SPOILERS This is it, the climatic episode to the slow building tension between the feuding Detectives Shane and Tavon. Here's the play-by-play:
As Strike Force cohesion and effectiveness in the field are at stake, Mackey asks Tavon to "take one for the team" and be the bigger man and extend the olive branch to Shane. With a Latino Captain and a Black Police Commmissioner, Mackey recognizes the obvious placement and importance of Tavon on his team.
Its evening time Shane arrives home to see Tavon's hand on Mara's belly feeling the baby kick. She excuses herself to do the laundry so that the men can have words. The conversation starts amicably with "I think we got off on the wrong foot." However as Tavon is ready to leave Shane advises "as long as you remember your place" on the team, which to Tavon equates to "back of the bus" mentality. Shane retorts with a "I'm not losing my place in Strike Force to some darky!" The two men are now in a full out no holds barred brawl, busting through the coffee table, stereo stand, into the wall, lying on his back Shane has Tavon in a headlock, but Tavon has no choice but to bite his arm and quickly gains the upper hand leveling blows on Shane. Mara gets back and yells stop, she's ignored, she grabs the iron and one time bashes Tavon in the back of the head. It is the crippling blow. A stunned Tavon gets up and is about to attack Mara who is ready to swing her iron again. Tavon is badly hurt but decides to walk/stagger away. A crawling Shane screams get back here. This fight is over.
Tavon gets into the van and drives away. As he touches his head, which is bleeding badly, the van is swerving on the road towards oncoming traffic. His injury overcomes him and he collapses unconscious on the wheel as his van smashes full speed into a parked car.
I gotta feel for Detective Tavon who always tried to do the right thing by Mackey and the Strike Force, but truth was he was an outsider. Whether its interrupting a heated Money Train discussion, Tavon entrance to the clubhouse always stopped conversations cold, and he knew it. Conversely Shane will forever be a pitball marking his territory. And yes, in the heat of the moment things will be said that just can't be taken back and underlying racial perceptions will overpower ego which will have catastrophic results.
This episode was a powderkeg...an intense and insane explosion. And just like poor Det Ronnie Gardocki who was horribly burned in Season 2, it is Det Shane Vendrell turn to be irreparably scarred. The consequences for Shane, Mara and Mackey and the fate of Tavon are left to unfold.
As Strike Force cohesion and effectiveness in the field are at stake, Mackey asks Tavon to "take one for the team" and be the bigger man and extend the olive branch to Shane. With a Latino Captain and a Black Police Commmissioner, Mackey recognizes the obvious placement and importance of Tavon on his team.
Its evening time Shane arrives home to see Tavon's hand on Mara's belly feeling the baby kick. She excuses herself to do the laundry so that the men can have words. The conversation starts amicably with "I think we got off on the wrong foot." However as Tavon is ready to leave Shane advises "as long as you remember your place" on the team, which to Tavon equates to "back of the bus" mentality. Shane retorts with a "I'm not losing my place in Strike Force to some darky!" The two men are now in a full out no holds barred brawl, busting through the coffee table, stereo stand, into the wall, lying on his back Shane has Tavon in a headlock, but Tavon has no choice but to bite his arm and quickly gains the upper hand leveling blows on Shane. Mara gets back and yells stop, she's ignored, she grabs the iron and one time bashes Tavon in the back of the head. It is the crippling blow. A stunned Tavon gets up and is about to attack Mara who is ready to swing her iron again. Tavon is badly hurt but decides to walk/stagger away. A crawling Shane screams get back here. This fight is over.
Tavon gets into the van and drives away. As he touches his head, which is bleeding badly, the van is swerving on the road towards oncoming traffic. His injury overcomes him and he collapses unconscious on the wheel as his van smashes full speed into a parked car.
I gotta feel for Detective Tavon who always tried to do the right thing by Mackey and the Strike Force, but truth was he was an outsider. Whether its interrupting a heated Money Train discussion, Tavon entrance to the clubhouse always stopped conversations cold, and he knew it. Conversely Shane will forever be a pitball marking his territory. And yes, in the heat of the moment things will be said that just can't be taken back and underlying racial perceptions will overpower ego which will have catastrophic results.
This episode was a powderkeg...an intense and insane explosion. And just like poor Det Ronnie Gardocki who was horribly burned in Season 2, it is Det Shane Vendrell turn to be irreparably scarred. The consequences for Shane, Mara and Mackey and the fate of Tavon are left to unfold.
