Praise for a premature cancellation

There was a time on television when police dramas weren’t just about ridiculous forensics or graphic sex crimes. Thankfully, “Southland” harkens back to the likes of “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Hill Street Blues,” in which the characters mattered just as much as the cases.

New to the LAPD, Ben Sherman (Ben McKenzie) deals with gang violence, a tough-as-nails, older partner (Michael Cudlitz) and murder – all during his first shift.

In only seven episodes, the first season of “Southland” slowly builds up characters inside the LAPD, all with their own personal issues and demons. And though many of the personalities are cop-show archetypes – the young gun, the gay one, the drug addict, etc. – powerhouse actors like Regina King, Cudlitz and Tom Everett Scott quickly breathe life into them.

Though NBC stupidly canceled this one, a handful of season two episodes will air on TNT this March. Watch and hope we get more episodes