The Shield (five)

FORGET the bobbies at Sun Hill in The Bill - the cops on the beat in The Shield are really tough.

There are no happy endings or neat morals here. Instead you get to watch a gritty drama with crooked detectives and gun shoot-outs.

The first series of The Shield pulled in Emmy and Golden Globe awards and this follow-up looks set to have a similar effect.

The action centres around Vic Mackey, a detective who is good at his job and gets results - if you turn a blind eye to the fact he is always on the make and is as crooked as they come.

Because of his unorthodox ways, his family has left him and he has to cope with the jealousy of learning his wife may have a new man in her life.

Described as 'Al Capone with a badge', Mackey is a cop for the 21st century and his ways of working make for uncomfortable but dramatic viewing.

The first episode in this new series was gripping from the start, with car chases, dangerous drugs and murder.

The show is recorded in a film style - it looks gritty and dirty, which fits in perfectly with the exploration of life on the wrong side of the tracks.

There's little humour in the show but it has such a fast pace you soon get drawn into the dark world and its uncomfortable themes.

Police work in America is probably nowhere near as exciting as this, but who needs reality when you are watching a great drama?

The sun doesn't shine in Mackey's world and you wouldn't find him sitting behind a desk dealing with paperwork, but filing doesn't make great TV.

The Shield has taken its inspiration from the likes of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and each episode is like a mini feature film.

Mackey's world is definitely a place for the boys - flash cars, guns and fast women, but the show will appeal to anyone who likes a challenge when they switch on the TV.

Published: ??/??/2003