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Season guide

The Shield: Season 1

13 episodes Premiered Mar 12, 2002 Updated Jul 20, 2026

The Shield is a crime, drama, and action-adventure television series that premiered in 2002. Created by Shawn Ryan, the show is set within an inner-city Los Angeles police precinct. The narrative centers on Vic Mackey, the leader of an elite unit known as the Strike Team. This group of officers is tasked with eliminating crime in the city, but they frequently operate under a personal set of rules that blur the line b

Season overview

The Shield is a crime, drama, and action-adventure television series that premiered in 2002. Created by Shawn Ryan, the show is set within an inner-city Los Angeles police precinct. The narrative centers on Vic Mackey, the leader of an elite unit known as the Strike Team. This group of officers is tasked with eliminating crime in the city, but they frequently operate under a personal set of rules that blur the line between legal and illegal conduct. While the team members aim to keep the streets safe, they also engage in undercover dealings to serve their own self-interests and accumulate wealth. The precinct's new captain opposes these tactics and seeks to remove Mackey from the police force. Throughout the series, the officers are depicted as being willing to break established regulations or work against their own associates to maintain order while protecting their personal agendas. The ensemble cast includes Michael Chiklis, Michael Jace, Jay Karnes, and CCH Pounder. The series, which ran until 2008, explores the complex dynamics of law enforcement officers who operate outside the boundaries of standard police procedure.

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Episodes

S1·E1

Pilot

Mar 12, 2002 · 46 min

Politically ambitious new LAPD captain David Aceveda tries to crack corruption in Los Angeles' Farmington District by recruiting detective Terry Crowley to help him take down fello

S1·E2

Our Gang

Mar 19, 2002 · 46 min

Following the murder of Terry, the Internal Affairs Division begins an investigation into his death, while Aceveda begins his own. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette investigate the sh

S1·E3

The Spread

Mar 26, 2002 · 46 min

In a routine sweep, the Barn's detectives divvy up warrants. But when they cast their nets, they bring up far bigger fish than expected. While Vic holds a basketball star hostage t

S1·E4

Dawg Days

Apr 2, 2002 · 46 min

Vic attempts to broker a peace agreement between two rival rappers after a dispute over an up-and-coming singer's success erupts in a gang war. Danny is attacked after identifying

S1·E5

Blowback

Apr 9, 2002 · 46 min

After a bust on an Armenian gang's drug delivery, Julien sees the Strike Team take a portion of the drugs for themselves. Subsequently, the vehicle holding the drugs is stolen on S

S1·E6

Cherrypoppers

Apr 16, 2002 · 47 min

When the body of a young hooker is found in the district, Dutch's theory about a serial killer preying on prostitutes proves true. Aceveda launches an all-out effort to find the ki

S1·E7

Pay in Pain

Apr 23, 2002 · 47 min

Vic's relationship with Shane becomes even more complicated when the pair team up with a detective from another precinct to investigate the murder of several gang member. Meanwhile

S1·E8

Cupid & Psycho

Apr 30, 2002 · 46 min

Allegations against the Strike Team are front-page news, and the team is reassigned pending the investigation. Vic and Claudette find themselves following the trail of a deadly met

S1·E9

Throwaway

May 7, 2002 · 46 min

A planted gun in a truck-jacking case causes complications for the Strike Team, and Lem attempts to set things right. Meanwhile, the rift between Danny and Julien deepens, causing

S1·E10

Dragonchasers

May 14, 2002 · 46 min

As Dutch uncovers a lead to the serial killer, a reporter's questions force Aceveda to explain problems he thought were buried fair in the past, while Vic assists Connie as she tri

S1·E11

Carnivores

May 21, 2002 · 46 min

Vic and the Strike Team mediate a dispute between Rondell Robinson and the Nation of Islam, while Dutch and Claudette investigate a brutal home invasion in the district's Korean co

S1·E12

Two Days of Blood (1)

May 28, 2002 · 46 min

Aceveda turns to Claudette after a double homicide raises ire and fear within an ignored community. Vic is forced to help Gilroy avoid being implicated in a hit-and-run, while Shan

S1·E13

Circles (2)

Jun 4, 2002 · 46 min

In the aftermath of a riot, cops are being lured into ambush shootings by a rash of bogus 911 calls. Vic and Aceveda are forced to work together to stop the attacks and solve the p