Rating: 
Summary: AMAZING
Review: This is the best show on TV. Watching both 1st and 2nd season straight through (or at least in a shorter time period) adds so much more. Makes the stories and the plot that much deeper.Great purchase
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent From Start to Finish
Review: The acting is great. The camera work is great. The editing is great. The directing is great. What else is there to say? Oh, forgot the story. The story is better than great, if that's possible. This show will hold your attention every step of the way. It crosses some lines in graphic content, but try reading the newsaper and finding something less graphic. When you're used to black and white, there's a refreshing beauty to the grey you'll find in every one of the character in The Shield. I won't ruin it for you by saying more except to say 'If you enjoy police thrillers, you'll love it. If you don't, what are you reading this for?'
Rating:
Summary: Believe everything you've heard!
Review: Yes, everything you've heard about this series is true.
Visceral, intense, smart, captivating, complex...
A must-buy.
I'd suggest to track down the R2 release, since the series is presented in WIDESCREEN on it.
Rating:
Summary: A Show that Lives Up to its Hype
Review: The first time I remember seeing Michael Chiklis in something, he played John Belushi in the grotesque film version of WIRED about 15 years ago. I was a fan of Belushi and liked Bob Woodward's book but that movie was obscene. I felt bad for Chiklis because he did a great job but the production was darn-near evil in its approach to Belushi.
Actor's careers can be killed over messes like that.
But how sweet it must be now! I was thrilled for Chiklis when I heard he'd come out of nowhere to win the Emmy for THE SHIELD. Then I saw THE SHIELD on DVD from beginning to end. Wow. This is a show that lives up to its hype. From a single gunshot in the first episode, I felt like I was in a whole new world here. This is a tough, brutal show but expertly crafted and wildly unpredictable. The characters are perfectly cast and each feels real with a life of his or her own--and every demon that comes with the job. I was also happy to see CCH Pounder in a great role because I always seemed to see her in smaller, unsympathetic roles before. I can pay this series one of the highest compliments of a TV show: There's only one thing ahead of the characters--the writers!
Rating:
Summary: Perfection?
Review: the bottom line is this is darn near perfect. It is absolutely the most intense show i've ever seen. (yea 24 fans, this IS more intense) i've been a fan of 24 since the beginning and i used to think that nothing could beat it...i, like most other fans was very angry when chiklis won the golden globe a few years back over keiffer. but after seeing what an awsome performance chiklis does in this show...i can see why he won. One of my friends told me to watch it a few weeks ago so i decided to check it out. The very next day i was ordering this set. I just couldn't contain myself! for the next 3 days my life was taken over by this show...thats right 13 episodes in 3 friggin days.... There is not one bad episode out of the 13. Everyone is soo dramatic and there is ALWAYS something happening. Chicklis is not the only great actor. Dutch is one of my favorites. Theres honestly no character i don't like, no character like, kim bauers in 24, who i just don't care about...i actually want to learn more about everyone...their all so deep and intriguing. there is a lot of violence and sexuality so its not appropriate for younger kids. also it doesn't seem all that realistic. i'm not a cop nor am i familiar with what real cops in LA do but i don't thinks its perfectly accurate. I'm now going through the 2nd season...limiting myself to 2 episodes a day to make it last a little longer...and its just as intense if not more...Season 3 starts in march. So what are you waiting for!!! theres no need to read the other reviews cause they all say the same thing...I've always been told that nothing is perfect but this is pretty darn close.
Rating:
Summary: Best TV series drama ever
Review: No other TV series has ever been this cool and fun to watch! It's movie grade quality television. Excellent acting, great casting, controversial, hard-hitting intense action, and interesting plots. It's style is somewhat gritty and the "good guys" don't always follow the law. Not for kids, this is an adult series that deals with real issues. I'm so happy the FX network brought this out on DVD for all the show's many fans. My sole complaint is it's not widescreen version. Shield won 2002 Golden Globe award for Best TV series drama. It's a new classic and ranks up there with Miami Vice, in my opinion, as a top notch TV series. Season 3 starts Tues. March 9, 2004!!!
Rating:
Summary: Kick ass
Review: This is one of the best series I have ever seen on Tv. An instant ass kicking classics.
Rating:
Summary: "Mackey's not a cop. He's Al Capone with a badge..."
Review: Cable programming will never be the same again, and "The Shield: Season 1" is the reason for that. A cop drama unlike any you have ever seen before, this highly controversial and brilliantly written show takes you for a ride into the darkest parts of law enforcement that you never thought existed. This is a show that isn't strictly about good vs. evil; it's about getting your hands dirty in order to get the job done. The show revolves around a police department and the men and women behind it. They're faced with ugly situations on a day-by-day basis. A major player is Detective Vic Mackey; the leader of a Strike Team unit that goes places where nobody else would ever want to venture. Only problem is that in order for the Strike Team to get the job done, they have to bend or break the rules. Rules that could end up having them become the actual lowlifes that they have dedicated their lives to lock away for good. With numerous storylines popping up at every corner, one of the key ones is Mackey's superior, Captain Aceveda, looking for any excuse to catch Mackey doing wrong so he can lock him up with the same criminals that he takes down. The end result of all of these characters and their stories lead to a shockingly entertaining show that ignores every rule in the book and questions your own morality. I found this show to be extremely addicting. The show is down and dirty, just like some of the shady characters that are in it. Sometimes you're afraid to watch because you have no idea what buttons the show plans to push next. This is for sure not "family entertainment." With the exception of not being able to use the "F-word," this show pretty much gets away with everything else. You'd think it was on HBO. So what's so appealing about this show? I think it's because of the risks it takes. Instead of conforming to your typical cop dramas where the lines between good and bad are more than crystal clear, we are presented with a show that tests our morals and values. It forces you to think and ask yourself, "Would I have done the same thing?" While a lot of the things that transpires on the show can be viewed as outrageous and over-the-top, there's a lot of ugly truths hidden within. And, we must remember that this is a TV show with a goal to entertain. The actors are fantastic in their roles (especially Michael Chiklis, who plays "Vic Mackey"). The writing and directing also stand out in this well-structured series. The DVD set has some goodies to offer, which will please fans of the show. This 4-Disc DVD collection includes extras such as commentary on every episode, the original script for the "Pilot" episode, two featurettes, deleted scenes, and cast audition videos. If the 13 episodes alone weren't enough for you, the extras should make you happy. "The Shield: Season 1" is an excellent show that takes chances by portraying flawed characters that seem much more realistic than most seen in other shows. It's not for everyone, of course. The show is brutal and in-your-face. If you're willing to see how down and dirty a show can get, then this is something to check out. A very clever show with an extremely promising future. Just how far are you willing to go to get the job done? You'll soon find out once you pop in the first DVD. Once you go in--there's no coming back.
Rating:
Summary: Too close to reality for critics & average viewers!
Review: You know a show is great when too many people 'dispise' it & that's what happened with the finest episodic tv show ever, "The Shield'!! Sure a 'few' liberties are in the writng of "The Shield" but it's the closest thing you'll ever see on tv to the realities of both life on the street of an inner city, & the way REAL POLICE get necessary things done. BRAVO. I live in this 'type' of environment & 'know' detecives just like those that appear in "The Shield". Most people won't admit to the reality this show brings out, but that's the way it is. Reality TV is a joke, "The Shield" is closer to reality than ANY show on television, but critic's & 'tv watchdogs' & most viewers don't want to face a "REAL" tv show. This IS reality tv folks. Deal with it & enjoy it like I do. I must give some credit to the "tv censors" for allowing the language & violence that "The Shield" portrays(to keep it as real to life as tv will allow) because this 'fictional' tv show gives you what the reality tv show "COPS" is 'supposed' to but doesn't. Where "NYPD BLUE"(which I still enjoy, & is close to reality)tried to break in the door of what is accessible for adult tv viewers, "The Sheild" blew the doors off it's hinges and should be applauded & recognized for it honesty, & fine performances & writing! Frankly, after watching Shawn Ryan's 'hokey' tv effort "Nash Bridges" I had no faith in a new 'cop show' with his name attached, but like all great artists Ryan has a 'dark' side to him & we now get the pleasure of watching special tv when viewing "The Shield"! NO IT'S NOT FOR CHILDREN, or for adult viewer's with the mentality of a child, but that what's so great about this series, it's complicated & deals with ADULT issue's and dare I say therefore it probably won't survive the 3rd season. Sigh. I say this because the 2nd season outshined it's premier, & should Ryan & Chiklis(et al)try & push the 'tv boundries'even further in the 3rd season, the people with power will likely crush this great show. Sadly most great things are limited, & not appreciated until they are gone(painters/writers/musicians/ect)but HOPEFULLY
the stark genius of this show will survive & i'll have at least 1 hr of GREAT tv to look forward to each week. Sadly writing & acting of this caliber cannot sustain more than a few weeks out of each year, but I can't wait until March rolls around! Thank you Shawn Ryan-Michael Chiklis-CCH Pounder, hell everyone
that is involved with the creation of this fantastic show! It proves you don't 'have to go to' the movies for a magical moment
but in all likelyhood it's greatness spells doom for futher sucess.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best show on TV, ever, period.
Review: I hadn't seen any of Season 1 before on the recommendation of someone at work, I started watching The Shield in the middle of Season 2. Oh, am I glad she made me watch this, as it's unlikely I would have found it, mired as it is on FX. Other reviewers here have mentioned that this is a great cop show. It is. But it's more than that. It is one of the very few shows where you can feel your guts twisted in ethical knots when you see the dilemmas faced by the Strike Team. Makes you wonder, "what would I do in that situation." Also makes you wonder "how can they make this show any better?" Bet they will, somehow... Can't wait for March '04 for the new season.
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