Which makes the show great, but not the greatest.

Take 2 shows that always come in discussion for the GOAT cop show: The Wire and Homicide. With The Wire, the main focus of the series was the drug trade, and how it affected everyone in the city from different angles: the dealers, users, cops, polititions, etc. With Homicide, the main focus was on the daily life of a homicide cop in Baltimore: on duty, off duty, interaction with each other and superiors, family members, etc.

With The Shield, the main focus was Vic: how he did what he needed to do to stay one step ahead of everyone else, be it actually fighting crime or covering over his (and his crew's) crime. Almost every major story or character ended up being connected to Vic: Armadillo, Aceveda, the Armenians, Antwan Mitchell (who the writers tried SO hard to make another Luther Mahoney but didn't get close), Kavanaugh, etc. The side stories and interactions were just enough to remind you that there was other shit going on in Farmington when Vic wasn't splitting wigs or fucking somebody's wife. So the side stories were given some time for a few episodes, maybe a season, then dropped if it didn't relate to Vic.

I don't think it was a fatal flaw per se, as the show was still extremely well done. However, by chosing to focus so much on Vic I think the opportunity to be so much more.

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
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Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...