Question: I was wondering why ...
Question: I was wondering why so many people, including you, think
The Shield is such a great show. I watched a few episodes but couldn't bring myself to like any of the characters, and I don't understand why so many people appreciate, let alone watch, a show where the main characters are evil. Does this say anything about how corrupt our country is becoming? — Laurie G.
Matt:
I look at The Shield as an antidote to the countless number of TV shows that overglorify the world of law and order. It isn't meant to appeal to everyone — it's raw, it's nasty, and even its most admirable characters (CCH Pounder as Det. Claudette Wyms) have an abrasive edge — but there should be room on TV, especially, as it turns out, on cable, for shows to be able to explore the darkest sides of human behavior. That is what The Shield does excellently. It's a dramatic exploration, not a glorification, of corruption. Fans of the show might find themselves rooting for Vic Mackey at times, but we're never meant to feel good about it. As for a question posed by Jamal, who asked why people were so upset by the April 6 rape episode, when a series like Oz presented scores of rapes that were more graphic, my answer is: The Shield feels real. The rape had an impact because you believed it, because it was a truly shocking moment that happened to someone who would never have believed it could happen to him. Whereas Oz was a cartoon of extreme violence, with rape and murder and mayhem on the weekly menu. Those who loved Oz knew what they were getting and could deal with it. The fact people could watch that show and not get upset by the brutality was one of the reasons I rarely if ever endorsed it.
