TV Matters: Southland

Southland might be the best show no one is watching. The show does an amazing job of grappling with the concept that police officers are flawed human beings who do heroic things for a living. The character arcs are thrilling. Last week's episode saw a police detective weeping and cradling a child criminal (who he was trying to send down a different path) in his arms moments before he was forced to arrest him. It was the most heartbreaking and fantastic scene of television I've seen this year. The acting is top notch. Michael Cudlitz leads the way with his gripping performance as veteran Officer John Cooper. Regina King continues to build on her impressive body of work as Detective Linda Adams. And, for all you Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie) lovers, the king of the OC is back in your living rooms as Officer Ben Sherman.

Southland airs tonight at 10:00PM on TNT. Tune in so that the TV execs realize that great drama is still worth making.