Southland

In the season premiere episode, Officer John Cooper returns to duty after recovering from back surgery and meets his new partner, Officer Jessica Tang, a tough and disciplined cop with her own set of baggage from working the streets. Lydia, whose new partner is Ruben Robinson, can't seem to escape helping a former CI (Confidential Informant) who won't stay in safety. Ben, Sammy and Dewey (series regular C. THOMAS HOWELL) chase an armed man into an elementary school, while Ben bumps heads with Danny Ferguson (guest star LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS), an intense street cop whose cynical attitude is affecting their work.

Tang and Cooper's past physical problems are put to the test when they are attacked on the street by a "perp." Lydia and Ruben investigate a convenience store murder, and Lydia uses her typical compassionate charm to collect facts on her suspect from an unassuming grandmother (guest star MARLA GIBBS). Ben and Sammy ride with another officer who is prone to small mistakes. And Joel Rucker (guest star CARL LUMBLY) takes over as the new captain.

It's Hood Day on the streets of Los Angeles, and Captain Rucker has the department playing hall monitors. Sammy lets old grudges die hard when he leaves a gang territory unattended, only to have a violent gang war erupt throughout the city. Ben's recent mistake continues to haunt him publicly everywhere he goes. Ruben practices his speech for his daughter's quinceañera in the midst of a murder investigation. Cooper and Tang investigate a robbery in a strict Orthodox Jewish home, leading Tang to reveal secrets from her past.

Jessica tries to help a homeless vet get an ID so he can be admitted to the homeless shelter. The situation opens John's eyes to his partner's past. Sammy is determined to save a dog after he accidentally shoots it in the leg. Lydia and Ruben investigate the murder of a man who lent a helping hand to women in need. And Ben and Lydia each face big life changes.

Cooper tries to save a suicidal teen in a situation that hits extremely close to home. Sammy convinces a former addict to be an informant, with devastating consequences. Jessica gets a visit from someone in her past. And Lydia and Ruben investigate a supposed home invasion that appears to have been staged to cover up a murder.

Sammy tries to make amends after the murder of a young man who agreed to testify in one of his cases. John and Jessica find themselves babysitting a documentary film crew. And Lydia is ordered to put on her uniform and serve as shift supervisor for the day -- but the job could be more than her body is able to handle.

The day just goes from bad to worse when Jessica is served legal papers in the morning and involved in a shooting in the evening. Sammy holds a grudge against Ben for not backing him up over drug evidence that may have been planted during a recent arrest. And Lydia comes to a decision about her situation.

Lydia and Ruben investigate the death of a young nanny, but first they have to find the kids who were in her care. Ben tries to intervene in the life of a prostitute with a daughter, but his efforts only make things worse. And while Tang gets an update about the boy she shot, John still wants her to come clean about what really happened.

Ben finds himself heading down a slippery slope as he attempts to help the daughter of a prostitute -- putting him in hot water with the woman's pimp. Lydia and Ruben investigate the murder of a gang-banger who may have been killed over a graffiti tag. Tang faces more questions about her shooting of an innocent bystander, which could ultimately determine whether she gets promoted to sergeant.

It's the last day on patrol for Tang, as she prepares to move to another precinct as sergeant. But first she wants to tie up some loose ends on the beat. Lydia is pressured to make a decision about the extent of her police duties during the rest of her pregnancy. With Sammy recovering from injuries, Ben and Dewey are partnered together. But Ben is bent on tracking down the prostitute he's been trying to help and then getting her and her daughter away from the abusive pimp controlling their lives.