Ep 6. Westside

A drive-by shooting and a double homicide on the Westside is the central focus of Southland season 1 episode 6. Detective Ben Sherman and his training officer, John Cooper, are given the task of investigating the shooting that occurred near Pastor John's Church. Two people are left dead and one is critically injured. Sherman and Cooper respond to the scene and quickly begin gathering information about the suspects and the vehicle used in the crime.

Meanwhile, Detective Lydia Adams and her partner, Detective Russell Clarke, are tasked with investigating the double homicide of a young couple found in their living room on the Westside. The couple is identified as being from a wealthy background and the motive for their murder is unclear, but their families and associates are quickly identified as potential suspects.

Throughout the episode, the detectives must navigate a series of intricate relationships and confrontations in order to solve these crimes. For Sherman, his personal life begins to intersect with his professional life as he discovers more about one of the suspects involved in the drive-by shooting. The suspect, a young man named Tom, is the ex-boyfriend of Sherman's girlfriend, Tracy. As the investigation unfolds, Sherman must balance his loyalty to his girlfriend with his duty as a police officer.

Meanwhile, Adams and Clarke are brought to the brink of exhaustion as they sift through a dizzying array of suspects and leads in order to find the killer of the young couple. The case takes many unexpected twists and turns, and the detectives must rely on their instincts and experience in order to stay on top of the investigation.

The episode is also notable for its nuanced portrayal of the complex relationship between the police and the communities they serve. As the Westside community reels from these acts of violence, Sherman and Cooper find themselves at odds with residents who are suspicious and resentful of their presence. However, the detectives also demonstrate a deep respect and concern for the community they serve, as they work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In the end, both cases are solved, but at a significant cost. Sherman is forced to make a difficult choice that will have consequences for his personal life, while Adams and Clarke come to the realization that justice is not always straightforward or simple. The episode is a compelling exploration of the intricate web of relationships and motivations that underlie acts of violence, as well as the complex ethical and emotional challenges faced by those who are tasked with investigating them.