7 Gut-Wrenching TV Betrayals
3. The Shield - Vic Sells Out Ronnie
After seven seasons of corruption, lies and violence, a price had to be paid by the members of the strike team. The strike team tried to maintain a unity within the group, but as the years went on and their corruption continued the cracks began to open. Shane and Lem always seemed the most likely to cost the team their freedom. Shane was the loose cannon and Lem often struggled with the crimes they committed, this eventually led to Shane murdering Lem. Vic and Ronnie on the other hand were rock solid; even though Ronnie wasnt involved in some of worst of the teams crimes, it was clear that he had their backs.
Despite having his own reservations about Lems loyalty, he never considered taking the drastic measures that Shane did. He even expressed regret for Shanes own death despite all of their problems. He was Vics best friend and was probably the least self-destructive member of the Strike Team. Despite his quiet nature and generally calm demeanour, Ronnie was by no means a good man; he was efficient in his criminal activities and certainly didnt deserve a happy ending.
His fate however was an absolute sucker punch. Having always been there for Vic backing him up when he needed it, Ronnie was ultimately betrayed for his loyalty. Vic betraying Ronnie is hard to watch, but to me it makes complete sense. Vic was a monster; a self-centred murderer, who used the team to fulfil his own needs. Sure he wanted to get Ronnie in on the deal, but in the end he threw him to the wolves. Ronnies final scene which sees him learn of the treachery and arrested, is what allows him to finally understand exactly who Vic was.