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Season 1 – The Shield

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Shield 2002 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Vic Mackey is a rogue cop in an experimental division of the Los Angeles Police Department, willing to sink to the criminals' level in order to take them on -- but his misdeeds eventually come home to roost. He breaks the law to, in his mind, bring some semblance of order to a chaotic world.
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The Shield — Season 1

The Shield — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

While there is certainly no shortage of cop dramas, The Shield's thrilling first season offers a unique perspective and provocative performances that will leave viewers breathless.

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Critics Reviews

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John Doyle Globe and Mail There isn't a single decent person in The Shield and that makes it the both the most devastating critique of America and the must-watch show of the season. Oct 25, 2019 Full Review Allan Johnson Chicago Tribune Does The Shield make for good television? Only if you think good TV stimulates and provokes. Oct 25, 2019 Full Review James Poniewozik TIME Magazine By this week's season finale, [Vic Mackey] has become the most memorable, divisive and hard-to-pin-down character of the TV season--and his series, a lesson in the difference between network and cable TV making. Jan 9, 2019 Full Review Jorge Fernández Mencías Fotogramas In The Shield nothing is black or white, it's a series of greys. [Full review in Spanish] Jul 25, 2023 Full Review Jamie East The Sun (UK) One of the absolute best. Rated: 5/5 Apr 3, 2020 Full Review Jason Zingale Bullz-Eye.com Because the show spins off into so many different directions, The Shield never loses steam, always creating some controversy and shocking the viewer whenever Mackey and his team break the rules. Rated: 5/5 Oct 28, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (21) audience reviews
M B The Shield is the best TV Series ever made, amazingly gripping and entertaining. The adrenaline rush that will take over your life! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/22/25 Full Review Audience Member Breathtaking! 10/10. A must see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/08/25 Full Review Travis B How bad do you have to be to do some good? this show rules Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/24/24 Full Review Cavid H Very good first season Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/01/24 Full Review Daniel C I just watched first season again (I've watched the whole series 2 times). It's one of my all time favorites. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/16/24 Full Review Mikhael D A perfect example of 'They don't make shows how they used to' Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/08/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Shield — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Chiklis

Det. Vic Mackey

Catherine Dent

Officer Danielle "Danny" Sofer

Reed Diamond

Terry Crowley

Walton Goggins

Det. Shane Vendrell

Michael Jace

Officer Julien Lowe

Jay Karnes

Det. Holland " Dutch" Wagenbach

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 12, 2002 Pilot The strike team safeguards the streets; detectives search for a kidnapped little girl. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 19, 2002 Our Gang David investigates the team's involvement in the shooting of Detective Crowley. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 26, 2002 The Spread Two rappers quarrel; a shooter attacks Danny; David allies with king-maker Jorge Machado for political reasons. Details Episode 4 Aired Apr 2, 2002 Dawg Days Danny and Julien uncover a gun-smuggling ring; Dutch believes Connie's attacker is a serial killer; the team detains a basketball superstar. Details Episode 5 Aired Apr 9, 2002 Blowback Vic and the Strike Team bust an Armenian gang's drug delivery, but the evidence gets stolen; Vic learns of his son's autism. Details Episode 6 Aired Apr 16, 2002 Cherrypoppers Dutch searches for a serial killer; David investigates Vic's illegal behavior; an underage-prostitution ring. Details Episode 7 Aired Apr 23, 2002 Pay in Pain Vic tries to stop a killing spree; David contacts Internal Affairs; psychic faces charges of fraud; Danny and Julien's rift grows. Details Episode 8 Aired Apr 30, 2002 Cupid and Psycho Faced with allegations of stealing drugs, the Strike Team is suspended; Vic and Claudette become partners. Details Episode 9 Aired May 7, 2002 Throwaway Vic and the team work on a truck-jacking case; Julien and Danny's rift continues; Claudette deals with her family. Details Episode 10 Aired May 14, 2002 Dragonchasers Connie goes through drug withdrawal; strip-club mugging ring; Dutch tracks a serial killer; a suspect with HIV bites Danny. Details Episode 11 Aired May 21, 2002 Carnivores Vic and the team mediate between Rondell Robinson and the Nation of Islam; a Korean community deals with a brutal home-invasion; David reminisces. Details Episode 12 Aired May 28, 2002 Two Days of Blood Vic helps Assistant Chief Gilroy cover up a hit-and-run; a gunrunner has a penchant for cockfights; a double homicide raises fear in an ignored community. Details Episode 13 Aired Jun 4, 2002 Circles Emergency calls lure cops into deadly ambushes in the aftermath of a riot; Gilroy tries to save his career. Details

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The Shield — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Clark Johnson, Guy Ferland, Scott Brazil, D.J. Caruso, Nick Gomez, Leslie Libman, Stephen Gyllenhaal
Executive Producer
Shawn Ryan, Scott Brazil
Network
FX
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Mar 12, 2002