Post by guy6324 on Jan 28, 2008 14:53:45 GMT -5
Hello. I just joined and figured that I would introduce myself. As for the icebreaker questions:
1. How did you find out about "The Shield?"
A friend turned me onto it. I watched the first episode of season 4 and was hooked. I went out and rented seasons 1-3 that week and watched them all.
2. Why do you watch "The Shield"; ie, what part of the show draws you to it the most?
What I like best is that none of the characters are cliches or cookie-cutters. They are all three dimensional with their own strengths and flaws and they complement each other perfectly. Even the minor characters are fleshed out. We would see things like Tio being a loving father to his kid. My personal favorite is Gordy (the PI Vic hires in season 2) and how he relates everything to how his ex-wife cheated on him.
3. How did you find out about "TheShieldRap" and what made you decide to join?
I was putzing around the internet and stumbled upon you guys. I liked that the discussions went beyond "YOOOO VIK MAKY IS DA F---ING MAN" and were actually intelligent discussions of the characters.
4. How far do you think cops should be able to go to get the truth? To what extent do the ends justify the means?
I lean more towards the ends justify the means. You can not make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. I think that is the biggest problem with the American justice system: we want to feel safe but we do not want to be ruthless and make the hard line decisions that will keep people safe.
5. How far do you think cable TV should be able to go in terms of language, nudity, and/or sexual content? Should broadcast TV have different standards than cable?
I think cable AND broadcast TV should be able to put on whatever they wish. If you do not like, change the channel. If you do not want your kids watching it, do some parenting instead of letting the television do it for you. I would not let a kid under about 15 or so (it depends on his/her maturity) watch a show like the Shield but I also would not use parental controls or anything like that. That is just parents being lazy.
6. What other cop or law-related shows do you like?
I watch the old L&O (with Jerry Orbach, RIP) and some SVU.
7. Do you have any experience with or in the criminal justice system?
My boss for a summer job I had in HS and college was an ex-cop and a lot of his cop buddies would come down there and hang out with us on their breaks. I got to hear all of their stories about crime fighting in the hell holes of NJ during the 70s, 80s and early 90s.
8. Most of us know Michael Chiklis as "The Commish" and he was in the NBC comedy "Daddio". What do you think of Michael's portrayal of corrupt cop and tough guy, Vic Mackey?
I have not seen The Commish or Daddio but I love his portrayal of Vic. Yes, Vic does want to do some good and has some soft spots and is a manipulative genius but deep down he is just a popular school yard bully. Chikliss gets that swaggering, macho, in-your-face attitude perfectly.
9. Could "The Shield" survive if Michael Chiklis left the show? Which actor would have the best chance of saving the show if Chiklis left?
No. No other character is capable of carrying the show without Vic Mackey and no one else is capable of playing Vic. With some good writing I think a spin off of the continuing adventures of Dutch and Claudette has potential though.
10. Reading and hearing about police brutality and police corruption, what do you think about law enforcement in real life? In your opinion, what percentage of real cops think they are above the law?
From my experience talking with my boss and other cops, I do not think that they think they are above the law so much as they think the law is not enough. This is one thing I think the Shield captures well: that “we need to show these assholes who is in charge” attitude and the idea that if they do not strike back when something happens to a cop, it will be open season.
11. What, in a nutshell, is your overall view of the American criminal justice system?
It is too soft and allows too many excuses.
12. New question: How did you come up with your screen name (in cases where it's not obvious, right CHIKchick? )
I have had it for a while. I came up with it on the fly and just stuck with it so I did not have to remember another screen name.
1. How did you find out about "The Shield?"
A friend turned me onto it. I watched the first episode of season 4 and was hooked. I went out and rented seasons 1-3 that week and watched them all.
2. Why do you watch "The Shield"; ie, what part of the show draws you to it the most?
What I like best is that none of the characters are cliches or cookie-cutters. They are all three dimensional with their own strengths and flaws and they complement each other perfectly. Even the minor characters are fleshed out. We would see things like Tio being a loving father to his kid. My personal favorite is Gordy (the PI Vic hires in season 2) and how he relates everything to how his ex-wife cheated on him.
3. How did you find out about "TheShieldRap" and what made you decide to join?
I was putzing around the internet and stumbled upon you guys. I liked that the discussions went beyond "YOOOO VIK MAKY IS DA F---ING MAN" and were actually intelligent discussions of the characters.
4. How far do you think cops should be able to go to get the truth? To what extent do the ends justify the means?
I lean more towards the ends justify the means. You can not make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. I think that is the biggest problem with the American justice system: we want to feel safe but we do not want to be ruthless and make the hard line decisions that will keep people safe.
5. How far do you think cable TV should be able to go in terms of language, nudity, and/or sexual content? Should broadcast TV have different standards than cable?
I think cable AND broadcast TV should be able to put on whatever they wish. If you do not like, change the channel. If you do not want your kids watching it, do some parenting instead of letting the television do it for you. I would not let a kid under about 15 or so (it depends on his/her maturity) watch a show like the Shield but I also would not use parental controls or anything like that. That is just parents being lazy.
6. What other cop or law-related shows do you like?
I watch the old L&O (with Jerry Orbach, RIP) and some SVU.
7. Do you have any experience with or in the criminal justice system?
My boss for a summer job I had in HS and college was an ex-cop and a lot of his cop buddies would come down there and hang out with us on their breaks. I got to hear all of their stories about crime fighting in the hell holes of NJ during the 70s, 80s and early 90s.
8. Most of us know Michael Chiklis as "The Commish" and he was in the NBC comedy "Daddio". What do you think of Michael's portrayal of corrupt cop and tough guy, Vic Mackey?
I have not seen The Commish or Daddio but I love his portrayal of Vic. Yes, Vic does want to do some good and has some soft spots and is a manipulative genius but deep down he is just a popular school yard bully. Chikliss gets that swaggering, macho, in-your-face attitude perfectly.
9. Could "The Shield" survive if Michael Chiklis left the show? Which actor would have the best chance of saving the show if Chiklis left?
No. No other character is capable of carrying the show without Vic Mackey and no one else is capable of playing Vic. With some good writing I think a spin off of the continuing adventures of Dutch and Claudette has potential though.
10. Reading and hearing about police brutality and police corruption, what do you think about law enforcement in real life? In your opinion, what percentage of real cops think they are above the law?
From my experience talking with my boss and other cops, I do not think that they think they are above the law so much as they think the law is not enough. This is one thing I think the Shield captures well: that “we need to show these assholes who is in charge” attitude and the idea that if they do not strike back when something happens to a cop, it will be open season.
11. What, in a nutshell, is your overall view of the American criminal justice system?
It is too soft and allows too many excuses.
12. New question: How did you come up with your screen name (in cases where it's not obvious, right CHIKchick? )
I have had it for a while. I came up with it on the fly and just stuck with it so I did not have to remember another screen name.