This is still a badass series. This and wire vere gamechanger to copseries. Without these series True detective season one didn't happen.
4 Reviews
Still watching 2019
matiasbockerman19 August 2019
Amazing season finale for a nearly amazing season!
EddyTheMartian00712 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is definitely the best finale of the first 4 seasons as it executed the plot side and character side of the finale greatly. With increasing tensions between the cops and the people leading to cop killings set up in last episode, it's still shockingly relevant today almost 2 decades later. The episode is very intense knowing that cops are being targeted and it could mean one of our characters could die. Danni and Julien finding those dead cops and being shot at was a great moment that really sets up the stakes of the episode. I like how everyone is involved, usually the different group characters are doing their own thing, so when they all come together it feels extra impactful. Everyone's arcs is culminating strongly here. For example Julien and Danni finally accepting their partnership. There's some classic moments like when Vic breaks through a fence to catch a witness, what a beast.
Vic is getting hit in every direction. This entire season we see Vic dealing with his growing corruption and the consequences to it. Obviously he's been corrupt for a while now, but with the shocking pilot (one of my favorite episodes) going as far as to kill a cop, it seems he's finally pulled the band too hard and it's going to snap. He's dealing with the cop killings, hiding his own corruption, his familial issues, and Gilroy. I love the way they've utilized Gilroy this season, almost as an example to Vic about what he has become and what's coming to him. I think this show in a way challenges the audience to view their thoughts on cops and the power they have. Like are we going to accept them abusing power because they're "protecting" us, but what about the people they don't protect and hurt because of this. Definitely very interesting questions being presented here. I also like how it shows the way people in power like Gilroy might use crime to benefit them, like with Gilroy's real estate plan. This show just has so many great examples of corruption in our real world.
Aceveda is another great character who's been pushing against Vic, he's one of my favorites, and I love his arc this season slowly being seduced by Vic to the "dark side." Sure he's more or less doing the right thing, he's definitely one of the more morally righteous characters, but through small seeds of corruption planted it'll surely grow in Aceveda later on. I love how a lot of this season explains many of the characters pasts through their actions in the future, like we can see how much Vic manipulates people around him, and clues into how he got to this place. As well as how he likely perverted Shane to this level. This show just doesn't stop and keeps ramping of the intensity even further with the barn even being shot at and adding copy cat killers to the mix. Aceveda once again shows his good side and stops the shooter from doing something worse.
This episode greatly encapsulates Vic's arc for the season as he continually pushes it too far because of all the pressure around and himself, but is still trying to be better as he notices the consequences for his actions. I think Vic this season is really trying to make up for Terry's killing, that's probably the first truly evil thing he has done, so this is why he's trying to "redeem" himself, by slowly TRYING stopping his corruption, and helping out some people like Connie that make him feel better about himself for all the other things he has done. We have more brutal scenes as Vic interrogates and tortures one of the cop killers by using the pin on one of the dead cop's badges to stab into him, poetic. Sure the kid's a cop killer but this scene is quite sad too as his dad sold him out for drugs, and his cries from the stabbing are quite hard to watch too. I think this show puts the audience in a tough position having the audience question the relationship between cops and people. Obviously the abuse power can help in the "greater good," but It's showing how it's a cycle of violence as these cop killings come in part because of that abuse. It's a delicate balance that our real world still doesn't have, and this show is seemingly trying to examine. Dutch and Claudette's interrogation with him was another really great scene. Dutch and Claudette seemed like some characters most people wouldn't really care that much about compared to the other more action packed characters, but they're such great characters, and very well acted too. Dutch is another one of my favorite characters.
The shootout when they finally find the cop killers is another intense scene and a great way action shows the characters. Aceveda saves Vic, the guy he's been trying to take down the entire season, from one of the shooters. It perfectly shows not only his morals, but where he's siding now. The final confrontation with Vic and Gilroy brings Vic's arc all together and is another seriously intense scene as we don't know wether Vic is going to kill Gilroy or let him go. There's so many layers to it because Gilroy was Vic's friend, and he betrayed Vic. It also show's hints at Shane's future character as he offers to kill Gilroy. Definitely one of the best scenes in the first season and quite a revelatory one. It's finally revealed he spares him, and Vic is seemingly is trying to be better, but it's too late, the band snaps, and his first real consequence is here, losing his family. This is the perfect way to show that Vic's actions have consequences, and he is not a good person, in fact he's more bad then good. Too many antihero-like shows wait too late to show consequences or don't ever, which makes it seem like it's justifying the protagonist, but it shouldn't.
Nowadays this type of storyline is more common but it's important to realize this is one of the first shows to have a character and storyline like this, along with The Sopranos, which is why I'm going to be slightly lenient with this season. The relationship between Vic and his wife could've definitely been more developed, but considering this was the first show (as far as I know) to do this storyline in this way, even before the Sopranos did it, it works, and it's quite devastating for Vic.
I think this scene is a little bit over dramatic with the music and Vic holding his heart. Despite Michael Chiklis winning an Emmy, I definitely feel his performance, while still being great, wasn't nearly as good as some of the other prestigious anti-hero TV shows in the future. However his performance improves every season in the future, and easily gets to that level, so that's definitely nice. Vic Mackey is one of my favorite characters in TV now, and definitely deserves to be compared to the likes of Tony Soprano, and Walter White.
Something I love about this show is how almost every element improves as the show goes on, and you can definitely tell that already a little in this season. The camera work can be rough at times, though I don't mind it and I like the dynamic movements, zoom ins, etc. But I agree doesn't look as nice or polished as many other shows. However, you can definitely tell they're trying harder to make it look nice and more cinematic in this episode, with the lighting and framing in some scenes. This is another aspect of the show that improves further as it goes on, which is again nice.
Overall this was just an amazing finale that brought the plot and characters together in a brilliant way, rounding off everyone's arcs and setting up for an even better season. This season is a bit more episodic than the future seasons, which weakens it a little bit, but it was still a really great season of TV and already with just one season one of the best cop TV shows ever. It's a very raw show, reflecting so much corruption from our real world and intimacies of these characters that feel so real. Some of them could definitely use more development, but they're all still very well written and so authentic it's not really as big of an issue as it could be in other shows. I just love how much this show exposes, and despite such darkness and brutality that could be depressing, it manages to sprinkle in some great dark comedy, and exciting action. The performances are great and I love how it balances the characters, having both mortally good and bad ones, yet rooting for all of them. This already has become one of my favorite shows, and I can't wait to watch more of it. By today's standards I'd probably give the show closer to an 8.7/10, but since this show did many things first and was so impactful and influential, I think it deserves some leniency, so I'm going to give it an 8.9/10. Almost amazing, but a few flaws bring it down.
Vic is getting hit in every direction. This entire season we see Vic dealing with his growing corruption and the consequences to it. Obviously he's been corrupt for a while now, but with the shocking pilot (one of my favorite episodes) going as far as to kill a cop, it seems he's finally pulled the band too hard and it's going to snap. He's dealing with the cop killings, hiding his own corruption, his familial issues, and Gilroy. I love the way they've utilized Gilroy this season, almost as an example to Vic about what he has become and what's coming to him. I think this show in a way challenges the audience to view their thoughts on cops and the power they have. Like are we going to accept them abusing power because they're "protecting" us, but what about the people they don't protect and hurt because of this. Definitely very interesting questions being presented here. I also like how it shows the way people in power like Gilroy might use crime to benefit them, like with Gilroy's real estate plan. This show just has so many great examples of corruption in our real world.
Aceveda is another great character who's been pushing against Vic, he's one of my favorites, and I love his arc this season slowly being seduced by Vic to the "dark side." Sure he's more or less doing the right thing, he's definitely one of the more morally righteous characters, but through small seeds of corruption planted it'll surely grow in Aceveda later on. I love how a lot of this season explains many of the characters pasts through their actions in the future, like we can see how much Vic manipulates people around him, and clues into how he got to this place. As well as how he likely perverted Shane to this level. This show just doesn't stop and keeps ramping of the intensity even further with the barn even being shot at and adding copy cat killers to the mix. Aceveda once again shows his good side and stops the shooter from doing something worse.
This episode greatly encapsulates Vic's arc for the season as he continually pushes it too far because of all the pressure around and himself, but is still trying to be better as he notices the consequences for his actions. I think Vic this season is really trying to make up for Terry's killing, that's probably the first truly evil thing he has done, so this is why he's trying to "redeem" himself, by slowly TRYING stopping his corruption, and helping out some people like Connie that make him feel better about himself for all the other things he has done. We have more brutal scenes as Vic interrogates and tortures one of the cop killers by using the pin on one of the dead cop's badges to stab into him, poetic. Sure the kid's a cop killer but this scene is quite sad too as his dad sold him out for drugs, and his cries from the stabbing are quite hard to watch too. I think this show puts the audience in a tough position having the audience question the relationship between cops and people. Obviously the abuse power can help in the "greater good," but It's showing how it's a cycle of violence as these cop killings come in part because of that abuse. It's a delicate balance that our real world still doesn't have, and this show is seemingly trying to examine. Dutch and Claudette's interrogation with him was another really great scene. Dutch and Claudette seemed like some characters most people wouldn't really care that much about compared to the other more action packed characters, but they're such great characters, and very well acted too. Dutch is another one of my favorite characters.
The shootout when they finally find the cop killers is another intense scene and a great way action shows the characters. Aceveda saves Vic, the guy he's been trying to take down the entire season, from one of the shooters. It perfectly shows not only his morals, but where he's siding now. The final confrontation with Vic and Gilroy brings Vic's arc all together and is another seriously intense scene as we don't know wether Vic is going to kill Gilroy or let him go. There's so many layers to it because Gilroy was Vic's friend, and he betrayed Vic. It also show's hints at Shane's future character as he offers to kill Gilroy. Definitely one of the best scenes in the first season and quite a revelatory one. It's finally revealed he spares him, and Vic is seemingly is trying to be better, but it's too late, the band snaps, and his first real consequence is here, losing his family. This is the perfect way to show that Vic's actions have consequences, and he is not a good person, in fact he's more bad then good. Too many antihero-like shows wait too late to show consequences or don't ever, which makes it seem like it's justifying the protagonist, but it shouldn't.
Nowadays this type of storyline is more common but it's important to realize this is one of the first shows to have a character and storyline like this, along with The Sopranos, which is why I'm going to be slightly lenient with this season. The relationship between Vic and his wife could've definitely been more developed, but considering this was the first show (as far as I know) to do this storyline in this way, even before the Sopranos did it, it works, and it's quite devastating for Vic.
I think this scene is a little bit over dramatic with the music and Vic holding his heart. Despite Michael Chiklis winning an Emmy, I definitely feel his performance, while still being great, wasn't nearly as good as some of the other prestigious anti-hero TV shows in the future. However his performance improves every season in the future, and easily gets to that level, so that's definitely nice. Vic Mackey is one of my favorite characters in TV now, and definitely deserves to be compared to the likes of Tony Soprano, and Walter White.
Something I love about this show is how almost every element improves as the show goes on, and you can definitely tell that already a little in this season. The camera work can be rough at times, though I don't mind it and I like the dynamic movements, zoom ins, etc. But I agree doesn't look as nice or polished as many other shows. However, you can definitely tell they're trying harder to make it look nice and more cinematic in this episode, with the lighting and framing in some scenes. This is another aspect of the show that improves further as it goes on, which is again nice.
Overall this was just an amazing finale that brought the plot and characters together in a brilliant way, rounding off everyone's arcs and setting up for an even better season. This season is a bit more episodic than the future seasons, which weakens it a little bit, but it was still a really great season of TV and already with just one season one of the best cop TV shows ever. It's a very raw show, reflecting so much corruption from our real world and intimacies of these characters that feel so real. Some of them could definitely use more development, but they're all still very well written and so authentic it's not really as big of an issue as it could be in other shows. I just love how much this show exposes, and despite such darkness and brutality that could be depressing, it manages to sprinkle in some great dark comedy, and exciting action. The performances are great and I love how it balances the characters, having both mortally good and bad ones, yet rooting for all of them. This already has become one of my favorite shows, and I can't wait to watch more of it. By today's standards I'd probably give the show closer to an 8.7/10, but since this show did many things first and was so impactful and influential, I think it deserves some leniency, so I'm going to give it an 8.9/10. Almost amazing, but a few flaws bring it down.
Circles (#1.13)
ComedyFan201015 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
And so the first season ends. And it ends in a pretty good way.
All the cop killing was a great story line. It even fits today's events with BLM scandals and some people going after cops as a sort of revenge. Was interesting to watch this show that was done more than 10 years ago have the same idea. Although now the media would rather have us be on the side of cop killers. The killings were pretty dramatic as well as finding them.
The conflict between Vic and Ben was also great, especially how they both tried to involve Acevada in it. Ben's arrest was a great scene. So was Vic coming home and dealing with the fact that his wife left with their children because of the events.
So let's see what comes in the next season with Ben's arrest and also the elections.
All the cop killing was a great story line. It even fits today's events with BLM scandals and some people going after cops as a sort of revenge. Was interesting to watch this show that was done more than 10 years ago have the same idea. Although now the media would rather have us be on the side of cop killers. The killings were pretty dramatic as well as finding them.
The conflict between Vic and Ben was also great, especially how they both tried to involve Acevada in it. Ben's arrest was a great scene. So was Vic coming home and dealing with the fact that his wife left with their children because of the events.
So let's see what comes in the next season with Ben's arrest and also the elections.
We saw again how dirty vic is.
CursedChico18 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
We saw again how dirty vic is.
Protecting their criminal friends. Most of the cops are corrupted. Even julien lied 2 times.
The police attacker groups. Those groups are not same as the ones selling drugs, like gangster groups? I dont think so. Because attacking cops are political thing. Those drug sellers are not in a political thing. I guess so.
Even "latino"s came for solidarity to attack the police station. They were busted, i think it was not so realistic. Noone can catch them so fast.
I wish both Aceveda and vic were arrested. Both killed people. Both are not innocent. And like a joke, vic says to gilroy "i am not like you."
Vic, you killed your friend and coworker :) you were worst than gilroy :)
Maybe gilroy can expose vic. Because gilroy closed the case before.
Now i will move to another series because i watch series by season by season.
Season review:
After finishing malcolm in the middle series season 1 on 131220, I came here for first season. I watch series season by season.
I needed to watch a season of drama, crime. I hope i can enjoy :)
I will edit this sometimes.
I copied this from series review.
I like the acting of Walton Goggins in justified. It was in 2010. This is in 2002. Very before :)
EDIT ON 181220 AFTER SEASON FINALE I wish both Aceveda and vic were arrested. Both killed people. Both are not innocent. And like a joke, vic says to gilroy "i am not like you." Vic, you killed your friend and coworker :) you weo e worst than gilroy :) Now i will move to another series because i watch series by season by season. I did not like so much. Because a monster cop was tried to shown as innocent. He is not. He has good relationships with drugdealers, this is a good thing but he lets them kill each other and he killed terry, and he blackmailled julien two times for his sexuality. And they use violence mostly before arresting and after. And vic and shane are racist :)
I watch series season by season so now i will move to another series.
SEASON REVIEW: After finishing malcolm in the middle series season 1 on 131220, I came here for first season. I watch series season by season.
I needed to watch a season of drama, crime. I hope i can enjoy :)
I will edit this sometimes.
I copied this from series review.
I like the acting of Walton Goggins in justified. It was in 2010. This is in 2002. Very before :)
EDIT ON 181220 AFTER SEASON FINALE I wish both Aceveda and vic were arrested. Both killed people. Both are not innocent. And like a joke, vic says to gilroy "i am not like you." Vic, you killed your friend and coworker :) you weo e worst than gilroy :) Now i will move to another series because i watch series by season by season. I did not like so much. Because a monster cop was tried to shown as innocent. He is not. He has good relationships with drugdealers, this is a good thing but he lets them kill each other and he killed terry, and he blackmailled julien two times for his sexuality. And they use violence mostly before arresting and after. And vic and shane are racist :) That is why i give 4/10
I watch series season by season so now i will move to another series.
Protecting their criminal friends. Most of the cops are corrupted. Even julien lied 2 times.
The police attacker groups. Those groups are not same as the ones selling drugs, like gangster groups? I dont think so. Because attacking cops are political thing. Those drug sellers are not in a political thing. I guess so.
Even "latino"s came for solidarity to attack the police station. They were busted, i think it was not so realistic. Noone can catch them so fast.
I wish both Aceveda and vic were arrested. Both killed people. Both are not innocent. And like a joke, vic says to gilroy "i am not like you."
Vic, you killed your friend and coworker :) you were worst than gilroy :)
Maybe gilroy can expose vic. Because gilroy closed the case before.
Now i will move to another series because i watch series by season by season.
Season review:
After finishing malcolm in the middle series season 1 on 131220, I came here for first season. I watch series season by season.
I needed to watch a season of drama, crime. I hope i can enjoy :)
I will edit this sometimes.
I copied this from series review.
I like the acting of Walton Goggins in justified. It was in 2010. This is in 2002. Very before :)
EDIT ON 181220 AFTER SEASON FINALE I wish both Aceveda and vic were arrested. Both killed people. Both are not innocent. And like a joke, vic says to gilroy "i am not like you." Vic, you killed your friend and coworker :) you weo e worst than gilroy :) Now i will move to another series because i watch series by season by season. I did not like so much. Because a monster cop was tried to shown as innocent. He is not. He has good relationships with drugdealers, this is a good thing but he lets them kill each other and he killed terry, and he blackmailled julien two times for his sexuality. And they use violence mostly before arresting and after. And vic and shane are racist :)
I watch series season by season so now i will move to another series.
SEASON REVIEW: After finishing malcolm in the middle series season 1 on 131220, I came here for first season. I watch series season by season.
I needed to watch a season of drama, crime. I hope i can enjoy :)
I will edit this sometimes.
I copied this from series review.
I like the acting of Walton Goggins in justified. It was in 2010. This is in 2002. Very before :)
EDIT ON 181220 AFTER SEASON FINALE I wish both Aceveda and vic were arrested. Both killed people. Both are not innocent. And like a joke, vic says to gilroy "i am not like you." Vic, you killed your friend and coworker :) you weo e worst than gilroy :) Now i will move to another series because i watch series by season by season. I did not like so much. Because a monster cop was tried to shown as innocent. He is not. He has good relationships with drugdealers, this is a good thing but he lets them kill each other and he killed terry, and he blackmailled julien two times for his sexuality. And they use violence mostly before arresting and after. And vic and shane are racist :) That is why i give 4/10
I watch series season by season so now i will move to another series.
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