The brutally raw and powerful words uttered in the final episode of the equally raw and powerful seventh season of The Shield. After seven long years Vic an co. reach the end of the road; what a journey its been.
Picking up where season six left off Vic and Acevada hold an uneasy truce between them with the blackmail box in their possession. With Vic's forced retirement hearing looming ever closer he desperately hatches a plan to bring down Pezuela, to gain some significant creditability. The plan quickly becomes an entangled web drawing the Mexicans and Armenian's into a gang war as the FBI become involved. Vic and Ronnie must also contend with working with Shane again, while Claudette works to bring Mackey down as the situation quickly goes from bad to worse.
The final season sees the slow escalation of events, as all the ugly truths of the past seven years come up to the surface. Mixed in with the everyday cases of 'the Barn' season seven paints a vivid picture of scope and scale.
Michael Chiklis has always been fantastic as Vic Mackey and this season is no exception, from dealing with Shane to his daughter coming off the rails, we see Chiklis is a tremendously skilled actor; giving a tour de force performance of a man desperately clinging on to what little he has left.
Walton Goggins likewise gives an outstanding performance, particularly in the latter half of the season, where we see Shane crumbling and truly on the edge. Racked by regret and self loathing the performance proves to be truly captivating.
David Rees Snell's character Ronny has become more and more important with each passing season and the final season he proves to be an integral part. Dutch and Billings still bicker endlessly and prove some of the lighter moments of the season, Claudette struggles with her illness and her bond with Dutch is as compelling as ever. Julian, Tina and Danny are sadly relegated for most of the season, not playing a major role in the overall story, it would have been nice to seen more of them but sadly not.
The final episode "family meeting" is one of, if not the best, endings I have seen for any TV show. The final episode is The Shield at its very best, strong character driven performances and razor sharp exchanges; providing some truly unforgettable moments. The title's full bearing, apparent midway through, is all the more horrifying and hard hitting, Ronnie's and Vic's final scene is perhaps my favourite moment of the episode, with spot on performances from all the cast. And for Mackey himself? Just desserts? not quite. I wont spoil it but suffice to say the final scene devoid of any dialogue sums up the last seven years and their consequences perfectly. A truly unforgettable conclusion.
As the credits roll we are treated to photos of the past seven years, reflecting on the long road of The Shield. The show couldn't ask for a better conclusion as one of the best TV dramas ever draws to a close.
It's been one hell of a ride.