Southland, the series that has gone into ER‘s time period, has one of the more annoying new lead characters of the year. It also has one of the most likable new characters. It’s that kind of show: a mix of the bad and the good.
The bad one is gruff cop John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz), who barks out harsh advice and the sort of streetwise wisdom that comes with embossed exclamation points: “You’re a cop because you don’t know how not to be a cop!” (Dalton Ross remarked that Southland could be called Listen Up, Rookie!)
The good one is rookie cop Ben Sherman (Benjamin McKenzie), who kept his trap shut through most of the premiere and therefore came off like the truly wiser policeman. I know McKenzie is doing a lot of soulful looking into space the way he did on The O.C., but the guy is excellent at soulful gazing. Plus, by the end of the episode, his character proved he could shoot a gun really well — in other words, we know he’s the competent one we’re going to root for.
The rest of Southland played out like a lot of other cop shows. Produced by ER guys John Wells and Christopher Chulack, it was created by Ann Biderman, who wrote some episodes of NYPD Blue, and there was a lot of blue language and NYPD-style grittiness in this Los Angeles-set series. At least one early review compared Southland to The Shield, but Southland doesn’t come close to that show’s hardboiled sheen. It’s more like an all-cop version of another NBC/John Wells series, Third Watch: a collection of subplots about people under duress and in danger, guarded by flawed but ultimately sincere people… except for the corrupt ones.
Southland is certainly well-made and well-cast. Even though his character is obnoxious, Michael Cudlitz portrays Cooper’s obnoxiousness with admirable commitment. The cast includes fine actors such as Regina King and Tom Everett Scott, and, as I said, I like McKenzie’s performance. But both on its own and leading out from the gloriously zany 30 Rock, Southland may not be the show for viewers looking for something both less familiar and less self-consciously “gritty.” I’ll keep watching for at least a few more weeks, to see how the characters develop; will you?
Did you watch? What did you think?
Took a while to get interesting, but could deserve another viewing. If only to catch more Josh Stewart and hope that C Tommy sticks around!
I thought the show was awesome… it surprised me and I loved it…
first half was alright, i guess all pilots need to time to build…but the last half of it…blew me away.
I felt like i already knew all the characters and was really feeling for them. The criminal storylines are compelling too..the best scene was one of the last with ben and the girl in the waiting room..classic
I feel like I saw the whole pilot during the 9 million previews that have shown over the past 2 weeks.
I thought it was a little different then whats out there for cop shows right now. Its funny like the review said when the two cop cars were listening to the sting it kind of reminded me of the shield. I’lll give it a few more episodes to see where it goes
I thought it was a little different then whats out there for cop shows right now. Its funny like the review said when the two cop cars were listening to the sting it kind of reminded me of the shield. I’lll give it a few more episodes to see where it goes
I can’t wait to see it on hulu!
I hate cop shows…but i love BEN. I WAS OBSESSED WITH THE OC! I watch anything he is in now!!
I actually liked the 1st ep alot…it seems very interesting and diff. I think its going to get more interesting as we find out more about BEN. Where he is from is he rich like they think he is, what are his issues, why did he wanna be a cop, why he is so quite…
Im hooked, lets see where this goes!
I loved Third Watch and ER, so the combo of Wells and Chulack makes me think this will beccome a great show. I liked the pilot which is saying something because I usually hate pilots. I hope NBC actually gives it a chance to develop, but I have my doubts.
Finally, a really good cop show comes to life again. This is superb. This show takes me back to the authenticity of Hill Street Blues; being a cop isn’t all respect and roses. This show Rocks!
I went in expecting not to like it (I generally hate cop shows) but wanted to watch solely to support Ben McKenzie (love.him). Surprisingly, I found myself really, really, really liking it; maybe even loving it. I immediately set a season pass for it. I was a little worried Ben would be Ryan Atwood and while the “soulful gazing” was there, I agree that it worked. My favorite scene, without a doubt, was with Ben and the girl reading Beloved in the waiting room. I think this show’s really going to give Ben a chance to show off his acting chops (he was kind of the same with the awkwardness in Junebug), and that really excites me. Now I just hope NBC will keep it around with the 100 hours of Leno a week we’re soon going to be getting.
I really thought it was powerful. Apart from Hill Street and NYPD Blue, the only other police show I ever liked was the short-lived Boomtown which I thought was equally well cast and powerfully written and acted. I thought Southland had the feel of reality and while perhaps there are some “really? talk like that?” moments from Michael Cudlitz (terrific as AnaLucia’s partner too btw, on Lost) I thought the cast was awesome, amazing photography, some real grit to it, authentic language and powerful performances from the people you mentioned in your review. And how cool is it to see C.Thomas Howell again after all these years! I liked it and will watch.
I thought it was really good, moving. Excellent cast, many familiar faces. Loved Regina King. I hope NBC sticks by this one.
Heavy duty. The initial shooting between the Mexican gansters and the African American youth was hair raising, true to reality and pulled me into the show. Modern day Adam 12? Finally, a well made LA reality cop show for Angelinos to enjoy…!
Heavy duty. The initial shooting between the Mexican gansters and the African American youth was hair raising, true to reality and pulled me into the show. Modern day Adam 12? Finally, a well made LA reality cop show for Angelinos to enjoy…!