best episodes of The Shield poster

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.

7 Seasons
88 Episodes
Ended
Crime Drama Action & Adventure
Cast & Characters
episode image Family Meeting
9.7/10 (4331 votes)

#1 Family Meeting

S7:E13

Officers in the Barn investigate a woman's disappearance and the arrival of a large drug shipment; lives change forever.

episode image Possible Kill Screen
9.4/10 (2906 votes)

#2 Possible Kill Screen

S7:E12

Olivia joins forces with the Strike Team to catch a Mexican drug king and his shipment. Meanwhile, Dutch cleans up Billings' mess, and the death of a woman associated with the Strike Team prompts an investigation by Claudette.

episode image Post Partum
9.3/10 (3207 votes)

#3 Post Partum

S5:E11

As Vic prepares to help Lem get out of the country to begin a new life in Mexico; Kavanaugh and Aceveda attempt to capitalize on the situation by using this as means to try to take down the leader of the Strike Team. Dutch decides to file for a transfer. Meanwhile, Shane tries to cut off the investigation by taking extreme measures and Danny finally confronts the father of her child.

episode image Parricide
9.1/10 (2607 votes)

#4 Parricide

S7:E8

A local priest may be protecting drug dealers; Dutch and Billings close in on attempted cop killers; Corrine learns uncomfortable truths about Vic.

episode image On Tilt
9.0/10 (2531 votes)

#5 On Tilt

S3:E15

When Aceveda confirms that the Strike Team is the target of an Armenian mob hit, Mackey must take matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Whym's career is on the line when she disobeys Aceveda's orders to put a case to rest that may prove the innocence of convicted felons.

episode image Circles (2)
8.9/10 (2739 votes)

#6 Circles (2)

S1:E13

In the aftermath of a riot, cops are being lured into ambush shootings by a rash of bogus 911 calls. Vic and Aceveda are forced to work together to stop the attacks and solve the problems in the Grove, while Gilroy attempts to pit the two against each other in an effort to save his own job.

episode image All In
8.8/10 (2394 votes)

#7 All In

S3:E14

With an Armenian hit-man hot on their trail, the Strike team sweeps the streets of the Armenian community to find him before he finds them. After catching a break, Aceveda's suspicions grow about the Strike Team's involvement with the Money Train robbery. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette investigate a case that could repeal hundreds of convictions, which leaves Claudette having to choose between her conscience and her career.

episode image Kavanaugh
8.8/10 (2604 votes)

#8 Kavanaugh

S5:E8

Kavanaugh seeks the help of Antwon Mitchell in his ongoing quest to take down the Strike Team. In the midst of this, Kavanaugh has a lot on his mind as his ex-wife reenters the picture, and he reluctantly agrees to let Vic send Emolia undercover to infiltrate a Salvadoran gang that is stockpiling grenades.

episode image Chasing Ghosts
8.8/10 (2490 votes)

#9 Chasing Ghosts

S6:E6

Vic redirects his attention to finding out who really killed Lem after he learns for certain that Guardo wasn't involved. The Strike Team investigates the murder of a politician's daughter. Later, Cassidy confronts her father about his unethical past.

episode image Dead Soldiers
8.7/10 (2541 votes)

#10 Dead Soldiers

S2:E2

As Vic gets closer to finding his family, the Strike Team focus their attention to Armadillo after he burns down Tio's business, an act that threatens to expose Vic's protection racket. As Claudette gets closer to the truth about Vic's connection to Tio, Dutch is accompanied by the civilian auditor to solve the murder of a meter maid, while Danny and Julien intervene between two feuding neighbors.

episode image Dominoes Falling
8.7/10 (2499 votes)

#11 Dominoes Falling

S2:E13

When a gang execution hits close to home for Claudette, Vic, Tavon, and Dutch work together to find the culprit before anyone else gets hurt. Shane, Lem, and Ronnie are forced to choose between hitting the money train without Vic or letting it go. As Aceveda prepares for the city council election, Danny receives some life-changing news, and the harassment inflicted upon Julien reaches a whole new level.

episode image Trophy
8.7/10 (2455 votes)

#12 Trophy

S5:E5

Via a bug planted in the clubhouse, Kavanaugh monitors the Strike Team as they investigate an illegal prescription drug ring that is proving to be deadly for the people of Farmington. While working on a missing person’s case, Dutch attempts find out what Claudette is hiding.

episode image Of Mice and Lem
8.7/10 (2449 votes)

#13 Of Mice and Lem

S5:E10

To the dismay of his friends, a weary Lem is thinking about accepting a deal from the D.A. where he has to plead guilty to the heroin charges. With no other choice, Vic reluctantly meets with Antwon in order to ensure Lem’s safety in prison. Meanwhile, unforeseen circumstances that are beyond Claudette and Dutch’s control might cause irrevocable damage to their friendship.

episode image Spanish Practices
8.7/10 (2203 votes)

#14 Spanish Practices

S6:E10

Claudette notices Hiatt's mistake when he makes an arrest, and Billings delivers shocking news to the department. Vic forms an alliance with Aceveda, while he waits for his review board hearing. Meanwhile, Shane's life keeps spiraling out of control.

episode image Animal Control
8.7/10 (2253 votes)

#15 Animal Control

S7:E6

Vic sets into motion plans to end the gang threat as his relationship with Cassidy deteriorates; Dutch and Billings investigate a possible sleepwalking murderer.

episode image Dragonchasers
8.6/10 (2713 votes)

#16 Dragonchasers

S1:E10

As Dutch uncovers a lead to the serial killer, a reporter's questions force Aceveda to explain problems he thought were buried fair in the past, while Vic assists Connie as she tries to quit crack cold-turkey in a desperate attempt to keep her son, leaving the other Strike Team members to investigate a strip-club mugging ring on their own.

episode image Party Line
8.6/10 (2180 votes)

#17 Party Line

S7:E10

While Shane remains holed up in L.A. with Mara and Jackson, Corinne decides to cooperate with Dutch and Claudette, who's now spearheading the LAPD effort to bring down Vic. Meanwhile, Vic plays Aceveda, Pezuela, Beltran and ICE against each other. But Ronnie's tempted to simply give up and run to Mexico. "And you should run too man" he tells Vic.

episode image Pilot
8.5/10 (3669 votes)

#18 Pilot

S1:E1

Politically ambitious new LAPD captain David Aceveda tries to crack corruption in Los Angeles' Farmington District by recruiting detective Terry Crowley to help him take down fellow detective Vic Mackey, leader of the Farmington precinct's Strike Team. As Vic and the Strike Team prepare for a dangerous night mission, detectives Holland "Dutch" Wagenbach and Claudette Wyms investigate a woman's murder, only to discover that her missing daughter has been sold off by the daughter's drug-addicted father to a child molester.

episode image Baptism by Fire
8.5/10 (2206 votes)

#19 Baptism by Fire

S6:E2

Kavanaugh acquires what he needs in order to apprehend Vic who is preoccupied with getting revenge on Guardo. Claudette finds herself under the political microscope as a result of the San Marcos incident, and Danny receives some news about her future at the Barn.

episode image Coefficient of Drag
8.5/10 (2246 votes)

#20 Coefficient of Drag

S7:E1

Vic challenges Shane and deals with threats to his family; a federal agent arrives in Farmington to investigate a recent wave of violence.

episode image Mum
8.4/10 (2332 votes)

#21 Mum

S3:E5

Vic struggles with Claudette's new supervision of the Strike Team. Marked bills lead Aceveda and a federal agent closer to the truth about the Armenian money-train heist in an episode with a recurring motif of people not reporting crimes against them.

episode image Strays
8.4/10 (2249 votes)

#22 Strays

S3:E11

During a routine bust on bangers, Vic and the Team discover a money laundering ring that reaches far and wide in the crime community. Meanwhile, Dutch takes the chilling confession of the man who was arrested in the serial-rape case, and Danny goes undercover.

episode image Fire in the Hole
8.4/10 (2200 votes)

#23 Fire in the Hole

S3:E13

When a mole in the treasury department is discovered and the framed suspect in the Armenian money train robbery turns up missing, the Strike team race to find the suspect before their cover is blown. Meanwhile, Claudette attempts to make amends with the Decoy Squad by going undercover to help them on a case.

episode image On the Jones
8.4/10 (2284 votes)

#24 On the Jones

S6:E1

With the Barn grieving over the loss of one of their own, Vic's out to avenge his friend's murder, but finds himself in the crosshairs of Kavanaugh. Claudette assigns the Strike Team to investigate the torching of a methadone clinic. Meanwhile, Julien and Tina look into a robbery/assault at a porno shop, and Dutch makes a horrifying discovery in San Marcos.

episode image Blowback
8.3/10 (2710 votes)

#25 Blowback

S1:E5

After a bust on an Armenian gang's drug delivery, Julien sees the Strike Team take a portion of the drugs for themselves. Subsequently, the vehicle holding the drugs is stolen on Shane's watch, forcing Vic to track them down before Aceveda is able to pin the theft on him.

episode image Scar Tissue
8.3/10 (2370 votes)

#26 Scar Tissue

S2:E8

When Vic discovers that Ronnie has been burned as payback, the rest of the team set their sights on taking Armadillo off the streets for good. Meanwhile, Claudette makes headway on her investigation into Vic after a conversation with Corrine, and Dutch takes Danny under his wing as they attempt to track down the suspect of a Thai Town beating.

episode image Streaks and Tips
8.3/10 (2368 votes)

#27 Streaks and Tips

S3:E4

The newly arrived Decoy Squad and the Strike Team go head to head in the investigation to solve a car-jacking case. Dutch gets in over his head on an attempted murder case.

episode image What Power Is...
8.3/10 (2262 votes)

#28 What Power Is...

S3:E10

Aceveda finds himself in a near fatal confrontation, and enlists Vic to help him take down the suspects in order to help service his own personal agenda. Meanwhile after losing her position of power, Claudette rejoins Dutch on the search for the cuddler rapist as they get a stunning break in the case.

episode image Back in the Hole
8.3/10 (2272 votes)

#29 Back in the Hole

S4:E10

Vic and Monica go head to head with Antwon, and do everything in their power to get him to admit to being involved with the cop killings. Monica is shocked when Vic and Shane confront her with the information they've been hiding regarding Antwon and Angie's body. Shane and Army wonder if they'll be able to pass the lie detector test Monica is forcing them to take. Meanwhile, after another young black woman is murdered, Dutch and Claudette hope to prove their suspicions correct with their recently relocated Texan.

episode image Extraction
8.3/10 (2331 votes)

#30 Extraction

S5:E1

As racial tension in the area escalates, the Strike Team attempts to end a race war, while Claudette and Dutch investigate a riot at a high school. Meanwhile, an Internal Affairs officer begins his investigation of Vic and the Strike Team by first zeroing in on Lem. A pregnant Danny refuses to reveal the identity of the father, and Julien begins training a rookie cop named Tina Hanlon.

episode image Man Inside
8.3/10 (2266 votes)

#31 Man Inside

S5:E7

Claudette further aggravates her illness as she continues to aggressively interrogate Kleavon Gardner. The Strike Team works with the Chief of a citywide task force to investigate the murder of a drug dealer’s girlfriend and her daughter. Meanwhile, Kavanaugh attempts to discover how Vic acquired the $65,000 that was given to Corrine, and Ronnie is up next for questioning in the IAD investigation.

episode image Back to One
8.3/10 (2229 votes)

#32 Back to One

S6:E3

Consumed by bloodlust, Vic finally gets the chance to avenge his friend's murder, despite Shane's pleas against it. Meanwhile, Ronnie is assigned by Claudette to help Dutch and Billings investigate a robbery homicide at a pharmacy.

episode image Moving Day
8.3/10 (2135 votes)

#33 Moving Day

S7:E9

Vic closes in on Shane, Mara and their sick young son; Claudette dismantles the Strike Team; Pezuela offers Acevada "assistance" for his mayoral campaign; Rita Denton (Frances Fisher) comes on to Dutch; and Billings' ex-wife and daughter are fearful when a registered sex offender moves into their neighborhood.

episode image Petty Cash
8.3/10 (2154 votes)

#34 Petty Cash

S7:E11

Corrine agrees to be Vic and Shane's go-between and also agrees to cooperate with Claudette and Dutch as she does so. Meanwhile, Vic comes to an understanding with Aceveda and seeks one out with Olivia; and Claudette assigns Ronnie to work with Julian to investigate the murder of a high-school football star, keeping Ronnie out of the barn and unable to intercept the letter Shane sent to Claudette detailing the Strike Team's "sins."

episode image Cherrypoppers
8.2/10 (2595 votes)

#35 Cherrypoppers

S1:E6

When the body of a young hooker is found in the district, Dutch's theory about a serial killer preying on prostitutes proves true. Aceveda launches an all-out effort to find the killer before he strikes again, giving Dutch and Claudette the full resources of the Barn for 24 hours and the help of the FBI.

episode image Two Days of Blood (1)
8.2/10 (2568 votes)

#36 Two Days of Blood (1)

S1:E12

Aceveda turns to Claudette after a double homicide raises ire and fear within an ignored community. Vic is forced to help Gilroy avoid being implicated in a hit-and-run, while Shane and Lem follow the trail of a gunrunner with a penchant for cockfights.

episode image Judas Priest
8.2/10 (2222 votes)

#37 Judas Priest

S4:E12

Vic and his crew track down the Russian who was involved with the cop murders, but they lose control during his interrogation and the hit man dies in an explosion before they can get any answers. Meanwhile, Aceveda is blackmailed by the man who assaulted him. Plus, Rawling's seizure is on the verge of being shelved.

episode image Ain't That A Shame
8.2/10 (2297 votes)

#38 Ain't That A Shame

S4:E13

Monica, Vic and the strike team work together to put Antwon Mitchell back behind bars after his deal with the DEA released him from prison. When Vic reveals his suspicions of David's connection to both Antwon and an inmate's murder, David must protect his political future at any cost. When the murder of an over-protective father leads Claudette and Dutch back to a foster home they had previously investigated, Monica makes an unpopular decision that helps seal her fate.

episode image Tapa Boca
8.2/10 (2228 votes)

#39 Tapa Boca

S5:E4

With the IAD investigation in full force, Vic seeks legal representation from Becca Doyle for the Strike Team. Also, a suspicious Vic decides to confront Emolia after he begins to doubt her loyalty to him. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette investigate the ghastly murder of a pregnant woman. Tina continues to make mistakes while on duty.

episode image The Quick Fix
8.1/10 (2546 votes)

#40 The Quick Fix

S2:E1

While Vic continues his search for Corrine and their children, the Strike Team allow more drugs into Farmington through a corrupt connection. But when their latest shipment turns bad, they head to Tijuana to uncover the culprit behind the poisoned cocaine. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette try to track down the man responsible for "fire-necklacing" the leaders of two separate gangs.

Cast & Chracters

character image Vic Mackey

Vic Mackey

Actor: Michael Chiklis
character image Danielle 'Danny' Sofer

Danielle 'Danny' Sofer

Actor: Catherine Dent
character image Tina Hanlon

Tina Hanlon

Actor: Paula Garcés
character image Shane Vendrell

Shane Vendrell

Actor: Walton Goggins
character image Julien Lowe

Julien Lowe

Actor: Michael Jace
character image Holland 'Dutch' Wagenbach

Holland 'Dutch' Wagenbach

Actor: Jay Karnes
character image David Aceveda

David Aceveda

Actor: Benito Martinez
character image Steve Billings

Steve Billings

Actor: David Marciano
character image Claudette Wyms

Claudette Wyms

Actor: CCH Pounder
character image Corrine Mackey

Corrine Mackey

Actor: Cathy Cahlin Ryan
character image Ronnie Gardocki

Ronnie Gardocki

Actor: David Rees Snell

The highest rated episode of The Shield is "Family Meeting" (S7E13) with a rating of 9.70.

This episode received 4,331 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Co-Pilot" (S2E9) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 2,355 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Circles (2)" (S1E13) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 2,739 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "The Spread" (S1E3) with a rating of 7.60.

This episode received 2,788 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Dead Soldiers" (S2E2) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 2,541 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Co-Pilot" (S2E9) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 2,355 votes.

The highest rated episode is "On Tilt" (S3E15) with a rating of 9.00.

This episode received 2,531 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Bottom Bitch" (S3E3) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 2,285 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Back in the Hole" (S4E10) with a rating of 8.30.

This episode received 2,272 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Grave" (S4E2) with a rating of 7.40.

This episode received 2,180 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Post Partum" (S5E11) with a rating of 9.30.

This episode received 3,207 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Jailbait" (S5E3) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 2,214 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Chasing Ghosts" (S6E6) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 2,490 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "The Math of the Wrath" (S6E8) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 2,134 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Family Meeting" (S7E13) with a rating of 9.70.

This episode received 4,331 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Snitch" (S7E2) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 2,079 votes.

Name Department Job
Adam Fierro Production Producer
Craig Yahata Production Co-Producer
Kurt Sutter Production Producer
Michael Chiklis Production Producer
Sarah Fain Production Producer
Scott Brazil Production Producer
Scott Rosenbaum Production Producer
William Dotson Sound Sound Supervisor

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