One of the ballsiest cliffhangers I've ever seen.
'Reckoning' picks up as the second half of the show's Onion Field homage, with the department on full manhunt for Officer Lucero's murderers, but more than that, it serves as the series finale. The one ray of light here is an optimistic future between Lydia and Russell, while Sherman and Bryant are literally at each other's throats. And Cooper . . . It's unbelievable what the character's been through over these last ten episodes; his identity's been chipped away and then to leave him in the street like that is just - I guess I have no words. To his immense credit, Michael Cudlitz gives his best performance here.
I appreciate that the show went out on hits own terms and didn't leave everything gift-wrapped. I hate that there isn't more, though I have no idea where a sixth season would've gone, as it is. But I thoroughly love this show for its depiction of L.A. daily life on the streets and its ensemble of well-defined characters. An NBC cancellation should've been the end, but TNT gave it new life (as well as its best years). It has gripped me like few other shows of its kind, and its imprint is lasting.
God, what a show!
10/10
