littlefuzzy

Is the Michael Chiklis character still the main star of the show? Did he ever get busted for killing a cop, or is the show all about the trials and tribulations of the poor cop killer, who is just trying to make a dishonest buck?

I watched the first episode of this (or the pilot, can't remember which) and it completely floored me. I thought the character was going to be rough around the edges, and maybe even a little bit corrupt, but they would use his unorthodox methods to catch the bad guys. Instead, he IS the bad guy...

To me, this show is celebrating his corruptness, and the killing of the cop, etc. Sure, there are shows and movies where the criminal is the main star, but that is different from having a multi-season TV show following a cop who has killed another cop, deals drugs, robs people, etc.

das Monkey

Wait ... you stopped watching after the final frame where he shoots the mole, and you've come to this judgment about the content of the show?

In short, Chiklis is the primary star (among a very strong ensemble) and ... you're pretty much wrong about everything else.

das

Jeremy517

You garnered all of that by watching one episode?

Your first paragraph contained a question, but your second and third paragraphs make it seem like you've already made up your mind and are just looking to either start a fight or to tell people that they're wrong for watching the show...

But to answer your question, yes he is the main star of the show. His character is a lot deeper than you give him credit for though.

Rypro 525

you'll learn that he has a family, cares for his kids, makes sure the area he does is safe, and get drug dealers off the street.

bboisvert

The answer to your question is that there is gray area between the two black/white options you provide here. The show thrives in that gray area, much to the joy of those of us who enjoy nuanced writing and multi-dimensional characters.

Jadzia

He does bad things, but you are constantly afraid he will get caught. In fact, it seems like a main theme of the show is how he is always one step away from having it all blow up in his face but he always seems to manage to eke his way out of every jam. It adds to the tension of the show, since not only is he going after bad guys but he also must outwit his superiors in order to protect his methods.

das Monkey

The great thing about it, though, is that he's not truly getting out of every jam. With each major mess he gets out of, he loses a little bit more of himself, in his home life and in his relationships with other detectives and friends and of course in his soul. Mackey's really one of the best written and acted characters on television.

das

retihsuhnt

littlefuzzy, also thinks that Hannibal Lector is a bad person. Lets not forget how many bad people are in The Godfather or The Sopranos.

Jack Ryan had it right, "there isnt a grey area, only black and white." But unless you can see who/what a person is, then saying they are bad/wrong is just stupid.

Groucho

Wow, almost as bad as that guy who named "The Shield" in the "Worst Show in History" thread.

Michael T Hudson

After the first two episodes of season three this is now my favorite show. I love how there is no black and white on the show everyone has some dirt.

Rypro 525

question regarding a season 2 episode

Groucho

Rypro,

Rypro 525

Roto

The last few episodes of season one were the best I've ever seen from a cop show.

Tuan Jim

Offhand, I'm always wondering when Vic actually has time to sleep. It seems like there's never an end to anything (esp. when his family comes up) or something else. He very rarely looks really tired either -- something I'd kinda expect.