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
Stream
Sony Pictures Core Amazon ChannelBuy
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video
maxdome StoreStream
Sony Pictures Core Amazon ChannelBuy
Apple TV Store
Canal VODBuy
Apple TV StoreAmazon VideoStream
VI movies and tvStream
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsStream
Sony Pictures Core Amazon ChannelFree
Amazon Prime VideoRent
Amazon VideoBuy
Amazon Video
Google Play MoviesStream
Amazon Prime Video
HuluAmazon Prime Video with AdsBuy
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play Movies
Fandango At HomeStreaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
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.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about The Shield — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is The Shield worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Pilot Mytharc Mar 12, 2002
- E2 Our Gang Core Mar 19, 2002
- E3 The Spread Core Mar 26, 2002
- E4 Dawg Days Core Apr 2, 2002
- E5 Blowback Core Apr 9, 2002
- E6 Cherrypoppers Core Apr 16, 2002
- E7 Pay in Pain Core Apr 23, 2002
- E8 Cupid & Psycho Core Apr 30, 2002
- E9 Throwaway Core May 7, 2002
- E10 Dragonchasers Core May 14, 2002
- E11 Carnivores Core May 21, 2002
- E12 Two Days of Blood (1) Mytharc May 28, 2002
- E13 Circles (2) Mytharc Jun 4, 2002
Season 2 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Quick Fix Mytharc Jan 7, 2003
- E2 Dead Soldiers Core Jan 14, 2003
- E3 Partners Core Jan 21, 2003
- E4 Carte Blanche Core Jan 28, 2003
- E5 Greenlit Core Feb 4, 2003
- E6 Homewrecker Core Feb 11, 2003
- E7 Barnstormers Core Feb 18, 2003
- E8 Scar Tissue Core Feb 25, 2003
- E9 Co-Pilot Mytharc Mar 4, 2003
- E10 Coyotes Core Mar 11, 2003
- E11 Inferno Core Mar 18, 2003
- E12 Breakpoint Mytharc Mar 25, 2003
- E13 Dominoes Falling Mytharc Apr 1, 2003
Season 3 · 15 episodes
Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →- E1 Playing Tight Mytharc Mar 9, 2004
- E2 Blood and Water Core Mar 16, 2004
- E3 Bottom Bitch Core Mar 23, 2004
- E4 Streaks and Tips Core Mar 30, 2004
- E5 Mum Core Apr 6, 2004
- E6 Posse Up Mytharc Apr 13, 2004
- E7 Safe Core Apr 20, 2004
- E8 Cracking Ice Core Apr 27, 2004
- E9 Slipknot Core May 4, 2004
- E10 What Power Is... Core May 11, 2004
- E11 Strays Core May 18, 2004
- E12 Riceburner Core May 25, 2004
- E13 Fire in the Hole Core Jun 1, 2004
- E14 All In Mytharc Jun 8, 2004
- E15 On Tilt Mytharc Jun 15, 2004
Season 4 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 4 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Cure Mytharc Mar 15, 2005
- E2 Grave Core Mar 22, 2005
- E3 Bang Core Mar 29, 2005
- E4 Doghouse Core Apr 5, 2005
- E5 Tar Baby Core Apr 12, 2005
- E6 Insurgents Mytharc Apr 19, 2005
- E7 Hurt Core Apr 26, 2005
- E8 Cut Throat Mytharc May 3, 2005
- E9 String Theory Core May 17, 2005
- E10 Back in the Hole Mytharc May 24, 2005
- E11 A Thousand Deaths Core May 31, 2005
- E12 Judas Priest Mytharc Jun 7, 2005
- E13 Ain't That A Shame Mytharc Jun 14, 2005
Season 5 · 11 episodes
Open the complete Season 5 guide & lore primer →- E1 Extraction Mytharc Jan 10, 2006
- E2 Enemy of Good Core Jan 17, 2006
- E3 Jailbait Core Jan 24, 2006
- E4 Tapa Boca Core Jan 31, 2006
- E5 Trophy Core Feb 7, 2006
- E6 Rap Payback Core Feb 14, 2006
- E7 Man Inside Core Feb 21, 2006
- E8 Kavanaugh Core Feb 28, 2006
- E9 Smoked Core Mar 7, 2006
- E10 Of Mice and Lem Mytharc Mar 14, 2006
- E11 Postpartum Mytharc Mar 21, 2006
Season 6 · 10 episodes
Open the complete Season 6 guide & lore primer →- E1 On the Jones Mytharc Apr 3, 2007
- E2 Baptism by Fire Core Apr 10, 2007
- E3 Back to One Core Apr 17, 2007
- E4 The New Guy Core Apr 24, 2007
- E5 Haunts Core May 1, 2007
- E6 Chasing Ghosts Core May 8, 2007
- E7 Exiled Core May 15, 2007
- E8 The Math of the Wrath Core May 22, 2007
- E9 Recoil Mytharc May 29, 2007
- E10 Spanish Practices Mytharc Jun 5, 2007
Season 7 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 7 guide & lore primer →- E1 Coefficient of Drag Mytharc Sep 2, 2008
- E2 Snitch Core Sep 9, 2008
- E3 Money Shot Core Sep 16, 2008
- E4 Genocide Core Sep 23, 2008
- E5 Game Face Core Sep 30, 2008
- E6 Animal Control Core Oct 7, 2008
- E7 Bitches Brew Core Oct 14, 2008
- E8 Parricide Core Oct 21, 2008
- E9 Moving Day Core Oct 28, 2008
- E10 Party Line Core Nov 4, 2008
- E11 Petty Cash Core Nov 11, 2008
- E12 Possible Kill Screen Mytharc Nov 18, 2008
- E13 Family Meeting Mytharc Nov 25, 2008
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.
■ Ended / Final Season Complete Renewal tracker
Explore The Shield
Where to watch Episode ratings heatmap How long to watch Facts & FAQ Similar shows Take the quiz More from FX
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on The Shield.