In today's column, I review the new season of "Southland", about which my feelings are unchanged from midway through the show's brief first season: the stuff with the two uniform cops in the car is pretty good, and if the show was just that, it would be fine, but the rest doesn't really work.
Monday, March 01, 2010
'Southland' season 2 review: Sepinwall on TV
In today's column, I review the new season of "Southland", about which my feelings are unchanged from midway through the show's brief first season: the stuff with the two uniform cops in the car is pretty good, and if the show was just that, it would be fine, but the rest doesn't really work.
I've been trying to figure out what it is about Southland that isn't working for me, and your column really nailed it. I can barely remember the characters names and don't care much what they're up to. Which would be a problem on any show but on Southland I already like so many of the actors, you'd think it would be easy to connect to the characters. Instead I just sit there thinking how much I liked Shawn Hatosy in Outside Providence, how kick ass I think Regina King is, and debating whether or not I find Ben McKenzie attractive. I'm only still watching because I like the cast so much, but at the same time liking the cast also makes me realize how distant I feel from the characters they're playing. And with so much going on that we barely get to know anyone's story, it feels like potluck TV.
ReplyDeleteToo bad to hear that the second season doesn't fix the problems.
wood harris should fire his agent for getting him on this as a drug dealer
ReplyDeleteI don't have cable, so I'll catch S2 of this on DVD, if only to see how they resolve the S1 finale. I agree with many of the criticisms of the show, and I think clever_aint_wise nailed why I stuck with it...I love most of the actors on the show, including a great affection for Ben McKenzie. But, to be honest, I kept thinking at various points, "wow, so Ryan Atwood grew up to be a cop. Sandy would be proud."
ReplyDeleteI do wish that Michael O'Grady's character were gone or more interesting, and certainly Cooper and Sherman are stand-outs as characters, but I disagree that the show as a whole doesn't work. It's not perfect--get rid of Sal and get rid of the voiceovers--but I still absolutely adore the show. I think it's the best thing on television right now, a worthy successor to Homicide, better than The Shield. It's not quite The Wire, but it's also not as relentlessly grim, and sometimes that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteThis show is terrific. Well written, very well done.
ReplyDeleteI love it. And I don't normally know characters' names (I don't know anyone's names on Modern Family and I adore that show) so that's not a barometer for me. I love the female detective and want to be like her when I grow up.
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