Last Tuesday, the award winning FX original series, The Shield, ended after 7 seasons. This ground breaking series showed what really goes on in and around a real inner city police division. I think it was so close that it made many in the uniform very nervous.
The Shield was created by Shawn Ryan, and was based on the many scandals of the Los Angeles Police Department, and its infamous Rampart Division.
The following is an overview of all seven seasons, thanks to Wikipedia,
Season 1 premiered March 12 2002. It gives an introduction to The Strike Team and the other characters of the Barn. Important plotlines are the aftermath of Vic's murder of Terry Crowley and Captain Aceveda's scheming to bring Vic and the Strike Team down; Dutch and Claudette's attempts at tracking down a serial killer; Julien's training under Danny and his struggle with his homosexuality; Vic's use of Rondell Robinson to control the local drug trade and the fallout; as well as the corrupt actions of Ben Gilroy.
Season 2 premiered January 7 2003. The season mostly revolves around a brutal new drug-lord, Armadillo--a sadistic child rapist, who likes to set his rivals on fire using a tire necklace and gasoline--who begins to take over the drug trade in Farmington. Meanwhile, Officer Sofer is involved in a shooting of a Muslim man and has to deal with the fallout. This season is also heavily concerned with the Strike Team's plan to rip off the money train of the Armenian Mob, which ends up going down in the season finale.
Season 3 premiered March 9 2004. The season mainly revolves around the aftermath of the Money Train Heist and its effects on the Strike Team, as the Armenian mob and also David Aceveda begins to suspect the Strike Team. In order to save the team, Lem (Curtis "Lemonhead" Lemansky) burns a majority of the money, ultimately leading to a confrontation which causes the Strike Team to split up in the season finale. The Armenian mob sends Margos Dezerian to wipe out the Strike Team. Dezerian leaves a trail of murders, resulting in his own execution at the hands of Mackey. Claudette had been promised a promotion to captain and throughout the season was in a supervising role, while Aceveda prepared to move onto city council. Near the end of the season an assistant district attorney was shot, and Wyms and Dutch discovered she had been a heavy drug user for the past 3 years. Wyms explored further and became very unpopular with the D.A. and around the Barn because she was (against orders) reopening the assistant DA's closed cases. This resulted in her being denied her promotion to captain of the Farmington District.
Season 4 premiered March 15 2005, with the addition of Glenn Close taking over the role as Farmington's new captain, Monica Rawling. The season dealt with the fallout from the Strike Team disbandment. Shane Vendrell, with new partner Army, enters into a dangerous situation with major drug lord Antwon Mitchell (Anthony Anderson), and seemingly accepts an order to kill Vic Mackey. The police were outraged after two officers were kidnapped and subsequently found murdered. In the end, the Strike Team is re-formed and manages to successfully put Antwon in prison. The season also deals with the controversial asset forfeiture policies of the new captain; Julien's opposition to these policies; and David Aceveda (now a City Councilman) dealing with the psychological aftermath of his sexual assault incident from the previous season. The season concludes with Captain Rawling losing her job over a dispute with the DEA. This plot twist reflected a real-life need for Glenn Close to return to New York.
One of the season's secondary plots involves Claudette and Dutch's marginalization as detectives because of Claudette's refusal to apologize to the DA for reopening the cases of a public defender who was discovered to be a functioning drug addict. Claudette's moral stand resulted in many of the prosecutor's cases being overturned. This cost Claudette her shot at becoming Farmington Captain. Dutch eventually resolved the situation by making a back-room deal with the DA to "keep Claudette in line" and do favors for the office in return for breaking back into action.
Season 5 premiered January 10 2006. The season revolved around Internal Affairs Department Lt. Jon Kavanaugh's investigation into the Strike Team, representing one of the greatest threats the team has ever faced. As a result of Kavanaugh turning one of Vic's informants, IAD became aware of Lem stealing heroin which he never turned in. Having found the heroin, IAD is capable of arresting Lem, but Kavanaugh wants him to incriminate the whole team and has him wear a wire, which he warns the team of and they use it to embarrass IAD. Kavanaugh puts on any form of pressure he can, finds out about Vic's share of the Money Train money, and ultimately arrests Lem having made a deal with Antwon Mitchell to put Lem there if convicted. Vic stands with him and gets bail, while Shane is worried he'll be turned. Claudette finally gets her shot as the captain of the Barn which she reluctantly accepts. The season concluded with Shane Vendrell murdering his friend and fellow team member Lem with a hand grenade.
Season 2 premiered January 7 2003. The season mostly revolves around a brutal new drug-lord, Armadillo--a sadistic child rapist, who likes to set his rivals on fire using a tire necklace and gasoline--who begins to take over the drug trade in Farmington. Meanwhile, Officer Sofer is involved in a shooting of a Muslim man and has to deal with the fallout. This season is also heavily concerned with the Strike Team's plan to rip off the money train of the Armenian Mob, which ends up going down in the season finale.
Season 3 premiered March 9 2004. The season mainly revolves around the aftermath of the Money Train Heist and its effects on the Strike Team, as the Armenian mob and also David Aceveda begins to suspect the Strike Team. In order to save the team, Lem (Curtis "Lemonhead" Lemansky) burns a majority of the money, ultimately leading to a confrontation which causes the Strike Team to split up in the season finale. The Armenian mob sends Margos Dezerian to wipe out the Strike Team. Dezerian leaves a trail of murders, resulting in his own execution at the hands of Mackey. Claudette had been promised a promotion to captain and throughout the season was in a supervising role, while Aceveda prepared to move onto city council. Near the end of the season an assistant district attorney was shot, and Wyms and Dutch discovered she had been a heavy drug user for the past 3 years. Wyms explored further and became very unpopular with the D.A. and around the Barn because she was (against orders) reopening the assistant DA's closed cases. This resulted in her being denied her promotion to captain of the Farmington District.
Season 4 premiered March 15 2005, with the addition of Glenn Close taking over the role as Farmington's new captain, Monica Rawling. The season dealt with the fallout from the Strike Team disbandment. Shane Vendrell, with new partner Army, enters into a dangerous situation with major drug lord Antwon Mitchell (Anthony Anderson), and seemingly accepts an order to kill Vic Mackey. The police were outraged after two officers were kidnapped and subsequently found murdered. In the end, the Strike Team is re-formed and manages to successfully put Antwon in prison. The season also deals with the controversial asset forfeiture policies of the new captain; Julien's opposition to these policies; and David Aceveda (now a City Councilman) dealing with the psychological aftermath of his sexual assault incident from the previous season. The season concludes with Captain Rawling losing her job over a dispute with the DEA. This plot twist reflected a real-life need for Glenn Close to return to New York.
One of the season's secondary plots involves Claudette and Dutch's marginalization as detectives because of Claudette's refusal to apologize to the DA for reopening the cases of a public defender who was discovered to be a functioning drug addict. Claudette's moral stand resulted in many of the prosecutor's cases being overturned. This cost Claudette her shot at becoming Farmington Captain. Dutch eventually resolved the situation by making a back-room deal with the DA to "keep Claudette in line" and do favors for the office in return for breaking back into action.
Season 5 premiered January 10 2006. The season revolved around Internal Affairs Department Lt. Jon Kavanaugh's investigation into the Strike Team, representing one of the greatest threats the team has ever faced. As a result of Kavanaugh turning one of Vic's informants, IAD became aware of Lem stealing heroin which he never turned in. Having found the heroin, IAD is capable of arresting Lem, but Kavanaugh wants him to incriminate the whole team and has him wear a wire, which he warns the team of and they use it to embarrass IAD. Kavanaugh puts on any form of pressure he can, finds out about Vic's share of the Money Train money, and ultimately arrests Lem having made a deal with Antwon Mitchell to put Lem there if convicted. Vic stands with him and gets bail, while Shane is worried he'll be turned. Claudette finally gets her shot as the captain of the Barn which she reluctantly accepts. The season concluded with Shane Vendrell murdering his friend and fellow team member Lem with a hand grenade.
"Wins and Losses"
The producers of The Shield produced a 15-minute "promosode", which premiered on Google on February 15 2007 to bridge the gap between Seasons 5 and 6. The episode focuses on the aftermath of Lem's death, including his funeral and flashbacks as co-workers reflect upon Det. Lemansky's life. The episode was said to have cost between $500,000 and $1 million to produce and was on Bud.TV for a 4 week period and later released to AOL and other media outlets. The "promosode" is also one of the special features included on the Season 5 DVD set.
Season 6 premiered on FX on April 3 2007. Continuing directly after season 5, Vic and the Strike Team are distraught over Lem's death. Shane has been overcome by guilt and becomes reckless and suicidal. Kavanaugh refuses to let the case die and resorts to planting evidence and coercing witnesses to lie about the Strike Team and specifically, Vic. Dutch and Claudette begin to suspect his integrity and Kavanaugh finally confesses to his actions and finds himself under arrest. Vic learns from Claudette that the Chief plans to force him into early retirement — and vows to wreak bloody vengeance on Lem's killer before losing his badge. Claudette learns that the Barn could be shut down if no improvements are made by the time quarterly crime statistics are released.
Season 7 premiered September 2 2008, consisted of 13 one-hour episodes. This was the final season according to its creator and the network. This was also confirmed by commercials on FX, billing this year as "the Final Act."
The producers of The Shield produced a 15-minute "promosode", which premiered on Google on February 15 2007 to bridge the gap between Seasons 5 and 6. The episode focuses on the aftermath of Lem's death, including his funeral and flashbacks as co-workers reflect upon Det. Lemansky's life. The episode was said to have cost between $500,000 and $1 million to produce and was on Bud.TV for a 4 week period and later released to AOL and other media outlets. The "promosode" is also one of the special features included on the Season 5 DVD set.
Season 6 premiered on FX on April 3 2007. Continuing directly after season 5, Vic and the Strike Team are distraught over Lem's death. Shane has been overcome by guilt and becomes reckless and suicidal. Kavanaugh refuses to let the case die and resorts to planting evidence and coercing witnesses to lie about the Strike Team and specifically, Vic. Dutch and Claudette begin to suspect his integrity and Kavanaugh finally confesses to his actions and finds himself under arrest. Vic learns from Claudette that the Chief plans to force him into early retirement — and vows to wreak bloody vengeance on Lem's killer before losing his badge. Claudette learns that the Barn could be shut down if no improvements are made by the time quarterly crime statistics are released.
Season 7 premiered September 2 2008, consisted of 13 one-hour episodes. This was the final season according to its creator and the network. This was also confirmed by commercials on FX, billing this year as "the Final Act."
Here is a list of the people who make this The Shield a great show, again thanks to Wikipedia,
Detective Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) is a corrupt police officer and former leader of the Strike Team; he steals from drug dealers, beats and tortures suspects, and has committed murder more than once, including a fellow police officer. A quintessential Machiavellian, Mackey sees his tactics as a means to an end. Vic perceives himself as a loyal father and partner, and does, indeed, seem to intend to fulfil those roles, but his pathological desire to control everyone and everything around him results in hurting those closest to him, primarily his ex-wife and daughter, but also Lemansky. Mackey's family life is followed throughout the series. His marriage to his wife, a nurse, failed after numerous instances of infidelity on Mackey's part (including with Officer Sofer, which resulted in a child). Mackey and his wife have three children, two with autism. The special education needs of Mackey's children are one of many sources of stress (monetary and emotional) for Mackey. After Corinne leaves him, he is granted immunity by ICE and then confesses to the Crowley murder . He finishes the series working behind a desk.
Detective Shane Vendrell (Walton Goggins) was Vic Mackey's best friend and partner before the strike team was formed. Cast as a stereotypical redneck (complete with southern accent, a love of country music, and racism), his attempts to emulate Vic's manipulative machinations usually fail, at which point Vic has to bail him out. He has a wife, Mara, as well as a young son, Jackson. Shane requested a transfer from the Strike Team after he confessed to Vic that he killed fellow team member Curtis Lemansky. Vic threatened to kill Shane if he saw him again. He later cancelled his request to transfer to his old spot in vice because Vic was faced forced retirement as a result of his many crimes. Shane blackmails a drug dealer, who's facing his third strike, to kill Ronnie. The plan is revealed to Vic, Ronnie, and the entire Barn when the dealer is captured and confesses that he was blackmailed by Shane and a warrant is issued for Shane's arrest. Shane went on the run with his wife and son, and upon learning of Vic's immunity, he kills them and commits suicide.
Detective Curtis "Lem" Lemansky (Kenny Johnson) was a cop with a conscience. He had a history of working with kids, and maintained a soft-spot for them. His loyalty to Vic and the Strike Team led him to go along with most of their illegal schemes, although he didn't know about all of them. An original member of the Strike team, Shane Vendrellkilled Lemansky in the finale of the fifth season because he, Shane, was under the mistaken impression that Lemansky was going to rat on the rest of the team. Lem was unmarried and had no children.
Detective Shane Vendrell (Walton Goggins) was Vic Mackey's best friend and partner before the strike team was formed. Cast as a stereotypical redneck (complete with southern accent, a love of country music, and racism), his attempts to emulate Vic's manipulative machinations usually fail, at which point Vic has to bail him out. He has a wife, Mara, as well as a young son, Jackson. Shane requested a transfer from the Strike Team after he confessed to Vic that he killed fellow team member Curtis Lemansky. Vic threatened to kill Shane if he saw him again. He later cancelled his request to transfer to his old spot in vice because Vic was faced forced retirement as a result of his many crimes. Shane blackmails a drug dealer, who's facing his third strike, to kill Ronnie. The plan is revealed to Vic, Ronnie, and the entire Barn when the dealer is captured and confesses that he was blackmailed by Shane and a warrant is issued for Shane's arrest. Shane went on the run with his wife and son, and upon learning of Vic's immunity, he kills them and commits suicide.
Detective Curtis "Lem" Lemansky (Kenny Johnson) was a cop with a conscience. He had a history of working with kids, and maintained a soft-spot for them. His loyalty to Vic and the Strike Team led him to go along with most of their illegal schemes, although he didn't know about all of them. An original member of the Strike team, Shane Vendrellkilled Lemansky in the finale of the fifth season because he, Shane, was under the mistaken impression that Lemansky was going to rat on the rest of the team. Lem was unmarried and had no children.
Detective Ronnie Gardocki (David Rees Snell) is the Strike Team's surveillance and electronics expert. Though little is known about Ronnie, he has proven more and more in recent times to be the most solid, emotionally stable member of the Strike Team and has remained loyal to Vic out of enlightened self-interest, knowing that divisions between them would only lead to bad ends for both. The scars on his face, given to him by Armadillo in Season 2, are proof of his loyalty to the team. He is not married, preferring instead the company of Asian prostitutes. In the final season, he becomes the official leader of the Strike Team before Captain Claudette Wyms shuts it down. During season 7 we see his intense anger over his and Mackey's inability to gain revenge on Shane for Lem's murder. He and Vic concoct a plan to have Shane killed by the Armenian gang that knew about the Money Train robbery. Ronnie is targeted by a drug dealer hired by Shane to kill him. After the drug dealer confesses and Shane flees, Claudette disbands the strike team, forcing Ronnie to become a "suit and tie" detective while trying to help Vic and stay out of prison. In the final episode, Ronnie is arrested after Vic implicates him in his immunity confessions.
Detective Julien Lowe (Michael Jace) is the newest addition to the Strike Team. During the formation of a new Strike Team, Claudette offered Julien to Kevin Hiatt as a possible addition to the team. Claudette made the offer to Julien, who was hesitant, mainly because of the thought of being partnered with Vic on a daily basis. After being assured that Mackey was going to be moved out of the team, Julien accepted the promotion and is now an official member of the Strike Team. Julien has taken and passed the detectives exam but has yet to be moved into a detectives possition. Despite his desire to be a fully functioning member of the Strike Team, Julien knows that he remains on the outside of the clique. He is asked to choose which side he will be on when Claudette finally has a case to go after Mackey and Vendrell.
Councilman David Aceveda (Benito Martinez) is a politically ambitious former police captain elected to the Los Angeles City Council. He is one of Vic Mackey's main rivals, although often they have forged uneasy alliances for various reasons. He was orally raped at gunpoint, which eventually drove him to arrange a deal with druglord Antwon Mitchell to kill his rapist in prison. During the final season, Aceveda is faced with the growing influence of a Cruz Pezuela who offers to seemingly help David get elected as the next Mayor. Although receptive to his help at first, Aceveda realizes that Pezuela is dirty and attempts to distance himself only to find the Pezuela has photographs of the sexual assault. The last season deals with him and Vic cooperating one last time as they attempt to take Pezuela and possibly the Mexican cartel down.
Captain Claudette Wyms (CCH Pounder) is a veteran detective. Claudette, along with her partner Dutch, can be viewed as the voice of morality at the Barn; as a result, she is often at odds with Vic over his tactics. Later in the series, Claudette revealed to Dutch that she has had lupus for fifteen years. In season 5, she is appointed Captain after several attempts in previous years. After finally being promoted to captain, Claudette proves to be at least as capable as her predecessors. However, during the final season, her lupus returns and begins to interfere with her ability to do her job. In the final episode, she admits to Dutch that she is in the terminal stage of her illness.
Detective Holland "Dutch" Wagenbach (Jay Karnes) is characterized by many as a socially inept nerd even though he is a successful police detective. Assigned to the Farmington District of Los Angeles, he is often the first called to investigate violent crimes because of his specialization in criminal profiling and serial killers. Along with his partner, Detective Claudette Wyms, Dutch is widely considered to be the moral center of the show owing to his willingness to do the right thing in spite of the temptation to engage in illegal police activities. A scene in one episode showed him strangling a live cat after questioning an actual serial killer about what he sees in his victim's eyes.The series never follows-up on that ominous scene, but neither does Dutch ever perform a similar act of cruelty. Vic and Shane, in a flashback, immediately decide to pick on Dutch, as if they were seniors and he a freshman, and Dutch's clearly vengeful relationship with Vic's ex-wife did not help, but after Dutch actually challenges Vic to a fight in Season 3, Vic ends the bullying.
Sergeant Danielle "Danny" Sofer (Catherine Dent) is a patrol officer who aspires to become a detective. She has an on-again-off-again sexual relationship with Vic and a complicated history with Dutch. She is assigned desk duty as a result of her pregnancy and takes maternity leave after the birth of her son, Lee. The identity of the father was initially unknown; later, in the sixth season episode "Chasing Ghosts," it was heavily implied that it was Vic. Shortly afterwards, Danny returned from maternity leave early so that she could take the position of Sergeant at the Barn. In Season Seven Vic threatens to force Danny to take a paternity test.
Detective Julien Lowe (Michael Jace) is the newest addition to the Strike Team. During the formation of a new Strike Team, Claudette offered Julien to Kevin Hiatt as a possible addition to the team. Claudette made the offer to Julien, who was hesitant, mainly because of the thought of being partnered with Vic on a daily basis. After being assured that Mackey was going to be moved out of the team, Julien accepted the promotion and is now an official member of the Strike Team. Julien has taken and passed the detectives exam but has yet to be moved into a detectives possition. Despite his desire to be a fully functioning member of the Strike Team, Julien knows that he remains on the outside of the clique. He is asked to choose which side he will be on when Claudette finally has a case to go after Mackey and Vendrell.
Councilman David Aceveda (Benito Martinez) is a politically ambitious former police captain elected to the Los Angeles City Council. He is one of Vic Mackey's main rivals, although often they have forged uneasy alliances for various reasons. He was orally raped at gunpoint, which eventually drove him to arrange a deal with druglord Antwon Mitchell to kill his rapist in prison. During the final season, Aceveda is faced with the growing influence of a Cruz Pezuela who offers to seemingly help David get elected as the next Mayor. Although receptive to his help at first, Aceveda realizes that Pezuela is dirty and attempts to distance himself only to find the Pezuela has photographs of the sexual assault. The last season deals with him and Vic cooperating one last time as they attempt to take Pezuela and possibly the Mexican cartel down.
Captain Claudette Wyms (CCH Pounder) is a veteran detective. Claudette, along with her partner Dutch, can be viewed as the voice of morality at the Barn; as a result, she is often at odds with Vic over his tactics. Later in the series, Claudette revealed to Dutch that she has had lupus for fifteen years. In season 5, she is appointed Captain after several attempts in previous years. After finally being promoted to captain, Claudette proves to be at least as capable as her predecessors. However, during the final season, her lupus returns and begins to interfere with her ability to do her job. In the final episode, she admits to Dutch that she is in the terminal stage of her illness.
Detective Holland "Dutch" Wagenbach (Jay Karnes) is characterized by many as a socially inept nerd even though he is a successful police detective. Assigned to the Farmington District of Los Angeles, he is often the first called to investigate violent crimes because of his specialization in criminal profiling and serial killers. Along with his partner, Detective Claudette Wyms, Dutch is widely considered to be the moral center of the show owing to his willingness to do the right thing in spite of the temptation to engage in illegal police activities. A scene in one episode showed him strangling a live cat after questioning an actual serial killer about what he sees in his victim's eyes.The series never follows-up on that ominous scene, but neither does Dutch ever perform a similar act of cruelty. Vic and Shane, in a flashback, immediately decide to pick on Dutch, as if they were seniors and he a freshman, and Dutch's clearly vengeful relationship with Vic's ex-wife did not help, but after Dutch actually challenges Vic to a fight in Season 3, Vic ends the bullying.
Sergeant Danielle "Danny" Sofer (Catherine Dent) is a patrol officer who aspires to become a detective. She has an on-again-off-again sexual relationship with Vic and a complicated history with Dutch. She is assigned desk duty as a result of her pregnancy and takes maternity leave after the birth of her son, Lee. The identity of the father was initially unknown; later, in the sixth season episode "Chasing Ghosts," it was heavily implied that it was Vic. Shortly afterwards, Danny returned from maternity leave early so that she could take the position of Sergeant at the Barn. In Season Seven Vic threatens to force Danny to take a paternity test.
All though there will be no more first run episopes, you can catch re-runs, and the complete series on DVD as well.
1 comment:
I like that show, didnt get to follow it that well though.
Good post honey, love you.
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