This season has definitely been a lot more character focused, which I appreciate. At first I kinda went into this season expecting the wrong thing but I went back to look over them really focusing on the characters and dialogue and I realized how much the writing has improved further. There's a ton of subtext in every scene now, and the characters are being more fleshed out than ever. I really appreciate how it took a while to get the strike team back together, but they're still not truly together. Every scene between them has so much tension. When Lem confronts Shane about the girl it was a great scene. I definitely feel bad for what Shane has gotten himself into despite everything he's done. Antwon could've been a bit silly, and he says some silly stuff but it surprisingly works, and is tightening the noose around Shane. The way the plot connects between the characters despite not being together anymore is great. I love how the characters feel like they've matured. Shane is still dirty, but it seems like he's starting to realize his actions. This is probably the least corrupt Vic has been in a while. Vic is really trying to remedy things between himself and Shane, vouching and protecting him, even if it's hurting Vic. He's struggling to accept what Lem's telling him that does make sense, but he doesn't want to make the mistake of breaking Shane's trust by not believing him even if it's the only thing that makes sense in the moment. Shane has definitely matured more too, he isn't as impulsive as he was before, but you can tell the greed is still in there. I love when they find the money in the back of the trunk Shane is the last one to leave, he really wanted that. Something I love about this season is how we get to see more of the past of the characters through subtext. Like Shane is obviously grooming Army to corruption like Vic did to Shane. In a way I think Shane probably felt used by Vic so he's coping by doing the same thing Vic to did, but to Army. However, the difference is that Vic is a lot more thoughtful and controlled. He made a loyal partner with Shane despite what happened last season, but I don't think Army has the same relationship with Shane. All of this makes that final scene of the Vic now deciding to go against Shane a chilling cliff hanger. The way they've written the characters has simply been very compelling, and I haven't mentioned the rest of the characters yet.
Rawling is a great addition to the cast. Though she's obviously a seasonal character, I'm really enjoying her so far. Glenn Close is a great actress, and this episode we get a bit more of her character. She's clearly righteous and tries to be pragmatic, or at least she tries to be, but she doesn't seem to really get the effect her seizures will have on the community though, which is where Julien comes in later. The scene between her and Vic is another strong one as she's starting to doubt Vic despite his results. This is just setting up for what I think will be very strong drama. We get to see the repercussions of Dutch and Claudette's partnership last episode as she finds out he was making her do favors for the D. A. to get better cases. That was a great scene, loved it, CCH Pounder completely sells all the outbursts. She's basically ignoring Dutch and only speaking to him when necessary. Obviously Claudette is a lot more morally righteous, and it was so funny how Dutch related the case they were doing to Claudette, "She pulled the moral high ground s*** on you didn't she?" and the suspect responds with "One thing I hate is a self righteous b****." I love how Dutch justified it with, "You did what you had to do. She left your no choice." The look on Claudette's face says it all. The next scene really hits though.
"I can't believe you're still freezing me out." "I can't believe you sold me out." Unfortunately Danni and Julien haven't had that much to do recently, but I like what they've been doing with Julien being one of the only people going against Rawling in the barn, and showing the perspective of minorities on the seizures. The raid on the church is a great scene that will surely have consequences. Julien's reaction to it is great. All in all this was the episode where I really started to see things come together and build towards something that I think will be amazing.
Rawling is a great addition to the cast. Though she's obviously a seasonal character, I'm really enjoying her so far. Glenn Close is a great actress, and this episode we get a bit more of her character. She's clearly righteous and tries to be pragmatic, or at least she tries to be, but she doesn't seem to really get the effect her seizures will have on the community though, which is where Julien comes in later. The scene between her and Vic is another strong one as she's starting to doubt Vic despite his results. This is just setting up for what I think will be very strong drama. We get to see the repercussions of Dutch and Claudette's partnership last episode as she finds out he was making her do favors for the D. A. to get better cases. That was a great scene, loved it, CCH Pounder completely sells all the outbursts. She's basically ignoring Dutch and only speaking to him when necessary. Obviously Claudette is a lot more morally righteous, and it was so funny how Dutch related the case they were doing to Claudette, "She pulled the moral high ground s*** on you didn't she?" and the suspect responds with "One thing I hate is a self righteous b****." I love how Dutch justified it with, "You did what you had to do. She left your no choice." The look on Claudette's face says it all. The next scene really hits though.
"I can't believe you're still freezing me out." "I can't believe you sold me out." Unfortunately Danni and Julien haven't had that much to do recently, but I like what they've been doing with Julien being one of the only people going against Rawling in the barn, and showing the perspective of minorities on the seizures. The raid on the church is a great scene that will surely have consequences. Julien's reaction to it is great. All in all this was the episode where I really started to see things come together and build towards something that I think will be amazing.
