The Shield : I really HATE Shane!!!

Re: I really HATE Shane!!!

He's the single person most central to the events in the show, yes. He's also the person least likely to get caught, if not for the shenanigans and stupidity of the people around him.

I wouldn't say Vic was the one accepting the least responsibility - Shane was. Even in the suicide letter, it was a backhanded compliment: it's like a crook admitting he committed the robbery but blames his struggling childhood like it was inevitable he would end up robbing convenience stores.

As a grown man, he could have walked away at any point - with dire consequences - but he could have. Vic never forced him to stay - Shane chose to because Vic provided a safe haven for him.

Vic is absolutely no saint and he's been smart enough to avoid all the BS WHILE saving his friends and family from their own BS. He's a criminal and an *beep* but he's nowhere near the likes of Shane.

Re: I really HATE Shane!!!


Even in the suicide letter, it was a backhanded compliment: it's like a crook admitting he committed the robbery but blames his struggling childhood like it was inevitable he would end up robbing convenience stores.
I don't think it's anything like that. He admits that he's no better than Vic, but he correctly points out that "Vic led and [he] followed". Whether one "likes" Shane or not is completely beside the point; I empathize with his grief, horror and desperation, and as a viewer, after 88 episodes I know that his assessment of their relationship is spot on. It's certainly more palatable than Vic's ludicrous indignation and hypocrisy.

Vic is at the centre of The Shield's grand, concluding shïtshorm; he arranged all the pieces and played them out to suit his own ends from the beginning. That's seven seasons' worth of nefarious deeds. I don't know how anyone can imagine that a character like Shane Vendrell would've done as much damage without a Mackey sitting on his shoulder. He gave Shane his head and showed him how to be the prince of the city.

If you'll forgive my descending into the realm of the Star Wars analogy, it's a bit like saying Darth Vader is a more reprehensible character than the Emperor because Vader physically killed characters X, Y and Z. Of course he did. But he kneels at the feet of his mentor, the Emperor. And I don't really give a damn whether the Emperor believes he is "saving his friends and family" when he builds the Death Star, or whether the Emperor has explicit knowledge of every terrible thing Vader does.

Re: I really HATE Shane!!!


He admits that he's no better than Vic, but he correctly points out that "Vic led and [he] followed".


Not to mention, Shane specifically writes, "I don't think one's worse than the other."

Can't stop the signal.

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Re: I really HATE Shane!!!

You should really put in a spoiler alert in the headline bud! That is good style.
I read your post before Lem was killed.

Re: I really HATE Shane!!!

Shane committed suicide? Well, that makes 2 spoilers today.

_____________________
Log Lady lives

Re: I really HATE Shane!!!

I spited Shane for not making amends with Tavon, he could've been a keychar on the show.

Re: I really HATE Shane!!!

I was spoiled about Lem's fate, that sucked. But when it comes to Shane's demise, there is no need to worry, a single spoiler can't prepare you for seeing his final moments.





The box... you opened it, we came.

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Re: I really HATE Shane!!!

Think about it - a hundred years ago people wouldn't be finding another person to blame for their own stupidity and failures in life.

They can try, but no one would agree. Saying you became a violent criminal because your mother did not hug you enough would be laughed out of the courts. Nowadays it's "worth a shot".

The younger generation really think their bad choices are the result of everyone else's mistakes. If it's my parent's fault I turned out to be a rapist, then I shouldn't need to control my impulses right?

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Re: I really HATE Shane!!!

ok that was not directed at you. I just replied to yr comment.

Re: I really HATE Shane!!!


Think about it - a hundred years ago people wouldn't be finding another person to blame for their own stupidity and failures in life.



Yeah, right. You'd be surprised what people blamed their failures on.

God, spirits, the cosmos, the stars.


They can try, but no one would agree. Saying you became a violent criminal because your mother did not hug you enough would be laughed out of the courts.


Maybe. But saying a demon possessed you might be heard out.

This generation did not invent passing the blame to someone else.

Can't stop the signal.

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Re: I really HATE Shane!!!

Yeah, right. You'd be surprised what people blamed their failures on.

God, spirits, the cosmos, the stars.


Sure they could TRY. People have been coming up with creative excuses to blame their crimes since the dawn of time, anything to avoid or reduce their personal responsibility. The difference is people will laugh at their excuses.

Not so much nowadays, what with science proving more and more that people are not in control of their actions anymore. With the right lawyer, it's a distinct possibility to avoid prosecution for just about any crime.

It's like saying Heinrich Himmler (Hitler's right hand man who directed the killing of some six million Jews, between 200,000 and 500,000 Romani people, and other victims) was not as bad as Hitler.

Maybe he should have gotten more sympathy if he had written a letter blaming Hitler for his own weakness because he only "followed" Hitler? I'm almost certain if Walter Goggins had played Heinrich Himmler, people might be defending him as well.

Re: I really HATE Shane!!!


The difference is people will laugh at their excuses.


Because back then they didn't understand modern psychology.

The point being this generation did not invent passing the blame.


With the right lawyer, it's a distinct possibility to avoid prosecution for just about any crime.



Well, not really. The lawyer needs the science to back up his claims.


It's like saying Heinrich Himmler (Hitler's right hand man who directed the killing of some six million Jews, between 200,000 and 500,000 Romani people, and other victims) was not as bad as Hitler.

Maybe he should have gotten more sympathy if he had written a letter blaming Hitler for his own weakness because he only "followed" Hitler? I'm almost certain if Walter Goggins had played Heinrich Himmler, people might be defending him as well.


I think you're misinterpreting. No one is saying one is not as bad as the other. Heck, the show goes out of it's way to specifically say that.

Shane's letter explicitly says, "He led. I followed. I don't think one is worse than the other."

Shane's not passing the blame. He's just explaining his role in his crimes.

And just because Walton gave a phenomenal performance to be admired, doesn't mean his character is excused of his actions.

Can't stop the signal.

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Re: I really HATE Shane!!!


Not so much nowadays, what with science proving more and more that people are not in control of their actions anymore.


What are you talking about? I bet that the scientists "proving" that have an agenda.

Re: I really HATE Shane!!!

Welcome to the human race. Anyone who thinks a human being wouldn't kill their best friend, husband, wife, child, brother, sister for money, drugs, power, chits and giggles, etc. I have an underwater bridge I want to sell them. Humans are the most dangerous animal on the planet.
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