Ep 1. Wednesday
- TV-NR
- January 17, 2012
- 41 min
-
8.5 (264)
Southland is a crime drama television series that follows the lives of police officers in Los Angeles, as they struggle to maintain order in a city plagued by gang violence and corruption. The show's fourth season premiered with an episode titled "Wednesday", which introduced new storylines and characters as well as continued the ongoing arcs from the previous seasons.
In "Wednesday", the focus is split between a few different cases and characters. The episode opens with a group of gang members breaking into a house and stealing a gun, which sets the stage for the violence that will come later in the episode. We then follow Officers Cooper and Sherman, who are on patrol in a rough part of the city. Cooper is still struggling with his addiction to painkillers, which is negatively affecting his judgment and attitude towards his partner. Meanwhile, Sherman is dealing with the aftermath of his wife's miscarriage and trying to keep his emotions in check on the job.
The two officers respond to a call about a woman overdosing in a motel room, which leads them to discover a disturbing scene that hints at larger issues of addiction and exploitation. As they try to piece together what happened, they also have to deal with a pushy journalist who is trying to report on the case without regard for the people involved.
Elsewhere, Detective Lydia Adams is investigating a shooting that occurred in a restaurant, which is connected to a larger case involving a notorious gang leader. She also has to navigate the struggles of being a working mother, as she tries to balance her job with her responsibilities at home.
Finally, we are introduced to a new character, Officer Jessica Tang, who is a transfer from another precinct. She is partnered with Officer Sammy Bryant, who is initially wary of her and the fact that she is a woman. However, as they work together to chase down a suspect who stole a car, he begins to see her skills and potential.
Overall, "Wednesday" sets up a season that promises to delve deeper into the complex lives of these characters and the challenges they face both on and off the job. The episode's multiple storylines and well-drawn characters make it a strong start to the season, and it leaves the audience eager to see what comes next.