Pilot (The Shield)

Did You Know?

• Michael Chiklis submitted this episode for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for a Drama Series and won.
• Shawn Ryan was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for this episode.
• Clark Johnson was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for this episode.

Plot

The episode opens with LAPD Captain David Aceveda of the Farmington District giving a press conference about declining crime rates, while Vic Mackey and his Strike Team—Shane Vendrell, Curtis Lemansky, Ronnie Gardocki, and Terry Crowley—chase a drug dealer. When cornered, Mackey strips the dealer in public, finding a stash taped to his scrotum and removing it with excessive force. Meanwhile, Detectives Dutch Wagenbach and Claudette Wyms discover a murdered woman in her home; her daughter is missing. At the precinct, called "The Barn," Aceveda confronts Mackey about a brutality complaint from gang member Miguel Esteanas, who claims Mackey used pliers during his arrest. Mackey denies it and later terrorizes Miguel into dropping the charges. Mackey and Vendrell visit drug dealer Rondell Robinson, unaware that Crowley is watching. Crowley then meets Aceveda and a Justice Department associate in a park, revealing he has been gathering intel on Mackey. Aceveda wants to build a federal case; Crowley agrees in exchange for a Justice Department job, a car, and moving expenses. When Crowley asks Aceveda what he gets out of it, Aceveda says he wants a dirty cop off the streets. Crowley replies, "You wanna be mayor someday? You better learn to lie a hell of a lot better than that."