Used against him where?

I'm sure it couldn't be used against him in a criminal prosecution. It seems to me it's a far more difficult question when we're speaking of a police disciplinary decision.

What do you think they do with cops that break the law? Get them off the job then all is done? Kavanaugh is trying to make a case for murder to put Vic and his crew away for life. Getting him off the force goes with the murder charge, but it is not the reason he is after him. What is the point of him having proof of wrong doing if he can not prosecute him for it?

I don't think I can agree with your reasoning. It swould seem to me that the first focus is getting bad cops off the street and out of the force. If that has to be accomplished with otherwise inadmissible evidence, so be it. It at least gets the criminals out of positions of power.

I'm sure they'd love to nail Vic and/or the rest of them on criminal charges and send an even more powerful message. I agree with you that Kavanaugh is fixated on that mission. I don't believe his superiors would see things in the same way, though. If they have to settle for throwing Vic off the force, that's still one for the win column.

ETA: I think it's at this point we need to remind ourselves that this isn't the real world or how things would play out in the real world. As somebody else pointed out, there is little chance that Vic and the others would be working as police officers right now -- they'd be on paid suspension. Similarly, it's possible or even likely that they have enough on every one of these guys to take their badges. In real life, this may well be over and done with at this point. Where's the drama in that, though?

Yeah I like Vic as well, but he is dirty. And in the end I hope he pays for what he's done. How does everyone else feel? I'm sure it won't be as cut and dry as this but in the final episode, do you want to see Vic pay for what he's done, or see him get away?

I'm not sure that Vic is going to pay for what he has done (at least in an official manner). That's too much of a good guy way to end things. I think it's more likely that he will come away clean after getting Kavanaugh and Aceveda to take each other out, only to have some punk cap him.

The other ending I have contemplated has Vic paying for what he has done and them establishing that a character who is just as corrupt takes his place.

Vic needs to get away with it, but with much collateral damage. He's going to be forced into retirement soon anyway. It would be nice to see Kavanaugh finally get all the evidence he needs only to be told by the stuffed suits that it was irrelavant, Vic was retiring, and all the focus was on newly-disgraced Aceveda (hooker, phone pix). I think it'll probably allcome down to Mara, and Shane probably telling her too much. Shane will be forced to choose between his mentor and his wife. It'd be nice to see her put in an incenerator ala Money Train cash.

As much as I love the cat and mouse game btwn Cavanaugh and Vic, I have to wonder how realistic it would be for an IAD to concentrate one person (with so much apparent autonomy) on an investigation, particularly after his major screw-up. Not only that but to be so in your face about it.

Yeah, cause...you know...The Shield has been SO realistic up until this point. C'mon people, I love The Shield. In fact, I think it's the best drama on television, but it has never tried to be realistic. The latest plot turn is about as realistic as anything the show has done thus far, and it is in keeping with the established tone.

I'll officially go on record and say that I think and hope that Vic and his team pay for their wrong doings.

Not sure how it'll happen, though. Would Vic be the type to eat a bullet if things got too tight?

One thing's for sure --- if and when he does pay the piper, in whatever fashion it may be, you can bet it'll be something amazing. I mean, given the track record of this show, it's gonna be mind blowing!

I am thinking it may not be Vic who pays directly for his sins, but instead perhaps his children or his actions some how get Lem, Shane or Ronnie killed. Something along those lines, where it isn't Vic who gets hurt or put in jail but someone close to im that is his fault.

I can totally get behind this. It's not as though it's alone in this "not realistic" world, either. I'm looking your way, 24 and LOST.