I've noticed ... after 7:08, no one seems to have a lot of info. 7:08 was the last episode that was pre-released to news media before the season started. Even the new teasers are stating that after 7:08 "There's no turning back". I have a feeling we're a just starting to build to the crescendo and NO ONE will know what to expect or truly see the ending coming unless you have a very real and serious inside track to someone deep within the cast & crew of the show. Even folks who claim to have seen it all, state they have seen only "partial" or non-finalized versions of the final episode. I'm very much looking forward to being completely surprised over the next 6 weeks .... OMG, that's right, only 6 weeks left!!! Well, at least I'll have my new baby boy to console me by the first week of December ;D .... but that week between The Shield Finale and his birth will be an empty and difficult one
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Post by acc on Oct 15, 2008 16:53:53 GMT -5
Thanks, E. Great points! You're right, in some ways the writers have apparently opted to not necessarily be so "shocking."
And n00b, you're right, it does seem like post-7x08 Season 7 stuff is "unchartered territory" for most... I can't wait to be shocked, like you say...
I guess one "criticism" of the early part of the season was that in some ways it seemed like the ensemble was being quite as flexed, or at least it *seemed* that way for a while because Vic and Shane dominated so much of the storylines. Since around 7x04 or so, though, it seems like the ensemble is getting more roundly used.
Congratulations on the new member of your family, n00b!
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Post by bachatan on Oct 15, 2008 17:01:33 GMT -5
congratulations on the baby thats gonna be the best christmas present
this is a great topic,
I expected this season to be great, I usually do, but just like they usually do, they exceed my expectations, the writing, the lines, the actin, how real the characters are, specially the witnesses, the hookers, the pimps, the gangmembers, the way they all talk, the slang, the cursing, everything, the way they behave towards cops it just makes it so much more realistic to me,
I always remember that line, when that lady said "I had a mouthful of dick at the time" I forget what season it was, but I believe it was Claudette asking her why didnt she call the cops or something at the time, and to me these are all raw and realistic scenes,
since the first episode ive been hooked, i make sure everyone f**kin knows tuesday 10:58 shield time, thats it, i got no dvr so its my time to watch, every endin of an episode has left me wanting weeks to be shorter, and its been great, ive welcomed everything they have introduced to us this season, maybe i just trust them too much,
as far as the writers I dont know which one has done the best, because even though one or two get the credit for each episode, they are still all in the writer's room, and I just give them all credit, since they all probably pitch in and give their opinions,and in the end, Shawn Ryan is the guy,
i think the writers have written so far excellently, I always thought of the possibility that vic might lose the job before the last episode, since last season things have been cuttin in so close,
memorable scenes, in this season is tought theres been so manny, ronnie poppin his cherry?
or definitely the scene in the car with ronnie julien and vic and vic helpless, i dont know because none will be more memorable than vic killin terry, or
the last scene on november 25th
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Post by axeman61 on Oct 15, 2008 23:49:14 GMT -5
I'm loving it. I knew from the start of the year The Shield's final season would be a bright spot in the school year, and I was so right. This felt like the final season from the jump, and it's not losing that feeling in the least. The series' biggest plotline, closure on old characters, Vic's luck running out, and so much more. There are some flaws, but it's mostly nitpicker stuff, or things they still have 6 episodes to clear up.
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Post by n00b on Oct 15, 2008 23:49:40 GMT -5
Hey thanks for the baby well wishes. At what point do think I can sit down and watch The Shield with him? 2? 3? .... maybe 22? 23? ;D Whenver ... at some point he and I and my daughter will watch the entire series together (and if they whine about it, I'll make them do it as a Father's Day gift to dear old dad )
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Post by jophus on Oct 15, 2008 23:54:51 GMT -5
Well, at least I'll have my new baby boy to console me by the first week of December ;D .... but that week between The Shield Finale and his birth will be an empty and difficult one DUDE! Congrats! I have a 2 year old boy and he's the best thing in the world. Trust me, your grief for the show will be sideswiped by this midget terrorist that will take over your life soon. Enjoy it, there's nothing like it.
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Post by F*ckernando on Oct 16, 2008 0:17:51 GMT -5
heey..... I don't think I could be happier.........REALLY REALLY INTENSE...yeea!
and with this SECOND HALF ...... I am COMPLETELY AND ABSOLUTE THRILLED!!!!!!! this is goin to be a HELL OF A RIDE!! on a 1500 c.c. YAMAHA!!!!!!!!! YEA!!
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Post by F*ckernando on Oct 16, 2008 0:21:36 GMT -5
hehey nooob !! congrats on the future little NOOBY!!! . ...and yeea man.....he needs to be RAISED watchin the shield........no power rangers...no BARNEY...no JAPANESE cartoons (puaj) ...., NO NOTHING !!! yea............ jackson vendrell will be his friend big time!!!!!
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Post by jadedgirl on Oct 16, 2008 12:55:33 GMT -5
Wow, I got a shout out.
I do think they might need to settle new business before opening back up the old wounds but since the show is not likely to do that I will not mind if they do both. As long as the major story lines from seasons previous are wrapped up one way or another, I will not mind how they do it. Besides, it's only a minor problem and the only one I have so far. Also, as someone stated, there is six more episodes (and a rouge MAD document or two) to do that which is more than enough time.
Other than that, this may easily be the best season of them all. It would take a major disappointment for me to think otherwise and I don't think that's going to happen. It is hard to top season five but I think they may have found a way to do so. As long as everyone gets what they deserve in a satisfactory way, I'll be content. I don't think it will end well for Vic and especially for Shane who seems unknowingly on self destruct yet again. As for the others...that's a sweet toss up I will relish guessing about.
One other point I need to make is Ronnie. I've pretty much stated since I starting watching this show (I'm late to the game but better late than never) that Ronnie would more than likely be the one who either brings the deciding endgame to the show or at least the one who out of the others in the Strike Team to come out of it relatively unscathed. Watching him over the seasons is watching a pot of water starting to boil...starting out quiet but showing some raw power and anger toward the end. That hasn't changed and I think Vic will have to realize that Ronnie is the one he should watch out for, not Shane. Vic created Shane pretty much in his own image and therefore knows most of his tricks but the same may not be said about Ronnie. It's the one standing next to you that you have to watch out for-a lesson Lem learned only too late.
Sorry...I tend to ramble. Anyway, David Rees Snell has been a real stand out and I'm also glad he's been given a chance to shine.
Also also, congrats on the baby, Noob.
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Post by n00b on Oct 16, 2008 13:22:58 GMT -5
Ronnie would more than likely be the one who either brings the deciding endgame to the show or at least the one who out of the others in the Strike Team to come out of it relatively unscathed. ^ jaded, just before I read your post i posted a theory on how Ronnie could tie into the ending of the show in a thread in the Snitches section (not any real "spoiler" in my post that I can think of, it was a response to another theory in that thread). Anyway, since your intuition about Ronnie is similar, thought you'd enjoy reading it Edit: Link removed.
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gspot71
I am Satan reincarnated
Posts: 44
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Post by gspot71 on Oct 22, 2008 12:43:35 GMT -5
Season has been awesome so far. Have to say that last night was one of the best episodes in a while suspense wise
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