Sometimes I just never know what I’m missing. I generally refuse to watch network TV, and as such rarely get to see some of the better shows until they are released on DVD. I can’t stand the way networks bounce shows around or dare to interrupt them for some word from any of our less than illustrious presidents. I especially despise the little scrolling ads that they feel will promote other shows, as opposed to just bugging the heck out of someone trying to pay attention to the one they are watching. Nope, not for me. This is why I missed “Southland” during its inaugural season. Everything I heard about the show made me wish I had gone ahead and watched it… until the news that NBC was cancelling it just a few episodes in. (Sigh…) NBC is becoming just as brain dead as Fox when it comes to giving shows a chance to grow ratings. I think it’s the suits… the ties are too tight.

Anyhow, the show was cancelled so I was relieved that I had NOT watched it and been disappointed in not having a resolution. It even made me wary to catch it on DVD… until the word hit that TNT was picking it up. So when the DVD of the first season… well actually part of the first season… showed up I tore into it.

“Southland” is first and foremost a cop drama. All of the advertising said it was cop drama like no other, and while that may not necessarily be true… the episodes that I saw got me hooked… fast. The show was gritty, rough and violent. The language was harsh (which I understand was bleeped on NBC – but not on these discs) and realistic. The acting is superb, and I loved the ‘you are there’ approach to the camera work that made it feel more like a documentary series than a drama. You get to see the cops at work and at home, either place having the capability of becoming a war zone.

I can see why NBC dropped it. It’s a good show. Good shows have no place on NBC… well except “Chuck” (which will maybe move someday for its own good as NBC is on the way out.). Watching the first seven episodes of the first season also showed me why TNT picked it up. That or FX would make better homes as they already have other shows of similar quality. Of course, this my only gripe with the DVD set… it only has those first seven episodes. There were six more already in the can, but they never aired. It seems they will now air on TNT. So… I wish that the studio had waited until they could release a full season on DVD. Ahh Well.

The set does include a featurette on the series, which gives a bit of an overview of the show’s style, but that’s all.

“Southland” is a terrific show that I hope will find a longer life on TNT. I’d say run out and get this DVD set, but I’m wondering if there might be a full season set on the way.

Episodes:
Unknown Trouble
Mozambique
See the Woman
Sally in the Alley
Two Gangs
Westside
Derailed

Starring: Kevin Alejandro, Arija Barekis, Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King, Ben McKenzie, Tom Everett Scott
Extras: Southland – Redefining the Cop Drama
Specification: Widescreen; English SDH
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 1/26/2010
MPAA Rating: NR
http://www.wbtvondvd.com

We'll give Southland: Season 1 a B.