Law & Order (TV Series) Shield (1999) User Reviews

Warning Signs

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 5 May 2013]

That worst of all situations for law enforcement, the killing of one of their own brings Jerry Orbach and Benjamin Bratt to the scene as the assigned detectives.

The deceased was a member of the warrant squad and he was shot at close range in a patrol car while his partner was away. After establishing it wasn't the guy these two were trying to pick up, the focus becomes the late victim's personal life and his involvement with a female officer from his former precinct.

Jenny Bacon is filled with anger at the police establishment and all they didn't do to rein her ex-boyfriend in who would not let her go. Her defense attorney is Philip Bosco and he's having a great old time in court pointing all that went wrong for his client.

J.K. Simmons observing Bacon in court gives his psychological assessment and tells Sam Waterston and Angie Harmon what direction their case should take.

This episode is a big indictment of the NYPD and their lack of concern for female officers.

Protection

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 7 October 2021]

"Shield" was one of those 'Law and Order' episodes on first watch that had a number of good things but did feel on the ordinary side and didn't stick in the mind long after. There are episodes of the show and the 'Law and Order' franchise in general that felt like this, but there are many on both counts where that type of episode on first watch fared better on rewatch and were better than remembered seeing it through older eyes.

Season 9's "Shield" is one of those episodes, and despite the basic idea of the story (mistreatment of women in the police force) not being a novel one it is still very good. On paper it sounds fairly standard and is a bit ordinary to begin with, but the execution is more complex than that. When things become meatier and twistier "Shield" becomes very intricate and it is one of those episodes that induces more than one strong emotion by its end.

As said, "Shield" starts off a little on the ordinary side and didn't immediately grab me straightaway and did think too that the final 5 minutes or so were on the rushed side from trying to cram a lot in.

This is a feeling however that didn't last long at all and the rest of "Shield" is very good indeed. It is as ever shot with the right amount of intimacy without feeling too up close, even with a reliance of close up camerawork. The music isn't over-scored, manipulative or used too much. There is intimacy and tautness in the direction.

The performances are never less than excellent across the board, Sam Waterston's authority and ruthlessness shines too. The script is intelligent and lean with no signs of fat. It also has intensity, emotional impact and even the odd sprinkle of humour. The personal feelings everybody has towards the case isn't executed in a preachy or melodramatic manner and is relatable.

Really liked the storytelling too. A lot happens, without mostly being over-stuffed. It is complicated too without being convoluted, and it is basically one of those episodes that leaves one deep in thought and outraged.

In conclusion, very good. 8/10.

Anybody check out Pie Man?

[lastliberal · 6/10 · 9 October 2008]

I remember this guy (Holt McCallany). It was from "Mr. Monk and the Three Pies." He killed his wife and was looking for a shell casing. He surmised it fell into one of three pies. I didn't like his character then, and I am very suspicious of him here, even if he is a cop.

A cop is killed and Detective Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Detective Rey Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) go after the usual suspects. They are not guilty. of course, and suspicions falls on another cop (Ellen McLaughlin). Despite the fact that they are almost through with the trial, Dr. Skoda (J.K. Simmons) is not so sure she is guilty. What next? Find another suspect? Hey, try the Pie Man. I don't like him anyway. Did he do it? I'll never tell.

Another chance to see Jerry Orbach and Angie Harmon. What more could you ask for?