Inspired by a real life police corruption scandal in the late ’90s known as “The Rampart Scandal,” Shawn Ryan developed a police crime drama under, “Rampart.” A spiritual antitheses of a lighthearted police comedy, “Nash Bridges.” Unlike the titular good cop, Rampart involves a bad cop named, Vic Mackey.” He leads a team tasked to bust thugs. Vic partakes in illegal activities. For instance, making a murder look like a suicide. Mr. Ryan presented his idea to FX. His show was green-lit retitled as “The Shield.”
The Shield’s first season officially aired in 2002 (same year YuYu Hakusho aired) on FX. It received critical acclaim from critics and viewers alike. The show ultimately won two Golden Globes including “Best Actor in a Drama Series” and “Best Television Series – Drama.” The Shield spawned six seasons and a video game on PlayStation 2.
Anyway, I have one good reason why I wanna share my thoughts on The Shield’s first season. Walton Goggins will attend Fan Expo Dallas 2025 taking pics and signing autographs. He’ll be there on May 31st. I got plans to take my pic with him along with Michael J. Fox & Christopher Mintz-Plasse. The place will commence on May 30-June 1. Once I get my pics with ’em, I’ll write an editorial about my three-day experience as I did last year.
NOTE FROM JUNE 5, 2025: Walton Goggins didn’t attend Fan Expo Dallas 2025 due to scheduling conflicts.
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Right & Wrong Aspects
Right: Michael Chiklis, Walton Goggins & Reed Diamond all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Shawn Ryan mapped out all thirteen episodes.
Action Sequences are solid.
Season 1’s storyline involves Vic covering up a shooting. Dutch seeks to track down a serial killer. Captain Aceveda tries to expose Vic’s illegal activities. Plus, he wants Vic and his team to boost his campaign for mayor of Los Angeles.
Frank Grillo has a recurring role in two episodes.
Primary Themes are Corruption, Greed & Secrecy. Each one’s handled maturely.
Wrong: Cinematography can be shaky at times.
Episode 1 – Pilot
Vic’s introduction establishes he’s not a by the book cop. He’s a bad cop. As the entire series progresses, he’s literally a bad cop doing illegal stuff.
Kid Rock’s “Bawitdaba” is played during a montage.
Wyms and Dutch search for a missing child.
A detective is hired to keep tabs on Vic’s suspicious activities.
Vic interrogates a fiend. Despite his immoral actions, he has some redeeming qualities.
Episode 2 – Our Gang
Second episode’s title is named after a series of short films starring “The Little Rascals.”
David investigates Vic’s shady activities.
A dying man’s linked to a Mexican gang.
Episode 3 – The Spread
Vice and his team are sent to apprehend a basketball player. They attempt to rig a basketball game.
Wyms and Dutch deal with a weirdo who stashes a collection of bottles in his fridge.
Episode 4 – Dawg Days
Vic and his team are tasked to stop a gang war.
Walter Emanuel Jones (Zach Taylor from OG Power Rangers) guest stars as a drug dealer.
Danny has a brief encounter.
Stephen Gyllenhaal directed this episode. He’s the father of Jake & Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Episode 5 – Blowback
After losing a vehicle stashed with drugs, Vic must retrieve the evidence before it leaves to Mexico.
Vic learns about his son’s mental state.
Ken Davitian (Borat’s sidekick, Azamat) guest stars as a member of the Armenian Mafia.
Episode 6 – Cherrypoppers
Vic’s crew bust a crime ring. It’s an effed up one.
A slain girl goes by the stage name, Sally Struthers. A reference to the actual actress known for her role as Gloria Bunker from “All in the Family.” She was spoofed twice in “South Park.”
Somebody forces Vic to alter a crime scene.
Episode 7 – Pay in Pain
Vic works with a Hispanic detective to uncover dead seven gang members.
An argument with Shane escalates
Episode 8 – Cupid & Psycho
Vic blackmails a trainee.
Rumors speculate Vic’s dirty secrets.
Vic appends a dude for doing something gross.
Episode 9 – Throwaway
A botched scheme forces Vic’s crew to undo the damage.
Lem makes a really big boo boo.
Claudette’s family pay a visit.
Episode 10 – Dragonchasers
Shane & Lem search for answers at a gentlemen’s club.
Vic takes care of a floozy and her baby boy.
Dutch interrogates a lowlife for answers tied to an ongoing case.
An old flame of David’s visits the Farm. We also learn about his background.
Episode 11 – Carnivores
“Vesti La Giubba” from “Paglicacci” plays in one crucial moment. Every time I hear that tune, I think of Harold from “Hey Arnold” acting like a crybaby. Don’t forget, Vesti la Giubba was also featured on an episode of “Seinfeld,” titled, “The Opera.”
Dutch and Claudette investigate a home invasion.
Somebody meets his end.
Episode 12 – Two Days of Blood
To earn a couple bucks, Shane partakes in chicken fights while tailing an arms dealer.
Dutch closes his ongoing case.
A shocking moment towards the end.
Episode 13 – Circles
Vic and his team hunt down cop killers and friend of the former.
An intense emotional climax.
Coldplay’s “Trouble” is played near the end. Coldplay is one of my all-time favorite bands. Coincidentally, Coldplay’s second album, “A Rush of Blood to the Head” came out around the same time The Shield aired.
The Final Verdict: A-
The Shield’s first season’s a near-perfect start of a great crime-drama series. If you have not seen The Shield, check it out on Hulu.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 