The Shield: Vic Mackey and alignment

[Brother Shatterstone]

This is probably an unusual topic and could probably be in various areas of the board but I suspect it’s probably best here.

I'm rather curious what everyone would consider Vic Mackey's alignment to be. Yes I know alignment is flawed, and Vic is probably a good example of this.

When you answer on Vic's alignment I also request how much of the show you have seen, it can be in general terms like:

Every show many times
All of them once
Half of them
One of them
I read about it in TV guide...

etc.

Oh and though the show’s two season have ran a few times please use spoiler tags if you use examples, thanks!

 

[Rhialto]

Hmmm...

I've seen quite a few episodes, and I'd say Vic is a Lawful Evil man, with a good dose of neutrality left, and a certain romantic pining for his days as a Lawful Good man.

As for the rest of his team--Shane is Neutral Evil.

Lemonhead is Chaotic Good, with a tendency towards Neutrality.

Ronnie is Lawful Neutral.

 

[Nightfall]

I'd definately agree with the LE for Mackey, but occasional I think he shifts to NG. In any event it's all good cause it comes back in March. I can't wait for season three.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

I agree on Season 3, I just picked up season 2 on DVD... I'm sure I'll Season 2 watched 3 times by then.

Now on to alignment... I'm not sure Vic is lawful at all, how many times has he worked out of the box?

Also with the exception of one or two actions, has he really done anything to non-evil characters? (I mean in D&D smiting and evil and hurting evil is a good thing right?)

He is loyal to a fault, and his desire to help children and women is almost legendary it seems...

Anyhow I have no idea how to pick his alignment. Lawful Evil seems right on the surface but leaves me curious and doubtful the more I see of him.

 

[Nightfall]

It's really hard to pin Vic down to anything...but maybe CN with a deep sense of honor/code of ethics. It would work better with say Book of Hallowed Might's alignment system. Point here, point there.

Btw I've seen all two seasons. And the re-runs.

 

[DMScott]

I've seen episodes to about midway through season 2. I'd likely call Vic true neutral if he was playing in my D&D campaign - he fluctuates between good and evil actions, and seems to mostly be out for number one. He doesn't strike me as particularly lawful (he certainly pays only lip service to notions like chain of command or respect for lawful authority other than his own) nor particularly chaotic (he doesn't like to see other people bucking the system, just him). He is slipping a bit toward evil from what I've seen in season 2, but too early to tell if he'll end up there.

 

[Nightfall]

I guess we'll see when Season 3 rolls around huh Scott? I know for me, I believe it will be a great turning point for the Squad, Vic and the rest of the Barn.

 

[Datt]

I have seen a few episodes on reruns and now plan on picking up the first two seasons on DVD, hopefully before season 3 starts. I would have to agree with Nightfall on alingment. He looks like a strong CN. He doesn't really care about the law just what is generally in the best interest of him and his crew. As for his neutalness(?) the best example is him doing something evil for a good cause.

Spoiler

Like when they accidentally shot the wrong guy and then planted a gun on him. To clear him of the gun charge they dressed up like a drug dealer they were trying to bust and robbed a police van. While robbing the van they beat on the drvier a bit to make it look real.

 

[Nightfall]

Datt,

Yeah that example was good. There are others but that's one for sure.