Television Review: Two Days of Blood (The Shield, S1X12, 2002)
Two Days of Blood (S01E12)
Airdate: May 28th 2002
Written by: Kurt Sutter & Scott Rosenbaum
Directed by: Guy Ferland
Running Time: 45 minutes
The episode Two Days of Blood from The Shield is a masterclass in subverting expectations, weaving a narrative that oscillates between the grim realities of law enforcement and the corrosive effects of systemic corruption. At its core, the episode challenges the viewer’s perception of Vic Mackey, the show’s antiheroic protagonist, who is initially introduced as a monster in the pilot. The shocking final scene of the first episode, where Vic’s shoots fellow policeman, sets the tone for a series that positions its protagonist as a morally ambiguous figure. However, as the series progresses, Two Days of Blood reveals that Vic is not the worst of the lot. Instead, the episode explores a darker, more insidious form of corruption that operates at the highest levels of power, where monsters are not just the lowest rungs of society but the very architects of systemic injustice. This duality—where Vic, despite his flaws, is contrasted with higher-ups who are far more dangerous—forms the thematic backbone of the episode, making it a pivotal moment in the series’ exploration of moral ambiguity and institutional failure.
The episode opens with a seemingly mundane task for Strike Team: busting an illegal cockfighting ring in Farmington. The scene is a far cry from the violent, gritty action that defines The Shield, instead opting for a darkly humorous twist. The ring, run by Gabo (played by Gabriel Mencia), is a microcosm of the criminal underworld that Vic and his team are tasked with dismantling. Gabo, a man who volunteers to sacrifice one of his associates—Pazi Arambula (Carlos Saguar), a notorious gun dealer and cockfighting enthusiast—demonstrates a willingness to sacrifice his own to ensure the success of his operation. This act of self-interest, however, is undercut by the absurdity of the situation: Pazi is about to attend the “Two Days of Blood” cockfighting festival, a event that, while primarily attended by Hispanics, is also a target for white “rednecks” like Shane, a Southern-born member of the team. Shane’s quick coaching into the role of a cockfighter, despite his initial overenthusiastic performance, highlights the absurdity of the situation. The plan works, but instead of arresting Pazi, Strike Team hands him over to Jojo Rizal (Robert LaSardo), a bounty hunter who takes Pazi to Mexico while paying Strike Team a portion of his reward.
The episode’s main narrative deals with grim storyline: the hit-and-run incident that kills Anthony Nunez, a drug dealer and member of the Toros gang. The incident is witnessed by Jesus Rosales (Francis Capra), a fellow gang member, and is later covered up by Assistant Chief Gilroy, who admits to being the driver. This cover-up is a microcosm of the larger corruption that permeates the LAPD. However, Dutch, the series’ investigative lead, uncovers the truth. His investigation reveals that Gilroy’s car had a female Latina passenger, a detail that is critical to the episode’s climax.
This discovery sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the systemic failures within the department, as the response time to a critical call is delayed, leading to a double homicide that escalates tensions in the African American community. The episode highlights the failure of the police to prioritize community needs, as the response to the urgent call is delayed, allowing the killer to strike. The double homicide, committed by a meat tenderiser, is a chilling example of the violence that permeates the show’s world, and the fact that the police arrive only an hour after the call is a stark indictment of the department’s priorities.
The aftermath of the double homicide leads to a full-scale riot, as the community, particularly the African American neighborhood, is outraged by both the crime and the police’s perceived incompetence. The episode places the characters at the center of this turmoil, with Claudette, the lead detective, and Karen Mitchell (Tyra Ferrell), a political figure rumored to run against Vic for city council, caught in the crossfire. The riot forces the trio to be rescued from an abandoned building by the riot squad, a moment that underscores the fragility of the community’s trust in the police. The episode’s climax is further complicated by the revelation that Gilroy is part of a larger scheme to manipulate the police response time. This twist is a critical turning point, as it reveals that the corruption is not just at the level of individual officers but at the highest echelons of the department.
Meanwhile, Vic’s personal stakes are raised as he races with Dutch to prevent the truth about the hit-and-run incident from emerging. Vic’s efforts to protect his team are undermined when Gilroy, his former patron, kills Jesus Rosales in cold blood, claiming that keeping him alive was too risky. This act of betrayal is a devastating moment for Vic, who is forced to confront the reality that his protector has crossed the line. To protect his team, Vic agrees to dump the body in Los Magnificos territory, making it look like a gang war. This decision highlights the moral compromises Vic is forced to make, even as he grapples with the betrayal by someone he once trusted.
The episode’s final act is a revelation that ties together the threads of the narrative. Dutch identifies the Latina woman as Sedona Tellez, the CEO of a real estate company that is exploiting the neighborhood’s rising crime rate by buying properties at low prices. This connection to the larger scheme reveals that Gilroy was not just a corrupt officer but a key player in a system that prioritizes profit over the community’s well-being. The episode culminates in Gilroy comes to Mackeys' home to indirectly threaten his family and make him keep his mouth shut. This moment is a powerful indictment of the system, as it shows that Vic, despite his flaws, is still minor part of the problem, while the higher-ups are far more dangerous.
The episode’s structure as the penultimate episode of Season 1 is significant, as it functions as a prelude to the season’s finale. The scriptwriters, Kurt Sutter and Scott Rosenbaum, use this opportunity to explore character development and subplots that might have been sidelined in a more conventional narrative. Julien’s contemplation of gay conversion therapy and the cockfighting subplot, which is both a source of dark humor and a commentary on cultural issues, are examples of this. The use of stock documentary footage for the cockfighting scenes, while a creative choice, is criticized by animal rights groups, highlighting the ethical dilemmas the show presents. These elements, while secondary to the main narrative, add depth to the episode’s exploration of systemic corruption.
Ultimately, Two Days of Blood is a masterclass in subverting expectations, as it challenges the viewer’s perception of Vic Mackey and the broader system he operates within. The episode’s central thesis is that while Vic is a flawed figure, the real monsters are those in the higher-ups who are far more damaging to the community. This duality is the heart of the episode, making it a pivotal moment in the series’ exploration of moral ambiguity and institutional failure. The episode’s ability to weave together multiple storylines, from the cockfighting ring to the hit-and-run incident, and to highlight the systemic failures of the police department, ensures that it remains a standout episode in the series. Through its complex narrative and character-driven storytelling, Two Days of Blood not only serves as a cliffhanger but also as a powerful commentary on the corruption that underpins the justice system.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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