Plots of pilots are sometimes derivative, sometimes blow your mind. The Shield’s pilot did a great job of introducing the players, the character dynamics and such, but really wasn’t doing a whole lot to pull me in, not, at least, until the last scene. I never got into self-proclaimed “gritty” shows like the Wire and Oz, but there’s something about The Shield, and I am very excited to see where it goes.
I can also tell, instantly, that I’m going to love CCH Pounder, and her character. Because I missed The Shield the first time around, I have this hole in my TV history where she should be. She was brilliant early on in ER, and I’m assuming (or at the very least hoping) we’re going to get more of the same here. The scene where Captain Aceveda asked her about Mackey was played very well, but lead to a bit of confusion for me.
I don’t get Aceveda’s game. Sure, he wants to take Mackey down, despite his friends and advocates like Wyms. And I think I see where the story is going, that he’ll find the value of using Mackey from time to time, but how he used Mackey here didn’t fly with me, as well as Wyms’ cautioning against it.
The last scene was the definition of a Blow the Hatch moment. I can remember the previews and the ramp up to this show’s premiere, and it was all about the interrogation scene. When Mackey turned and shot Crowley, I damn near needed to pick my jaw up off of the coffee table. In that moment, I was hooked on The Shield.
Notes & Quotes
Oh, I can’t wait for your comments on The Shield. This was the first show ever…where just like you, my jaw dropped as I stared at the screen. The great thing is..it keeps happening!!!!
What kind of review is this? DVD review? Just reminiscing about one of the greatest dramas ever made? Or are you only just getting The Shield on tv now? Anyway, I agree. The Shield was simply amazing. The acting, writing, direction, the pace at which things could happen while Vic and his team made their agonizing descent into Hell.
And, when everyone else was falling over themselves to praise The Sopranos which had become slow and self indulgent, The Shield was lightning paced, visceral, soul wrenching, and emotionally devastating. I’d love a sequel series to be made, with the surviving characters brought back together again, or for The Shield to make it to the big screen someday.
ManWithSword, during the summer (and sometimes winter) hiatus, we do Virgin Diaries of TV shows that we’ve never seen before but can hold out no longer. Ivey’s starting up with The Shield and you’ll get to follow him along his journey. I just started Twin Peaks last week, and Aryeh’s been plugging away at The Practice. Watch for more in the coming weeks. Some past ones we’ve done have been Supernatural, The Prisoner, The Wire … many more! It’s so much fun, and the fans of these shows love viewing them fresh again through a new viewer’s eyes.