The Shield (FX, 2002-2008)

[ayaa1977]

No one knows the street of Farmington in L.A. more than Vic Mackey and his Strike Team: Shane the redneck racist and loose canon cop, Lemansky the conscientious one, and Ronnie the Tech savvy one. They are the best in the field, they are feared by the criminals, and in short they are the kings of Farmington. The Problem is; breaking the law is not beneath them, and they would do anything to get the job done. They make shady deals with the outlaws, abuse the suspects rights, twist the facts, and manipulate the law to keep the streets clean and also for personal gain.

Meanwhile, David Aceveda the Captain of the Barn, which is what they call their police precinct, is crusading to expose the corruption of Mackey, only he does it for his political advancement.  For 7 seasons we follow the journey of Mackey, his team, and the cops in the Barn, in their fight against petty criminals, murderers, gangsters, rapists, and serial killers. It also portrays their internal struggle against each other, the political climate, racial conflict, and internal affairs department, among many adversaries.

The Shield is an often glorifying, and sometimes deglamorizing depiction for the life of the cops, shot in unrelenting gritty and flashy style. The Strike Team is the Musketeers of these times if the musketeers were corrupt LA cops. Mackey and his team mates look after each others and their slogan is to stick together for better of worse all the time, to rise together and to fall together.

People compares this show to HBO's The Wire; they both are cops shows, but the problem is they are as different as LA and Baltimore. The Shield is flashy and colorful as LA, and the Wire is pale and mundane like Baltimore. The Shield is quick and fast paced, while the Wire is slow and calculated. The Shield hooks you from first episode, while the Wire drowns you slowly like quicksand. The Shield is just like it is theme song has a rock and roll vibes, while the Wire is Bluesy just like its theme song. Ultimately, if you stick to it, The Wire is far superior show not only to the Shield, but to any show in TV. But if you want a show with immediate gratification from the first episode, then the Shield is your thing.

Michael Chiklis is Vic Mackey; the super cop who does everything he can to fight crime, get his job done, and to protect his family and his team. If that means that he cheats, steals, lies, tortures, or even kills, so be it. He does amazing job in one of the most iconic cop roles in recent memory.

Other than the strike team, there are many characters left a mark on the show, some of them throughout all seasons, and some of them for a period of time. CCH Pounder played Detective Claudette Wyms, the strong black woman who would jeopardize her career at one point because she would not compromise with her principles. Detective Dutch, played by Jay Karnes, is her partner, a smart interrogator and great analyst for the minds of the criminals who doesn't get any respect from his colleagues. Glen Close pops up in the 4th season as a police Captain who decides to work with Mackey to improve the streets conditions and makes him play by the roles. Also Forrest Whitaker appears in the 5th season as an Internal Affairs Investigator who is relentless in his pursuit to bring Mackey down.

The shield's main themes are: corruption is a slippery slop, once you take one step in that road, there is no way but down from their. It also says that politics is the engine for corruption and ultimately a main source of evil in the world, just like money and power.  All and all it is a very good and entertaining show. It is the show that gave FX network its Edgy and youthful image. I highly recommend it and I give it 4/5.   

[ozzylogic]

And this has nothing to do with The S.H.I.E.L.D. Damn.

[ayaa1977]

And this has nothing to do with The S.H.I.E.L.D. Damn.

Do you have a point Ozzy? Or are you just rambling like an idiot?

[ozzylogic]

And this has nothing to do with The S.H.I.E.L.D. Damn.

Do you have a point Ozzy? Or are you just rambling like an idiot?

Do you have something up your arse Ayaa?

[ayaa1977]

Do you have something up your arse Ayaa?

No not in this very moment Ozzy. Why do you ask?

Still no point, no?

[sulphurhead]

I think Ozzy was referring to this

[ayaa1977]

I think Ozzy was referring to this

Thank you Sulphurhead! That was not hard, was it? I wonder if it is mandatory to have something up one's arse when one is a comic book illiterate.

[ozzylogic]

I think Ozzy was referring to this

Thank you Sulphurhead! That was not hard, was it? I wonder if it is mandatory to have something up one's arse when one is a comic book illiterate.

I didn't imply that. I read your review of The Shield, and I realized that they were running out of original ideas, that's all. I mean, do you remember Homicide, NY Undercover, etc.? I don't know if they aired them in KSA, but they did here couple o' years ago, and I really loved 'em.

But considering you like Heroes (like me!), I'll take your word for it.

[ayaa1977]

I didn't imply that.

And I am sorry I implied you are an idiot. Now give me some sugar

I mean, do you remember Homicide, NY Undercover, etc.? I don't know if they aired them in KSA, but they did here couple o' years ago, and I really loved 'em.

But considering you like Heroes (like me!), I'll take your word for it.

I am aware of their existence; Homicide: Life on The Street in particular used to air on Showtime, but I didn't follow any of them.

My understanding is that The Shield was revolutionary because it was the first show that had corrupt cops as its heroes (or antiheroes depends on which way you wanna look at it). Corrupt police officers before that were a subplot of a show and they usually are portrayed in a negative light or at least marginalized. In the Shield they are functioning cops who pose a great harm to crime and criminals. In the same time, they use highly questionable and sometimes immoral and criminal tactics in doing their work. Also they make regretable choices that they will eventually have to answer for. It a fascinating world which is nothing and no one is black and white.

Again I have to stress that, if you are someone who idolized The Wire and its realistic depiction of police work, chances are you will not enjoy The Shield as much.

[ozzylogic]

Nah, didn't watch The Wire either. I dunno, nothing other than Heroes and Fringe really got me hooked. Knight Rider was crap too, and I think it's prolly scrapped now. I watched an episode of Sarah Connor Chronicles and it was OK.

[ayaa1977]

Here is my Hyperbole for the day: The Wire is the best show you would ever watch on TV.

As far as Sarah Connor concern, stick to it and you will find it better than OK. it is a great mix of Sci-Fi and drama. It sadden me that it is cancelled, although it got a very fulfilling ending.

[kaytee]

Here is my Hyperbole for the day: The Wire is the best show you would ever watch on TV.

I have to agree, The Wire is closely followed by House.