Must See TV

There's very little good television left on the networks these days, and if you can find your way through the morass of reality television garbage, what remains is scant, and quality is virtually nonexistent. No network more exemplifies this than the great NBC. Gone are the early days of ER and Law and Order, when NBC ruled the ratings with a bevy of well written dramas with top-notch acting. Now, across all the networks, cheap thrills and jumping the shark are the order of the day, with most Americans preferring the dissonant tones of American Idol auditioners, the flat jokes of 30 Rock or the emaciated forms of Survivor contestants over the few tired or overwrought dramas left. One of NBC's more recent offerings, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, was one of the best shows NBC has had in a long time, but it was quickly canceled after a ratings drop resulting from NBCs lack of faith and patience.

Enter John Wells' newest drama, Southland. Wells' record has been spotty as of late, running ER off the rails the last few seasons with ridiculous stunts passing for drama, draining the last three seasons of The West Wing of decent writing, but having relative success with his show Third Watch before it too moved from the sublime to the ridiculous. Nevertheless, Southland shows more promise than anything else NBC is airing this season.

The show follows a rookie, training officer, beat cop and several detectives in South Central LA. The premise seems too stock to be interesting, but Southland has a grittier edge than has been seen on network television in quite a while. Additionally, the show is character-driven, a distinctive all but lost in modern television. It has a story that is told so that it grabs you, and the moment that pulls you in. The characters are dimensional and varied: a kid with something to prove, a detective balancing life and work, a woman trying to become something no other has and a quiet detective with a lot going on inside. I'll admit that I enjoyed the first episode with anticipatory reluctance; I wanted the show to succeed, but didn't really believe that it had the legs to do more than put together a good pilot. Episode 2 proved my fears wrong, and while it's certainly too soon to tell, I think it could easily develop into an excellent example of what television could be. Whether that means it lasts beyond a season and can find an audience is another matter all together.

The show's not perfect, but it's compelling, and that's enough for me. If you're not already watching Southland, check it out Thursday nights at 10pm on NBC. Support the good TV that's out there, and enjoy the drama of a good story with developed characters told well.