(S06E05) "You ever think about just coming clean? About everything?" -Shane

I suppose I should be used to it by now, but with the ups and downs that most great shows go through, it's weird to watch something and never be disappointed at the end of it. The Shield is just always good and I think it's remarkable.

So if that didn't spell it out, I liked this episode - a lot. Just solid from all points. Plenty of vintage Dutch, a blast from the past with the return of Vic's old partner, and a gut-wrenching confession from Shane made for one hell of an hour.

The biggest development was Claudette's decision to hand off the San Marcos murders to the Strike Team and it was interesting because this is the first time we're really seeing the dynamic of the new team. I have to be honest, I really like Hiatt despite my gut telling me to be suspicious of him. He seems like a decent guy. Not to mention the fact that he has crazy connections to just about anyone connected with the immigration and naturalization services. I think it's great that Hiatt was able to achieve where Dutch fell short by getting the face to face with Hernan.

Speaking of Dutch, it was great to see him back to his old self in the interrogation room with the creepy "Go Home" child molester. While Billings deserves the credit for pegging this guy in the first place, Dutch still shut him down when it mattered. I especially like how Dutch and Claudette still have their way with each other too. I loved it when Dutch poked his head in the surveillance room only to mouth "no" to Wyms in an effort to get Carlos in interrogation.

Other random thoughts:

• Ronnie has a new lady friend who apparently likes "baby smooth skin between the thighs." Tina seemed pretty into him a few weeks ago and she clearly wasn't interested in Dutch. Could she be Ronnie's new love interest?
• Not sure if there's any basis for this, but what are the chances that Shane got Tilly pregnant? Sure, he had condoms on him, but was he using them?
• I think it's incredibly interesting to see how Vic operates. Despite every despicable thing that he's done, he still has a level of decency. How much of an ass was that Lester guy, though?
• Speaking of Lester, I have to say that I resented Joe a little for bringing him along. If these are the kinds of people he's been running with, it takes away some of his credibility or status or whatever and Vic definitely picked up on it.

In the end, the two big bomb-shells that we already knew the answers to got dropped. Guardo didn't kill Lem. Shane did. So now Vic is back on the hunt for the killer and with Shane deteriorating at a rapid pace, the truth isn't far off. How good was Walton Goggins' performance in that last scene, too? Definitely on par with Chiklis and last week's hospital fiasco. Knowing how good those two are, it definitely gets me excited for the inevitable showdown when Vic finds out. Once again though, a spectacular installment. 7 out of 7.