L.A.'s Finest

The show reimagines the male-dominated Bad Boys franchise by casting two women of color as the primary action leads. It also prominently features LGBTQ+ representation, establishing Syd Burnett as a bisexual lead character who dates both men and women. The show also features transgender guest stars in supporting roles.

The series contains preachy dialogue that lectures male colleagues on gender identity and pronoun usage. In Season 1, Episode 5 ("Farewell..."), Syd and Nancy deliver an explicit, on-screen lesson to their male partners, correcting their terminology regarding transgender people.

Feminist themes of female self-reliance are a major focus, with the main characters constantly saving themselves and each other rather than relying on men. The series also dedicates a central mystery plot to a transgender woman's murder and the struggles of LGBTQ+ support groups.

The show occasionally critiques traditional gender roles and police culture. Male characters are sometimes portrayed as less competent, requiring education on modern gender norms. However, it still operates as a standard, action-focused cop procedural.

The show changes the canon of the Bad Boys franchise by reinterpreting Syd Burnett. In the original film, Syd was a heterosexual woman who acted as a damsel in distress needing rescue. Here, she is reimagined as a bisexual, self-saving action hero.

The show avoided major organized anti-woke campaigns. While some viewers online complained about the cliché "girlboss" tropes and lecturing dialogue, most negative reviews focused on the weak plotting, generic action, and poor writing.

The creative team is a mix of traditional and progressive Hollywood figures. Active voices like Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba prioritized identity representation, supported by progressive directors like Lexi Alexander and Solvan Naim, though offset by traditional producer Jerry Bruckheimer.