Shades of Blues – The Way Madness Lies

By starrymag | July 7, 2018

By: Maggie Stankiewicz

 

 

Wozniak (Ray Liotta) and Harlee (Jennifer Lopez) are each fighting their own internal battles. Woz’s are physical, related to the shrapnel still embedded by his spine. Harlee, on the other hand, is facing a whole other monster; Nava’s funeral. While Wozniak’s physician warns him on the dangers of further damaging his spine through rigorous physical activity or injury, Harlee pulls herself out of bed and prepares herself to speak on the life and honor of her deceased boyfriend. Harlee’s unit shows up in solidarity, despite the fact that they’re all playing a role in keeping her away from Nava’s murderers. Harlee was undoubtedly inspired by Nava’s infinite goodness, something that she wrestles with, even as she delivers his memorial speech. It’s hard to face goodness when you stare into the crystal blue hues of the mentor who helped you get crooked.

 

During the funeral, Wozniak enlists Tess’ (Drea de Matteo) help in watching Harlee so he can visit Adrian (Marquise Gary). He promises the young boy that he will check in on his mother, who has been acting strangely. Wozniak makes good on his promise to Adrian and pays a visit to Karen (Shana Solomon), who has inadvertently gotten herself mixed up in the smuggling business after her roommate went missing on a supply run. Her unwillingness to take an off-market transportation job has put a target on her back, especially after her recommended replacement has gone missing. Meanwhile, still at Nava’s funeral, Nate (Cameron Scoggins) and the rest of Wozniak’s unit are still there to support Harlee. Wozniak’s son, though, is pressing to make a story out of their unit’s business. Just like a reporter – always on the job.

 

They part ways in a huff – but Harlee seems to be in slightly better spirits as she walks Cristina (Sarah Jeffery) home. They manage to joke with one another, and even crack a smile, when Harlee recognizes the escort sitting on her front stoop. It’s Gina Romero (Vanessa Vander Pluym) the same escort that was solicited by Robert Stahl (Warren Kole) to enact his Harlee-ridden fantasies. The escort is shaking, terrified, and in need of cash. She wastes no time in telling Harlee that she too saw Stahl. It’s enough for Harlee to cave. She casts a glance over her shoulder before letting the other woman inside. Harlee wastes no time in bringing Gina in for questioning with the FBI. Unfortunately, the FBI is not yet ready to believe that Stahl is still in the city. They discount the escort’s testimony, claiming that it is biased because Harlee had shared her suspicions on Stahl’s presence.

 

Back at the station, Loman’s (Dayo Okeniyi) own past has come back to haunt him, thanks to Nate’s story scrounging. Nate doesn’t believe the death of Nava’s alleged murderer (as he shouldn’t), and is digging into the death of Nava and Orlando. The closer Nate gets to discovering the web of lies, murders, and corruption, the more danger he puts himself and Harlee in. Elsewhere, Harlee and Cristina go to the range for some self-defense practice, bonding, and a side of caution. While her daughter shoots, Harlee informs Cristina that Stahl is back – and commands her to shoot him on sight if she ever encounters him. This instruction is a heavy burden on the teenager, despite the fact that she appreciates her mother’s newfound candor. Cristina prepares herself to empty the clip or shoot until he goes down.

 

Woz and Carlos (Vincent Laresca) seek out Wallace (Samuel Smith) for some information on Karen’s missing friend and Dixon, the suspected leader of the drug ring. Wallace is aware of Dixon’s position, and feeds the detectives some information of interest. Woz convinces Wallace to secretly engage with Dixon in order to help Wozniak find the missing woman. Carlos pulls Wozniak aside to advise him against allowing it to happen. If Wallace gets hurt, Marcus will not be happy, and it will become a battle between Brothers in Blue and Brothers in Blood. Questionable policing is a contagion, as evidenced by Harlee’s continued engagement with Gina, whom she has allowed into her home. While the two victims of Stahl’s obsession commiserate, a flower delivery man comes to Harlee’s door to deliver an anonymous bouquet. Harlee is immediately suspicious of the gift but accepts, hoping it will provide her with a clue or two.

 

Not being one to let loose ends go untied, Loman, Marcus (Hampton Fluker), and Tess locate Nate’s source. A liquor store owner, Mr. Molina, the father of Nava’s alleged killer, who is dangerously close to providing Nate with the information needed to blow the Nava case wide open. They intimidate him, firth by breaking bottles, then by threatening to punish him with imprisonment. They demand that he cease all contact with Nate Wozniak. His son needs to go down for Nava’s murder. They will not have it any other way. When they believe they’ve reached an understanding, they exit the liquor store. Loman is disappointed in himself for stooping low enough to threaten a grieving father, but his peers commend him for his efforts in “protecting” the unit.

 

Harlee follows her instincts on the anonymous flowers and brings the florist in for questioning. The florist insists that her memory is not accurate enough to identify Stahl. Wozniak enters in the midst of Harlee’s frustration and reprimands her for being paranoid. In a move that puts another nail in the coffin of their relationship, he lies and says that he is the one who sent the flowers. His insistence that Harlee drops both the Nava murder and the Stahl disappearance is under the guise of fatherly love, but Harlee knows better. When she asks Wozniak what kind of flowers he sent her – he cannot answer her. Another red flag, another lie. Harlee knows that at the end of the day, she’s on her own. Wozniak might love her, but he loves control even more.

 

Wallace is ultimately successful in locating the storefront Dixon leaves the girls – but he acquired the information by violating parole and getting high. Marcus and Wozniak take a reprieve from lying to Harlee to investigate. They find Karen’s friend in the backroom of the storefront, bleeding out. Her body is going into shock from a heroin overdose – the byproduct of the mass smuggling. Wozniak calls the ambulance and she makes it off, still alive. Arrests are made, and Wallace’s parole meeting is rescheduled. He is too high to meet with the PO.

 

Cristina and Gina have a few moments alone at the house. Gina, under the impression that Cristina knows the full Stahl story, divulges a little too deeply. This results in Cristina storming the precinct to lecture her mother. Harlee, already in down spirits after discovering that Stahl was not in the subway station as she suspected, does not react well to the confrontation. Harlee grabs her daughter and pulls her into a private office and gives her daughter a dose of tough motherly love. Cristina demands the full truth – but Harlee is too defensive to cave. In an eruption of emotion, Harlee angrily gives Cristina all the details. The attempted rape, the drugging, the stalking…and it’s too much for Cristina. She runs off in a huff while Harlee retreats to the bathroom for a good old-fashioned panic attack.

 

Wozniak goes home to find Nate covering up the old bullet holes and confirms with his son that his witness retracted his statement about Nava’s killer. Nate is well-aware of his father’s involvement in this, and lets his father know his suspicions. His son is tired of his father’s lies, about his job, about his cover ups, and about his extracurricular activities. Wozniak snaps, insisting that his every action is designed to keep Nate safe and it seems as though Wozniak is the only one left who believes his own lies. Everyone else in his life has caught up.

 

Loman, Carlos, and Marcus catch up with some drinks at a local watering hole. A woman and her partner send Loman a beverage and invite him to their table. He obliges, recognizing one of the table’s inhabitants as Theo (Christopher James Baker). Theo commends Loman for his intimidation technique at the liquor store. Loman expresses that he only did it in accordance with Wozniak’s deal with Theo’s captain, the insufferable Jordan Ramsey. They invite Loman to join their ranks. His intelligence and execution are just what their unit needs to perpetuate the cycle of murderous policing. Thankfully, Loman turns their invitation down as Wozniak approaches. Wozniak already has a bone to pick with Loman. Nate was with Loman at the funeral, and Wozniak caught on. With Wozniak’s hands around his neck, Loman admits to telling Nate about his father’s assistance in covering up a murder.

 

Wozniak has had a tough day and treats himself to a night at the local gay bar. He doesn’t want to hide tonight,  as he orders a glass of strong liquor and wastes no time flirting with a younger patron. They head out to the alley, in what seems to be their routine, but Wozniak has other ideas. He picks a fight with his younger counterpart, who flees, only to return with a gaggle of his friends. Wozniak is feeling particularly self-loathing tonight, as evidenced by the intense beating he allows himself to take. This might be the beating the shrapnel in his spine needs to do some fatal damage.

 

Gina has decided to take creepy advantage of Harlee’s kindness as she settles into Harlee’s little black dress and jewelry. It seems as though old habits die hard, as Gina is adorning a wig that is eerily similar to Harlee’s hairstyle. Her solitary episode of emulation is cut short by the object of her imitation, who promptly suggests that she leave the premises as soon as possible. Harlee’s had enough stalking for one lifetime and the last thing she needs is someone else, especially one with such a connection to Stahl, taking such a strange and vested interest in her. Before sending Gina away, Harlee asks if Gina truly saw Stahl; she’s not sure – but she think she did. As they part ways, Harlee takes a step outside and spots a sillouette of a man in a baseball cap; a man who looks just like Stahl. He watches her watch him – and breaks out into a sprint. Harlee does her best to catch up to him – but he evades her, taking advantage of the nooks and crannies of the dark passageways.

 

Stahl is back…but how long will he haunt Harlee before coming out of the shadows?