Southland: the Complete First Season
300 Minutes
By Chris Zimmerman
Southland is the best new series of 2009. Go buy the DVD set.
Ok, I guess I should put a little more effort into this review considering the glowing endorsement I just gave the show; but it’s true. It’s not very often that a series with a cast as large as this can deliver multiple plots that are each intriguing in their own right to make us want to come back for more. It would be one thing if every character’s story intersected with one another but Southland chooses to take the realistic route. Some characters can go an entire episode without interacting with each other.
In truth, Southland doesn’t feel like a network television show at all; especially not after watching the DVD which presents the show in its uncensored glory. This is a show reminiscent of something you would see on HBO or Showtime. Blood and cursing are prevalent with multiple characters dropping the F-bomb. Those with squeamish stomachs best be warned, one scene in the first episode is particularly gruesome and serves as a reminder to let the animals out if you plan on biting the dust.
To be fair, Southland’s plot isn’t very original. Rookie officer Ben Sherman is paired with the more experienced officer Cooper and forced to open his eyes to the true face of Los Angeles crime. Cooper is weary and no-nonsense, delivering the hard truth to Sherman while being as big of a prick as he possibly can.
So how does this translate into the masterpiece that is Southland? Simple: the execution. The show is compelling from start to finish. Right from the get-go, the audience is dropped in sunny L.A. where gangs rule and the local law enforcement is always at a disadvantage. Many eye-witnesses refuse to come forward for fear of their lives and the cops that are on the straight and narrow are forced to work with peers just as crooked as the criminals they bring in.
Southland will no doubt draw comparisons to another show which dealt with a similar theme in the Shield, and while I can’t say it has reached the Shield’s level just yet, it is well on its way. The production values are stellar the cast is above average. It’s realistic, terrifying, and brilliant. Everything you could want in a series.
SouthLand: the Complete First Season Uncensored – A+
Special Features:
Southland: Redefining the Cop Drama
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