Ep 4. The Runner

The Runner is the fourth episode of Southland's second season. The show is a police procedural drama that follows officers of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) as they deal with various cases. The Runner focuses on Officer John Cooper and his new partner, Officer Ben Sherman.

The episode begins with Cooper and Sherman on a routine patrol. They come across a young woman weaving through the traffic, running barefoot. When they stop her, she gives them a fake name and seems confused and disoriented. Cooper and Sherman take her to the hospital, suspecting that she might be on drugs.

Meanwhile, Detective Lydia Adams and her partner, Detective Russell Clarke, investigate a murder at a convenience store. The victim is a young man who was shot while he was working. The detectives question the victim's girlfriend and co-workers, but most of them seem to be hiding something. Lydia and Russell suspect that the victim might have been involved in drugs.

As the day progresses, Cooper and Sherman continue to deal with the strange woman they found earlier. They discover that her actual name is Tracy and that she has a history of mental illness. They try to help her by taking her to a mental health facility but face difficulties as it's an extremely overcrowded facility. Plus, Tracy doesn't want to go. They eventually convince her to seek help.

Back at the precinct, Lydia and Russell make a breakthrough in their case when they discover that the victim was trying to turn his life around and was off drugs. They finally arrest the killer, who turns out to be one of the victim's former drug-dealing co-workers.

The episode ends with Cooper and Sherman having their own heart-to-heart talk. Sherman opened up to Cooper about his love life, and Cooper advised him about keeping his guard up to avoid getting emotionally entangled in the job. They agree that police work can be brutal, both physically and emotionally.

Overall, The Runner is a captivating episode that showcases the different aspects of police work. It highlights the dangers of drugs, mental health stigma, and the emotional toll police work can take on officers. The episode is well-directed and acted, with powerful performances from the cast. It's a must-watch for fans of police procedurals and anyone interested in the challenges of law enforcement.