Grave (22 Mar. 2005)

Director:

Paris Barclay

Writers:

Shawn Ryan (creator), Kurt Sutter

Stars:

Michael Chiklis, Glenn Close, Catherine Dent

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Chiklis	...	Detective Vic Mackey
Glenn Close	...	Captain Monica Rawling
Catherine Dent	...	Officer Danni Sofer
Walton Goggins	...	Detective Shane Vendrell
Michael Jace	...	Officer Julien Lowe
Kenny Johnson	...	Detective Curtis Lemansky (as Kenneth Johnson)
Jay Karnes	...	Detective Holland Wagenbach
Benito Martinez	...	Captain David Aceveda
CCH Pounder	...	Detective Claudette Wyms
Cathy Cahlin Ryan	...	Corrine Mackey
David Rees Snell	...	Detective Ronnie Gardocki
Michael Peña	...	Detective Armando Renta
Anna Maria Horsford	...	A.D.A. Beth Encardi
Laurence Mason	...	Halpern White
Alex Fernandez	...	Bob Mamyn

Storyline

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 2005 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

MiddKid Productions, Sony Pictures Television, Fox Television Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

44 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the Men's bathroom is being worked on, you can see GANNON SAT HERE written on the wall. This is a reference to Det. Tom Gannon who was in the Barn at the beginning, but the Men's Room never worked while Gannon was there.

---

Connections

References Taxicab Confessions (1995)

---

Soundtracks

"Amazing Grace"
(uncredited)
by Dropkick Murphys
(end montage song)

User Reviews

Another strong episode to follow up the premiere

I had a feeling that after what I thought was probably the best season premiere for The Shield that the second episode wouldn't be able to live up to it. I was quite wrong.

This episode really throws a lot at the audience all at once, which is a fantastic way to keep the pace nice and taut, while still leaving room for character development, something which I found at times to be missing in previous seasons. Just the opening sequence alone is a real shocker - Ben Gilroy has been found dead; just seeing Vic react to his dirty appearance and hearing how he ungraciously died is very good.

The episode continues to expand and develop Glen Close's character, Monica Rawling - someone who seems vastly different compared to Aceveda. She appears quite easy going as she begins making changes in the Barn, finally getting the men's toilets fixed after a funny little scene with Dutch. It'll be very interesting to see what other changes she'll make over the course of the season and whether she'll be able to handle just what the Barn throws at her.

Aceveda leaves the Barn still outwardly appearing to be an a-hole but deep down we see he's been deeply scarred and disturbed. Hopefully his wife won't find the video tape he stole...Something also tells me this won't be the last we see of Aceveda - I think he'll still pop up from time to time to be a pain in the neck to Vic and now maybe even Monica.

The way we see Shane acting at the end of the episode gives me the impression that unless Vic intervenes, he'll end up aggravating the wrong dude and will go down for it. Season 4 is now off to a fantastic start!