After watching "Reckoning," it all seemed inevitable... yet the very end still took me by complete surprise.

What was with RHD holding back so much information after 18 days of searching for Lucero's killer? Dewey was absolutely right. We knew at least one of the guys got money with their ATM cards. Why withhold those photos from the rest of the department? Was it all about one man looking for glory at the expense of capturing a cop killer?

In the end, Lydia and Ruben were the only pair where things worked out. Ruben finally got some well deserved attention from the department while Lydia got her best friend back.  

Russell was wonderful with Christopher and I think on some level he's always had a sweet spot for Lydia. Whether they are partners, friends, or more than friends... I like the two of them together. Lydia looked more comfortable with Russell than we've seen her with anyone in a very long time.

Ben continued to scramble to hide all of his sins. When he called in for Chris' car to be towed, I wondered how he could be so stupid. It's hard to tell what Ben was thinking. Every bad decision just seems to lead to another series of poor choices.

I knew Sammy would put the pieces together eventually. He used to be a detective for goodness sake. I think the only reason it took him so long was that he didn't want to believe that his own partner would do that to him.

It felt like Ben and Sammy's partnership was over long before we got to this point. Ben continues to fall with every season. He was once an idealist rookie. Now he's stepping over the line to being a dirty cop and justifying it every step of the way.

Sammy has become his polar opposite. Although he stumbles, he strives to reevaluate himself and be the best cop he can. I loved his last scene as he tried to explain that to little Nate.

Cooper's last 18 days had been pure hell. The aftermath of being abducted and forced to watch his partner killed only made him more desperate to make it back out on the street. Unfortunately he was far from ready for that, despite his protestations in this Southland quote…

For the last two and a half weeks I've had these book smart, street stupid, bss experts telling me how I'm suppose to feel before I go back on the streets. | permalink

When his old training officer questioned why he and Lucero gave up their weapons it was like pouring salt in an open wound. When his ex told him she no longer wanted to have a child with him, it was as though she took away the one bit of hope he'd been holding on to.

Cooper completely losing it and beating on the neighbors who taunted him seemed an inevitable conclusion to everything that he'd been through. Yet when the cops who arrived at the scene shot him, I was completely shocked. Perhaps that too was inevitable but I never saw it coming.

TNT has yet to pick up Southland for a sixth season and I fervently hope that it does. Although I'll be downright depressed if this unique look at the inner workings of the officers of the LAPD doesn't return, I can't be disappointed in this finale. It was a truly excellent hour of TV.

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.