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 Southland

(April 10th, 2009.  Editor)               Benjamin McKenzie, Michael Cudlitz, Regina King, Tom Everett Scott, Michael McGrady, Kevin Alejandro, Shawn Hatosy, Arija Bareikis in the one hour police drama Southland, airing Thursdays on NBC.

On his first day on the beat, rookie cop Ben Sherman (McKenzie) finds himself questioning if he's cut out for the job. Adding to the pressure, Sherman is assigned to no-nonsense, cut to the chase training officer, veteran John Cooper (Cudlitz). Meanwhile, a young girl is kidnapped from her front yard and Detectives Lydia Adams (King) and Russell Clarke (Scott) investigate the disappearance while comforting her distraught parents.

The pilot episode of this series attempts to do for the police drama, what the first episode of E.R. did for the medical drama. To show real, flawed, human beings who are put into a situation where they are expected to act perfectly. Where lives hang in the balance. Executive Producer John Wells, who has previously brought us "ER" and "The West Wing" seems to be talented at this style. I believe Benjamin McKenzie is a rookie cop who is having a very tough first day on the job. I am already rooting for him to make it.

Likewise, every other member of the large cast is convincing in their supporting roles as L.A. Cops. But now that we have established that, what's next? There needs to be more.

What this series must avoid is becoming just another cop show. Every season there are at least a few new offerings with that theme, usually set in New York or Los Angeles. The difference is always in the writing. If this series can break new ground, it will survive. If it turns out to be just another cop show, it will not. The pilot episode shows promise, but so far there is no suggestion that this one hour drama is heading in a new direction.

I could be wrong. Episode two might be the start of something bigger. At least I hope so. Because if this one doesn't come out of the gate strong, it won't be around long.

 

Editor

 

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