Baptism by Fire (The Shield)

The Shield is an American crime drama television created by Shawn Ryan and starring Michael Chiklis. The series premiered on FX on March 12, 2002 and ended November 25, 2008, totaling 88 episodes over seven seasons, plus one additional mini-episode.

Season 2 includes the introduction of a smart, tough, Mexican criminal called "Armadillo." It also includes the beginning of the "Money Train" storyline.

Season 3 follows the Strike Team attempts of lying low after the Money Train Heist. However, their efforts are hindered as the repercussions of the heist start to pursue them, which brings some tension between Shane, Lem, and Tavon. Also, Aceveda looks for his replacement as he prepares to take the seat of councilman.

Season 4 features the new captain of The Barn, Monica Rawling who implements controversial federal asset forfeiture laws to control drug dealing in Farmington, which is controlled by the leader of the One-Niners gang, Antwon Mitchell, who has just been released from prison. To stop this, Rawling empowers Vic, whose Strike Team has disbanded since the last season forcing them to reunite.

Season 5's plotline is concerned with the attempts of Internal Affairs Lt. Jon Kavanaugh to bring down Vic Mackey for the murder of Terry Crowley as well as other crimes. He does this mainly by attempting to force Lem to cooperate, using a possible jail sentence as leverage, after learning Lem had earlier kept a brick of heroin he was supposed to turn over to evidence. The season also focuses on Vic and the Strike Team's efforts to end Kavanaugh's investigation and protect Lem.

This 15-minute mini-episode was produced between the fifth and sixth seasons, and initially released to various websites in February 2007 as a promotion for season six. It was later made available on the Season 5 DVD set.

Season 6 is mostly concerned with the attempts of the Strike Team to solve the murder of Lem and the aftermath of Vic's discovery that Shane was the killer. Other storylines include a new officer added to the team by Claudette who is intended to eventually replace Vic, Vic's attempt to save his job, and the investigation of the murder of several Mexicans.

Season 7 has Vic and Aceveda teaming up to go after ruthless Mexican developer Cruz Pezuela, who's working for the cartel to buy property in Los Angeles. Another plotline includes Shane's increasingly dire situation with the Armenians, which Vic spins into a gang war between them and the Mexicans, hoping to kill two birds with one stone. Other storylines include Vic and Ronnie's attempt at killing Shane for Lem's murder, Dutch's futile efforts to stop a teenage killer before he starts, and Claudette's worsening condition. The later part of the season involves Vic's plan to secure a job at ICE before being forced out of the department without a pension, Shane being on the run with his family, and Aceveda's violent start on the road to becoming the mayor.

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Wikipedia