Not your typical cop show

23 September 2010

The problem with procedural cop shows is that it is usually filled with clichéd, one-dimensional characters and ‘Scooby-Doo’ villains, who for whatever purpose like to reveal their master plan at the end. You also get the feeling that no matter what show you watch, whether it is The Mentalist, NCIS, CSI etc, you have seen the case before on another show. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, it is light entertainment after all but after a while, it can become tedious. Southland avoids that completely.

Southland is in the same vein as other US hard-hitting shows like The Wire, The Shield, NYPD Blue and Homicide: Life on the Streets. In The Wire where the grey area between being a cop or a gangster is explored, Southland’s primary focus is on the cops. The show emphasizes on the cases, the politics and the personal problems the officers are faced with. Grounded in realism, the show has got a very good cast with Regina King and Michael Cudlitz standing out the most.

Southland is a very good show and is worth the interest. You will not be disappointed.

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