When they say The Shield is groundbreaking, the critics are talking about more than the amped-up sex-and-violence. This show relentlessly explores topics that no one else will touch: police brutality and its sometimes positive result, racial politics, political correctness, and more. Thanks to first-rate writing, there areno easy answers, and just when you think you know a character, that character is confronted with a different set of rules, and reacts completely unpredictably. In our post-9/11 search for comfort, this is not easy material to love, but every actor on screen lives these characters from the inside out. Special praise to the 8 principal actors and those who play recurring characters for keeping it real week in and week out. Chiklis got an Emmy out of this. Look for CCH Pounder, Benito Martinez, Jay Karnes and Michael Jace to score next time around. Their portrayals are courageous and original! |
