I am – Hercules!!
Many will be perplexed by the copious sci-fi elements Shawn Ryan is about to introduce to “The Shield” in its final two episodes. Some are going to say they don’t think Claudette’s second time jump and the identity of Vic Mackey’s “mother” make total sense when one considers what happens to the Black Mailbox. But why are we talking about an episode that won’t air for two weeks? I think I might have liked tonight’s episode even more than the fearsome “Capone” did. Beware his many spoilers:

Hello again everyone. Capone in Chicago here in Coaxial. After this week's installment (7.10), there are three episodes and counting in "The Shield's" Final Act. From this point forward if you aren't 100 percent caught up with the current season, I'm going to advise you not to read my summaries of the final episodes that I've seen (through 7.11). The final episode of "The Shield" airs November 25, and I've already started getting extremely detailed, spoiler-filled summaries from certain readers about what exactly happens in the final episode. Who lives? Who dies? If even one of these spoilery bastards is right, the final episode (7.13) is a doozy. What's funny is that some of the these people claim to have seen the final episode but not the one just before it (7.12), so they have no idea how the situations they're writing me about are actually set up. Whatever you choose to believe, this season has been a ride like no other, and perhaps the most consistently excellent season of the entire run of the show. And here's a little preview of next week's episode: Craig (HUSTLE & FLOW; BLACK SNAKE MOAN) Brewer directs what is the finest episode of the season and maybe the entire show…and there are still two more to go after his! Holy shit. Okay, here is this week's encapsulation. Title? PARTY LINE Writers? Writing partners Angela Russo and John Hlavin, who both wrote episode 7.6 this season, as well of episodes of "Day Break" and "E-Ring." Director? Gwyneth Horder-Payton, director of four previous episodes of this show (including two earlier this season), as well as episodes of "The Riches" and "Bionic Woman"; first assistant director of 33 episodes of the "The Shield." Where did we leave off? Corrine gets her nightly phone call from a pissed-off Mara. Mara is encouraged by Shane to turn herself and her still very sick son in for the sake of Jackson and a second one on the way. Vic has been arrested for carrying a gun in a hospital parking lot, where he's just missed a prime opportunity to kill Shane and Mara. Where to we pick up? Vic (clearly having cleared up the situation with the cops) and Ronnie driving around at night looking for Shane. They go to Mara's mother's house, where they find a lovely alcoholic mess of a woman but no Shane. They also go to a Mexican gang to enlist their help (for a cash reward) in finding Shane. Shane and Mara, meanwhile, are held up in an empty mansion (a la "The Riches"). In a rare moment of levity, Shane and Mara share a tender moment in the home's pool…and we get to see Shane's ass. How are Vic and Ronnie holding up? They are quickly coming to the uncomfortable realization that they may never find Shane and begin to plan for the future. Ronnie wants to run to Mexico and encourages Vic to do the same. Vic takes this opportunity to tell Ronnie about the Mexican cartel sting/deal he's got worked out with the feds. Vic begs Ronnie to give him more time: "If I fail, we'll both run." Hey, don't other cops work in the Barn too? In a moment of perfect clarity, Corrine calls Dutch and Claudette. Let's just say, she's in a talkative mood. And she wants certain things in writing regarding Vic, something to the tun of "I need Vic out of my life for good." Dutch convinces the police chief not to arrest Corrine for aiding Shane and Mara's escape and to use her to bring them in along with Mackey. Dutch and Claudette agree not to tell anyone else about this arrangement with Corrine since they aren't sure how far Vic's reach still goes in the department. How is Aceveda's campaign financing going? Aceveda shows up at Pezuela's office to show up Pezuela in front of the mysterious cartel boss that is now in his constant company. The two men actually start fighting, until Aceveda pulls a gun and makes his motives quite clear--he wants to deal with the cartel directly. Since Ronnie is still the only member of the Strike Team who is still technically a cop, he must be taking a lot of time off, right? Not really. To keep him away from Vic, Claudette pairs Ronnie with Billings. What happens when the next call from Mara comes in? Dutch and Claudette are listening in. Corrine has a few choice bits of information to tell Mara courtesy of the police. Vic actually shows up at Corrine's but leaves just before the call comes in. How does Vic secure his new post-cop position in the world? Actually he does it two-fold. He meets with the cartel boss (Beltrans) in a bar where he is given an assignment regarding Pezuela. "Show me the copy washes off of you." But Vic also meets with Agent Murray, where Vic reveals the cartel's real agenda--money laundering through legitimate businesses in California. What is Vic's mission for the cartel? To kill Pezuela. And by the end of the episode, Vic is asking Beltrans for Pezuela's old job. Are Shane and Mara discovered in their new luxurious hiding place? Oh yes, and they are soon on the run again. Do Vic and Shane speak again in this episode? Yes. And Shane has one last card up his sleeve to bury Vic if he doesn't help him get away. Oh, and he also wants $100,000 to be delivered through Corrine. Hey, does that Mexican gang that Vic hired at the beginning of the episode find Shane? As a matter of fact, they do. What I liked. I know this is going to sounds strange, but there's a twist involving Shane and Mara that reminded me so much of "The Riches," it made me laugh. It also happens to be a great twist. And Dutch continues to remind us what a beautifully written character he is. You also get the first signs that Ronnie might start to play both sides of the fence. He's keeping in mind that Vic might not be able to help him once the dust settles, and it might be good to keep Claudette close. When Mara calls Corrine back the final time in this episode to arrange for the money pickup, who's listening in? Claudette is, and when she senses the desperation in Mara's voice, she breaks into the call with an offer to Mara for ending all of this. What I liked? Haven't you been reading, motherfucker? The noose is tightening on everyone's ass. It's so much fun to watch Vic and Shane look and act as desperate as we've ever seen them, but still hold their shit together while still maneuvering like pros. How does it end? Beltrans tells Aceveda that in light of a recent death that he should run his campaign how he wants to. "Just don't lose." Claudette: "All I want from this, is Vic Mackey behind bars." Mara: "Corrine's working with the police." -- Capone capone@aintitcoolmail.com

Blu-Ray Players: $205.98!! (They Play DVDs Too!!) (Get Four Free WB Blu-Ray Discs With Purchase!!)

Three-For-Two Blu-Ray Sale!!