Dutch Wagenbach quotes from The Shield

Dutch

I was trying something new. Trying a, you know, curveball to my fastball.

Claudette

Don't tell me you played "bad cop."

Dutch

Well, you weren't up there to stop me.

Claudette

I know you could handle this.

Dutch

Ninety percent of the time, yes. Ten percent, there's a connection. Well, it's like you...

Claudette

Please, don't say, I complete you. Go up there and give it one more shot.

Dutch

You see something like that, you wonder if we all shouldn't just stay home and read the bible.

Danny

Thanks, my partner already does that.

Just tell me why I do it.

Dutch

To dominate. To feel the...

No! That's not right.

Dutch

You exert power over...

No!

Dutch

You're compelled to.

By what?

Dutch

Organized sociopaths tend to...

Is that who you think you were chasing this whole time? A type? Some answer on an exam? Who would you be chasing right now if you hadn't stumbled over my parking tickets?

Dutch

But I did find your parking tickets.

What happens if the next guy reads the street signs?

Dutch

Vic knew the name of the bar that O'Brien says he found the marked money in. You and I were the only ones who saw the case file.

Aceveda

You think Vic is involved?

Dutch

Here's a guy who can overturn the Armenian mob in a week, but hasn't been able to find anything on the money train in three months? If he's that good, how does a multi-million dollar laundering ring get ripped off in his backyard without him knowing anything about it?

Aceveda

What's going on?

Dutch

Some cowardly shitheads messed with her desk.

Aceveda

I'll look into it.

Claudette

Yeah, right!

Aceveda

Excuse me?

Claudette

Oh, don't tell me you're not a part of this, I just got carried out of Victorville.

I spoke to Ben Horton's boss and the Chief. He wasn't too please to hear what you'd been doing.

Claudette

You mean to tell me this entire house would rather me pack up and leave, rather than look into this?

Aceveda

Chief and I did discuss this house... and who's gonna run it when I leave. He's decided to go another way. Bring in somebody else.

Dutch

So now she's not getting the Captain's seat? You gotta be shitting me!

Aceveda

It wasn't my choice, it was hers. She understands.

Dutch

So, you're going under with Slick, right?

Claudette

Do me a favor, get somebody else.

Dutch

It's our case...

Claudette

Well, I'd rather not.

Dutch

Well, that's great. That's fantastic. [Claudette starts to walk away] Hey! Hey, don't you walk away from me! Not after I've had your back every day, for the past six months. [Dutch walks over to her] Look. This is our way to get back into the rotation, okay? They'll never buy me in this one, it has to be you.

Dutch

I'm busy. And stop treating me like a suspect.

Claudette

You had a chat with Beth Encardi? If we carried the Webster case, maybe they'd let us out of the doghouse? Something along those lines.

Dutch

Fine. I confess. At least now we're getting confessions from other people too. Real criminals, killers.

Claudette

What are the errands that you have us running for the DA?

Dutch

Nothing. One of us needed to manifest this.

Claudette

You went behind my back?

Dutch

After being ignored head on for six months, you bet I did!

Claudette

But, it wasn't your deal to make.

Dutch

You're the best partner I ever had, I hung in with you, waiting for you to see this through, instead you just dug yourself in further. I wasn't going to sit on my hands, and watch you wreck your career and mine along with it. I got dinged pretty good in this too you know-

Claudette

But this was my fight.

Dutch

And you lost. So I threw in the towel with the DA and I'd do it again. And if you wanna be pissed at me, fine. Go ahead!

Vic

Dutchboy. Hero of the hour.

Dutch

Your daughter was sick, she wanted her mother.

Vic

You can't take a joke, so you make me look like a prick in front of my ex?

Dutch

I'm sure your ex doesn't need any help from me seeing what kind of a prick you are.

Dutch

You know, I thought I hated being on the DA's shit-list, but this is actually worse. I...I can't believe you're still freezing me out.

Claudette

I can't believe you sold me out.

Dutch

[referring to Rawling] What's she doing?

Claudette

Standing on her soapbox.

Dutch

She, uh, have her own or did you let her borrow yours?

Claudette

[about Tina] She’s way too young for you.

Dutch

I am mature and distinguished. A lot of young women appreciate that.

Claudette

You really oughta cut back on the porn.

Dutch

I can't have other colleagues as friends?

Claudette

Marshall has quite a reputation as a man's man, if you know what I mean.

Dutch

He's...he's gay?

Claudette

While you were reading faces, he was reading your package...have fun, though.

Corrine

Some IAD guy’s been coming to the kids’ school. Trying to get me to say things about him.

Dutch

IAD’s into Vic? I wonder what they’ve got on him. I mean, probably take your pick.

Claudette

[after being named captain] I need your support. I've got my work cut out for me.

Dutch

You'll do fine. Whoever sits up there has to have an active mistrust of everyone and everything in this place. I can't imagine anyone better suited to the job.

Billings

I like Ronnie. He's quiet. There's something there. Wouldn't mind doing a little Strike Team time myself. Fall into the shit, get the blood moving.

Dutch

Yeah. It's too bad you get those headaches.

Billings

You know, you're very sarcastic. I forgot to list that one.