The Shield | A Groundbreaking Miracle

[TMC]

(CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of sexual assault, suicide, disturbing themes)

When discussing the shows of what is referred to as The Second Golden Age of television, cited with bringing an unprecedented level of quality to the small screen, there’s one show often left out of the mix. The Shield, which aired on FX from 2002-2008, takes place in the fictional Farmington District of LA, following the exploits of corrupt LAPD detective Vic Mackey who leads his Strike Team into the deepest depths of their crime ridden streets, resorting to any means necessary to bring about his own warped view of justice.

While it is easy to take for granted how revolutionary The Shield was, particularly in regard to how it pushed the boundaries of what was permissible on cable television, its impact cannot be understated and even 20 years later still towers above countless “edgy dramas” in terms of its audacity and storytelling bravado.

This video will serve as a full analysis of the series, beginning with a short discussion detailing the inception of the show, followed by a breakdown of all seven seasons, analyzing how it began with a brazen but bumpy start yet finished with one of the most astounding final runs in television history, and ending with a concise conclusion, giving a criminally underappreciated show it's just deserts.

• [00:00:00] - Intro/Shoutouts
• [00:02:22] - Prologue: A Different Kind Of Cop Show
• [00:06:39] - Season 1: ...With A Bang
• [00:18:00] - Season 2: Upping The Ante
• [00:28:52] - Season 3: Breakage
• [00:38:43] - Season 4: Transition
• [00:51:28] - Season 5: The Beginning Of The End
• [01:04:31] - Season 6: Fallout
• [01:17:02] - Season 7: Retribution
• [01:35:14] - Epilogue: A Forgotten Legacy
• [01:36:37] - Outro/Patrons