The Shield (The Shield)

Member Name: danball

Product:	The Shield
Date:	23/01/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Powerful Storylines, Great Cast

Disadvantages: N/A

A friend recommended this to me with the warning 'It's quite gritty and a bit graphic so be prepared'. This was a massive understatement.

'The Shield' focuses on group of detectives called the 'Strike Team' of the LAPD in the (fictional) Farmington District of Los Angeles. The team is led by Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) and includes Shane Vendrell (Walton Goggins), Ronnie Gardocki (David Rees Snell), Curtis Lemansky (Kenny Johnson) and Terry Crowley (Reed Diamond). As the seasons progressed the team gained new members but the ones listed above were the 'originals'. The Strike Team use questionable methods to enforce what they believe to be justice and are basically corrupt. The thing that I really like about this show is that, although you know that the team shouldn't be doing what they do, you always support them as you know that its for the greater good.

Vic is one of those characters that commit a wide range of crimes and you know you should hate him but the result is often that there is some peace and order on the streets that he and his team patrol. The whole team believe that the ends justify the means. It makes it really difficult to dislike them.

The series also features Councilman David Aceveda (Benito Martinez) who continually tries to foil the team in their illegal activities. Captain Claudette Wyms (CCH Pounder) who, along with her partner Detective Holland Wagenbach aka Dutch (Jay Karnes) are the voices of reason at the station where the team are based and are totally against the illegal methods that the Strike Team employ. Sergeant Danielle Sofer (Catherine Dent) and Julien Lowe (Michael Jace) are officers who are forced to work as partners as the begining of the show. Danielle has some history with Vic which is revealed in depth as the show goes on. Julien is a homosexual and often has internal conflict as he is also a devout Christian.

The way that the characters interact is fascinating to watch and the way some people switch allegiances to suit their needs at that time is a powerful indication of how things work in real life. Some of the scenes and storylines could be really distressing to some people, especially considering how realistic the scenes look so be warned. This is a well written and performed, some of the actors in this are very convincing, especially Michael Chiklis as the menacing Vic. If you like gritty police dramas then this is for you.

Summary: This is truly great but not for the faint hearted.