The Shield 2002
“The law is just a suggestion.”
What is The Shield?
The Shield is an American crime drama television series that aired on the FX network from March 12, 2002, until November 25, 2008. Created by Shawn Ryan, the program spanned seven seasons and focused on the activities of an inner-city Los Angeles police precinct.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 2002
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 88
- Runtime
- 45 minutes
- First aired
- Mar 12, 2002
- Last aired
- Nov 25, 2008
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- FX
- Genres
- Crime, Drama, Action & Adventure
- Updated
Where to watch
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 88 episodes and an average 45-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
The Shield is an American crime drama television series that aired on the FX network from March 12, 2002, until November 25, 2008. Created by Shawn Ryan, the program spanned seven seasons and focused on the activities of an inner-city Los Angeles police precinct. The narrative follows a unit of corrupt police officers who employ illegal methods to maintain order while simultaneously engaging in secret undercover dealings for personal gain. Michael Chiklis stars as Vic Mackey, the leader of this unit, which is loosely based on the Rampart Division police scandal. The series is noted for its gritty tone and the portrayal of morally grey law enforcement characters, distinguishing it from other crime dramas of its era. The cast also features Michael Jace, Jay Karnes, and CCH Pounder. By balancing the objective of keeping streets safe with the pursuit of individual self-interests, the show explores the complex internal dynamics of the department. The series is recognized for its long-running consistency and its status as a groundbreaking crime thriller.
Should you watch it?
“A corrupt Los Angeles police unit balances keeping the streets safe with protecting their own self-interests.”
- consistently excellent storytelling
- complex morally grey characters
- features intense and gritty subject matter
Watch it if you enjoy crime dramas that explore the blurred lines between law enforcement and corruption.
The series features a gritty tone and depicts morally complex law enforcement officers engaging in illegal activities.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Pilot Mar 12, 2002
- E2 Our Gang Mar 19, 2002
- E3 The Spread Mar 26, 2002
- E4 Dawg Days Apr 2, 2002
- E5 Blowback Apr 9, 2002
- E6 Cherrypoppers Apr 16, 2002
- E7 Pay in Pain Apr 23, 2002
- E8 Cupid & Psycho Apr 30, 2002
- E9 Throwaway May 7, 2002
- E10 Dragonchasers May 14, 2002
- E11 Carnivores May 21, 2002
- E12 Two Days of Blood (1) May 28, 2002
- E13 Circles (2) Jun 4, 2002
Season 2 · 13 episodes
- E1 The Quick Fix Jan 7, 2003
- E2 Dead Soldiers Jan 14, 2003
- E3 Partners Jan 21, 2003
- E4 Carte Blanche Jan 28, 2003
- E5 Greenlit Feb 4, 2003
- E6 Homewrecker Feb 11, 2003
- E7 Barnstormers Feb 18, 2003
- E8 Scar Tissue Feb 25, 2003
- E9 Co-Pilot Mar 4, 2003
- E10 Coyotes Mar 11, 2003
- E11 Inferno Mar 18, 2003
- E12 Breakpoint Mar 25, 2003
- E13 Dominoes Falling Apr 1, 2003
Season 3 · 15 episodes
- E1 Playing Tight Mar 9, 2004
- E2 Blood and Water Mar 16, 2004
- E3 Bottom Bitch Mar 23, 2004
- E4 Streaks and Tips Mar 30, 2004
- E5 Mum Apr 6, 2004
- E6 Posse Up Apr 13, 2004
- E7 Safe Apr 20, 2004
- E8 Cracking Ice Apr 27, 2004
- E9 Slipknot May 4, 2004
- E10 What Power Is... May 11, 2004
- E11 Strays May 18, 2004
- E12 Riceburner May 25, 2004
- E13 Fire in the Hole Jun 1, 2004
- E14 All In Jun 8, 2004
- E15 On Tilt Jun 15, 2004
Season 4 · 13 episodes
- E1 The Cure Mar 15, 2005
- E2 Grave Mar 22, 2005
- E3 Bang Mar 29, 2005
- E4 Doghouse Apr 5, 2005
- E5 Tar Baby Apr 12, 2005
- E6 Insurgents Apr 19, 2005
- E7 Hurt Apr 26, 2005
- E8 Cut Throat May 3, 2005
- E9 String Theory May 17, 2005
- E10 Back in the Hole May 24, 2005
- E11 A Thousand Deaths May 31, 2005
- E12 Judas Priest Jun 7, 2005
- E13 Ain't That A Shame Jun 14, 2005
Season 5 · 11 episodes
- E1 Extraction Jan 10, 2006
- E2 Enemy of Good Jan 17, 2006
- E3 Jailbait Jan 24, 2006
- E4 Tapa Boca Jan 31, 2006
- E5 Trophy Feb 7, 2006
- E6 Rap Payback Feb 14, 2006
- E7 Man Inside Feb 21, 2006
- E8 Kavanaugh Feb 28, 2006
- E9 Smoked Mar 7, 2006
- E10 Of Mice and Lem Mar 14, 2006
- E11 Postpartum Mar 21, 2006
Frequently asked questions
Who created The Shield?
The series was created by Shawn Ryan.
When did the show air?
The Shield aired on FX from March 12, 2002, to November 25, 2008.
How many seasons are there?
The series ran for seven seasons.
Who stars in the series?
The series stars Michael Chiklis, Michael Jace, Jay Karnes, and CCH Pounder.
What is the premise of the show?
It follows a group of corrupt Los Angeles police officers who use illegal methods to maintain order while pursuing their own interests.