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The Shield

2002·Show
88Episodes in7Seasons·TV-MA
89
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.7Metacritic899.0Rotten Tomatoes90%96%
Episodes
IMDb8.7Metacritic899.0Rotten Tomatoes90%96%
Episodes

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The Shield fingerprint

Relentless energy, masterful craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Nerve-racking and brutally violent

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension9
  • Violence9
  • Adrenaline8

Heart

Cathartic

  • Catharsis7
  • Pathos6
  • Melancholy5

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Dark Humor4
  • Satire & Parody3

World

Everyday modern life, crime, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability8

Craft

Standout performances, direction, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Acting10
  • Direction9
  • Narrative Structure9

Style

Standout editing and cinematography

  • Editing9
  • Cinematography8
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want to half-watch while scrollingGraphic violence bothers youYou want something quiet and calm

Find more like it

Suspense showsPsychological showsGritty shows

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 0Episode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8Episode 9Episode 10Episode 11Episode 12Episode 13Episode 14Episode 15
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
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Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15

About

The law is just a suggestion.

The story of an inner-city Los Angeles police precinct where some of the cops aren't above breaking the rules or working against their associates to both keep the streets safe and their self-interests intact.
Gritty Police ProceduralMoral AmbiguityCorrupt Cop DramaHigh-Stakes TensionRealistic ViolenceComplex Anti-HeroesInstitutional DecayStreet-Level CrimePsychological StressLegacy of Corruption

Crew

Directed by:
Guy Ferland, Scott Brazil, Clark Johnson
Written by:
Kurt Sutter, Shawn Ryan, Scott Rosenbaum
Produced by:
Michael Chiklis, Kurt Sutter, Scott Brazil

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Shield

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Shield legally?

PrimeHulu

The Shield is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Shield worth watching?

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 89/100 (IMDb 8.7, Rotten Tomatoes 90%, and Metacritic 89). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Shield rated?

TV-MAViolenceStrong languageDrug useSexual contentDisturbing imagery

It's rated TV-MA in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, drug use, sexual content, and disturbing imagery.

How many seasons does The Shield have?

7 seasons

It has 7 seasons with 88 episodes of about 45 minutes each.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Shield?

Critics90
Audiences91

Yes. Critics average 90 and audiences 91 out of 100, so both groups see The Shield much the same way.

When did The Shield air?

It ran from 2002 to 2008 and has ended.

What language is The Shield in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Shield?

34ARATAUBRCACHCLCODEDKECEGESFI+20

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Shield in 34 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Shield use?

Despair Event HorizonMorality PetSoul-Crushing Desk JobEarly-Installment WeirdnessRemoved from the PicturePromiscuity After RapeEstablishing Character MomentAscended ExtraFraming the Guilty PartyNational StereotypesFalse RouletteBirth-Death Juxtapositionand 168 more

TV Tropes lists 180 storytelling tropes for The Shield, including Despair Event Horizon, Morality Pet, Soul-Crushing Desk Job.