If there’s one battle that’s bigger than the one between Vic Mackey and Aceveda, it’s the ongoing gang war between the Byz-Lats and the One-Niners. A regular bloodbath that has caused its share of problems (and business opportunities) for the Strike Team in the past, it also hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Another week, another hit out on one of the gang’s high ranking soldiers, but this time around, Vic is joined by his new replacement, Kevin Hiatt. Played by Australian actor Alex O’Loughlin, the guy’s only been around for one episode and I already like him. Heck, Vic could be taken away at the end of the year and this guy could easily pick up the reigns for the final season.

As one would expect, Vic doesn’t exactly warm up to Hiatt upon their introduction, but when Claudette tells him that she’s set up an appeals panel to review his “retirement” plan (apparently because she wants two teams: one under Vic, and the other under Hiatt), Vic quickly reverts to his best behavior. Unfortunately, Claudette was just lying so he wouldn’t cause any more friction during his final weeks on the force. Even the new guy is impressed by his methods, despite Claudette’s advice not to buy into his “good side.” Still, there’s no way Vic is leaving the show with only one more season to go, and I have a feeling Hiatt is going to eventually warm up to his coach to the point that he takes his side over Claudette’s. Plus, with Shan potentially getting a bullet to the head in the coming weeks, there will definitely be another spot open.

And speaking of open Strike Team positions, what’s this about Julian joining the team? Did the writers really feel the need to throw Michael Jace a bone after completely ignoring his character for the better part of the last two seasons? It’s a miserable prospect, considering Julian doesn’t really belong in that kind of environment, but who knows, maybe it will all be for the better. They sure as hell don’t have plans to bring back Tavon or Army any time soon, and with Tina transferred out of Farmington, and Danny promoted to sergeant, well, there’s really nothing else for the guy to do.

While the Strike Team work the Byz-Lat case, Dutch and Billings investigate a rapist/murderer who carves the words “Go Home” on his victims. Another classic villain for old Dutch Boy to track down, and one that is sure to continue through the coming weeks. Of course, it may take longer with Billings as his partner, who says things like “I love the smell of underage sexual assault in the morning” and is worried that people will take it the wrong way. Um, how could you possibly take it any other way?