The best episodes of The Shield

Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.

  1. 01

    S07E12 · November 18, 2008 · 1h

    Possible Kill Screen9.4

    As Mara kills in order to keep her and Shane on the run, the confession Vic makes in exchange for immunity and to salvage his career stuns his federal handlers.

  2. 02

    S05E08 · February 28, 2006 · 1h

    Kavanaugh9.3

    As he and Vic cooperate to head off a gang turf war, Kavanaugh investigates the rape of his estranged wife.

  3. 03

    S06E06 · May 8, 2007 · 1h

    Chasing Ghosts9.3

    As Vic tries to save his career, he finally learns who really killed Lem. Cassidy confronts her father.

  4. 04

    S05E10 · March 14, 2006 · 1h

    Of Mice & Lem9.2

    As his efforts to protect Lem behind bars draw Vic into a trap set by gang kingpin Antwon Mitchell, the search for the assailant who is targeting gay men is undercut by Claudette and Dutch's growing mistrust in each other.

  5. 05

    S07E07 · October 14, 2008 · 1h

    Bitches Brew9.2

    As Shane looks to end the threat after realizing that he was marked for death by Vic, Dutch questions a greedy ex-cop about a series of burglaries in Claudette's neighborhood.

  6. 06

    S02E13 · April 1, 2003 · 1h

    Dominoes Falling9.1

    As he struggles to keep his job, Vic pushes ahead with a new plan to hijack a mob money shipment.

  7. 07

    S03E14 · June 8, 2004 · 1h

    All In9.1

    As the Strike Team is threatened with exposure in the money train heist, Claudette goes it alone in order to find evidence of a public defender's drug addiction.

  8. 08

    S07E06 · October 7, 2008 · 1h

    Animal Control9.1

    After buying some time to continue his pursuit of Pezuela, Vic hatches a deadly plan to eliminate the Armenian mob and finally avenge Lem's murder.

  9. 09

    S07E08 · October 21, 2008 · 1h

    Parricide9.1

    As Shane and his family are forced to run following his failed attempt to kill his former partners, Vic looks to parlay his connection to Pezuela into a job with a federal task force that is investigating the drug cartels.

  10. 10

    S02E02 · January 14, 2003 · 1h

    Dead Soldiers9.0

    An arson attack on a local drug dealer threatens to expose Vic's protection racket.

  11. 11

    S02E06 · February 11, 2003 · 1h

    Homewrecker9.0

    The Barn mobilizes to investigate a murderous rampage at a battered women's shelter.

  12. 12

    S02E12 · March 25, 2003 · 1h

    Breakpoint9.0

    As his own life starts crumbling around him, Vic pitches in to help Dutch in the search for a deadly pedophile.

  13. 13

    S01E12 · May 28, 2002 · 1h

    Two Days of Blood8.9

    As a deployment policy leads to a double homicide that places Aceveda in the hot seat with potential voters, Vic is forced to help Gilroy avoid being implicated in a hit and run.

  14. 14

    S02E03 · January 21, 2003 · 1h

    Partners8.9

    An amputated arm sends Dutch in search of a sadomasochistic killer; Vic sets out to help his old mentor on the force get revenge against the thug whose complaint forced him into retirement.

  15. 15

    S02E04 · January 28, 2003 · 1h

    Carte Blanche8.9

    A murder investigation leads Vic to a massive money-laundering scheme.

  16. 16

    S03E04 · March 30, 2004 · 1h

    Streaks and Tips8.9

    The rivalry between the Strike Team and the Decoy Squad heats up as they compete to find a murder suspect.

  17. 17

    S03E08 · April 27, 2004 · 1h

    Cracking Ice8.9

    Vic is enlisted to help save his rivals on the Decoy team from having their undercover operation exposed.

  18. 18

    S03E10 · May 11, 2004 · 1h

    What Power Is...8.9

    Captain Aceveda turns up the heat in his search for the gangster who sexually assaulted him.

  19. 19

    S03E15 · June 15, 2004 · 1h

    On Tilt8.9

    As Vic goes after Margos, Claudette risks her career to see that an innocent man is freed from prison.

  20. 20

    S04E13 · June 14, 2005 · 1h

    Ain't That a Shame8.9

    Monica asks Vic to find a way to hold Antwon Mitchell responsible for the murder of two Farmington cops.

  21. 21

    S06E03 · April 17, 2007 · 1h

    Back to One8.9

    Vic gets bad news about his career as he comes close to catching Lem's killer. Shane's secret eats away at him. Ronnie works with Dutch and Billings on a case.

  22. 22

    S06E05 · May 1, 2007 · 1h

    Haunts8.9

    Vic learns he may have killed the wrong person in trying to avenge Lem's murder. Shane tells Mara about what he did in an attempt to save his marriage. Dutch makes progress in the serial rapist case.

  23. 23

    S07E05 · September 30, 2008 · 1h

    Game Face8.9

    As Vic and Aceveda work to conceal their complicity in the murder of the City Controller, a serial killer's trial threatens to expose the truth about Claudette's failing health.

  24. 24

    S02E01 · January 7, 2003 · 1h

    The Quick Fix8.8

    As Captain Aceveda tries to fend off a city council investigation, Vic looks to stop a pair of brutal drug lords from moving into Farmington.

  25. 25

    S02E05 · February 4, 2003 · 1h

    Greenlit8.8

    Elementary school drug dealing prompts Vic to redouble his efforts to bring down a ruthless new supplier.

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