Ep 5. Two Gangs

In Southland's season 1 episode 5 entitled "Two Gangs," we see Officers Ben Sherman and John Cooper patrolling in a predominately African American neighborhood when they come across two groups of rival gangs who are fighting.

The episode starts with Sherman and Cooper driving in their patrol car, discussing their personal relationships when they hear gunshots. They quickly arrive on the scene of a gang fight between two groups - the Bloods and the Crips. The officers immediately call for backup and have to separate the two gangs who are throwing punches and wielding weapons, including guns.

As they try to bring the situation under control, Sherman and Cooper notice a young girl who is caught up in the chaos. She's a member of one of the gangs and is trying to get involved in the fight. The officers pull her to safety, but she resists their help and tries to go back into the fight. Sherman, however, manages to convince her to leave with him and promises that he will drop her off at home safely.

The next morning, the officers are patrolling the same neighborhood, but this time they stop to talk to a group of gang members. They're trying to figure out who instigated the fight the night before and whether or not there's going to be any retaliation. The gang members are angry and uncooperative and refuse to give the officers any information.

Later in the episode, we see Sherman and Cooper respond to a call about a drive-by shooting. They find a mother who has been shot in the leg, and her son has been killed. The boy was a member of the same gang that Sherman had encountered the night before. The mother tells the officers that she knows who did it, and she gives them the name of a gang member who she believes was responsible for the shooting.

Sherman and Cooper go on the hunt for the suspect, but they encounter more hostility from the gang members. They're resistant to talk to the police and are clearly not interested in stopping the cycle of violence. Eventually, the officers manage to track down the suspect, who is hiding out in a nearby apartment complex.

As they search for the suspect, Sherman and Cooper find themselves in a dangerous situation. The gang members are heavily armed, and the officers struggle to gain control of the situation. The episode reaches its climax as the officers attempt to apprehend the suspect and end the violence once and for all.

In "Two Gangs," Southland delivers a hard-hitting, emotionally charged episode that takes a deep dive into the world of gang violence. We see the devastating impact that this type of violence has on communities, families, and individuals and the difficulties that law enforcement faces in trying to combat it. Through Sherman and Cooper's experiences, we get a glimpse into the complex and challenging world of policing in Los Angeles, and the show paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities that officers face on a daily basis.

Overall, "Two Gangs" is a powerful and moving episode that delves into the gritty realities of life in a gang-ridden neighborhood. The show does a great job of presenting a balanced and nuanced view of the issues at play, and it's a must-watch for anyone interested in the ongoing struggle to combat gang violence in America.