You feel like you're going through the streets of la with the cops always eating at the most popular places, real gang names are used and the realities of being a cop. One of the best shows of all time.

First and foremost I want to thank the outstanding cast of actors, director/crew that made this police drama possible. I loved every episode! Now, was there some creative/dramatic liberty taken..maybe. I mean It is a show after all. However this drama dared to show the dark side of not just a segment of LA society but of our boys in blue. It brought some of the grim realities of what goes on in society on both sides of the fence. So sorry it had to end. You guys had me hooked! Five awesome seasons! You did a great job and wish you continued success in your future endeavors. Some of my favorite actors made appearances on the show which made the show even that much more exciting to watch :) Thomas Howell for example. Love him in the film Gettysburg and the Outsiders. Yes I'm that old. :) "Let's do it for Johnny man!" :) lol! Same with Kevin Alejandro. Saw him for the first time in the recent series "Lucifer". Folks, as much as I knew it was acting it killed me to see his character get killed off the show. So many other characters I wouldn't have minded see an early death. :) Next to End Of Watch I've never seen any other police drama that truly had me at the edge of my seat/emotionally connected as this show did. Funny thing is that up to a couple a weeks ago, I had not even heard of the show. I just so happened to run into it on Hulu while I was browsing and figured I'd give it a try. I'll admit at first I thought it was going to be like all the other cop shows I've seen in the past. Good cop bad cop blah blah blah. Was I ever wrong. In closing this long winded review, sorry folks, a final thank you for police officers everywhere that by chance may read this. I realize how much of a bad wrap you guys have received due to some bad apples out there. I know that they are not a true reflection of what a true police officer is/supposed to be. I want to thank you for the sacrifice you folks make on a daily basis. I am a retired military veteran and seen my share of chaos/personal grief and to an extent know how hard it can be to keep the job away from home/driving you crazy. Sincerely, thank you and if you guys can somehow get this show back I would love you forever! :) lol!

'Southland' is one of the finest American police dramas ever made for television. The casting, acting and momentum of the show is exemplary. Now in its fifth and final season, it follows the working and private lives of police officers and detectives as they work in one of the most challenging and dangerous places in America for cops, in the infamous Los Angeles Police Department. The show has a 'fly on the wall' feel about it, putting the viewer into the front seat of a patrol car and side by side with officers 'on the job'.The show's largely split between following characters whilst they work and exploring their private lives, sometimes in great detail. This is usually done alternately throughout each episode. It achieves a striking amount of realism in both regards, often demonstrating a loyalty to real life American policing and practice.Undeniably, 'Southland' is an entertainment show and picks out the 'juicy bits', but it's the subtleties that make it so brilliant. It is to the show's credit that the entire five series remain impressively consistent throughout, with some episodes offering more to the viewer than others. Overall, this remains my favourite television series of all time and a shame it didn't have the long life it deserved.

Yes, you have "The Shield", you have NYPD Blue etc etc but both those shows devolved into "suspension of belief" problems and narrative over realism issues. Southland does not, The only thing that comes close to this show is "The Wire", and that only wins out ONLY because of its wide Dickensian sweep of Urban America in the 21st century Everyone in SOUTHLAND knocks it out of the park. The writers directors, the crew, all of them deserve awards.I don't care for Thomas C Howell as an actor but here he is not only credible, he is exactly what a white knuckling alcoholic cop acts like in the line of duty. (I have met them) Lucy Liu is spot on as well. Cudlitz, Regina King, and Shawn Hatosy are just plain revelatory in their execution in these roles and are A List and first rate actors for the effort. There is no sentimentality with this great show, no hand wringing by the P.C. Brigade, it is what it is........ NO WONDER the LAPD cooperated with the making of this show. Finally someone painted them in real colors. An EFFING fabulous piece of work by all that participated. If you don't watch these 5 seasons you are depriving yourself on an epic scale.