ChrisHicks

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/newswire.cgi?id=7007

FX Expands 'The Shield's' Fifth Season to 21 Episodes
By Brian Ford Sullivan


LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- In a surprising move by the cable channel, FX has ordered eight additional episodes of "The Shield's" fifth season - extending its run to 21 episodes.

It's not clear if the extra installments will run seamlessly from the initial 13 or if the network will split the season into two halves like other cable shows such as "Monk" on USA, "The Sopranos" on HBO or "Battlestar Galactica" on Sci Fi.

No specific reason was given for the extension. The fifth season is currently slated to bow in January.

Fox TV Studios and Sony Pictures Television are behind "The Shield," which comes from creator/executive producer Shawn Ryan.



could this possibly mean this is the final season?

Jimmy James

If I had my guess, they'll resolve FW's thread in 12 or 13 episodes, break, and air the final episodes of the series after a three or four month break.

Geofferson

According to the FX promos, the fifth season "is the beginning of the end".

MrX

I think this means it's the end

auto

Good News! 21 Epsiodes plus they go out (possibly) at the top of their game.

dadaluholla

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! This can't be the end!!!! I'm happy for the extra episodes but I seriously do not want this show to be over. It seems too soon. Good lord. I feel a little sick.

The only way I will accept this show coming to a close is if Vic Mackey gets promoted to the Commish and he gets a spinoff show. But whats the chances!?!?!

bralph

That's horrible news...

dadaluholla

It starts in January right? 21 Episodes would put us right around May/June and Season 3 of Rescue Me should start about that time i would guess.

pilot

maybe they just didn't change the graphic, but on FX's page, there's a picture of with Close and Chiklis .."Returns in 2006" ..wonder if maybe she'll be back for 1 or 2 of the first episodes..I know she said she wouldn't be back because of her kid..

dadaluholla

Yeah I can see Glenn being in at least the first episode to wrap up her story before Forrest Whitaker shows up.

rfduncan

Yeah. I love this show, but I want it to start wrapping up soon.

tsohg

As much as I hate to say it I agree with this. Vic and crew can only do so much before their shit catches up to them. Then down to the wire hail mary plays that they use to get out of jams followed by Vic's trademark "I just shit my pants" look is getting a little stale to me. I hope Tavon makes a return and Assivada gets exposed or at the very least a royal rumble style ass kicking from the Strike Team.

I could see a nice spin of series with the Hollywood Vice squad. That would rock I liked those guys/girls

Silt

Love the idea of 21 episodes, hate the thought that it may be nearing it's end. Never been one for cop shows, but this one grips me every episode it seems.

DJariya

My prediction is that the series finale Vic and the strike team will be led away in handcuffs or they will all die in some major shootout.

5 seasons is enough for The Shield. 5 years is a long time for Vic and company to get away with all those crimes.

Jimmy James

My guess:

Lem goes to jail.

Vic gets killed.

Ronnie gets away clean.

Shane's fate is left in doubt.