After what feels like forever (it hasn’t been – the S4 finale aired March 20, 2012), SOUTHLAND is back on TNT tonight with an episode that perfectly encapsulates what this show does best. It’s dark, gritty, thought-provoking, dangerous, funny, heartwarming, and tragic, all rolled into one. A bit of time has passed since we left our favorite LA cops – everyone has moved forward in life. Cooper’s old partner (the incredible Lucy Liu) is off being a Sergeant (or sober companion) and he’s got himself a new boot that of course, he doesn’t like very much! Sherman’s getting awards from the big wigs and Sammy is still dealing with that horrific ex of his, over custody of Nate (confession: I still miss Kevin Alejandro so much), while downward spiraling like we’re used to.  And Lydia, she is just going through the motions at this point, and Regina King is phenomenal (the whole cast is, down to guest star Chad Michael Murray who disappears into a role we don’t usually see from him, with a mustache that should be put out to pasture).

What immediately stood out to me at the beginning of this new season was the fact that we’ll continue to see life on the job, but we’re getting more than small glimpses into the varied and wildly complicated personal lives of these cops and detectives.  There’s not much more that I can say about the show other than it’s 100% worth your time (maybe 150% worth your time) – it will make you laugh, cringe, cry, and think, in 10 minute spans of time.  Not many other shows can say they can accomplish that, can they?

SOUTHLAND airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on TNT.