Customer Reviews

The Shield: The Complete First Season

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I must admit I was not blown away by this show. I watched about the first 3-4 episodes when they first aired, and pretty much thought this show was awful. To me the characters talked in nothing but cliches, and awful "tough guy talk." Here are some examples of what I remember (some quotes might not be exact):
"I won't listen to you and neither will my men. Not today. Not ever. Not even on El Cinco De Mayo."
"I'm not the good cop, and I'm not the bad cop. I'm a different kind of cop."
Granted both of those lines came from the same character in the same episode, but that is all I remember. If it wasn't for Clark Johnson's brilliant direction of the first episode, I would not have bothered watching any of the other episodes. For my money I'll stick with reruns of Homicide on CourtTV.

You will not regret this DVD set because the show itself will not dissapoint you, but will keep you riveted to your seat until the end-- of every single episode... Michael Chiklis brings a raw intensity and a complicated morality to his cop character that you will never see anywhere else on television--even in the movies! After watching him, it's easy to see why he won an award for it.. The storylines are intriguing, almost shocking, but always fascinating because it will leave with many questions to ponder about in our law enforcement system.

Possible downsides for some: disturbing themes/plotlines, language

Advantages: unique cop show, writing, Chiklis' performance

I would give this program 10 stars if I could. I saw the previews before the first season started, but was not able to see the first few episodes so I did not watch any of them. I have this thing about watching episodes in order so I waited. Then they played each episode one day after another. Truely the most perfect casting. I loved The Commish and I cannot believe it is the same person. I was praying that it would be available on DVD soon and it will be. I was told by someone that it was too violent. Fighting drugs and crime cannot be dealt with any other way. this is not customer service where you have to wear a constant smile to prevent insulting someone killing people and selling dope. There is a big difference in a personal drug user and a dealer. If letting a personal user slide (within logical reason) to catch the ones dealing to kids and gangs, then it must be allowed. It is no different than every day life elsewhere. Just in a different form. If I was a cop and someone pulled out a carton of smokes, I would not hesitate to shoot. No time to say "you got me. Nice joke" Cops do not make that much money, but have to worry about how they defend themselves. If I pulled out a carton like a weapon, I would expect to get shot. Who wants to die for a criminal's rights over their own. This show will grow to be quite a great thing. I know someone that is a drug user and hates the show and it is because it does not promote drugs. So if it scares people that are trouble, then the show really works. People worry about cigarettes killing people. I worry more of someone on coke with a gun. Season two will be awesome I am sure!!!11

I knew, I just KNEW, from the first teaser commercial trailer for this show that they had on display in the months prior to the season premiere, that this show would be a HIT!! I had heard of Michael Chiklis beforehand, even though I had never watched 'The Commish' before. I knew that this show was going to blow me away, and that it certainly did... AND MORE! Everything is on point with this series, the action, the drama, the humor, EVERYTHING!! Congratulations to Michael for winning the Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama Series. I am so looking forward to the 2nd Season. January 7th folks, on F/X, BE THERE.

But this show deserves a moment of my time.

The storyline (kudos to Shawn Ryan on that) is AMAZING. You watch the show and just get [drawn] in.

I remember sitting back and watching it the first time... I don't recall which episode but it really doesn't matter...

You see the NYPD Blue type show, you see the cops at the precinct (which they call the Barn), and then you see something amazing. Something the opposite of what a 'good' cop would do. Something bad.. but good.

And you like it. In fact with every move made by Vic and his team, you realize that things aren't done as nicely even by Andy Sippowitz, or the other TV cops. They are brutal. But generally, they get the bad guys off the streets, and get money on the side.

You just have to watch it. It's the best show on TV. And considering how many shows I've watched for a while and abandoned... that says a lot :)

From the ending of the first episode when Vic Mackey shoots Terry Crowley dead, I was hooked. I absolutely love this show. I have never actually been a fanatic of any show ever until I started watching The Shield. I am such a fanatic I even went and bought the short 5 issue comic book series of The Shield. I have not bought comic books in years. Just goes to show you just how good I think this show is. This show takes the edginess of NYPD Blue and takes it to another level. You also love to hate alot of the characters. Especially Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis)and David Aceveda(Benito Martinez) the most. All I have to say is. BUY THIS!!! ...and Season 2 :-)

I love this show!!!! Our friend recommended this show. I must admit, at first I had doubts about another cop show but this show is so amazing! Everytime, I wish the show would never end! The Sopranos really have a competition except this is way better because they deal with people's everyday problems and gets to the root of things. The SUPER COPS are crooked as a politician but you gotta love the way they handle things. No matter what they do, you just can't hate them. It's too much drama but it's the dramas they have that makes the show so awesome! This is a MUSTTTTTT SEEEEEE especially if you like action!

I rented the first four episodes of this series because of the hype I had heard about it. After viewing the first four episodes I went out and bought the entire first season and watched the rest in one sitting. This show really is that good! I really don't watch that much TV and the little I do watch isn't one hour dramas but I do watch and like the Sopranos. Ever since I watched The Shield though the Sopranos seems dull to me. The Shield has charecters that grow as the series moves on and they are deep and rich in personality. Every episode has action and will keep you at the edge of your seat, just waiting to see what happens next.

I HIGHLY recommend this series to anyone who likes action/drama and I have yet to meet anyone who has seen this show and does not love it.

Without a doubt this is the best show on television. I felt like I was watching a blockbuster movie rather then a basic cable television show. Everything about The Shield is excellent from the Michael Chiklis potrayal of good guy, bad cop Vic Mackey to the top notch camera work and script. This show will have you guessing from one moment to the next and have you glued to the set for the next ten hours.

Fantastic TV show from top to bottom. I first became interested in this when I heard that Michael Chiklis had won the Golden Globe - anyone beating Pres Bartlett and Tony Soprano to an award had to be from a helluva show! Here in the UK we have never heard of the Shield, and after reading a few online reviews, I dived right in and bought the box set. And I'm sure glad I did. Corrupt Strike Team leader Mackey is the show's dark, fiery heart, and you can't help rooting for Vic as he takes on the bad guys and fights off the do-gooders in the LAPD, even though we know he's no angel himself. High end production values, super-realistic violence, outstanding acting performances all round in a very well fleshed out cast (no dead wood on the screen, ever.) and totally intriguing plot lines make this riveting viewing from Ep1 right through to the end of season finale. Its gonna be a long time until Season 2 comes out on DVD!!!