“You know why they come here? Five words: free market, rule of law.” - Dutch
“Hey man, it's a free country.” - Rondell
“Nothing's free. I'm your landlord, Rondell. I let you use space that I own!” - Vic
The American dream is perhaps the most iconic driving force behind the country's relative success. Backed up by symbols like the Statue of Liberty, the flag, apple pie, baseball and all that jazz, it sets an optimistic precedent for all citizens and those using the concept to justify anything and everything. We were taught by our teachers and parents that enough hard work and dedication, anything's possible. But like any dream, you eventually wake up realize that the only things that matter are preparation and luck, with the hope that those two someday meet. All of your problems are your responsibility, no matter who you can blame. Life's just a shit sandwich, the more bread you got, the less shit you gotta eat.
Kern Little, T-Bonz, and Rondell Robinson have all reached the American Dream, with more money and power than they know what to do with. But they can't stop from tearing each other apart over past indiscretions and girlfriends. Eduardo and Manuel strive for the American Dream, working hard at construction sites before Manuel has a fatal fall. When the foreman accuses Eduardo to keep his mouth shut, his fear of not working and quasi-respect for America makes him accept the blame for murder.
“Dawg Days” has some underlying absurdities present in all the major storylines. Vic has to play Judge Judy to a couple of feuding gangsta rappers while keeping Rondell out of jail. Remember, he killed Terry to protect his relationship with Rondell, and Vic has to remind him every step of the way obvious rules like no violence, low profile, cops are off-limits, etc. While Rondell may strive to be classy by listening to vinyl and is smart enough to keep his apartment clean of drugs and weapons, he reacts to every situation like a petulant child, whining that his illegal dope business might take a minor hit if he takes his dealers off the street. It's a wonder that Vic only donates his TV and breaks his records after Rondell had Danny threatened at gunpoint.
“Dawg Days” is a somewhat weaker episode than what's to come, mostly because the main sources of conflict stem from misunderstandings and jealousy, with Vic playing the role of "an impartial arbitrator" between a couple of knuckleheads. The Strike Team is cut in half because FX wasn't sure if Walton Goggins was working out as Shane, so we have Vic playing the bad cop and Lem relegated to one liners. Though Catherine Dent does great work as Danny, playing the female cop who has to keep her guard up at all times, she does a marvelous job when she finally lets her guard down in front of Vic, unsure of what to do after being threatened at gun point and coerced by Vic to change her statement. Still, it's the beginning of the season, the characters are still finding their voices and the writers/producers/directors are seeing what works and what doesn't (I don't believe that Lem is ever referred to “Lemonhead” after this episode). It ends with the cathartic act of Kern and T-Bonz locked in a shipping container, fighting to the death like animals. When Vic releases Kern, they reflect over the situation with a gorgeous shot of the sun rising over the Los Angeles railyard. Time to move on, it's a new day.
Canvassing Notes
- The title being what it is, there's lots of dog imagery throughout. From Tyesha's pocket dog being poisoned by T-Bonz to both Manuel and Thurman's bones dug up. Also, Matthew barks like a German Shepherd in the house, further indicating that something's not right.
- Rondell Robinson is played by Walter Jones, best known as the Black Ranger on the first couple seasons of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. Then again, this is also a show that cast an Thuy Trang as the Yellow Ranger, and Billy Yost reportedly quit after being harassed for his homosexuality. Man, and that was my favorite show growing up. Why were the 90's so inclusive yet abusive?
- Steven Gyllenhaal directed, who did the solid Homicide episode “Bop Gun” with Robin Williams (and had a cameo by son Jake). This episode was written by Kevin Arkadie, who wrote for Chicago Hope and New York Undercover.
- Hilarious scene of Dutch butchering the Spanish version of the Miranda rights (when he's arresting the wrong man) but gets to be the hero by reading the English version to the real culprit.
- Is Sticky Fingaz (Kern Little) cross-eyed or were there issues with eye-lines on set? Specifically the scene where he and Tyesha bring Vic the dead dog.
- “Are we ever getting DSL around here?” Oh, 2002...
- “If I can't defend you, I can't afford you.”
- “Took one in the ass but it's not the first time.”
- “The biggest chance you could've taken was to piss me off!”
Pre-Cog Report (SPOILERS FOR ENTIRE SERIES)
- Rondell just gets more reckless as the season goes on, eventually ending up dead after Vic finds a smarter drug dealer to protect.
- Aceveda will win the City Council seat, but doesn't leave the Barn until season four.
- Kern Little returns several more times, opens up a club, but gets involved with the One-Niners and is killed on Antwon Mitchell's orders during the robbery of the police warehouse in season five.
- Vic's family problems are just beginning, with Matthew's prognosis only one episode away.
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