This blog has always been a fan of the FX original series The Shield. Heck, one of my first posts ever here was about the Season 6 premiere. So it's with a heavy heart that the show's long, criminally slept-on run is ending with tonight's 90 minute series finale.
It's always amazed me just how few people even know about this show. Yeah, it's hidden in the recesses of basic cable, but after nearly a decade of brilliance, the fact that the show doesn't have the same cult following as such inferior network drivel as NYPD Blue or CSI says a lot more about the state of television than it does The Shield's quality.
I suppose being on an obscure pay station, the late airtime (10pm), and the extreme violence and occasional nudity hurt the show's cause, but you can't possibly fake on the acting and storylines. Even the handheld camera and unconventional direction were unique. Still, the fact that this show didn't garner many awards or particularly good ratings is puzzling. I mean seriously, how many shows can seamlessly mix in legit actors like Forrest Whittaker, Glenn Close, and even Anthony Anderson (in a dramatic role) without having them overshadow the cast?
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this show and HBO's The Wire are in a virtual tie for best dramatic TV series evar. Evar. The Wire got more acclaim because it had HBO's hype machine, but asking me to pick the better of the two is like asking me to choose the favorite of my two sons. It's not possible, nor would it make any sense if it were. I suppose it's some odd poetic justice that both shows concluded in the same year.
If you never gave this show a chance, you seriously have no idea what you've missed. You could tune into tonight's finale, but it would be like reading the epilogue of a 1,400 page book. You'd know what happened, but you wouldn't know why. Hit Neflix. Start with Season One.
R.I.P. to good television.
Question: Have you ever watched The Shield? Any guesses on who gets offed in tonight's series finale? Which show is better, The Shield or The Wire? Any suggestions on decent non-reality shows for me to watch now that TeeVee officially sucks again?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
R.I.P. To The Second Best TV Series, Evar.
Tags Popped: TeeVee Sux
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Got News? Email AB
The Average FAQ
Just Who Is AB?
Posts
11 AverageComments™:
My brother put me on to this show, but I really do need to start from the beginning. FX usually has quality original shows. The one I'm a fan of now is It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.
Sure, it's comedy, and totally different from both shows that you mentioned here...but it's proof that decent non-reality television is still around
The Shield is such an excellent series I'm amped up for tonight's finale, and I'm just trying to picture just how it will all end.
I'm sorry to say, I didn't watch this show. Since Netflix is now on Xbox Live, I'll have to check it out.
But Michael Chiklis was BORN to play the Fantastic Four's "Thing." Awesome!
EG
The shield is a great show and I hate to see it end also. Most often great shows like the The Wire and The shield are often slept on. Actually Clark Johnson has directed episodes on The Shield and The Wire.
Is the shield at least close to as good as the Wire? If so I may look into getting the DVD series.
CCH Pounder was on The Tavis Smiley Show recently. Worth checking out the interview.
If you wasn't hatin on it I would suggest CSI(Vegas not those other 2). My other reason for not suggesting it is because I'm no longer watching it since they killed off Warrick and Grissom will be leaving. There's no other reason to watch that show anymore. *tear*
I'll have to take a look at The Sheild's reruns and see what you talkin' bout.
I never liked this show. And didn't really like The Wire either (except that gay dude with the scar, he was MAAADDD GANGSTER). Right Now my wife and I are hooked on Mad Men and Dexter. Dexter is my 'ISH man!
I watch Mad Men and Damages. Damages Season 2 starts Jan 7.
As soon as this is on netflix live, I'll be watching it. Their partnership with the xbox is badass.
AB,
You're spot on that The Shield was one of the best and highly slept on series evar. It was great on so many levels and got me hooked from the first time I watched it---and that's HARD for my short-attention span having self. I will never forget the storyline where the Captain's manhood was humiliated (to put it lightly)by the drug dealer--I forget what season that was, but it was so real and powerful I actually got sick along with him watching that episode. I have to catch up on the last 2 seasons cause single motherhood minus TiVo doesn't agree with a 10 pm weekday show.
As far as The Wire, still catchin up on Netflix (on Season 3 right now), but it is comparably good for alot of the same reasons. I love the writing, acting, and inter-weaving of characters and storylines. Sheer genius.
I would definitely suggest Dexter and The Tudors, which are not that slept-on, but since Showtime is rebuilding and is a less-than- common premium subscription, they don't get the viewership they deserve. The actor who plays Dexter is brilliant and convincing and the supporting cast is stellar to say the least. I never thought I would enjoy a show about a serial killer so much, but I've loved it since Episode 1.
Also, a good one is House, on Fox. If you can stomach Dr House's often expected crass and twisted sense-of-humor and witty zingers to actually sit through more than 2 episodes, you'll find a great medical drama in there somewhere. Trust.
Post a Comment