|
Post by chemikalman on Jun 26, 2005 11:08:10 GMT -5
As I rewatched the finale last night, I decided that maybe the partying scene at the end wasn't so out of place after all. Everyone had just been put through an emotional wringer, pulled back, then put through it ... over and over throughout the course of the season! In the bar scene, they were almost like a sports team going nuts in celebration after winning a championship. Look at all that happened during the course of the season: the murders of Scooby and Carl, Shane "in bed" with Antwon and nearly betraying Vic, Monica and the ST nailing Antwon, the return of "the prodigal son" to the ST, Claudette and Dutch getting back in the rotation after being in the dog house, the strife brought about by the seizure policy, Danny getting shot, Monica getting screwed, Aceveda again showing what a snake he is, etc. Seeing Lem and Shane playfully wrestling on the pool table was really cool. In fact, I liked the fact that everyone in the cast was at the bar having a good time and unwinding. And I liked that Vic extended the olive branch to Dutch. Obviously, a HUGE loss that Monica wasn't there and I'm gonna miss Army, too. But I think I have to upgrade my evaluation. I still feel the same about some of my earlier comments, but I think it deserves maybe a B+ as an ep, C+ as a season finale. Remember, this is using "The Shield scale." When compared to other TV shows, A and B+. Okay, I'm a softie.
|
|
|
Post by chemikalman on Jun 27, 2005 18:47:57 GMT -5
By the way, speaking of the IAD guy and Law and Order, I knew I had seen him somewhere before and I'm pretty sure it was on Law and Order. OK, I looked it up and Jose Zuniga, the IAD guy, DID appear in a Law and Order; in fact, several of them. He has an impressive list of guest and recurring role credits in his IMDb file (click here: Jose Zuniga).
|
|
|
Post by wildyams on Sept 26, 2005 17:00:50 GMT -5
I know I'm posting way after the fact here, and as such, odds are nobody will probably even see this, but I wanted to weigh in. I just started watching The Shield about a month and a half ago and just got done watching the entire series straight through (including Season 4). As such, I probably have a very different perspective on the show from many of you, in that I had no idea what was going to happen in any of the episodes and didn't know any spoilers about anything. Because of that I will say that the season finale for Season 4, to me at least, was very shocking with Monica being fired. It was really one of the bigger emotional points of the entire series for me, because I'd had such a feeling that they were FINALLY getting things clicking in Farmington, and now that's all gone. Then they pile on the IAD investigation (and that it's because something Lem did!), and I really went from feeling so great about where the Strike Team was to just feeling like I'd had my guts ripped out, knowing that instead they've probably got involved in something they can't get out from under. I can't wait for Season Five, although I'm worried about what it will be like to have to wait a week in between episodes (I'm used to instant gratification lol). If S05 is indeed the last season then I hope (and trust they will) make it one to remember. I'm a guy who doesn't watch any TV shows at all, but in The Shield's case, I made an exception and it totally consumed me. I can't wait for more By the way, regarding the party at the end of S04, I took that as it being like a traditional send off for police officers, the likes of which I've seen in other movies and such. Giving dead co-workers an upbeat farewell with a lot of partying and drinking to the deceased. In some cultures wakes can be like that. I think on top of that it may be a glimpse of the last real good time that the Strike Team ever has together because we all know what's coming. They're teetering on the edge of a cliff, and for the first time in the series they don't know it. Enjoy it now, cause it can't last forever.
|
|
|
Post by chemikalman on Sept 26, 2005 17:41:55 GMT -5
I just started watching The Shield about a month and a half ago and just got done watching the entire series straight through (including Season 4). Whoa! You're the kind of The Shield fan (make that freak) we are tickled to have in this group! Your post was very interesting, not to mention unique. Welcome and we look forward to reading more from you! Since you were on "speed dial" in getting caught up with the series, reading the entries for the 3rd contest should be no problem ... and check out the polls, too. chemikalman Group Admin
|
|
|
Post by qb on Sept 26, 2005 18:48:09 GMT -5
Love your screen name, Wildyams!! How'd you come up with it?? Of course, we see your post! We always read the new posts and I am sure all of the members do as well. That's the whole point of having this site! ;D I really like your last comment about the party closing Season 4. This will be the last good time they have before...? I think they're gonna go down this season, something terrible is going to happen, but that might be my belief alone. I am thinking there won't be a Season 6... Yes, it is painful waiting a week between eps in a live season. I watched Season 1 in a total dvd binge and was tormented having to wait between eps during Season 2. What's going to be much worse, of course, is that final episode--whether this season or next. I do hope Shawn will tell us it's coming and not just leave us hanging by not pursuing another season. THAT would be hell itself.
|
|
|
Post by -|E|- on Sept 27, 2005 14:57:35 GMT -5
I concur; I read everything on here!!!
You have some really great observations, wildyams; I'm a tad jealous that you didn't know about Glenn Close leaving at the end of S4 - that would have been SWEET! Unfortunately, I did know. I think it may have been the reason that the finale didn't really stir me. ::sigh:: I can't wait for Season 5 to start either.... knowing they have started filming is making me so anxious....
|
|
|
Post by icy on Jan 10, 2006 1:52:05 GMT -5
Dutch flipping out on Billings and then wanting to fight Vic was a classic. The end between Monica and Vic was good. I think she really cared more than she could say what happens to him after realizing that the H-cutter is up for the highest bidder, ect...The camaraderie at the bar between Lem and Shane was like two puppies reuniting after a scrap. It is the calm before the shit storm.
|
|
|
Post by murt1987 on Jan 16, 2006 17:59:46 GMT -5
Ya know what, I wish I was living in the US or even better just watching the episodes at the same time as ye guys here in Ireland cause I'd really like to discuss all the episodes at the same time as ye instead of 6 months - a year later. Anyway I finally got to see the season finale and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I'll give it a B+ for the ep and for season finale another B+. I think I came away happier about the ep than you guys cause I had the advantage of no spoilers or big ad campaigns telling us what will happen. I have to say I am gonna miss Glenn Close . I have to say her character grew on me a lot towards the end. The one thing I didn't understand about her in this episode is about her going ahead with the seizures(i doubt thats how you spell it). I mean she knew that the meeting to get rid of them was the next day and yet she still went ahead knowing she could get fired. ? I loved that fight at the beginning with Lem, Im glad they didn't kill him off like ye said cause I really like him. It was pretty stupid of Vic to let him be on his own with them three guys. I doubt that would happen in real life. About Vics daughter being only eleven, I thought she was a lot older too. Everytime I see some American kid on TV he/she always looks older than he is. I guess irish kids are pretty small compared to other countries ;D. I would have liked to seen Dutch take the job after Rawlings got fired(which was nicely done I believe), at least only temporary but he played it nicely and Im glad he thought of Claudette in his decision. I think season 4 was again another drop in form for the show but I think it was actually better than season 3 which was boring in my view. I think the whole Antwon Mitchell story played out too long and made the season drag a little. I really hope this is the end of this whole Aceveda thing regarding that guy who got killed in prison, that story was a bit rediculous in my view. Anyway I have hope that season 5 will be when the show gets back to its best. Im looking forward to it more than S4. Cant wait to talk about it with ye guys. See you next year ;D
|
|
|
Post by stovetop on Apr 9, 2006 18:50:03 GMT -5
I thought the Finale was really cool
|
|
|
Post by shieldaddict on Nov 29, 2008 16:17:48 GMT -5
I also felt underwhelmed with the season finale party scene 3 years ago when it aired. But boy did my perceptions changed once we got the brilliant Season 5!! That shot of Lem and Shane play wrestling ,everyone in the barn celebrating, and the last shot of the IAD officer entering the bar were perfect setups and foreshadowing of what was to come. This series gets so much better upon rewatching the entire run as one Big story. The hard part of loving this show was the damn long hiatus's in between!!
|
|