The Shield Virgin Diary – Gilroy makes too many enemies

Season One, Episode Twelve, “Two Days of Blood”

As the first season of The Shield builds momentum to the finale, things are picking up at the Farm. Vic and Gilroy’s story has moved quickly to a place that, frankly, I didn’t see coming. Aceveda and Wyms’ attempt to quell racial tensions so miserably that you’ve really got to wonder how this man can build any followers, on the force, or in the electorate. Dutchboy, despite Vic’s attempt to derail his investigation, opens up our eyes just what kind of cop Ben Gilroy actually is. Too bad for the Assistant Chief, he quickly made a political enemy in Aceveda, and a mortal one in the form of Vic Mackey.

Gilroy’s shooting of Jesus was the first time since the Pilot that the show has really blown me away (if you’ll excuse the obvious pun). The murder was only really the beginning, as the really dirty cop’s machinations were much, much deeper than originally indicated. Offing the gang-banger is one thing, but manipulating police resources in that way just seems more sinister (I’m not sure how I can say that murder is somehow less, but The Shield manages to force that thought).

Neither of those transgressions, however, were nearly as stupid as threatening Vic. He has got to know who Vic really is.… He enabled him, for all we know, he created our favorite anti-hero. Vic was able to justify fratricide in order to protect his job, I can only imagine the lengths that he would go to to protect his family. Throw in an incredibly loyal Strike Team, and Gilroy is for a world of hurt in the upcoming finale. I would bet all of the money in my pockets against all of the money in your pocket’s, dear reader, that there is no way we don’t see a dead Gilroy body by the time we get to next week’s credits (Just a preemptive warning, though, all I have in my pockets right now is lint and plastic).

Shane has got to be one of the stupidest cops I’ve seen on television, and he’s supposed to be a member of an elite unit? I have kept waiting for Vic to throw him under a fast moving luxury SUV, but, alas, I’ve been disappointed. It seems just about every single week Shane is making another ill advised decision that is on a scoreboard somewhere under “Reasons Shane is Expendable.” Selling the collar to the bail bondsman is just another bullet point on that list that will eventually, and I’m guessing sooner rather than later, will be the death of him.

Notes & Quotes

• Who doesn’t love a Veronica Mars connection, with un-credited guest star Francis Capra as the friend who “didn’t stick around?”
• Considering the import of the role, despite how short it was, I really don’t understand how he wasn’t credited.
• Redneck Shane looks amazing like Redneck Michael Weston on Burn Notice.
• Aceveda is so much more interesting as a politically motivated cop than a wrongly (?) accused rapist.
• I’m not sure that I’ve seen Carlos Mencia a (semi) dramatic role.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Sep 01, 2010 @ 17:00 EST5EDT