TVSquad

(S06E01) This is why I love TV. This was the second time I've seen this episode (you've got to love press screeners) and I was just as riveted as the first time I saw it. With the way last season ended, people have been waiting a long time for this. It was worth the wait because last night's season six premiere of The Shield was arguably one of the best episodes of the series to date.

Picking up just about a week after Shane killed Lem, the late Det. Lemansky has been buried minus the pomp of a proper police funeral. Turns out that Aceveda and his new political cronies made sure that the city knew Lem was "dirty." Naturally, Vic is not thrilled with that and along with Shane and Ronnie (who now has a much more expanded role), they begin looking for whoever killed Lem.

I'll be the first to admit it. I was a latecomer to The Shield. I'd never watched a minute of it until right before the fourth season started and a buddy of mine let me borrow the first three seasons on DVD. He told me it was the best cop show ever. Wait a second. Better than NYPD Blue or The Wire? Yes. So I watched the three seasons... in one weekend. The phrase "glued to my seat" does not begin to do justice to how mesmerized I was by this show. I mean, damn!

So naturally, when I was approached about speaking with Walton Goggins, I practically blew up with anticipation. However, I'm not the only Shield fan here at TV Squad. Our fearless leader Keith is a die-hard too. So we decided to do something different for this interview -- the first ever TV Squad Tag Team. Walton didn't know what he was stepping into... that is, if he could crack through all the codes to get into our elaborate virtual phone-in conference room. I can't say that I blame him. I got confused too.

Keith: Hey man, thanks for joining us.

Walton: (laughing) I'm in the inner sanctum of some imaginary corporate office right now.

Jonathan: I know, it's crazy! You have to push buttons and number sequences and then some computerized voice announces your name.

Very cool news for fans of The Shield (myself included) who can't wait for the new season to start. Similar to the comedy short shown online that FX commissioned for Rescue Me last year, a mini-episode of The Shield is in the works. However, no date has been set for when it will premiere.

Here's what we do know. For the first four weeks of its availability (whenever that will be), the episode will only be viewable at Anheuser-Busch's new online media site Bud TV. It's kind of a pain in the butt since you'll have to register with the site to view the episode. After the four week window, the episode (it's expected to cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million to make) will be available on AOL and other online outlets. Bud TV will launch the day after this Sunday's Super Bowl.

This is actually old news, but I don't remember reading anything about it. So it's new to me and hopefully to most of you other Shield fans. Alex O'Loughlin joined the cast of The Shield a few months ago when the second half of season five began filming and according to this IGN interview, he's been enjoying every minute of it. In it, O'Loughlin touches on his role in the new episodes as well as his relationship with series star Michael Chiklis. Really good read if you've been missing The Strike Team hi-jinks as much as I have. O'Loughlin plays Kevin Hiatt, a seasoned cop with experience working the Mexican border and according to SpoilerFix, he's set to join the cast in the fourth episode once the show returns. He's brought in to keep tabs on Vic, Ronnie, and Shane... similar to when Tavon was added to the team in the third season. That ended well, right?