Customer Reviews

The Shield - The Complete Second Season

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Critics are a lot like infants. They want new toys, and they want them now, because none of the old ones is good enough. The sophomore backlash against The Shield began on schedule with the first published reviews of Season 2: One-dimensional performances, excessive violence, blah blah blah.

If only they had watched more than two episodes. The first two episodes of S2 were distinguished by brilliant writing and acting, but episode 3, Partners, was the best of the season. Partners is proof positive that Chiklis deserves his Emmy nomination (and that co-star Benito Martinez and guest star Carl Weathers should have been nominated as well).

The critics were outraged over Chiklis' repeat Emmy nomination, but, as rogue detective, Vic Mackey, Chiklis is even better this time around, trying to set limits on a life gone out of control. His scenes with guest stars Weathers and Mark Rolston, Cathy Cahlin Ryan (as estranged wife, Corinne), and Walton Goggins (both appealing and scary as Vic's partner, Shane), were masterful.

Even better is Benito Martinez, subtle, volcanic, and fiercely intelligent as the reviled, ambitious City Council candidate Capt. David Aceveda. Martinez is heartbreakingly adept at letting silence speak for him. The look in his eyes, whether he is defying his campaign manager or having a showdown with his new boss, conveys all the moral struggle, passion for justice, and yearning for something better that are The Shield's major themes. Michael Jace also brings a quiet strength and deep, abiding kindness to his role as closeted beat cop, Julien Lowe. These two were the best actors on the show this season, and my only complaint about Season 2 is that they didn't get more screen time. Both bring awsome natural talent and presence to their roles.

Kenneth Johnson's Lem is likeable, as is new Strike Teamer, Brian White (Tavon Garris), and I look forward to seeing more of these watchable actors next season. Jay Karnes is always on the money as Dutch, the squad room scapegoat with daddy issues.

The Shield has always featured outstanding guest performances and S2 is no exception. The astounding Jamie Brown as hooker/informant, Connie; Danny Pino as the relentless drug lord, Armadillo; Weathers as Vic's down-and-out ex-partner, Joe Clark; the terrific Camilla Sanes as Capt. Aceveda's pragmatic, politically savvy wife, Aurora; and Rolston as a P.I. who turns emotional baggage into a contagious disease, are all superb.

The Shield's music supervisor, Evyen Klean, is in top form, too. The S2 soundtrack features brilliant scene-to-song matches, and other, larger networks are taking notice. The transcendent 'Aleluia Melisma', from unsigned artist, Steve Edwards, isn't available commercially. Yet, a few months after it was featured in S2's soundtrack, it showed up on one of the hottest new shows from one of the Big Three networks. S2's final montage -- set to Live's "Overcome" -- is every bit as good as last season's capper, and recalls Miami Vice in its brilliant fusion of music and images.

As usual, The Shield was there first. Ignore the critics and check it out.

Only when I thought this show could bot get any better --- it did. Not only did it get better, it got absolutly riveting. Not only have the characters developed further, the enemies have too. Things have changed in "The Shield" over the course of its second season, and all for the better.

It has become much more unpredictable. What was thought to be the seasons big bad guy, actually gets what a sane audience would want, his death in the worst way. He got it. Vic has gotten somewhat out of the rut he was in last season, but it is constantly huanting him with the presence of Claudette, a fellow detective. Not only does she know of his past, she knows how to take him down. But she knows without him, the presinct would fall.

The strike team is running and is more action packed than ever. Now with a new fifth member, things get more interesting on each bust.

Vics personal side gets more screwed up with every episode. Now his wife, again, has basically banished him from the house, his duaghter no longer cares for him, and his son has slipped further into autism.

If you watch this show, you know why it won a Emmy and two Golden Globes. This defines great TV. Hopefully the DVD is as good as the last one, maybe with somE more interesting menus please? Fox, this time you have no excuse about "not enough time".

As a police officer myself, I find some of the things Mackey does a little hard to swallow, but it's the things most of us have wanted to do to a thug on the street, but we can't. I can relate to each character on the show, and compare him to a cop I know . That is what makes great TV, being able to relate all the people and experiences to yourself. I feel that in Season 3, Mackey is going to learn there are consequences and reprocussions for his actions. But these past 2 seasons have been as well-written, finely acted, and superbly directed as any police show I have ever seen. The use of the hand held cameras just adds to the grittiness of the show. Clark Johnson (himself a fine actor in his own right on Homicide)brings a superb touch to every episode he directs. Can't wait for season 3.

This is the greatest show ever made. Every week you find yourself stopping everything around you and you have to watch this show. The first season was awesome and the second season did not disappoint. This is the first time in years that I have found that everyone who has the talk "around the water cooler" wants to talk about the show when it was on the night before. Hands down best thing ever to hit the small screen!

To be honest, I never thought that The Shield could live up to the expectations set by the premier episode. I was so incredibly wrong. The first year of The Shield completely blew my doors off. Non stop action, great plotting, dialogue and the acting was top notch. Other than the birth of my sons, those thirteen hours were the best I spent that year. It had to go downhill though, right? The second season would be the one where Ryan and company would resort to the tired conventions of police drama and my new favorite show would lose it's edge. Happily- Wrong again.

Season two developed the characters of Mackey and his crew to new levels. If you haven't seen the show I won't ruin anything for you, but everyone is put through the wringer in these thirteen episodes. We get political intrigue, interoffice machinations, great police drama with healthy doses of sex and violence. Unfortunately that's what most people focus on.

Chicklis deserved the Emmy for the quiet moments as well as the brutal ones. This actor has got a slow burn like no other. There are moments where he says nothing but we can tell all the alternatives he is running through his head by simply looking at his eyes and physicality. This season brings Mackey to a crossroads where he has to make some serious decisions about where his life is headed and we feel every emotion he is going through thanks to this beautiful, bald man.

That having been said, this is not a series for the faint of heart. There are scenes of physical torture, violence against women, hostage situations and raw sex. You are forewarned.

If your stomach can take a brutal, skillfully written, brilliantly acted police drama there is no better way to take up space in your DVD player than The Shield.

Trying to compare this to the first season is pointless...they are clearly parts of an amazing whole. It's not better, nor worse. It's "more." Which is perfect.

What you need to know is that the stellar acting continues unabated; you are just less amazed about it. Chiklis is the white-hot centerpiece. Everybody else maintains their excellence, Benito Martinez and CCH Pounder somehow are even better.

The plot and dialogue are still amongst the best on TV; again, you've come to expect that. These stories hurtle along at breakneck pace. I almost hold my breath watching them. The new bad guy, "Armadillo", is a wonder.

The plot surprises and developments are still whoppers (many will simply blow you away); but you watch this show for that exact reason.

The cinematography...the sets...the LOOK of the show remains a singular creation.

You get thirteen excellent hours of television, period. Just what you're expecting.

"The Shield" continues on in it's unfettered, gleefully decadent, morally ambiguous glory.

I watched The Shield one night on FX after hearing some good news. I was amazed. I then watched almost all of season 1 and got the DVD set of Season 1 for christmas. I finished it and was sproud to be a fan of it. I told my friends. I got season 2 and it was even better. There is a great blend of drama and action with the money train and Mackey's family. I cant wait for season 3 on March 9th im expecting great things.

You've seen the plots recapped by other Amazon.com reviewers. You've read that the acting, the music, and the writing are brilliant. Maybe you've even caught some of the repeats on TV. You're fast becoming a hardcore fan of The Shield, but you have one question: Is the Season 2 DVD set worth the money?

The answer is yes, not only because the show is brilliant, but because, with this set, you'll get insight into what makes it brilliant. The Shield Second Season is packed with commentary and special features. Season 1's deleted scenes were interesting. Season 2's 38 deleted scenes include some that are so rich with character and detail that you'll feel frustrated over their deletion. Remember the gas station attendant (with the "fingerprints" on the $3 change) from Season 1's "Cherrypoppers" episode? He's back again in Season 2', working his clueless magic at the Toys for Guns drive in a deleted scene from "Carte Blanche", and he is not to be missed.

In the Writers' Roundtable (accompanying the chilling "Homewrecker"), the writers are candid about Season 2's highs and lows, and fans will appreciate their honesty. Elsewhere in the Writer's Roundtable, you'll hear about two of the show's most beloved recurring characters, Connie the hooker, and Tio the drug dealer, and why the writers handled them the way they did. Fan questions from the official message board are answered by the Director's Roundtable. "Wrap Day" features some humorous moments as the cast rings the curtain down on Season 2. Aspiring TV/film crew members are sure to be fascinated by the special features in which the set designer, sound crew, and editors have their say.

The most entertaining feature, hands down, is the commentary over "The Quick Fix", featuring Emmy and Golden Globe winning star, Michael Chiklis; Shield creator and exec producer, Shawn Ryan; and able co-star, Benito Martinez.. The easy rapport between these three makes for commentary that is non-stop funny and insightful. The three could have filled every commentary-free episode with anecdotes and insights, and I wish that Fox had let them do it. By the time the closing credits roll, you get the sense that Chiklis, Ryan, and Martinez have much more to tell us. I hope the powers that be at Fox will bring this fascinating trio back for more than one commentary track on the Season 3 DVD. It is a thrill and an honor to listen to them talk about their work.

The fate of every show hangs on its star, and the enthusiastic Chiklis gives us proof positive that Season 3 will be the best ever. After listening to him, hardcore fans and everyone else will be gnawing their fingernails and waiting on the edges of their seats for Season 3. The Shield is the most brilliant show on TV, and it's only gonna get better.

This is one of the best television series I have seen in a long time. I know the show has its detractors, saying that it resorts to gratuitous sex and violence too much, but I feel that it is a valid portrayal of police officers fighting real life crime in the mean city streets. Every episode had me sitting on the edge of the seat the entire time, wondering what would happen next. That is what makes this such a great show, you can't possibly predict where it will go next. I am very much anticipating the release of the DVD set this october.

I first started watching the shield when it won the award, but the first time i watched it it was not because of the award but by chance. since then i have not missed a single episode from the second season. the second season was very tense in the sense that you get sucked up in all the problems faced in the episodes. you get to experience things that would seem imposible to get out of, like a murder or money laundering. i would recomend this DVD because the acting from all the people in the series is great and shows that non-recognized actors can take the steps of hollywood anyday!.