The Ultimate Ranking of The Shield: Unveiling the Best Season You Won't Believe

Summary

The Shield is widely considered one of the greatest television series ever made, maintaining its ranking in IMDb's top 100 television shows.

The Shield Season 6 serves as a bridge to Season 7, but fails to live up to the exceptional standards set by the phenomenal Season 5. Season 5 of The Shield is universally acclaimed as the pinnacle, characterized by its unwavering brilliance, gripping dramatic intensity, and an unforgettable conclusion.

"While all seven seasons of The Shield are excellent in their own right, some have clearly distinguished themselves from others. The Shield is one of the most gripping original crime dramas of the 2000s and is widely considered one of the greatest television series ever made. Despite being more than twenty years since its original release date in 2002, The Shield still maintains its ranking as part of IMDb's top 100 television shows. The series also won one Emmy in 2002 for Michael Chiklis' performance as the complicated protagonist Vic Mackey.

While there are some forgotten actors in The Shield, the impact of the series on modern television holds true to this day. It's one of the rare shows that got generally better as it progressed similarly to other classics such as Breaking Bad and The Wire. The Shield originally aired on FX and can currently be streamed in its entirely on Hulu. It tells the story of a dirty cop (Mackey) who is entangled in the middle of a corrupt inner-city precinct at the Los Angeles Police Department. Mackey and other LA police associates are inclined to break the rules and even the law in order to protect the community but more importantly, themselves. Here are all seven seasons of The Shield ranked from worst to best."

The revised content:

While all seven seasons of The Shield are exceptional, some stand out more than others. Widely regarded as one of the greatest television series ever made, The Shield is a gripping original crime drama from the 2000s. Despite its release over twenty years ago in 2002, it maintains a place in IMDb's top 100 television shows. In 2002, Michael Chiklis won an Emmy for his remarkable portrayal of the complex protagonist Vic Mackey.

Despite a few forgettable actors, The Shield continues to have a profound impact on modern television. It is one of the rare shows that improved as it progressed, akin to other classics like Breaking Bad and The Wire. Originally airing on FX, The Shield is now available for streaming in its entirety on Hulu. The series follows the story of Mackey, a corrupt cop caught in the midst of a corrupt inner-city precinct within the Los Angeles Police Department. Mackey and his fellow LA police associates are willing to bend and even break the rules to protect the community, but most importantly, themselves. Here is a ranking of all seven seasons of The Shield, from worst to best.

7 The Shield Season 6

The Shield season 6 serves as a transitional phase between seasons 5 and 7, fitting well within that context. However, as a standalone season, it falls short and often seems uncertain of its direction and ultimate conclusion. Notably, it is the shortest season in the entire series due to its original intention of being the final season before season 7 was confirmed. Consequently, much of season 6 primarily sets the stage for the events of season 7. Furthermore, it faces the daunting challenge of following up the exceptional season 5, a task that it ultimately fails to achieve.

6 The Shield Season 4

With Glenn Close joining the cast in The Shield season 4, the show undergoes a remarkable transformation. Shifting away from its previous loud and violent approach, it now embraces a more suspenseful and tension-filled atmosphere. Close's character, Monica Rawling, brings a ruthless and menacing presence that presents a significant threat to Vic. This addition not only adds depth to the series but also plays a crucial role in setting the stage for the remarkable season 5. While there were some initial reservations among critics about Close's casting, her portrayal ultimately proves to be influential and impactful.

5 The Shield Season 1

The Shield season 4, while not terrible, falls short in terms of its storytelling and pace compared to the previous seasons. Serving as a transitional phase for the series, The Shield season 4 garnered mixed but predominantly positive reviews. It is widely acknowledged as the starting point for the show's path towards its ultimate conclusion.

The Shield's inaugural season revolutionized television and defied conventions of the contemporary police drama genre. Its remarkable pilot episode stands as a pinnacle in the show's first year. Notably, the initial season diverges notably from its successors in terms of its overall tone, occasionally burdened by an intensely episodic nature. It is important to remember, however, that the series was still in its infancy, and any minor flaws are overshadowed by its extraordinary impact and intelligent storytelling, which laid the foundation for the rest of the show.

4 The Shield Season 3

The Shield season 3 surpasses its visually entertaining first two seasons with its exceptional writing and formidable cast. Throughout the third season, the series hits its stride, offering significant episodes that rank among the best of the entire series, such as season 3, episode 11 titled "Strays". Compared to its predecessors, The Shield season 3 pushes boundaries in terms of violence and brutality depicted on a cable network. As the longest season, it delivers thrilling and unpredictable events, cementing its place as one of the best in the series.

3 The Shield Season 2

The second season of The Shield took an intensely dark and grim turn, showcasing a newfound confidence that permeated every aspect of the show. This was undoubtedly fueled by the immediate acclaim received by the first season. Michael Chiklis fully immersed himself in his character, solidifying Vic Mackey as a television icon after his Emmy win for the debut season. Season 2 pushed the boundaries with its explicit content, further distinguishing The Shield's unique place in 2000s television. Fans of the initial season were immediately drawn to the second, which remained true to the original premise while delivering significant and more gruesome enhancements.

2 The Shield Season 7

1 The Shield Season 5

Season 5 and the final installment of The Shield are practically indistinguishable in terms of claiming the top spot for the series. What sets these two outstanding seasons apart is the daring and inventive leaps taken by the final season in its plot developments, particularly in the early episodes that come after the season 6 finale. Once the initial hurdle in the story is overcome, which may easily go unnoticed, Season 7 of The Shield gains momentum and culminates in one of the greatest series finales in the history of television. This final season showcases the exceptional skill of its main characters and the profound ideological themes explored by the creators, ultimately delivering a haunting and remarkable conclusion to this acclaimed series.

Season 5 of The Shield is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the absolute best, season of the show. What sets it apart from other seasons is the consistent excellence of its episodes, putting it in the same league as Breaking Bad season 5 and other iconic seasons from classic TV shows. The gripping tension reaches an all-time high in The Shield season 5, thanks in large part to Forest Whitaker's fantastic portrayal of Kavanaugh. The show delves even deeper into its characters, particularly Vic's manipulative tactics, leading up to a mind-blowing season 5 finale that is expertly crafted.