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The Best Episodes of The Shield

Every episode of The Shield ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Shield!

Binge this in 2d 21h•Peaking at 9.5/10

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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Shield Season 7 Episode 12 - Possible Kill Screen
    9.5/10(14 votes)

    #1 - 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.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writers:Adam Fierro, Evan Bleiweiss

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  2. The Shield Season 5 Episode 11 - Postpartum
    9.4/10(15 votes)

    #2 - Postpartum

    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.

    Director:Stephen Kay
    Writers:Shawn Ryan, Adam Fierro

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  3. The Shield Season 7 Episode 13 - Family Meeting
    9.4/10(16 votes)

    #3 - Family Meeting

    S7:E13

    The final act of Vic Mackey and his strike team.

    Director:Clark Johnson
    Writer:Shawn Ryan

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  4. The Shield Season 5 Episode 8 - Kavanaugh
    9.3/10(13 votes)

    #4 - 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.

    Director:D.J. Caruso
    Writers:Scott Rosenbaum, Shawn Ryan

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  5. The Shield Season 7 Episode 9 - Moving Day
    9.2/10(13 votes)

    #5 - 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.

    Director:Rohn Schmidt
    Writers:Adam Fierro, Lisa Randolph

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  6. The Shield Season 6 Episode 6 - Chasing Ghosts
    9.1/10(14 votes)

    #6 - 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.

    Director:Frank Darabont
    Writers:Shawn Ryan, Adam Fierro

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Shield

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  7. The Shield Season 7 Episode 8 - Parricide
    9.1/10(13 votes)

    #7 - 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.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writers:Kurt Sutter, Gary Lennon

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  8. The Shield Season 7 Episode 10 - Party Line
    9.1/10(13 votes)

    #8 - 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.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writers:Angela Russo-Otstot, John Hlavin

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  9. The Shield Season 5 Episode 5 - Trophy
    9.0/10(13 votes)

    #9 - 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.

    Director:Philip G. Atwell
    Writers:Kurt Sutter, Renee Palyo, Tony Soltis

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  10. The Shield Season 6 Episode 1 - On the Jones
    9.0/10(12 votes)

    #10 - 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.

    Director:Michael Fields
    Writer:Kurt Sutter

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  11. The Shield Season 6 Episode 2 - Baptism by Fire
    9.0/10(11 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writer:Scott Rosenbaum

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  12. The Shield Season 6 Episode 10 - Spanish Practices
    9.0/10(12 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Paris Barclay
    Writers:Scott Rosenbaum, Shawn Ryan

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  13. The Shield Season 7 Episode 6 - Animal Control
    9.0/10(13 votes)

    #13 - 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.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writers:Angela Russo-Otstot, John Hlavin

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  14. The Shield Season 3 Episode 14 - All In
    8.9/10(13 votes)

    #14 - 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.

    Director:Stephen Kay
    Writer:Scott Rosenbaum

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  15. The Shield Season 3 Episode 15 - On Tilt
    8.9/10(15 votes)

    #15 - 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.

    Director:Scott Brazil
    Writers:Glen Mazzara, Shawn Ryan

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  16. The Shield Season 5 Episode 1 - Extraction
    8.9/10(13 votes)

    #16 - 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.

    Director:D.J. Caruso
    Writer:Kurt Sutter

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  17. The Shield Season 5 Episode 4 - Tapa Boca
    8.9/10(13 votes)

    #17 - 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.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writer:Sarah Fain

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  18. The Shield Season 5 Episode 7 - Man Inside
    8.9/10(14 votes)

    #18 - 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.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Adam Fierro, Emily Lewis

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  19. The Shield Season 5 Episode 10 - Of Mice and Lem
    8.9/10(13 votes)

    #19 - 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.

    Director:Gwyneth Horder-Payton
    Writers:Kurt Sutter, Charles H. Eglee

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  20. The Shield Season 7 Episode 1 - Coefficient of Drag
    8.9/10(14 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.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writer:Kurt Sutter

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  21. The Shield Season 1 Episode 13 - Circles (2)
    8.8/10(18 votes)

    #21 - 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.

    Director:Scott Brazil
    Writer:Shawn Ryan

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  22. The Shield Season 2 Episode 2 - Dead Soldiers
    8.8/10(18 votes)

    #22 - 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.

    Director:John Badham
    Writer:Kurt Sutter

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  23. The Shield Season 2 Episode 13 - Dominoes Falling
    8.8/10(17 votes)

    #23 - 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.

    Director:Scott Brazil
    Writer:Shawn Ryan

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  24. The Shield Season 3 Episode 5 - Mum
    8.8/10(16 votes)

    #24 - 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.

    Director:Nick Gomez
    Writers:Shawn Ryan, Kurt Sutter

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  25. The Shield Season 4 Episode 10 - Back in the Hole
    8.8/10(13 votes)

    #25 - 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.

    Director:Scott Brazil
    Writer:Sarah Fain

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Best Episodes Summary

"Possible Kill Screen" is the best rated episode of "The Shield". It scored 9.5/10 based on 14 votes. Directed by Billy Gierhart and written by Adam Fierro, Evan Bleiweiss, it aired on 11/18/2008. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Postpartum".