Southland wrapped up an intense season with a dramatic conclusion to its finale this week:

John Cooper checked into the hospital to undergo back surgery, owning up to a painkiller addiction and submitting to a medical detox.

Will viewers see a recovered Cooper next season (assuming/hoping there is a next season)? Michael Cudlitz responded to that question from TV Guide, saying:

"I think I'd want to see him as a cop who hasn't been hindered by this physical manifestation. I think that would give us a different dimension on that character, to see him unencumbered."

As for the relationship between John and Ben, who are no longer partners? Says star Ben McKenzie: "Their partnership will never cease to exist... You'll see their friendship continue."

Among other season four teases:

• Sammy with a son? "As a gang detective, he was dealing with young kids in the street, and he had always had these philosophical thoughts about why kids become gang members," producer Christopher Chulack says. "I think that now having a child is going to complicate some of those definitions and attitudes that he had about the people he polices. He's arresting kids for being gang members, but what are his own kids going to be?"
• Will Lydia and Josie remain partners? "I'm not sure what's going to happen there," Chulack says.
• We've likely seen the last of Russell.