Opinions on The Shield

[JoeGKushner]

Has anyone followed this all the way through.

One of my friends got me watching it on Season Three and I was hooked. Corrupt cops and cops that act like cops I know do and who can get away with a more mature rating?

Heck, all I'm waiting for is for the guys from the Shield to be sent to bust up a certain Mafia style family by name of the Sopranos. Talk about a perfect set up eh?

 

[Morrus]

I've seen all three series so far. I like it, although the "gangsta"/rap element really doesn't work for me. As far as gangsters go, I find Mafia types to be much more watchable and infinitely more interesting.

I agree - a Shield/Sopranos crossover would be fun. Silly, but fun.

 

[Truth Seeker]

I've seen all three series so far. I like it, although the "gangsta"/rap element really doesn't work for me. As far as gangsters go, I find Mafia types to be much more watchable and infinitely more interesting.

I agree - a Shield/Sopranos crossover would be fun. Silly, but fun.

You are kidding right? Who would walk out of that alive?

 

[Cap'n Needles]

Vic Mackey from the Shield would survive. But not in good shape.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I've seen all three series so far. I like it, although the "gangsta"/rap element really doesn't work for me. As far as gangsters go, I find Mafia types to be much more watchable and infinitely more interesting.

I agree - a Shield/Sopranos crossover would be fun. Silly, but fun.

The thing I emphasis with is that Vic is a dinosaur. I've been watching the first season and his patron is often pointing out to Vic that their time is passing. That the old guard so to speak, isn't going to be able to stay around forever. Now speaking as an American, I personally feel that the whole 'gangsta' crap has ruined at least two generations and that we are in serious need of some education based on good old manners again. Heck, makes me surprised that King of the Hill is still around. Then again, living in the Chicago land area, I'm probably subject to that attitute more than other parts of America.

 

[Berandor]

I liked the Shield, but German TV only showed the first season, or maybe half of it (don't know whether it was a long or short season).

but Vic Mackey rules.

 

[FCWesel]

The Shield has "half-season" seasons, 12-13 Episodes a season.

I loev the Shield and am only aminor follower of the Sopranos...I wouldn't want to see that combination at all. Ever. For some reason its about as revolting to me as the Star Trek meets the X-men comic book I saw on a shelf some years back.

One of the things I have heard mentioned is that at the series end Vic will go to jail, but that his mental/family anguish will likley be settled.

I also heard of one thing the writers wanted to do, but that Shawn Ryan turned them down on was to have a really dramatic scene that involved the death of Vic's autistic child. The scene would basically be the culmination of Vic's wife's breakdown under the pressure of her life's burden with Vic, her healthy children and her autisitic child.

The scene basically plays out along where Corrin is busy doing the dishes and cleaning house while her children are playing in the backyard. Somehow the autisitc child is unwatched for a moment (the other children get into something else for a moment, perhaps running around the side of the house) and the boy falls into the pool. Of course the child can't swim. Just then Corrin, who is having a breakdown of sorts while she's cleaning, look sup and sees the child in the pool. Huge drama plays over her face as she sees this, frozen for a moment...then she suddenly shuts the curtains on the window...and keeps cleaning.

I both love the dramatic aspect and the future drama of her breakingdown even more (now with added guilt) and then Vic fidning out his wife let thier son die...but I also am revulsed by the idea of the scene...which would be extremely hard to watch. Which is exactly why it would WORK I think on a show like the Shield. Though I can certainly see that it might be a step to far over the line even for the Shield.

In any event, the scene/situation was nixed by Shawn Ryan.

The great thing about the Shield, despite some of the more radical plots and action is its gritty characters. These people feel real. You can identify, much to your horror I am sure a lot of the time, with Vic and Shane and the Captain and what they do at times.

In Season One's DVD commentaries Shawn Ryan made a real revealing comment in which he said that in a way the whole series isn't so much about Vic as it is about VIC's and ACEVEDA's battle over CLAUDETTE WYMS' soul as a cop and as a person. When looked at through that revelation the show takes on a even deeper level on things.

No matter what, it is GREAT storytelling. Maybe about the best TV cop stuff since Barney Miller.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Well, I just finished watching Season One and man, that ending was powerful.

Sounds like there's a lot of interesting tidbits in the commentary though. I'll have to check that out next while I wait to buy season two.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I didn't watch much of it becuase I hate crooked cops.

 

[Morrus]

I didn't watch much of it becuase I hate crooked cops.

I think that's kinda the idea...

I don't exactly approve of the Mafia, evil galaxy-wide dictatorships, vigilantes or thieves, either, but I enjoyed The Godfather, Star Wars, Batman and Oceans 11. Well, Oceans 11 was a pretty poor movie, but I watched it nonetheless.