The Glass Shield

Question: I enthusiastically read that The Shield's fifth season has been extended by eight episodes for a total of 21. Is that because they needed more episodes to wrap up the series for good, or is it an omen for more seasons of possibly the best show on TV?

Answer: I'm leaning towards your first theory, especially in light of what series creator Shawn Ryan told me last week. "I'm ready to turn the corner and head for a finish line," he said. "Whether that takes just these [21] episodes, whether it takes some more, I'm not exactly sure yet. I think FX will accommodate me whenever I think I want the ending to be. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel." Ryan added that a decision will likely be made before the fifth season kicks off in January.

Question: I need some Shield poop! Do you know who the new captain will be?

Answer: Shawn Ryan was incredibly vague about that topic, saying, "It's somebody new to that role.… I didn't think we could equal what we had, with three years of Benito Martinez and then a year of Glenn Close, so we're taking a very different tone with this year's captain. It's more about absentee leadership than any kind of new leadership." And here's some other breaking Shield poop: Catherine Dent's real-life pregnancy will be written into the show, setting up a "Who's your daddy?" mystery within Farmington; Guiding Light alum Paula Garces joins the force as Julien's new partner; and Ryan says there's a "decent-to-good chance" that Anthony Anderson will be back. Sadly, the same can't be s read more

I SPY A COMEBACK | Today's News: Our Take | 10/19/2005
It's the news Alias fans have been waiting for. As reported exclusively in today's Ask Ausiello, Michael Vartan has sealed a deal to return to ABC's spy drama. For more on his big comeback — plus breaking casting news, er, poop on ER, Charmed, The Shield, Everwood, NCIS, House and Gilmore Girls — read today's fresh AA. (There, Mike, was that plug shameless enough for you?) read more