Although this series is rather "old" and shown on our TV channel some time ago, I began watching it some months ago - as I have realized that, for overall picture and comprehension, such series should be watched in succession, no mixing of seasons and episodes and seeing them all. But 88 episodes take some time...I cannot say that The Shield captivated me from the first episodes: rough environment, nervous atmosphere, and a certain murder of a certain cop made me doubt how the following events and relations would resolve, how would I personally see the arm of the law fighting for "good" in complex areas of LA. True, it is mostly realistic, as the series itself is loosely based on real events, but it is so different from the issues the police in my country has to deal with. But then, gradually and soon, I began to grow accustomed, and "broke into" the characters and events, had compassion for and became disgusted, and was anxious to see how some tricky events would be settled or fade away. As most characters are so versatile and performances so strong, it was a relief to focus on them when a case became too knotty; apart from the actors I have been following a long time (Glenn Close and Forest Whitaker, for example), I took note of many others whose career and other works aroused my interest (starting from Michael Chiklis). Well, one might wonder how so many torts and felonies could last so long, with touch and go, but all in all, The Shield is a good and realistic series, depicting the problems resulting from drug use, racial seclusion, possession of firearms, and general poverty in a metropolis, particularly known for glamorous Hollywood. Not a family watch though.

I've had this show on my "to watch" list since it's original run and finally got around to binging on it this summer. Having had high hopes for it after the buzz that surrounded it at the time, I have to say I was somewhat disappointed and considering jumping ship several times.Having watched all 7 seasons in a matter of weeks, I find the first 5 seasons to be quite repetitive. The same story arcs and "twists" return over and over, both in individual episodes and over the course of seasons. The "strike team puts the squeeze on some banger and he immediately gives them what they want" gets tired after a while. I also find the character development to be very lacking or at times almost random in nature. I also dislike that story arcs are started, but then dropped for no discernible reason.That being said, the atmosphere of the show for a large part very captivating, and there are many strong acting performances. It's also fun to see so many actors that have since become stars in their own right playing bit parts.I also like what I really hope is a conscious effort at subtle character depth for Vic, such as him continuously referring to the Armenians as "Balkan bastards" (Armenia is nowhere near the Balkans). And him falling for the thimerosal leads to autism ploy (which is definitively 100% false). It's seems like just the kind of things a street, but not book smart person like him would think.What brings the series up from a 6 to a 7 for me is the final season, especially the second half of it. The ending of the series is really top-notch stuff, and all the more rewarding when you've slogged through every episode.

The Shield is one of the greatest television shows of all-time,an excellent and unforgettable T.V classic that combines terrific direction,powerful performances,terrific writing and a great theme song. All of those elements make The Shield memorable television and Cop Dramas at their best.Set in the fictional district of Farmington in Los Angeles,California,The Shield tells the stories about the personal and professional lives of L.A.P.D cops including Detective Vic Mackey(Michael Chiklis),a corrupt cop who runs a strike team that takes down gang members,drug dealers and various other criminals taking them down at all costs. While doing that Vic Mackey and his fellow police officers have to deal with violence,crime,betrayal and corruption.In the year 2002 two brilliant,unforgettable and landmark Cop Dramas and all-time great TV shows made their television debuts in the form of David Simon's The Wire on HBO and Shawn Ryan's The Shield on FX. Where as The Wire was a masterful character driven multi layered Crime Drama that focused on the drug trade from the points of view of both the cops and drug dealers in the city of Baltimore,The Shield was a thrilling and relentless Cop show that focused more on the cops trying to capture gang members and drug dealers in the city of Los Angeles and many would agree that next to The Wire,The Shield is the most riveting cop show ever made. For 7 seasons and 88 episodes The Shield is a show that shocking and powerful,gritty and brutal as well as very dark and uncompromising and with each episode punches you in the face with rapid fire intensity and relentless energy that never stops. The Shield deals with themes such as corruption,violence,death and betrayal in the L.A.P.D and it's done in an honest and complex way that never feels phony but real and accurate. One of the things that I love about The Shield is that while the show has some episodes that have the same format as other cop shows where cases are solved in one hour some story lines with most of the characters usually continue until the final episodes of a season or can go on for a long time. Whenever you watch an episode of The Shield there are moments where the show almost feels like a documentary whether it's a a moment of violence,foot chase scene,the cops at the scene of a crime or the dialog everything on The Shield feels true to life and accurate. The main character Vic Mackey is hands down one of televisions all-time great antiheroes who in my opinion is up there with other all-time great antiheroes such as Tony Soprano(The Sopranos)and Walter White(Breaking Bad)because what's amazing about Vic Mackey is that as a viewer we see Mackey as part hero part villain. Vic Mackey is a hero because he's a cop and wants to catch the criminals at all costs no matter what it takes and we root for him. Vic Mackey is also a villain because he does bust criminals Mackey is very corrupt and shady in the way he does things whether it's with the criminals or cops in his own precinct. Even though Vic Mackey does bad things we see another side to Mackey because he cares about his wife and family while being a tough cop on the streets which gives Mackey a moral ambiguity. Vic Mackey is a classic cop and iconic character that drives The Shield and is a character you will never forget. The writing by Shawn Ryan and others is wonderful because the dialog gives the main characters lots of depth,emotion and also has a tough harshness that is from the streets and truly adds to the shows greatness. The violence on The Shield is shocking and bloody but truly give the show it's edge and power. The ending in the series finale of The Shield is amazing,powerful and one of the best endings I have ever seen in a final episode and when you watch the finale you will wonder did Vic Mackey deserve his fate or do we feel sorry for him while also having an open ending for the character. A terrific ending to a great show.The cast for all 7 seasons are amazing with excellent performances by Michael Chilis(Det. Vic Mackey),Walton Goggins(Detective Shane Vendell),Jay Karnes(Detective Howard 'Dutch' Wagenbach),Benito Martinez(Captain David Aceveda),CCH Pounder(Detective Claudette Wymms),Glenn Close(Captain Monica Rawling),Forest Whitaker(Lt. Jon Kavanaugh),Laurie Holden(Agent Olivia Murray),Kenneth Johnson(Detective Chris 'Lem' Lemansky),David Rees Snell(Detective Ronnie Gardocki),Catherine Dent(Officer Dani Soffer),Michael Jace(Officer Julien Lowe),David Marciano(Detective Steve Billings),Cathy Cahlin Ryan(Corrine Mackey),Autumm Chiklis(Cassidy Mackey),Paula Garces(Officer Tina Hanlon),Brian White(Detective Tavon Garris),Anthony Anderson(Antwon Mitchell),Laura Harring(Rebbeca Doyle),Michael Pena(Detective Armando Renta),John Diehl(Assistant Chief Ben Gilroy),Anna Maria Horsford(A.D.A. Beth Encardi),Nigel Gibbs(Assistant Chief Roy Phillips),Reed Diamond(Detective Terry Crowley)and Franka Potene(Diro Kesakhian).The direction is on The Shield is outstanding and stunning with the camera moving at a fast pace with hand held photography that gives the show a raw and realistic quality. Fantastic direction.The theme song by Vivian Romero,Ernesto Bautista and Rodney Alejandro(Just Another Day)is effective and well done and matches the energy of the show. Terrific theme song.In final word,if you love Cop shows,Crime Dramas or Television in general,I highly suggest you see The Shield,one of the greatest TV shows of all-time and an excellent and unforgettable classic. Highly Recommended. 10/10.

What's with all the uniform cops wearing their badges on the RIGHT side, name plates on the LEFT. Essentially every US police agency wears them on the LEFT, over the heart. Uniform shirts have badge tabs on the LEFT. Then to add to the confusion, there's a couple of cops with their badges on the LEFT now and then.Seems like a simple thing to get right. Surely there's some uniform security guys around the stage with their badges on the LEFT. Surely there's some LAPD (or other) technical adviser to say "Um, those are backwards". Surely the wardrobe people working on the project have done cop uniforms before. Almost seems intentionally wrong.Still a good show. Just sticks out seeing the backward badge thing.