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The Best Episodes of The Shield Season 5

Every episode of The Shield Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Shield Season 5!

Binge this in 9h 0m•Peaking at 9.4/10

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 5 Episode 1 - Extraction
    8.3/10(2485 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. The Shield Season 5 Episode 2 - Enemy of Good
    8.1/10(2387 votes)

    #2 - Enemy of Good

    S5:E2

    During an interrogation, Kavanaugh reviews the Strike Team’s corrupt past and attempts to weaken Lem’s loyalty to Vic by bringing up the connection to Terry’s murder. Meanwhile, the Strike Team investigates a multiple homicide. Dutch and Claudette suspect that a minister might have been involved in an attempted murder. Tina gets in over her head while on duty with Julien.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writers:Charles H. Eglee, Adam Fierro

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  3. The Shield Season 5 Episode 3 - Jailbait
    7.9/10(2357 votes)

    #3 - Jailbait

    S5:E3

    The Strike Team tries to develop a strategy to deflect the Internal Affairs investigation as Vic finally comes face to face with Kavanaugh. Meanwhile, Tina goes undercover to help take down a sex-trafficking ring; and friction between Claudette and Dutch deepens when she reopens one of their past cases.

    Director:Stephen Kay
    Writers:Glen Mazzara, Scott Rosenbaum

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  4. The Shield Season 5 Episode 4 - Tapa Boca
    8.2/10(2364 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. The Shield Season 5 Episode 5 - Trophy
    8.8/10(2655 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. The Shield Season 5 Episode 6 - Rap Payback
    8.0/10(2383 votes)

    #6 - Rap Payback

    S5:E6

    As the Strike Team is preoccupied with gang violence, Kavanaugh decides to make the Barn his base of operations. An evasive serial killer from Dutch and Claudette’s past reenters their life. Meanwhile, additional strain is placed on their working relationship when Tina learns something personal about Julien.

    Director:Michael Chiklis
    Writers:Charles H. Eglee, Ted Griffin

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  7. The Shield Season 5 Episode 7 - Man Inside
    8.4/10(2409 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. The Shield Season 5 Episode 8 - Kavanaugh
    8.9/10(2825 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. The Shield Season 5 Episode 9 - Smoked
    8.2/10(2405 votes)

    #9 - Smoked

    S5:E9

    The Strike Team attempts to make bail for Lem who is now in jail, but they discover that Kavanaugh has frozen their accounts. Claudette returns to work to help Dutch investigate the murder of a man who’s body was found in the dumpster. Meanwhile, Tina jeopardizes her future at the Barn after she endangers the life of an undercover detective. Corrine confronts Danny about Vic’s unfaithfulness and the identity of the baby’s father.

    Director:Dean White
    Writers:Glen Mazzara, Sarah Fain

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  10. The Shield Season 5 Episode 10 - Of Mice and Lem
    8.8/10(2634 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. The Shield Season 5 Episode 11 - Postpartum
    9.4/10(3514 votes)

    #11 - 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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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Extraction" is the best rated episode of "The Shield" season 5. It scored 8.3/10 based on 2485 votes. Directed by D.J. Caruso and written by Kurt Sutter, it aired on 1/10/2006. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Enemy of Good".