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Season 5 – The Shield

Play trailer Poster for Season 5 – The Shield Jan 2006 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 98% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Vic Mackey is a rogue cop in an experimental division of the Los Angeles Police Department, willing to sink to the criminals' level in order to take them on -- but his misdeeds eventually come home to roost. He breaks the law to, in his mind, bring some semblance of order to a chaotic world.
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The Shield — Season 5

The Shield — Season 5

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The Shield's suspenseful fifth season introduces a worthy foe for Vic Mackey in the form of internal affairs investigator Jon Kavanaugh, played with marvelously agitated energy by Forest Whitaker.

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Critics Reviews

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Joanne Ostrow Denver Post 10/25/2019
The network's longest-running series seems to have mastered the art of casting worthy opponents for the complex protagonist. Go to Full Review Brandon Nowalk AV Club 08/14/2018
When you watch [the season 5 finale] "Postpartum" as the emotional climax of a five-year story like a normal person, you see how much is contained in that final act. Go to Full Review Melanie McFarland Seattle Post-Intelligencer 03/09/2018
With writing and acting this outstanding, it wouldn't be wrong to hope that Vic slithers out of trouble again to give us more of The Shield's gripping, morally complex drama. Go to Full Review Eric Goldman IGN Movies 01/09/2019
9/10
In its fifth season, the show is truly better then ever. The noose has been tightening on Vic Mackey and his Strike Team for awhile now, and the tragic but inevitable results are now coming forth in a big way. Go to Full Review Cynthia Fuchs PopMatters 11/20/2018
The end of the Strike Team has always been a likely outcome for this series inspired in part by the Ramparts scandal. The trick is, it makes you feel so uneasy. How did these bullies and punks come to be the heroes? Go to Full Review Scott D. Pierce Deseret News (Salt Lake City) 11/16/2018
In addition to the overarching story of Vic being investigated by the department, episodes are as tense and exciting as ever. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stoner J @Stoner 4d The best season. Of course Chiklis is amazing but actually Whitaker steals the show pulling off an amazingly unhinged performance as Kavanaugh. See more M B @Timbero 04/22/2025 The Shield is the no.1 TV Series ever made, amazingly gripping and entertaining. The adrenaline rush that will take over your life! See more Peacemaker T @RT96855271 04/08/2025 Breathtaking! 10/10. A must see. See more Cavid H @RT59025900 09/01/2024 Top 5 fav seasons of all time, plot twist in postpartum so amazing and tragic See more S R @RT79917964 02/16/2024 How Forest Whitaker did not win the Emmy for his performance is proof positive award shows are a farce. One of the greatest snubs in television history. See more Cody B @RT94121964 12/28/2023 The Shield is right up there with the likes of The Sopranos and Breaking Bad! See more Read all reviews
The Shield — Season 5

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Chiklis

Det. Vic Mackey

Catherine Dent

Officer Danielle "Danny" Sofer

Walton Goggins

Det. Shane Vendrell

Michael Jace

Officer Julien Lowe

Kenny Johnson

Curtis Lemansky

Jay Karnes

Det. Holland " Dutch" Wagenbach

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 10, 2006 Extraction Dutch and Claudette investigate a race riot at a local high school; Vic is encouraged to accept an early retirement package; an internal affairs officer visits Lem. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 17, 2006 Enemy of Good Lem's interrogation about the Strike Team's corrupt past tests his loyalty to Vic; the Strike Team investigates a multiple homicide; Tina is unable to hold her own on the street. Details Episode 3 Aired Jan 24, 2006 Jailbait The Strike Team figures out its next step concerning Internal Affairs' investigation of Lem; Tina goes under cover to bust a sex trafficking ring; Claudette reopens one of Dutch's cases. Details Episode 4 Aired Jan 31, 2006 Tapa Boca Becca contemplates representing the Strike Team; Vic discovers the truth about Emolia; Dutch and Claudette investigate a case of deadly road rage; Julien and Tina's relationship deteriorates. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 7, 2006 Trophy Kavanaugh bugs the Strike Team's clubhouse; Dutch tries to discover Claudette's secret as they work a missing person's case. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 14, 2006 Rap Payback Kavanaugh sets up office inside the Barn; an elusive serial killer comes back into the lives of Dutch and Claudette; Julien's past adds tension to his relationship with Tina. Details Episode 7 Aired Feb 21, 2006 Man Inside The Strike Team's solidarity starts to crack under Kavanaugh's constant pressure; Vic considers a job offer from another police division. Details Episode 8 Aired Feb 28, 2006 Kavanaugh As Kavanaugh deals with the emotional circumstances surrounding the return of his ex-wife, his obsession to take down the Strike Team comes to a head. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 7, 2006 Smoked Vic and his guys struggle to bail Lem out of jail after their finances are frozen; Tina jeopardizes the safety of an undercover detective; Corrine confronts Danny about her baby's paternity. Details Episode 10 Aired Mar 14, 2006 Of Mice and Lem Lem prepares to plead guilty to heroin charges; Dutch and Claudette's friendship is tested. Details Episode 11 Aired Mar 21, 2006 Postpartum Vic arranges to get Lem safely out of the country; David and Kavanaugh conspire to arrest Vic for harboring a fugitive; Dutch files for a transfer; Danny confronts her baby's father. Details

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The Shield — Season 5

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Season Info

Executive Producer
Shawn Ryan, Scott Brazil
Network
FX
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 10, 2006