Southland, "Let It Snow"

[annundriel]

I want to talk about the Southland season three premiere, but I have nothing of substance really to say. It was fantastic. I'm thrilled that it's back, and I am greatly looking forward to more. Especially the progression of John and Ben's relationship. Especially the shift of trust. They need each other.

In my fandom-minded brain, here is how I read that last scene between the two of them: Ben is worried about John. He wants to help him out. He'd gladly go home with John and make sure John's comfortable, get whatever John needed while pestering him about getting real help. But John is John and he just can't...do that, so he sucks it up and he leaves. Goes to his ex-wife and hopes for relief. Meanwhile, Ben's left in the parking lot, watching John drive away. He turns down Chickie's offer of drinks, but then scantily clad sports car lady shows up and, well, she clearly wants to spend some extracurricular time with Ben, so he goes with her.

But he wouldn't if John had just said, yes, I need your help.

And, yes, he wouldn't have because he wouldn't have been there. But given the choice...I think he still would have gone to help John if John had been open to it. Because that is the kind of guy Ben is.

I see bad things for Sammy and Tammi, which sucks. They could use a break. I could be wrong, though, and this is what they need, but somehow I doubt that.

I found Ochoa annoying, but also...intriguing? I mean, I think we're supposed to side with Lydia on how we feel about her because we're getting used to her like Lydia is. So I guess...I found her annoying in the "I wouldn't want to work with her" kind of way, but I want to see what they're going to do with her.

It was so wonderful just...sitting down and seeing these characters back on my television screen.

Comments

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'But given the choice...I think he still would have gone to help John if John had been open to it. Because that is the kind of guy Ben is.'
Agreed. Like Ryan Atwood on The O.C, Ben seems to have an almost-compulsive need to rescue others. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Atwood) Of course John being John he couldn't actual take Ben's help.

'I'm thrilled that it's back, and I am greatly looking forward to more. Especially the progression of John and Ben's relationship. Especially the shift of trust. They need each other.'
Agreed. Even though it seems like John is trying to keep Ben at arms length, I think he might come to rely on Ben more as the season goes on.

'I see bad things for Sammy and Tammi, which sucks.'
Me too. I think Sammy is going to be ever more determined to make it work now that there's a baby. Tammi didn't seem too happy though.

'It was so wonderful just...sitting down and seeing these characters back on my television screen.'
Hear! Hear! I really hope more people start watching this show (there were only 2.1 million viewers for the premier) because I would love more seasons. I guess I should just be happy with it getting new episodes AT ALL, but I'm greedy like that.

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

Ben and Ryan do share that, don't they? My mom and I got to discussing that a little, but eventually it just devolved into whether or not Ryan would've gotten into the sports car with the woman at the end.

I think he might come to rely on Ben more as the season goes on.

That is precisely what I'm hoping.

Tammi definitely didn't seem happy. I worry for them. I really like Sammy, and I'd like for things to not be constantly miserable for him (the last episode I rewatched was "What Makes Sammy Run?" and it kills me hard every time).

There are other shows I would give up if it meant a full, 22 episode season of Southland.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'My mom and I got to discussing that a little, but eventually it just devolved into whether or not Ryan would've gotten into the sports car with the woman at the end.'
That's an interesting question. What do you think he's do?

'I think he might come to rely on Ben more as the season goes on.

That is precisely what I'm hoping.'
It looks like the writers are headed that way. Even Michael has said that John and Ben's relationship is very important to the show and that it will evolve over the course of the season.

'Tammi definitely didn't seem happy. I worry for them. I really like Sammy, and I'd like for things to not be constantly miserable for him (the last episode I rewatched was "What Makes Sammy Run?" and it kills me hard every time).'
Yeah, poor Sammy. Although I guess a good thing will be he'll have lots to do storyline wise.

'There are other shows I would give up if it meant a full, 22 episode season of Southland.'
Same here. I like the ten episode season because there won't be any breaks (at least according to wiki) between episodes, but 20 would be great too! Now if only they would put season 2 on DVD.

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

What do you think he's do?

Well, I think it kind of depends. It should probably also be noted that I've only watched the first season so far. But I think Ryan may have gotten in the car with her. Especially if something had happened beforehand that made him feel the need to go all "rebel" (for lack of a better word). Like Marissa being all "Whatever. I'm leaving, Ryan." (Oh look, someone else named Cooper...)

Sometimes I think maybe the short season might be a blessing in disguise. It may mean more solid episodes, or a more solid season overall. But I still want more. And, yes! Can we PLEASE get season two on DVD already?

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'Sometimes I think maybe the short season might be a blessing in disguise. It may mean more solid episodes, or a more solid season overall.'
True, true.

'Can we PLEASE get season two on DVD already?'
I just don't understand why they don't put it out either.

[mistresscurvy.livejournal.com]

Seriously, it's just so good. It's so smart, and detailed, and subtle in a way television almost never is, and ALL of the performances are stellar, whether by the cast regulars or the guest stars or the extras, and really, I just love this show. I had forgotten just how much.

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

I have nothing to really say, but you've pretty much nailed all the reasons I love this show in a very succinct way. Especially the subtle part. I love the way the details and the characters and the plot comes together, every time. And how they trust their audience's intelligence. It's a wonderful thing.

[olivelavonne.livejournal.com]

I read the last bit the same way too. Ben wanted to go home and help John. John's just too proud and stubborn. And then that lady showed up and he was probably frustrated with John. Also there is the bit where John would probably be pissed that Ben went home with her. Because Ben should have given her a ticket and the whole "you get her number" comment. Or I just have the slash goggles on again.

I really loved all the John/Ben interactions. Ben is so aware of John when they're together. I wonder if his character is like that with everyone.

Yay for more!

[annundriel.livejournal.com]

I think it's also interesting to note that he didn't go out with Chickie and whoever else. He chose someone fairly anonymous. I mean, you could interpret that to mean he was looking for a certain kind of evening and isn't looking for that with Chickie or other coworkers. But if he wasn't going to be with John, it's possible he was going to choose something that wouldn't bring John and John's issues up at all.

Ben is so aware of John when they're together. I wonder if his character is like that with everyone.

I'm not sure. It's hard to tell if Ben's like that with everyone, as he's so often in John's company. And I think it goes both ways. I know there are parts in season one, and I'm sure in season two, where Ben will be the focus of a scene, but John will be watching him from behind or the side. They kind of gravitate around each other.