TV: The Shield, and why you should be watching it.

[joeleeriepa]

There seems to be alot of people on this board that keep wondering why Jeff plugs the Shield, and calls it the "best show ever", every chance he gets.

The simple answer is- He is absolutely right.

Sure there have been plenty of great shows to grace television, but how many of them are perfect? How many of them never see a bad season, or even a bad episode? I can think of a few (Rome, Deadwood), but these shows have the advantage of being, A. On HBO, and B. Only two or three seasons long. What about a show on network, or cable television that has lasted more then 5 years? 5 years of keeping the stories fresh, the characters viable, and the production in perfect continuity? Can't think of one? Well, I can- The Shield.

Why is the Shield so damn good? The simplest way I can put it is- It's modern noir.

TV will always be clogged with medical dramas, legal dramas, and of course- cop shows. You know the ones- usually set in New York, with a washed out blue/gray tint to everything, telling stories of 'life on the streets', and domestic hardship. Well, the Shield said f*ck all that, and found it's playground on the opposite coast- Los Angeles. A city that has the darkest and most storied police, and crime, history. Cases like the Black Dahlia haunt it's past, and gangs like the crips and bloods infest it's present. All of this plays out in the shadow of Hollywood, and the corruption that has been LA's trademark since it's humble beginnings. You might think I'm over doing it here, but trust me- all of this is tightly woven into the Shield. You see, the best character on the show is the city of Los Angeles. The show literally lives and breathes LA. Now, I don't live in LA, but I've been there many times, and every time I watch the Shield it hits me like a freight train. That's what location filmmaking will do for ya folks. Oh, and Los Angeles is the house that noir built, and it oozes into every frame of the Shield. If you don't believe me I suggest you pick up some James Ellroy.

The other main reason the Shield succeeds is the fact that the creators have had a plan since day one, and have unbelievably made that story more tense, more electrifying, and more gut-wrenching with every new season. The continuity of the show will blow your mind. Something that happens in the very first episode still has reverberations, and still causes massive problems for our characters 6 seasons later. The character that ends up being the main villain in the first season still haunts the stories, and still leaves fingerprints, even though the character is long gone. Little things you thought were tiny little sub-plots, or character moments will slap you in the face 2 seasons later. There isn't enough space to fully praise the characters on this show, or the actors who portray them. The emotional rollercoaster they put you on, and the twisted way they make you root for people who are not doing the right thing, is just amazing. People love to build Tony Soprano up as an icon, but that guy wouldn't have a chance against Vic Mackey.

Oh, and did I mention the show is perfect? Not a bad season, or a single bad episode in 6 seasons and counting. And like I said- they have a plan, so the seventh (and final) season will no doubt be perfect as well. So what are you waiting for? You have just under a year to catch up, so Netflix away, and try not to spill any on your nice shirt, as you will be devouring.

[steek]

Me and my brother rented all the seasons and caught up and then I watched the newest season. Its a great show, I love all of it. You can call it the best TV series ever but I still think Dexter is better. Its only had one season but it still trumps anything iv seen.

[trsjeff]

This thread should be required reading ;)

-Jeff

[mikeyj10]

This thread should be required reading ;)

-Jeff

A) I absolutely agree, Vic Mackey is the best character ever. I mean this character made the guy who played "The Commish" look like a total bad ass.


B) "That is some Vic Mackey type S*** going on there." works as a great line anytime the topic of local police corruption comes up.

C) You don't need a third reason to love the shield.

[jc-magnus]

Hey for all the people that want to get The Shield DVDs for a good price, Costco is selling the season boxed sets for only $16.99! I bought Season 2 and 3 since I've already watched Season 1.

And that you Jeff for talking about The Shield on the show. Honestly, I don't think I would have watched it if you didn't bring it up. The Shield + The Office = me happy.

[jacquesmeyhofer]

I agree with everything said in this thread. It's the best show on TV... it's a shame more shows aren't as good.

[trsjeff]

Are you listening to this Dan and Alex?! ARE YOU?

:p
-Jeff

[mikeyj10]

Are you listening to this Dan and Alex?! ARE YOU?

:p
-Jeff

Answer: No, but for two very different reasons.

Alex: because he is too busy removing the wax from his hair, which really is the biggest pain in the arse.

Dan: because he is not a man and so cannot watch television that is above a TV PG rating.


Question: Does anyone know the title to the theme song of this show? I'm making my wedding cd/ cheap ass favors and I think I want to use it e-legally.

[jc-magnus]

Are you listening to this Dan and Alex?! ARE YOU?

:p
-Jeff

Have they watched any of The Shield? Even a tiny bit? Tie them to a chair and force them to enjoy it!

[joeleeriepa]

Are you listening to this Dan and Alex?! ARE YOU?

:p
-Jeff

Seriously, Jeff- straighten those two up! I think there are so many payoffs in the show that fit Alex's tastes, and Dan as a filmmaker would appreciate everything about it. Like I said above- There's a little less then a year to catch up, which is totally do-able!

[darknessgp]

Just to counter this thread...

1 reason I don't watch the Shield - "It's clobbering time!" Hard to take a show seriously when that is the first thing I think of when I see the main character.

[olpol]

Take pity on me, being a poor Aussie subjected to only having 3 commercial TV stations - none of which have been bothered to pick up the Shield. The last episode that was on TV here was "Ain't That A Shame", and yes, it certainly is.

I believe that was the final episode in season 4 (5?).

Since I can't put my faith in the TV networks here in Australia to broadcast the best show in the world, could someone please hit me up with a location from which I could "e-legally" (TRS phrase) aquire the episodes after that?

Thanks, my American buddies!

[mikeyj10]

Just to counter this thread...

1 reason I don't watch the Shield - "It's clobbering time!" Hard to take a show seriously when that is the first thing I think of when I see the main character.

To counter your dissent my foul sir I would offer evidence that If the fact that Mr. Chiklis can pull off the role of Vic Mackey despite the fact that he will forever be Tony Scali in my mind means that a little make up will not ruin this series for me.

Also it's hard to take a comment seriously when the author can't quote the movie character he mocks correctly.

[knight42]

and Dan as a filmmaker would appreciate everything about it.

On one of the making of documentaries on the S5 DVD's, they said they don't even own a Dolly since it's all done by hand. They have some sort of improvised thing but not a Dolly for filming. Kick arse!

Knight42

[knight42]

Putting Vic Mackey and The Thing together in the same sentence, it's a shame. Putting a truly awesome character as Vic and getting involved with that character enough to where the 'bad guy' Vic is seen as the 'Good Guy' in the verbal/mental battles between him and Forest Whitaker and THEN putting him as the goofy arse Thing in the FF movies. Time to earn a paycheck I suppose. (On a side note, I am currently reading the Ultimate Fantastic Four comics and the character is pretty true to form, at least in FF1 (except for his transformation back to human)).

But seriously man, The Shield just kicks BUTT! Much like Deadwood S3, I was anxiously awaiting The Shield S5 on DVD and I watched it in a week or so. The ending to that season was literally jaw-dropping, I had to pick mine up off of the floor!

If you haven't watched it, seriously, it's well worth it!

Knight42

[darknessgp]

Knight42, I can somewhat understand saying that comparing the two is stupid, but remember I haven't and don't watch the Shield, so how exactly am I supposed to know he is a "truly awesome character?" other than people just saying it.

mikeyj10, so I misquoted it by having a 'g' on the end of Clobberin'? In any case, I said it's what I think every time I see the actor.

I also said it's one of many. The few real life people that have recommended it to me are people that have also recommended me movies, anime, and tv shows that after watching them I hated, yea my brother has completely different tastes than I do.

I'll probably end up watching at least the first few episodes, but I don't expect it to be great.

[joeleeriepa]

I'll probably end up watching at least the first few episodes, but I don't expect it to be great.

Then you are in for one hell of a surprise boyo...

[MaxTheSilent]

I've watched the first four episodes (disc one of S1).

I enjoyed it, but it's nothing I'd lose my shit over. Not in the way that I did over BAND OF BROTHERS (my pick for the greatest TV show ever made) or DEADWOOD. But then, admittedly I have zero interest in cop shows in general.

Mackey's team is nowhere near being interesting or memorable.

The female cop and the gay partner are the best thing about the show so far.

The 'wacko of-the-week' in the episodes comes off like a wannabe Joseph Wambaugh, without that great writer's gift for the blackest of gallows humour (read THE CHOIRBOYS for 'out-of-control cops' at it's best).

I got disc 2 in the mail today so I'll watch that over the weekend, and if it doesn't blow my skirt up then I'll probably not bother with the rest.

If anyone disagrees, based on what I've said, then let me know. But catching up on a show that's been running this long is a major undertaking, and I'm a total completist for anything I like.

I'd just like to know if it's worth it.

[cheech_sp]

The first time I saw the Shield was by channel surfing and catching the last half of an episode (from season 3 I think). After that, I got the first two seasons and watched them in about 2 weeks. I have impatiently waited week by week for each episode since then.
The action is good, and the filming really works well. I think the actors play each character perfectly. Even my wife likes the show.

"Mackey's team is nowhere near being interesting or memorable."
You're right about this, for the first few seasons. Up until season 4, we really don't get to hear much from Vic's team at all. But with all the complexity with the street action, and Vic's life, there isn't much time to get into depth with the other characters.

Its too bad the show has got to end, but at least it will go with dignity.

[joeleeriepa]

Mackey's team is nowhere near being interesting or memorable.


Please don't take this as an insult, but nothing could be further from the truth. Shane Vendrell is one of the deepest, and most complex characters on Television. Like any show, you need to give it some time for everything to click. The humble beginnings of the Shield are just a primer for a story line that has continued for six seasons. It's like I said in my original post- the stuff you disregard on the show now will slap you in the face three seasons later.

I agree that Band of Brothers was great, but like some of the examples I gave earlier- it has the benefit of being extremely finite. When the Shield ends it will have been on TV for almost a decade, and I challenge any show to keep up the quality the Shield has for that long.

[mikeyj10]

Another reason to like hte shield is that it actually had a half way decent comic book too.

[shieldss]

Hey Jeff, how about each week when you plug The Shield, give us a reason why. These should get you started.

Reasons to watch the Shield:

"You gotta be shittin' me..."
Delicous Feet
Cleetus VanDamme
Money Train
Armadillo
Pimpology 101
Aceveda loves cell phones
Ronny has mad computer skillz
Tevon's drive home
Mackey's ex-partner
Angel tattoos on cheeks
fire necklaces
From now on, when I say, "Suck my dick", you say, "You want me to lick your balls, Daddy?"
"That one's a naturally born undercover cum guzzler."
Dutch Boy's pet cats
Eatin' ain't cheatin'.
Who took Dutch's ding-dongs?
"Come on, this is a fresh pack - it's Juicy Fruit."
Lem and Shane's heart to heart
"Oh and another thing: your ex-wife's ***** tastes like sweet, sweet butter."

[shieldss]

Here you go, Jeff.

[baddox]

I've watched season 1 episode 1 a while back, and while the production was good and the dialogue witty, I grimaced a lot at the "TV acting," if you know what I mean. Especially the police boss guy who's Hispanic or Spanish perhaps--ugh, his acting was oozing with filthy drama that is far from rad.

[cheech_sp]

Here you go, Jeff.

Ha, nice pic.

"Dutch Boy's pet cats" :D

[longklaw]

Maybe not the best, but definitely one of the best. This past season had some great examples of why it is one of the best. Looking forward to next year.

[catavarie]

I've tried watching The Shield several times and each time I just can't get into it. I know a lot of people absolutely love this show, but its just not my cup of tea.

Let the Flaming begin.

[eagleswings]

Thanks Jeff for introducing me to this fantastic TV show. I've just started to buy the boxed sets to show my support for it in the hopes they keep making it. I really love the stories and the characters and just about everything in the show.

[miyamotofreak]

This and The Wire are the greatest shows EVER. And all the reasons I've seen in this thread to not like The Shield are frankly just wrong.

[lavahot]

I may as well watch Law & Order.

[baldwhitedog]

All I'm going to say on this subject is that Jeff and his plugging of this show is the reason my boss hasn't seen me in a week..

Now all we need is a good Sci Fi show and TV will be cool again.. please no one mention Battlestar.

Keep up the great work guys..


Alex, Dan listen to Jeff on this one.. seriously you'll be missing out if you don't..

[darknessgp]

Well, I've watched the first 6 episodes and I have to say "Meh." It's entertaining, but IMO not that great. I definitely would say that so far it won't be making my list of favorite TV shows, but is entertaining enough to watch.

[captainzerocool]

When is Dexter starting back?

[baldwhitedog]

DEXTER INFO:


13. It's Alive! (edit)
First aired: 9/30/2007 (US) Production Code: 201

Dexter must deal with suspicions from Doakes while worrying about a new FBI agent in town on the case of lots of body parts that just turned up.