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The Best Episodes of The Shield Season 1

Every episode of The Shield Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Shield Season 1!

Binge this in 10h 0m•Peaking at 8.9/10

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
    The Shield Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.6/10(4011 votes)

    #1 - 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.

    Director:Clark Johnson
    Writer:Shawn Ryan

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  2. The Shield Season 1 Episode 2 - Our Gang
    7.8/10(3117 votes)

    #2 - Our Gang

    S1:E2

    Following the murder of Terry, the Internal Affairs Division begins an investigation into his death, while Aceveda begins his own. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette investigate the shooting of a churro vendor that ends in the Barn's detectives busting up a gang initiation.

    Director:Gary Fleder
    Writer:Shawn Ryan

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  3. The Shield Season 1 Episode 3 - The Spread
    7.6/10(2996 votes)

    #3 - The Spread

    S1:E3

    In a routine sweep, the Barn's detectives divvy up warrants. But when they cast their nets, they bring up far bigger fish than expected. While Vic holds a basketball star hostage to influence the outcome of an upcoming game, Dutch and Claudette nab an egotistical rapist out to impregnate as many women as possible.

    Director:Clark Johnson
    Writer:Glen Mazzara

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  4. The Shield Season 1 Episode 4 - Dawg Days
    7.7/10(2883 votes)

    #4 - Dawg Days

    S1:E4

    Vic attempts to broker a peace agreement between two rival rappers after a dispute over an up-and-coming singer's success erupts in a gang war. Danny is attacked after identifying a shooter, Julien helps a woman whose son's body has been stolen, and Dutch and Claudette search for a missing migrant worker.

    Director:Stephen Gyllenhaal
    Writer:Kevin Arkadie

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  5. The Shield Season 1 Episode 5 - Blowback
    8.3/10(2908 votes)

    #5 - 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.

    Director:Clark Johnson
    Writer:Kurt Sutter

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  6. The Shield Season 1 Episode 6 - Cherrypoppers
    8.3/10(2791 votes)

    #6 - 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.

    Director:D.J. Caruso
    Writer:Scott Rosenbaum

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  7. The Shield Season 1 Episode 7 - Pay in Pain
    7.9/10(2724 votes)

    #7 - Pay in Pain

    S1:E7

    Vic's relationship with Shane becomes even more complicated when the pair team up with a detective from another precinct to investigate the murder of several gang member. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette bring in a psychic on a complaint from the son of one of her clients.

    Director:D.J. Caruso
    Writer:Shawn Ryan

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  8. The Shield Season 1 Episode 8 - Cupid & Psycho
    8.0/10(2742 votes)

    #8 - Cupid & Psycho

    S1:E8

    Allegations against the Strike Team are front-page news, and the team is reassigned pending the investigation. Vic and Claudette find themselves following the trail of a deadly meth batch, while Shane and Dutch team up to investigate the unsolved murder of a widow's husband.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writer:Glen Mazzara

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  9. The Shield Season 1 Episode 9 - Throwaway
    7.7/10(2669 votes)

    #9 - Throwaway

    S1:E9

    A planted gun in a truck-jacking case causes complications for the Strike Team, and Lem attempts to set things right. Meanwhile, the rift between Danny and Julien deepens, causing Aceveda to intervene, and Claudette deals with the mess of her family during a visit from her father and daughter.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writer:Kevin Arkadie

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  10. The Shield Season 1 Episode 10 - Dragonchasers
    8.7/10(2931 votes)

    #10 - 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.

    Director:Nick Gomez
    Writers:Scott Rosenbaum, Kurt Sutter

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  11. The Shield Season 1 Episode 11 - Carnivores
    7.9/10(2634 votes)

    #11 - Carnivores

    S1:E11

    Vic and the Strike Team mediate a dispute between Rondell Robinson and the Nation of Islam, while Dutch and Claudette investigate a brutal home invasion in the district's Korean community.

    Director:Scott Brazil
    Writers:Glen Mazzara, Kevin Arkadie

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  12. The Shield Season 1 Episode 12 - Two Days of Blood (1)
    8.2/10(2752 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writers:Scott Rosenbaum, Kurt Sutter

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  13. The Shield Season 1 Episode 13 - Circles (2)
    8.9/10(2979 votes)

    #13 - 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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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "The Shield" season 1. It scored 8.6/10 based on 4011 votes. Directed by Clark Johnson and written by Shawn Ryan, it aired on 3/12/2002. This episode is rated 0.8 points higher than the second-best, "Our Gang".