Shades of Blue – Goodnight, Sweet Prince

By: Maggie Stankiewicz

In the penultimate episode of “Shades of Blue” every character is forced to calculate their next move; their survival depends on it. Carlos (Vincent Laresca) and Cole (Nick Wechsler) meet Harlee (Jennifer Lopez) on an abandoned street to discuss their next move. With Wozniak in hiding at Harlee’s place after being framed for participating in a terrorist cell, everyone standing against the Intelligence Unit is scrambling for refuge. Carlos drops Cole off to speak with Harlee. Cole wants to run, but Harlee isn’t prepared to let him go. Cole gives Harlee twenty-four hours to come up with a plan before he disappears on his own accord…or Ramsey’s. Frustrated, Harlee watches as Cole skulks off into the night and makes her way home. Wozniak is waiting for her. With only two secret “weapons” in their corner (Cole and Enrique), they devise a plan to hide Enrique away until he’s needed. Cole hasn’t exactly presented himself as a reliable hero and keeping the cartel family’s son as a contingency plan is the best they got.

Harlee and Wozniak (Ray Liotta) are interrupted by the presence of another cop, who presents Harlee with a warrant to search her car for forensic evidence in Gina’s murder case. The vehicle search results in Harlee’s car being impounded, an inconvenience that prompts Harlee to pay another visit to Agent Myers (Afton Williamson). Katie plays the “not my investigation” card, but by the time her weak excuse comes out of her mouth Harlee identifies an ear piece on her desk – the same ear piece Stahl (Warren Kole) was feeding her questions from not long ago. Harlee reminds Katie that Stahl is still in the city. Katie’s guilt is tangible.

At the station, Tufo (Hampton Fluker) and Tess (Drea de Matteo) discuss the purpose behind their meeting with Verco (Dov Davidoff). The Internal Affairs detective, only partially privy to Wozniak’s unconventional policing, questions the partners on the fender bender they were involved in last episode – the very collision that led to the “liberation” of Enrique (Victor Turpin). Verco encourages Tess and Tufo to solidify and memorize the details in their report of the incident. Any indication of embellishment or a cover up will result in the loss of their badges, or worse, criminal charges. Tufo straightens out his story and leaves to meet up with Karen (Shana Solomon) at her home. Wozniak and her son watch cartoons in the living room while Tufo goes upstairs to check on Karen’s other house guest – one tied up Enrique.

Loman (Dayo Okeniyi) encounters an enraged Harlee, who presents to him some evidence she’s collected to back up her theory that Agent Myers is working to protect Stahl. He tells her that it’s a long shot, but she doesn’t give up. He agrees to humor her just a little further and re-examines footage of Stahl at the subway station; footage that had been doctored the first time around. Feeling validated and for the first time in a long time sane, Harlee sets out on a mission to give Agent Myers hell for the betrayal. The determined detective makes her way back to the FBI office and loops Agent Baker (Leslie Silva) in on her new discovery. She shows Gail the footage of Stahl at the subway and the footage that Myers sent to her – footage that doctored Stahl out of the picture. Katie denies ever sending Harlee this email and it is revealed that Stahl sent it to Harlee without Katie’s consent. Gail puts an APB out for Stahl and assures Harlee that she is no longer the primary suspect in Gina’s homicide.

Soon after Katie reprimands Stahl for pushing her boundaries and tells him that he needs to lay low as the FBI will be searching the city for him and he can’t afford to get sloppy now. Harlee stops by Cristina’s (Sarah Jeffery) school to let her know Espada will be picking her up and to sneak in a little quality time with her daughter in between classes. As soon as Cristina runs off to get to Calculus class, Wozniak calls Harlee from Karen’s house to tell her he tortured out some compliance from Enrique. The cartel leader’s son has agreed to set up an intro with one of his connections, something that will implicate the Intelligence Unit. Harlee agrees to meet her boss for some cigars and negotiations with a cartel representative. The spokesperson rejects the offer to cut ties with Ramsey, knowing that doing so could result in Enrique’s death. Ortiz’s well has run dry and Cole is back to being their only way out.

The devil works hard, but Ramsey (Bruce McGill) works harder. He approaches Tess and offers to financially care for her in exchange for information on Enrique’s location. Tess doesn’t fall for his charms. Meanwhile, back at Karen’s house, Enrique has some plans of his own. He manages to free himself from his zip-ties and rigged restraints without being noticed. During a shift change from Loman to Tufo, he grabs Karen and threatens to kill her. Tufo complies and Enrique runs. Just as Harlee and Wozniak pull up to Karen’s, they spot Tufo running through the streets. He tells them what happened and they all break out into full pursuit. Tufo and Harlee attempt to catch him on foot, but Wozniak pursues him by vehicle and cuts him off. Captured again.

Back at her home, Katie rummages through Stahl’s belongings. Her suspicions of his intentions have finally been confirmed so now she needs to find somethings out for herself. Katie finds a tooth inside of his toiletry bag. As luck would have it, he enters the apartment the moment she pulls it out and tells her that it’s Harlee’s ex’s tooth. Katie asks him why he hasn’t used it yet and he tells her that he was looking for the right opportunity to plant it. Katie tells him that she will no longer be his pawn. When she tells him to leave and questions him on the last time he saw Gina, he spirals deeper into his psychosis, then threatens and assaults her.

Harlee pays a visit to Cole at a seedy old motel. They are both surprised and motivated by Cole’s decision to stick around – an indication of his desire to do the right thing in spite of his prior cowardice. He realizes the importance of his role in this and he finally agrees to testify against Ramsey. If they strike quickly, they might be able to catch him off guard. If they’re going to attack Ramsey, judicially, they need to do it publicly so he can’t access his resources. They make an agreement and Harlee takes her strategy to the Detective Verco. Harlee can’t reveal Cole’s name until he’s testifying on the stand and Verco tells her that in order for the plan to work everyone who can be incriminated, will be incriminated – even her. She’s willing to risk it.

Verco is willing to help Harlee however he can. His reach may be limited, but it’s enough to instill confidence within Harlee. She makes her way home to update Wozniak, who has relocated and is squatting in an empty house with Enrique. Once inside her home, she tells Woz to get some rest, sets her gun down and searches the house for Cristina. Her daughter isn’t home, despite the security system being disarmed and music playing from her room. Alarmed by the absence of her daughter, Harlee returns for her sidearm – but it’s too late. Stahl is in the apartment and he’s already grabbed the gun. He’s unhinged and has been since Katie questioned him. Despite all of the good she’s done this season, Harlee cannot escape her reflection in Stahl’s eyes. To him, she is ruthless but untouchable.

He reminds her of all the things she did, not only to him, but because of him – forcing her to once again come to terms with her own transgressions. Harlee tells him that she’s already notified the FBI of his return. Stahl is aware, Katie’s betrayal of him told him everything he needed to know about the FBI’s intelligence. He decides its time to end their conversation. He says the first bullet he plans to shoot is for Harlee and the second is for him – they’ll be bound together. Harlee stalls the murder-suicide by telling him that he did change her for the better, that he made her start choosing the path of righteousness in hopes of escaping the dirtiness he made her feel – but he tells her death is the only way to baptize her.

He points the gun at her just as Cristina enters the house. She greets her mother, unable to see Stahl standing in the other room. Stahl warns Harlee against calling him out. The two of them cry at the prospect of Cristina finding the mess they’re about to make, but Cristina is like her mother with the instincts of a cop. Cristina enters the room and tells her mother she just wants a hug. As she does so she spins her mother around and guides her mom’s hand to a gun in her waistband. “Don’t hesitate,” Cristina whispers. Harlee listens. Before Stahl has the chance to react, Harlee spins around and shoots him three times. He falls the ground, blood filling his mouth. “I’m glad it was you,” he mutters before closing his eyes for good.

Now on the straight and narrow, Harlee calls the police to report the incident. Her unit arrives to ensure her safety and to notify her of Katie Myers’ death. Loman assures her that there’s no grey areas in her murder of Stahl – it was a cut and dry case of self-defense. She agrees and grabs Cristina. They’ll be spending the night at a motel near Cole while her apartment is swept for evidence. If they’re not running from someone, they’re hiding from them – and they might as well do it together.