The season finale of Shades of Blue (One Last Lie) was a fitting end to the ongoing events, and an end to two characters.; Miguel and Donny Pomp. Santos finally proved just how far she would go to protect Cristina, Woz showed how far he would go to take care of his honorary daughter Harlee and Loman has become part of the team at last.
While this episode could be said to be all about resolutions. it also showed just how far the boundaries of law can be stretched by those who enforce it. James Nava (Gino Anthony Pesi) standing by as Harlee points a gun in Miguel’s face, Loman’s killing of Donny and then getting Woz to help cover it up, and Harlee taking out the abusive animal Miguel as he starts to orally rape her.
Of course the ultimate rule-bender (and total arsehole) Stahl continued his misogynistic behavior by turning in Agent Chen after sleeping with her. Not for the sex act, but for exhibiting grief over the death of the kidnap victim. (Hopefully Baker will see through the douchebag’s actions.)
Sidenote: It is a little difficult to feel too much sympathy for Chen (Annie Chang). She was, after all, the one who got Zepeda (Antonio Jaramillo) out of prison and back into Harlee’s life.
Jennifer Lopez’s character was busier than a one-armed piccolo player as she struggled to bring everything together for one last attempt at protecting her crew. Using the money as bait, along with offering up Donny and Linklater in place of Woz, Harlee moved at a frantic pace. Sadly, Donny dies at the hand of Loman (Dayo Okeniyi) and the DEA agent (whose name is not Linklater at all) has left the country.
Woz meets with Stahl and cuts his own deal. Unsurprisingly it turns out that Stahl (Warren Kole) rats on his mole to Wozniak. Cristina (Sarah Jeffery) hears the truth from her mom finally and is distraught at being sent away for her own safety.
It was surprising to see Loman be the one who took out Pomp. Woz clearly wanted to, but just as the newest member to the team was in the wrong place at the wrong time in the season open, Loman’s catching Donny at Woz’s house was like deja vu.
Standout Moments:
Santos breaking Miguel’s neck was a moment of supreme satisfaction.
Woz’s decision to take the fall for his “daughter” was one of those “tissue box moments” that was ultimately saved by Harlee’s realization of the CCTV footage of Stahl.
The fight between Loman and Donny.
Ray Liotta.
Final Thoughts:
That footage of Stahl had been shoved to the back burner after Miguel found the tablet in Harlee’s closet. Now that she has finally remembered the evidence (we think) there is a firm memory of Zepeda’s gloating face as he watched Stahl misbehave. When the next season starts, it is a sure thing that the CCTV footage will be nigh-on impossible to find.
It is interesting that the one person who managed to lie to everyone, Harlee Santos, has managed to have apparently gotten off. Woz has offered himself up as sacrificial lamb to save Harlee, and provides for Cristina’s college education. Cristina tells Miguel how scary good her mother is at lying, and the teenager is right.
Not only is Santos good at manipulating people; Stahl, Woz, Neva and Loman, for example, but the woman can think on her feet. Witness the story she told Loman about the heist. This gift, however, could be a result of cause and effect.
Harlee, as an abused partner, would have learned to lie quickly and convincingly for a number of reasons. Whether to keep Miguel from “speed-bagging” her or to keep friends and family from learning of the abuse, it would have become a survival mechanism. It would also be a difficult habit to break.
So Shades of Blue ends on a cliff-hanger times two. Miguel lies dead at Harlee’s feet and Woz is about to be arrested by Stahl. However…
This is a show that runs on lies and subterfuge. Loman, whose entire new career is built on a colossal lie, made an appointment with Captain McManus. Later he apparently becomes a full-fledged member of Woz’s bent cops.
Or has he.
Great performances all around here. Liotta, a veritable powerhouse has ruled this show, but Lopez has delivered above and beyond, considering that glam appearance and catwalk wardrobe she sported. It is a cinch the come Emmy time, somebody should be getting a gong or two.
NBC have a winner on its hands and Shades of Blue will be back.
Thanks for mentioning Harlee’s lying as a likely survival mechanism. It makes sense.
It’s also one of those things she and Stahl have in common – although he’s doing it because he has a control pathology and narcisdism.
This was a great finale that delivered in spades.
If the next season can maintain or build on it that was be better than anyone could hope for.
Some shows have gone of the rails with a second season and I’d hate for this to be one of them. Some really great performances this year.
Thanks for being one of the few intelligent reviews on this show.