After being cancelled by NBC, SOUTHLAND found new life and a second season on a new channel, TNT. When I heard the news, I was very excited to see this fantastic drama back on the air and couldn’t wait to see the new episodes come back. Thankfully, I had an opportunity to watch the first two episode of the season, “Phase Three” and “Butch & Sundance” so I wanted to share some thoughts on it.
In the second season of Southland, you will be happy to know that the show has not lost its edge. The grittiness and realism are still ever present. The storylines vary between chilling with the case of an entire family getting butchered and amusing with Sammy’s wife getting kicked out of a Sam’s Club type store. This back and forth provide a wickedly satisfying blend of humor and tension that keep you glued to the screen.
The characters are also getting more established. Ben (Ben McKenzie) is coming into his own as police officer, while still struggling with his suspicion of his partner John (Michael Cudlitz)’s drug addiction. Their dynamic is slightly shifting as John is starting to treat Ben more like a partner rather than a rookie.
Chickie (Arija Bareikis), following her incident with her former alcoholic partner, is treated like a pariah by her colleagues and is saddled with the most inept of partners who actually manages to put her in danger once more. There also seems to be a spark between her and Ben that might be explored later on this season.
Lydia Adams (Regina King) is still reeling from her partner Russell Clarke (Tom Everett Scott) being shot. To make matters worse, she gets a new partner Rene Cordero (Amaury Nolasco) who she can’t stand. In the first two episodes, Lydia goes through some rough moments which will include getting shot, investigating a kidnapping and a mass murder. King does a masterful job of portraying a talented detective who is struggling to keep things together under all that pressure.
Nate and Sammy (Kevin Alejandro and Shawn Hatosy) are also in the mist of trying to protect their star witness while also dealing their ever so complicated personal lives. Nate with his sister/daughter still wanting to find her mother and Sammy with his less than cooperative wife.
Finally Sal (Michael McGrady) who was caught cheating by his daughter is also having a hard time keeping things rolling smoothly, especially when his daughter starts experimenting with drugs.
Overall, if the first two episodes are any indication, this season of Southland will be fantastic and should really captivate your attention. So don’t forget to tune in tomorrow Tuesday, March 2 at 10 p.m. on TNT.
You can also read our interviews with some of the cast: Michael Cudlitz, Ben McKenzie, and Tom Everett Scott.
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