The Shield on All4
Discussion
Ah absolutely magnificent series and highly recommended. I rewatched it last year and it's certainly stood the test of time.
It's not so much a roller coaster ride as a long, long accent up an old wooden big dipper, the tension constantly increasing until...
If you like gritty police dramas you're in for treat - they don't come any grittier.
It's not so much a roller coaster ride as a long, long accent up an old wooden big dipper, the tension constantly increasing until...
If you like gritty police dramas you're in for treat - they don't come any grittier.
Agreed. And the real joy is how it never loses its credibility - the messes (real messes!) characters get into, and the shocking twists you don't see coming - are all the result of "logical" decisions. You never once roll your eyes and say "well that person would never do/say that would they..."
It is testament to the quality of the writing that Glenn Close and Forest Whitaker both appeared in a relatively low budget cable TV show. Andre 3000 actually approached Shawn Ryan asking if he could be in it, and has a cameo in a couple of series.
It is testament to the quality of the writing that Glenn Close and Forest Whitaker both appeared in a relatively low budget cable TV show. Andre 3000 actually approached Shawn Ryan asking if he could be in it, and has a cameo in a couple of series.
Toastovhudds said:
Brilliant heads up, thanks. I loved the gritty, raw style of filming on this. On the list for my next binge.
If you liked The Shield, a show called Southland is also worth a watch. I felt that was pretty similarly filmed.
Yup, Southland was exceptional and the lead actor (Ben Anderson?) plays Jim Gordon in Gotham. He’s married to Morena Baccarin of Deadpool fame. Lucky bugger. If you liked The Shield, a show called Southland is also worth a watch. I felt that was pretty similarly filmed.
Brotherhood with Kason Isaacs is up there if you like gritty crime dramas.
I have always wanted to watch The Shield. It's finally available on Prime and so started watching.
It's ok- I'm maybe 8 episodes into S1. It's not as good as I was hoping- bad guys do something, cops smash them. Rinse, repeat. Audio quality has really improved since then is another observation.
It's lacking complexity and composure. Am I missing something? Is it going to get better?
It's ok- I'm maybe 8 episodes into S1. It's not as good as I was hoping- bad guys do something, cops smash them. Rinse, repeat. Audio quality has really improved since then is another observation.
It's lacking complexity and composure. Am I missing something? Is it going to get better?
TopTrump said:
I have always wanted to watch The Shield. It's finally available on Prime and so started watching.
It's ok- I'm maybe 8 episodes into S1. It's not as good as I was hoping- bad guys do something, cops smash them. Rinse, repeat. Audio quality has really improved since then is another observation.
It's lacking complexity and composure. Am I missing something? Is it going to get better?
It was in its day way ahead of anything similar however they’ve been plenty of very good series of that genre so I’d guess it’s lost its original intensity by comparison. I’d still watch it though as it does develop into how Vic Mackey can survive. It's ok- I'm maybe 8 episodes into S1. It's not as good as I was hoping- bad guys do something, cops smash them. Rinse, repeat. Audio quality has really improved since then is another observation.
It's lacking complexity and composure. Am I missing something? Is it going to get better?
TopTrump said:
I have always wanted to watch The Shield. It's finally available on Prime and so started watching.
It's ok- I'm maybe 8 episodes into S1. It's not as good as I was hoping- bad guys do something, cops smash them. Rinse, repeat. Audio quality has really improved since then is another observation.
It's lacking complexity and composure. Am I missing something? Is it going to get better?
I'm genuinely surprised at that assessment, to the point I'm questioning whether you're even watching the same show!It's ok- I'm maybe 8 episodes into S1. It's not as good as I was hoping- bad guys do something, cops smash them. Rinse, repeat. Audio quality has really improved since then is another observation.
It's lacking complexity and composure. Am I missing something? Is it going to get better?
I can understand how the intervening 20 years have seen many shows do similar things and maybe it wouldn't feel as good as it did back then, but certainly, it's hardly the generic goodies and baddies cop show you're describing.
I certainly appreciate my opinion is very unusual and will be unpopular. I am also hoping I am wrong and looking for encouragement- which you have given me by proxy 
On the face of it- I see this as I saw Banshee. Incident>fight>resolve> end. Yes there was an underlying story but it was pretty rudimentary. GOT's, Breaking Bad, Sopranos all seem to me to have way more layers of intelligence and character development. Hoping I will be proved wrong!!!
On the face of it- I see this as I saw Banshee. Incident>fight>resolve> end. Yes there was an underlying story but it was pretty rudimentary. GOT's, Breaking Bad, Sopranos all seem to me to have way more layers of intelligence and character development. Hoping I will be proved wrong!!!
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