The BEST episodes of The Shield season 3

Every episode of The Shield season 3, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Shield season 3!

The story of an inner-city Los Angeles police precinct where some of the cops aren't above breaking the rules or working against their associates to both keep the streets safe and their self-interests intact.

Last Updated: 11/12/2024Network: FXStatus: Ended
On Tilt
star
7.87
1393 votes

#1 - On Tilt

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 6/15/2004

When Aceveda confirms that the Strike Team is the target of an Armenian mob hit, Mackey must take matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Whym's career is on the line when she disobeys Aceveda's orders to put a case to rest that may prove the innocence of convicted felons.

Directors: Scott Brazil
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Mum
star
7.76
1293 votes

#2 - Mum

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/6/2004

Vic struggles with Claudette's new supervision of the Strike Team. Marked bills lead Aceveda and a federal agent closer to the truth about the Armenian money-train heist in an episode with a recurring motif of people not reporting crimes against them.

Directors: Nick Gomez
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
All In
star
7.67
1412 votes

#3 - All In

Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 6/8/2004

With an Armenian hit-man hot on their trail, the Strike team sweeps the streets of the Armenian community to find him before he finds them. After catching a break, Aceveda's suspicions grow about the Strike Team's involvement with the Money Train robbery. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette investigate a case that could repeal hundreds of convictions, which leaves Claudette having to choose between her conscience and her career.

Directors: Stephen Kay
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Streaks and Tips
star
7.67
1391 votes

#4 - Streaks and Tips

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/30/2004

The newly arrived Decoy Squad and the Strike Team go head to head in the investigation to solve a car-jacking case. Dutch gets in over his head on an attempted murder case.

Directors: Scott Brazil
Writer: Glen Mazzara
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Posse Up
star
7.63
1294 votes

#5 - Posse Up

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/13/2004

When the ex-wife and child of Julien's former partner, Tommy, are murdered, Tommy becomes a suspect, prompting Julien to team up with Mackey to conduct their own investigation. Elsewhere, Shane goes undercover to catch a group attacking gay prostitutes, and Claudette and Dutch investigate a rape case against Aceveda's orders.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Fire in the Hole
star
7.54
1361 votes

#6 - Fire in the Hole

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/1/2004

When a mole in the treasury department is discovered and the framed suspect in the Armenian money train robbery turns up missing, the Strike team race to find the suspect before their cover is blown. Meanwhile, Claudette attempts to make amends with the Decoy Squad by going undercover to help them on a case.

Directors: Guy Ferland
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Slipknot
star
7.53
1372 votes

#7 - Slipknot

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/4/2004

When two high profile murders are linked to each other, Aceveda orders Wyms to get the entire Barn involved before gang and racial violence breaks out. Mackey uses the case to leverage himself and the Strike Team back into the streets of Farmington.

Directors: Michael Chiklis
Writer: Kurt Sutter
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Safe
star
7.52
1309 votes

#8 - Safe

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/20/2004

Vic and the Strike Team decide to take risky measures to protect themselves from being linked to the Money Train heist. Unfortunately, their plan is interrupted when one of Vic's open cases is suddenly linked to a Narco Corrido song.

Directors: Peter Horton
Writer: Adam Fierro
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Playing Tight
star
7.49
1400 votes

#9 - Playing Tight

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/9/2004

The Strike team's attempt to play by the book comes to an abrupt end when they discover that two gangs, the Byz Latz and the One-Niners are attempting to alter the balance of power by acquring MP5s. Claudette and Dutch investigate the murders and feet decapitation of 4 Armenian men by the Armenian mob in their search for the stolen cash from the money train. Meanwhile, Danny who is doing temp work at a high school while waiting for an appeal, discovers she might me be able to get her old job back.

Directors: Clark Johnson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Blood and Water
star
7.48
1264 votes

#10 - Blood and Water

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/16/2004

Tension within the group begins to mount as the Strike Team attempt to rectify a mistake Vic made when he decided to use some of the cash from the stolen money train during a botched gun-running sting. Meanwhile, Dutch and Claudette seek the help of a college honor student named Esteban who was the only survivor in the murder of two latin gang members, one of them being his close friend.

Directors: Clark Johnson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
What Power Is...
star
7.46
1347 votes

#11 - What Power Is...

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/11/2004

Aceveda finds himself in a near fatal confrontation, and enlists Vic to help him take down the suspects in order to help service his own personal agenda. Meanwhile after losing her position of power, Claudette rejoins Dutch on the search for the cuddler rapist as they get a stunning break in the case.

Directors: Dean White
Writer: Kim Clements
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bottom Bitch
star
7.42
1278 votes

#12 - Bottom Bitch

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/23/2004

A prostitute seeks the help of the police in her quest to bring down her pimp. Claudette assigns Vic against his wishes to the case, which puts him on the verge of going over the edge. Dutch uncovers a disturbing trend of rapes and a politician is arrested for solicitation.

Directors: Scott Brazil
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Riceburner
star
7.42
1371 votes

#13 - Riceburner

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/25/2004

When Aceveda assigns The Strike Team to serve a high risk warrant against a mob killer to service his political agenda, they find themselves embroiled in a hostile struggle with the Korean community. Now the Team must find out how to put an end to the situation before they end up casualties of a racial fued. Meanwhile, one of Vic's informants works with Danny on finding stolen chairs, while having eyes for her.

Directors: Scott Brazil
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Strays
star
7.40
1289 votes

#14 - Strays

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/18/2004

During a routine bust on bangers, Vic and the Team discover a money laundering ring that reaches far and wide in the crime community. Meanwhile, Dutch takes the chilling confession of the man who was arrested in the serial-rape case, and Danny goes undercover.

Directors: David Mamet
Writer: Glen Mazzara
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Cracking Ice
star
7.39
1359 votes

#15 - Cracking Ice

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/27/2004

An oversight puts Waylon and Trish in serious danger during an undercover job and Claudette is to blame. Meanwhile, Tommy makes a drastic decision when he realizes nobody in the Barn can help him get back on the job.

Directors: Guy Ferland
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV