Ep 2. Underwater

After the thrilling premiere of Season 4, Southland continued its momentum with another intense episode called "Underwater."

The episode starts off with Tang and Cooper getting into a heated argument in the locker room as Cooper expressed his frustrations over Tang's new partnership with Officer Salinger. The two butt heads over differences in their work ethics, as well as their respective attitudes toward new officers. Meanwhile, Lydia is struggling with her upcoming adoption, and the guilt she feels for the father who wants to be a part of his child's life.

As the shift begins, tensions run high. Cooper and Salinger are paired together on patrol, and their seemingly incompatible personalities immediately clash. After responding to a call regarding a suicidal woman, the two have a confrontation with the woman's ex-husband, leading to a physical altercation. The scene shows the vulnerability of the officers, as well as the high-stakes of their job.

Later, Lydia and Josie work together to investigate a home invasion that takes a surprising turn. The case is developed gracefully, highlighting the skills and techniques of the detectives. The storyline also delves deeper into Lydia and Josie's relationship, as they handle the emotional toll of the case and work to uncover the truth.

On their patrol, Cooper and Salinger respond to a complaint about a potential child abuse case. The officers find that their suspect is a single father struggling to make ends meet, but he is unable to provide proper care for his child. This segment showed how heart-wrenching the reality of poverty can be, as the officers are forced to make difficult decisions in the best interest of the child. It also highlights the moral and ethical dilemmas officers face on the daily.

One of the most poignant moments of the episode came near the end, when Ben comes to Tang with a difficult situation. Ben had been receiving anonymous notes from an unknown admirer, and he fears it may be his training officer. However, his fears are unfounded as Tang reveals that she is the one who left the notes. Through this scene, viewers see a personal side of Tang that contrasts her tough exterior.

Overall, "Underwater" delivers another insightful and intense episode. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions provide an insightful look into the lives and struggles of the officers. The episode masterfully weaves together multiple plot points, making it clear that Southland is one of the best police dramas on TV.