| Dominoes Falling | |
|---|---|
| |
| Season 2, Episode 13 | |
| Airdate: | April 1, 2003 |
| Actual length | 49:55 |
| Production Code: | 5012-02-213 |
| Written by | Shawn Ryan |
| Directed by | Scott Brazil |
| Previous: | "Breakpoint" |
| Next: | "Playing Tight" |
"Dominoes Falling" is the thirteenth episode of Season 2 of The Shield and the Season 2 finale. It was originally broadcast on April 1, 2003. The previously on segment is voiced by Michael Chiklis.
Synopsis[]
As he struggles to keep his job, Vic pushes ahead with a new plan to hijack a mob money shipment.
Plot[]
Shane Vendrell confronts Corrine Mackey at her house on having Vic Mackey arrested. She asks him to leave, and he asks her to leave Vic alone. Shane bails Vic out the next morning, who admonishes him for going after Corrine. Ronnie Gardocki and Curtis Lemansky inform Vic that they have not found the money train's new location, but have the name of the previous site's owner: Armin Chorekian. He orders Shane and Lem to find him and insists that they are stealing from people who made the money through much worse means. As the primary votes open, David Aceveda is asked by reporters about putting up the Strike Team and himself for firing, which he subtly spins as a noble act on his part.
Tom Bankston meets with Vic to discuss Aceveda's attempt to have him fired. He informs him that Aceveda is no longer captain after the primaries regardless of what happens and allows him to stay, but warns him to keep the team straight. Vic confronts Aceveda, who ignores him and tells him to stick to his desk for the day, contradicting Bankston's order to take to the streets. He ignores this and tells Aceveda that it's "been nice knowing you" as they walk away.
Shane and Lem observe Chorekian making his third phone call in a short span of time. Aceveda informs Claudette Wyms that her ex-husband, Jeff Franklin, has been murdered. He gives the case to Dutch Wagenbach and calls a pair of detectives to his office, presumably to be fired. Claudette arrives on the scene to find her and Franklin's distraught daughter Bonnie. Danny Sofer explains to Dutch that Bonnie is the only witness, and he asks her to press the medical examiner to release the body as soon as possible.
Chorekian is rear-ended by another car, and as they argue about insurance, he notices Shane and Lem behind them and asks them to be witnesses. Shane gives him a fake identity and he leaves. Vic is annoyed to learn that everything is calm, and he explains to Tavon Garris that they need to prove their worth to Bankston. Tavon mentions Dutch's homicide case and Vic approaches him for details. Dutch explains that Bonnie witnessed a black man approach them, say something she could not make out, and kill Franklin. Bonnie looks through mugshots, and Claudette asks her to tell her first if she identifies the shooter, not wanting her to be dragged into a high-profile court case. Danny confronts Paul Jackson and Ray Carlson, having correctly suspected that they called Julien Lowe's house and outed him to Randall Lowe. She warns them to quit or she will take action.
Vic's informant Herman tells him that with the Torrucos dead, several gangs, including the E-Park Johnnies, have become more active. He notes that the Johnnies were talking about throwing an "April Fools' party." Vic confirms with Bonnie that the shooter said something similar to "Johnny says April Fools" and Claudette stops him from talking to her father. He and Tavon explain to Dutch that the Johnnies used to be extremely prominent until Mexican and Compton gangs made them obsolete. He notes that, according to Joe Clark, the Johnnies would throw their April Fools' parties, where they would kill one person for every member that died that year, choosing the shooters via a drawing of dominoes. Claudette overhears this and tells them that Dutch will take care of it. Vic orders Tavon to identify the Johnnies killed in the current year and to find the address of their leader, Lops. He finds Shane and Lem in the Clubhouse, asking them where "Radiohead" is holed up when they mention getting Chorekian's number. The Strike Team go to him, as he is a man who can trace cell phones, and Ronnie stays behind to trace Chorekian's.
Jackson and Carlson call Julien a hypocrite for beating Frank Gilmore, and he threatens to kill them if they call Randall again. Julien attacks Jackson when he implies Julien may have molested Randall and has to be pulled off him. Dutch reluctantly informs Claudette that Bonnie was being vague about what she and Franklin were doing, and the area they were in is known for its drug trade. He notes that Franklin had been using drugs since his divorce, which she was aware of. She asks Bonnie what they were doing in the neighborhood, which she edges around. Ronnie returns to the Barn, having triangulated Chorekian's position and orders the Strike Team to do recon on the site. Tavon enters with Lops's address as the rest of the Strike Team leaves him and Vic.
Tavon threatens Lops with a gun.
Aurora Aceveda informs her husband that his interview is playing very well with voters. He calls another officer into his office. The Strike Team call Vic to inform him that the new money train location is very similar to thee last one, meaning the plan is still viable. Lem is somewhat hesitant, but all of them are still in. Vic and Tavon bust into Lops's house, noticing the dominoes on his table and noting that three of their men died that year. When Lops refuses to talk, Tavon puts one bullet in his gun and spins the chamber before putting it to his head. He continues to pull the trigger when he continues to hold out, and he agrees to talk if Tavon puts the gun down.
Aceveda meets with Julien about the fight, telling him to file a complaint while he is still captain, though Julien refuses. Jackson and Carlson notice him leaving Aceveda's office. A squad car arrives to take Lops away, and Vic asks Tavon to go with them, needing to take his car somewhere else. Lops smugly tells Vic that Charlie, another shooter, is already looking for his victim at a nearby fair. He has the officers take Lops and orders Tavon to pull the car around, calling Lem to warn him that he will be late. Vic insists that they planned for a three person job in case one of them was out and promises to be there when he can. Lem is aware that the backup plan was made because of him, but Ronnie insists it was only a backup. Shane wants to wait until Vic arrives, but Lem and Ronnie agree that they need to stick to the schedule. Ronnie drives the truck onto the site while Shane and Lem hide in the dumpster he picks up, hopping out as he sets it down and drives off.
Vic shows a squadron of officers a picture of Charlie he took from Lops's house, and they survey the fair. Vic spots Charlie, who starts to run as he realizes the cops are onto him. Vic and Tavon corner and catch him and find the domino that marks him as a shooter in his pocket. Tavon offers to take care of the paperwork as Vic leaves in a hurry. As Shane and Lem wait for the last vans to arrive with the money, an Armenian man arrives and finds one of the workers stealing money, killing him and his accomplice before leaving. Knowing that no one was supposed to die and the plan has been ruined, Shane tries to call Ronnie but Lem points out that there is no cell service. Danny reports Jackson and Carlson's behavior to Aceveda. He thanks her, but tells her that she is on Bankston's list. She tries to implicate the Strike Team for Armadillo Quintero's murder, but Aceveda tells her that no one is investigating it.
As the Armenians stash their money in barrels, Ronnie arrives in the Strike Team's van. Despite their concerns, Shane and Lem mask up and the three rush in, where Dach, an Armenian, is accidentally shot in the leg by one of his comrades. The final van arrives but flees when the driver notices the robbery, only for an arriving Vic to shoot out its tire. Vic and Lem agree that they need to do something about Dach. They blindfold him and inform him that they plan to stash some of the money in his house, framing him as a traitor and forcing him to leave town after they take him to the hospital to get his leg fixed. As Dutch shows Bonnie a lineup and asks if the shooter is amongst them, Claudette pulls him aside and warns him that she does not want Bonnie involved if the case goes to trial. Putting her trust in Dutch to keep Bonnie protected, Claudette allows her to identify Boxer, a man from the lineup. With Dutch having found the domino on him and the third shooter, he insists he is innocent and that his associate Mouser is the guilty one.
Tavon asks a returning Vic if he made his appointment and that the other two shooters were arrested. Danny tells him that she has been fired and accuses him of being at fault. He confronts Aceveda, who tells him that the firing is set unless he has any information about Armadillo's death. When Vic remains silent, Aceveda expresses regret over firing her and leaves. Dutch relays Boxer's information to Mouser, who insists that Boxer wanted to be the first to kill and that he shot Franklin. He tells Dutch he will give up where Boxer hid his gun. Vic boasts his responsibility in catching the shooters, which Claudette does not negate his misconduct. She subtly declares intent to become captain.
As Danny packs up her things, Jackson and Carlson storm into the locker room, having both been fired and blaming Julien. At his campaign office, Aceveda thanks his supporters and Aurora.
Julien hurries to Danny as she leaves and thanks her for everything. She warns him to be careful and embraces him before leaving. Vic and Shane plant the money in Dach's house. As they do, they see on the news that Aceveda won the primary. Bonnie admits that Franklin was stopped to pick up flowers for his new fiancee, which Claudette was unaware of, and that he had beaten his addiction. She claims she did not tell Claudette because she has seemed lonely lately and did not want to upset her.
Julien tells his family about Danny's firing and Vanessa Lowe promises to help her if they can. As he takes the garbage outside, Carlson, Jackson, and their friends throw a blanket over him and beat him. Vic knocks on Corrine's door, who tells him and Shane to leave her alone. He convinces her to let him in and he apologizes for his recent behavior, promising he will take care of his family financially. He asks her to tell their children he loves them and to set up a meeting with Huell before leaving. Corrine locks the door behind him.
Lem, Vic and Shane look at the stolen money.
Randall discovers a bloodied Julien, Danny visits a shooting range, Claudette leaves the Barn with Bonnie, Aceveda revels in his win with Aurora and his supporters, and Dutch observes the aftermath of the money train robbery. Vic finds that the Strike Team has laid the enormous amount of money out on a table in their lot and is initially elated, but notices their solemn stares and soon joins them.
Episode credits[]
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey
- Catherine Dent as Officer Danny Sofer
- Walton Goggins as Detective Shane Vendrell
- Michael Jace as Officer Julien Lowe
- Kenneth Johnson as Detective Curtis Lemansky
- Jay Karnes as Detective Dutch Wagenbach
- Benito Martinez as Captain David Aceveda
- and CCH Pounder as Detective Claudette Wyms
Guest starring[]
- Ron Canada as Chief of Police Tom Bankston
- Brian White as Detective Tavon Garris
- Cathy Cahlin Ryan as Corrine Mackey
- David Rees Snell as Detective Ronnie Gardocki
- Monnae Michaell as Vanessa
- Camillia Sanes as Aurora Aceveda
- Frank Grillo as Officer Paul Jackson
- Tracie Thoms as Bonnie Wyms
Co-starring[]
- Matt Corboy as Officer Ray Carlson
- T.J. Hall as Randall
- Dominic Comperatore as Dach
- Herzl Tobey as Armin Chorekian
- Gilbert Glenn Brown as Lops
- Darris Love as Boxer
- Jonathan Roger Neal as Mouser
- Mario Larraza as Herman
- Ric Sarabia as Radiohead
- Rick Garcia as Newscaster
- Lancer Dean Shull as Nice Guy
- Brett Stimely as Reporter #1
- Michele Gregory as Reporter #2
Uncredited[]
Production staff[]
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Featured Music[]
- Daniel Ash - Trouble
- Plays near the Radiohead's crib
- Grand Drive - Firefly
- Ronnie driving into the spot with the garbage truck
- Littles, Big Noyd - Ghetto Starzz
- Plays in the apartment when Tavon rolls the revolver barrel
- Cabula - Poder de la mujer
- Heard when Vic and Tavon chase after the shooter in the fairy
- Nailah Porter - The Scene
- Heard when Julien talks to Vanessa in the kitchen
- Live - Overcome
- Heard during the final scene montage.
Episode Title[]
The title might refer to the E-Park Johnnies ceremony of drawing dominoes to see who will go out to kill civilians. However, the dominoes reference might be an analogy to the consequences of the Strike Team hit on the Armenian Money Train, which will be felt during the following seasons.
Notes[]
- International airdates:
- Germany: April 29, 2006
- France: September 19, 2007
- This episode is the season finale of The Shield's second season.
- When Detective Vic Mackey finds out that Shane Vendrell went to talk with Corrine at night, he refers to him as "Jethro", possibly a reference to Jethro Bodine, an ignorant character in The Beverly Hillbillies.
- According to Captain David Aceveda, he had orders to fire 27 people. The only employees of the Barn that were confirmed to be fired on-screen were Officers Paul Jackson, Ray Carlson, and Danny Sofer. Detectives Brent Kirkland, Marlon, and Officer Randy were called up to Aceveda's office as well, which implies that they were fired as well.
- When Armin Chorekian asks Shane his name, he tells him it's "Cletus Van Damme", possibly taken from popular action movie star, Jean-Claude Van Damme. "Cletus" is a name commonly associated with country people.
- David Aceveda is a Democrat. A reporter also says that Farmington is 82% Democrat.
Quotes[]
- Reporter: David, who'd you vote for?
- David Aceveda: I'll give you a hint. He's Latino.
- Aurora Aceveda: And he's handsome.
- David Aceveda: Consider yourself on desk duty for the day.
- Vic Mackey: Where do you get off trying...
- David Aceveda: I heard about your arrest. Congratulations. Go clean up your own house instead of continuing to mess up mine.
- Armin Chorekian: I'm Armin Chorekian.
- Shane Vendrell: Cletus van Damme.
- Armin Chorekian: Thank you for your help. I call you.
- Curtis Lemansky: Cletus Van Damme?
- Vic Mackey: You fired Danny?
- David Aceveda: The Chief's office did.
- Vic Mackey: She doesn't deserve that. You got to do something.
- David Aceveda: Armadillo died because Danny didn't properly pat down the prisoner.
- Vic Mackey: Ah...
- David Aceveda: Unless you have something to share with the Chief, this conversation's over. Do you? or are you a coward? (silence) Too bad. She was a good officer.
External links[]
The Shield Season 2 Dominoes Falling original FX promo (2003)