Television fans across the UK are championing a gritty police drama from the 2000s, declaring it a masterpiece that has been unjustly overlooked for years. The show in question is The Shield, which recently landed on Amazon Prime Video, sparking a wave of fresh appreciation.
A Stellar Cast Overshadowed
It might seem surprising for a series boasting an A-list cast including Glenn Close, Forest Whitaker, and Michael Chiklis to be labelled 'underrated'. However, since its debut in 2002, the FX production has often lived in the shadow of other seminal crime shows from the same era, such as The Sopranos and The Wire.
The drama ran for seven series until 2008, following the morally bankrupt Detective Vic Mackey (Chiklis). He leads a corrupt anti-gang unit in the fictional Farmington district of Los Angeles, employing brutal and illegal methods to combat the drug trade.
Rediscovery and Rave Reviews on Reddit
Its arrival on Amazon Prime Video has ignited passionate discussions online, particularly on Reddit, where viewers are now urging others to discover it. One fan, Queasy_Ad7501, described it as "the best cop show I've seen" and praised its "impactful and bleak" finale, calling Vic Mackey a "very compelling anti-hero".
Another user, Strange-Bluebird871, highlighted the show's intricate plotting, noting its "through line from pilot to finale is incredibly well connected". They also singled out the "incredible guest performances" from stars like Close and Whitaker.
While some debate its merits against The Wire, fan Ricco121 argued that The Shield benefits from the bold chances it took on a regular cable channel, suggesting an HBO platform might have changed the conversation entirely.
Critical Acclaim and Lasting Legacy
Created by Shawn Ryan, the series was initially inspired by the real-life LAPD Rampart Division scandal of the 1990s. Its portrayal of a police unit engaged in drug dealing, extortion, and murder was groundbreaking.
Despite its 'underrated' tag among some viewers, the show was a critical success. It was nominated for six Emmy Awards and five Golden Globes. Time magazine included it in its list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time, and Entertainment Weekly ranked it the 8th best show of the 2000s.
For UK audiences looking for a tense, character-driven crime saga, The Shield is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, finally getting the widespread platform many fans believe it always deserved.
