Moderate
27 of 69 found this moderate
There is a quick scene where a naked woman is sitting on a man's lap. In a quick second you see her nipple and her bare backside when she stands up to leave.
Most episodes have no sexual content at all, and when it does, it isn't graphic.
The sex/nudity is never graphic. Many adult topics are talked about throughout the show. Some scenes show breasts, and buttocks but it's always quick and non-explicit. There are a few sexual scenes, but not too graphic.
There are a few sexual situations, including (strippers/prostitutes(no nudity), as well as a few scenes with brief nudity(side breast etc), and only a small amount of sex scenes through the entire show which is 89 episodes.
In Season 3, Vic forces a prostitute to take a gun in her mouth saying "Take it." Very jarring and unsettling with its overtones.
There are several graphic sexual references.
Some themes deal with prostitution, child pornography and rape. Rape is discussed when investigating crimes and is shown a couple of times. Male and female buttocks are shown rarely. Instances of this include a streaking prank in the police station, a strip search of a male suspect with minimal nudity shown, and a few sex scenes.
Severe
29 of 42 found this severe
Multiple shootouts and interrogation sequences. The show uses a shaky camera and a close perspective to capture a more gritty feeling than many other shows. Gang attacks and shootouts. Not for the faint of heart.
Some depictions of torture which leads to violence and intense scenes.
Violence is gritty although not all that bloody or gory. Some scenes are more intense than others.
Mostly intense beatings and shootouts with some blood. The show is more gritty than bloody but a has a few graphic scenes of carnage.
The aftermath of a crime scene is shown where grenades were tossed into a backyard family barbecue. Lots of blood and some body parts can be seen amongst the charred debris.
Graphic and semi-frequent violence. Many bloody crime scenes are shown. There is an instance of graphic torture.
Moderate
25 of 50 found this moderate
Casual use of words like "shit" and goddamn" are heard frequently. Insults like "asshole," "pussy," or "dick" are often used.
4 uses of "cocksucker"
No uses of "fuck".
Pretty much no uses of "fuck," maybe heard or obscured during songs in the background of certain scenes but never explicitly said or shown. Though there is frequently inappropriate conduct and profane terms aimed at minorities, gay people, etc., etc.
Profanities like "nigger," and "faggot," are used intermittently.
Severe
26 of 35 found this severe
Some episodes have a depiction of drug use, drug busts, and the drug life style. The drugs are shown in a up close view sometimes but are shown to have clear negative consequences.
A prostitute is a crack addict and there are a lot of scenes where she seems high and one scene involves her having serious withdrawal effects being shown in a graphic manner.
One graphic scene features a police officer walking in on a drug addict with multiple needles inside his arm and foot.
Shane is shown using drugs in a few episodes. Mostly shown snorting crushed up pills or cocaine cut with speed.
Severe
25 of 36 found this severe
The show is about cops who abuse their power including the boss, and take it way over the line blurring the lines of morality (using/selling drugs, embezzling and even torturing and killing for pleasure) and using the badge as an excuse to be evil.
Some violent scenes and drug scenes are graphic, making them very sad as well.
There are quite a few depictions of rape in this show.
Some scenes of animal cruelty can be extremely upsetting.
A number of intense scenes throughout.