Pilot

One of the best series of all time
Love The Shield. It's so good it really affects you emotionally. Chiklis is amazing. So is Walton Goggins. Watch it and get hooked.

Very good!
I never watched the shield when it was live, however, because I am a huge fan of Justified, after season 4 aired I learned Walton Goggins appeared in the shield so I took the opportunity to watch it. I have never been a fan of Michael Chiklis, still am not, but Walton Goggins makes the show totally watchable. I was so happy to get to see the other side of the actor that plays Boyd Crowder. Much to my surprise this show is GOOD. Cable was the only way this show can be watched properly. I don't think network tv could have done this show justice. A very good show, well worth watching.

Elongated version of training day
It is a decent cop show with a antihero who is a bastard with a proverbial heart of gold. Vic Mackie is a bit of caricature of a "bad ass" which makes each instance of him attempting to be a good guy seem inauthentic.

I had initially been turned on to it by Jeff Canata of the Totally Rad Show constantly referring to it as the best TV show of all time. I'm disappointed, since it was no where near as good as it was hyped. For a better cop show with subtlety and nuance check out The Wire.

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