I was addressing the reviewer's far from objective observations and suggesting taking a closer look, the one that applies long-term for the others, but apparently not for Ben when it comes to motivations and the reasons for behavior that aren't explained in the show's writing where less is much too less and allows for…

I feel as we watched a completely different episode.  While I liked the cinematography, I thought the pacing and writing choices made for a very slow and haphazard and random one even by Southland's own standards.  Halfway through there's no time to waste and they don't seem to get the prioritizing right.

Thanks for reading and replying to my free thought ramble.  I'm glad it registered a little.  I agree with you about having Ben as the one closest and most relatable to the audience as the newest and the perpetual outsider, and having so many instances where he ends up alone reinforces that in its own way.  I don't…

"Ben Sherman loves the thrill of something new, and his new squeeze, Brooke the elementary school teacher, has him caught for the time being. She’s got him, and keeps him interested, because she isn’t fawning all over him as the greatest cop to walk the streets of Los Angeles. She likes him, but “grades on a curve,”…

Not a fan of the gratuitous partial nudity, especially after suffering through it for so much of the 3rd season.  It was hard to watch the start of any episode and have to endure that view over and over.

That struck me as for dramatic purposes, unless someone wanted to use the whole approach that having the guy face away also gave him the chance to escape out the door, also for more drama.  Round and round.

We were crushed when Chickie wasn't Ben's partner, felt worse when she just vanished and then there'd never be a partner switch, and at least relieved that Tammi was history.  Three strikes?

One thing I noticed about your analysis was how baggage bleeds over from personal to professional lives.  You neglected to mention how Ben has more baggage than most overbooked  flights.  I know the writers usually forget for years at a time, but it's true and it's a huge part of who he is, and the only reason that…