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hollywoodreporter: The Shield

By Barry Garron

10-11 p.m.

Tuesday, March 9

FX

If there’s anything worse than not having money, it’s having money and not being able to spend it. That’s the predicament Detective Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) and the other members of the Strike Team find themselves in following the conclusion of last season’s successful heist of the Armenian mob’s money train. Then there’s also the question of where best to hide the loot and what to make of the growing numbers of Armenian mobsters who are popping up dead, minus their feet.

Entering the third season, Shawn Ryan’s scoundrel detective has established himself as one of TV’s most memorable lawmen. However, the key to this counterintuitive police drama has never been Mackey’s freewheeling style and the way he bends the rules to fit the situation. At least, not entirely. Equally crucial to the success has been that, as powerful and forceful and threatening as Mackey may be, he’s never been high enough on the totem pole to avoid the steely gaze of suspecting superiors who recognize a loose cannon when they see one.

Meanwhile, with the passing of time, “The Shield” has cultivated other strengths, such as the character development of officers outside the Strike Team and the personal conflicts of home lives. The third season finds Detective Claudette Wyms (CCH Pounder) facing frustration as a promised promotion vanishes into political smoke and mirrors. At the same time, Detective Holland “Dutch” Wagenbach (Jay Karnes) gets a bigger chance to shine as he applies his unique brand of interrogation to case after case.

Dramatic seasons are built with overlapping story arcs, and “The Shield” is no exception. Brief summaries of previous episodes help set the stage for the next installment, but they can’t account for the abrupt way some story lines are dropped, presumably to be picked up later. For example, the weight of concealing the Armenian money hangs heavy on the heads of Mackey and his crew during the first two episodes but hardly rates a mention in the next two. At the same time, brief glimpses into the domestic life of soon-to-be-divorced Mackey are never developed enough to be more than distractions in each episode.

A highlight of the third season is the introduction of a new squad, the Decoy Squad, which brings new blood and a new level of competition into the police station. Also new this season is a romantic involvement for Strike Team stalwart Shane Vendrell (Walton Goggins) that has ramifications for everything from the stolen money to Vendrell’s seemingly unshakable relationship with Mackey.

It’s easy to take for granted the superb acting, clever storytelling and smart, focused and action-packed direction on “The Shield.” May we keep taking it for granted for more seasons to come.

THE SHIELD

FX

Fox Television Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television

Credits:

Executive producers: Shawn Ryan, Scott Brazil

Supervising producer: Glen Mazzara

Consulting producer: Charles H. Eglee

Co-producers: Kurt Sutter, Scott Rosenbaum, Adam E. Fierro, Dean White, Kevin G. Cremin

Producer: Michael Chiklis

Director: Clark Johnson

Writers: Shawn Ryan, Kurt Sutter

Director of photography: Rohn Schmidt

Production designer: Kitty Doris-Bates

Editor: Jordan Goldman

Set decorator: Suzette Sheets

Casting: Barbara Fiorentino, Rebecca Mangieri, Kelly O’Brien. Cast:

Vic Mackey: Michael Chiklis

Claudette Wyms: CCH Pounder

David Aceveda: Benito Martinez

Holland “Dutch” Wagenbach: Jay Karnes

Shane Vendrell: Walton Goggins

Curtis “Lemonhead” Lemansky: Kenneth Johnson

Danielle “Danny” Sofer: Catherine Dent

Julien Lowe: Michael Jace

Corrine Mackey: Cathy Cahlin Ryan

Mara Sewell: Michele Hicks

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