"The Shield" (2002) TV series 2002-2008

Creator:

Shawn Ryan

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

12 March 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Conscience is a killer

Plot:

The story of an inner-city Los Angeles police precinct where some of the cops aren't above breaking...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Death | Bar | Criminal Investigation | Shoot

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 10 wins & 39 nominations

Cast

Michael Chiklis	...	Detective Vic Mackey (89 episodes, 2002-2008)
Catherine Dent	...	Officer Danni Sofer / ... (89 episodes, 2002-2008)
Walton Goggins	...	Detective Shane Vendrell (89 episodes, 2002-2008)
Michael Jace	...	Officer Julien Lowe / ... (89 episodes, 2002-2008)
Jay Karnes	...	Detective Holland Wagenbach / ... (89 episodes, 2002-2008)
Benito Martinez	...	Captain David Aceveda / ... (89 episodes, 2002-2008)
CCH Pounder	...	Detective Claudette Wyms / ... (89 episodes, 2002-2008)
Cathy Cahlin Ryan	...	Corrine Mackey (83 episodes, 2002-2008)
David Rees Snell	...	Detective Ronnie Gardocki / ... (83 episodes, 2002-2008)
Kenny Johnson	...	Detective Curtis Lemansky (66 episodes, 2002-2007)
David Marciano	...	Detective Steve Billings / ... (42 episodes, 2005-2008)

Also Known As:

Rampart (USA) (working title)
The Barn (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-18 (DVD rating) | Germany:18 (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Hungary:16 | Netherlands:12 | South Korea:18 | UK:15 (most episodes) | UK:18 (some episodes) | Denmark:15 | Sweden:15 | Norway:15 | Finland:K-18 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | New Zealand:R16 (DVD rating) | Singapore:M18 | USA:TV-MA

Filming Locations:

ABC Television Center - 4151 Prospect Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Fox Television Network

Trivia:

According to Michael Chiklis , Jay Karnes had difficulty believing Dutch would be afraid of fighting Vic due to his size advantage. Karnes is 6'2" while Chiklis is 5'8". They debated for a while until Chiklis convinced Karnes that Dutch was afraid of Vic's violent temper.

Quotes:

Vic Mackey: Partner up with a criminal? I can name one flaw in that plan.
Shane Vendrell: Only one?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Weeds: Free Goat (#1.2)" (2005)

Hands down, the best show on television...

If you read the first couple of pages of reviews for "The Shield," you'll think that it's a poorly-crafted ratings loser that shouldn't be on television.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I'll admit, I was hesitant to start watching "The Shield," but that was only because of Michael Chiklis. I absolutely hated "The Commish" and I figured this show would be a total dog.

A co-worker challenged me to watch the pilot and, if I didn't like it, I could return the discs to him and he'd never hound me about it again. I took his challenge and watched the pilot---and I didn't stop until the season finale. Chiklis won me over. The writing won me over. The cinematography won me over.

Is the camera-work shaky? Sure. But it's *supposed* to be. It's shot almost documentary style and I think that adds to the grit of the show. Some people claim that "The Shield" failed Movie 101. Well, you know what? It's NOT a movie. It's an episodic television series and there are no other scripted dramas on television that compare.

Is it a ratings loser? Absolutely not. Folks, it's on cable. It's not going to be ranked in the Nielsen Top 10...ever! "The Shield" has helped FX firmly establish itself on Tuesday nights and was the first of a series of outstanding and cutting-edge dramas. "The Shield" is better described as a cable success story, proving that quality, original scripted television isn't the exclusive domain of the broadcast networks in the United States.

If you haven't ever watched "The Shield" and are considering it, I'll pose the same challenge my co-worker did. Watch one episode and only one episode: Pilot. If you don't like it, turn it off.

I'm willing to bet, however, that you'll wind up doing what I did.

"The Shield" is top-shelf. There's no doubt about it.