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« The Closer
Episode Recap: "Blindsided"
Are we running out of superlatives yet to describe this season of The Closer? As I previewed in my earlier blog entry, this week's episode really wowed me. When Kevin Bacon (the director of the episode) told me that it opened with a shrink session and that Brenda was ordered to sit on the bench, I was a bit skeptical, fearing that it would be a very touchy-feely outing.
I was wrong. (In ways.)
Even though Bacon gave us fair warning, the rifle assault on Gabriel, Brenda and the news team totally caught me off guard. And then the blood... so much blood. Why everyone leaped to think it was a hit on Brenda and not the news weasel didn't make complete sense to me I pegged him as the target instantly but Flynn's tally of people who hate BL delivered a chuckle. ("We're gonna need a bigger board.")
As always in a sitch like this, it was most enjoyable watching Brenda bob and weave her way into an investigation she has been cut off from, all culminating in that elevator face-off, the scene I told you screamed Emmy and made my eyes well up (in public, during my commute. Not cool.). Though Brenda was "acting" to suss out a confession, you knew deep down she was unleashing all the anxiety her shrink had picked up on. That line of hers, though we knew it was coming, rang so emotional: "I am alive, but I am not OK."
Did you hear that down in hell, Lucas D. Jones?
Even the stuff at home, which for me has been hit-or-miss this season, was firing on all cylinders. Barry Corbin is a superb match to Frances Sternhagen, and while we're in the family room kicking back with some iced tea and pancakes, let's also give props to the guy playing the put-upon SWAT agent. Dude stole many a scene.
Let's break for some bullets:
The shrink enumerating all the stresses in "OK" Brenda's life.
Brenda to Pope: "Are you seriously giving me advice on how to handle an interview?" And Pope then pleading, "Just please don't make the news." Oh well on that one.
This week, on The Closer! A close-up of Brenda's cell-phone provider! Conspicuous name-brand cookies!
Brenda to Gabriel: "'Pope'? He's your buddy now?" Someone is jelly bean! (And what a sweet hug later, when she apologized for being mean to him all this season.)
Tao noting of a victim, "He was only a[n Oscar] nominee. He didn't actually win."
The news reporter echoing some Closer fans, asking, "What makes a homicide a priority?"
Brenda's father scoffing at Fritz's cat: "You can talk sense to a dog."
One week Kyra undressing, this week her showering silhouette? Is it Christmas already?!
Provenza "playing Brenda," calling on each squad member.
Provenza coaxing a confession from Gabriel re: his romance with Daniels.
Pope visibly uncomfortable with the squad seeing his videotaped reaction to Brenda's near-shooting.
The police-station receptionist asking Pope about Brenda's "voice recognition lab" and "gun residue lasts five days" fibs.
All of which brings us to the episode's coda, Brenda Leigh demanding her purse back from evidence, fishing her engagement ring out and then blurting out the news to her folks. Hugging his future father-in-law, Fritz inisists the house cat is not his, prompting BL's daddy to say, "It is now, son. And you better make it very happy."
Sniffle.
UPDATE: I sought clarification from TNT re: number of episodes left. It's "three episodes left until the finale," meaning four. And that is not including the mid-autumn "special episode" which they are again doing this year.
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Aug 13, 2007 10:06 PM
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This episode was just - I'm just speechless! And you did such a great job recapping it!
I loved it when Brenda cornered the suspect in the elevator. It was just too great! And Gabriel seeing her go into the elevator with the suspect and kicking into gear to get somewhere so he could see what was happening!
Have to say - this was one of my favorite episodes.
Barry Corbin just brings tears to my eyes, and Frances Sternhagen is - well - she's just the perfect Southern mama!
BTW - for those who are interested - The Closer Fan Group pages are working again - stop by and share your favorite moment from tonight's episode!
You, too, Matt!
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Aug 13, 2007 10:36 PM
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Great recap, Matt-- thank you. I keep thinking it will peak, but the show just keeps getting better. I particularly loved this episode and got misty eyed when Brenda Leigh hugged Gabriel and when her dad hugged Fritz. Great stuff, even though I agree that the reporter being the intended target was pretty obvious to me, too. One of the things I love most about this show is the good balance of sometimes downright hilarious humor and breathtaking seriousness.
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Aug 13, 2007 11:08 PM
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I love this show and I love Brenda so much. I am so thankful that they wrote in the hug and apology to Gabriel it was long overdue. All of your bullets were perfect. This is an amazing show that really does keep getting better and better all of time.
Karma
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Aug 13, 2007 11:55 PM
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This episode was so fast paced (Thank Yeeww Kevin Bacon!) that I watched it again just to make sure I didn't miss anything. Wow! I love the writing and the highs and lows of this show--and one thing I have learned is never ever do a coin toss with Provenza--a laugh out moment if there ever was one! And YES, Brenda's whole twitchy performance from the shrink's office to being interviewed by Flynn to the confession in the elevator has Emmy written all over it!! Great show (as always).
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Aug 14, 2007 1:29 AM
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Just when you think this show can't get any better...
This episode was just wow, don't know how to describe it. Matt mentioned all my favorite moments but there are more, really. I loved Clay's "the only question is, where is Fritz gonna sleep" Such a fun and adorable moment! Brenda's father teasing Fritz and his reactions was the best. The writing, the acting was superb all around. Another one of the bests this season.
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Aug 14, 2007 4:04 AM
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Wonderful episode. This is absolutely the best show on TV. Kevin Bacon and Kyra are a great team. Matt, I agree that the Swat agent was a bit of a scene stealer. Him on the bed with Brenda's Dad made me laugh out loud.
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Aug 14, 2007 7:53 AM
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This show just keeps topping itself every week! Every time I think they've done their best show this season, they come along the next week and give an even better one. What a great show!
I also can't believe there are only 3 episodes left in the season! Wasn't it just last week that we were sitting down to watch the 3rd season premiere? Seems like it. Where has the time gone?
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Aug 14, 2007 8:33 AM
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ico, this season (as well as last) has 15 episodes. Good thing because we have 6 left even though it is moving way too fast.
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Aug 14, 2007 9:03 AM
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I love love love this show! I too was misty eyed and loved every aspect of this show. I also loved the scenes with the SWAT team. They were hilarious too me. When they first came to her house, one was fooled by the mother in telling her what happened, the other goes to the kitchen and comes back out with some cookies; then while looking at some tapes involved in the investigation, I love when the SWAT team says that is the same guy and the team looks at him...lol
Also, I love the look on Provenza face when he got off the elevator and was wondering what was all the commotion. I laughed so hard.
Again, excellent show!!!
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Aug 14, 2007 9:06 AM
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Terrific recap of a show that just keeps getting better and better! I can't believe that there are only four episodes left...
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Aug 14, 2007 9:43 AM
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I want to see more of Brenda's parents. They are wonderful and add so much more to the show.
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Aug 14, 2007 9:47 AM
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Kind of felt sorry for the killer,not to say It was justified, but the sleeze ball reporter needed a butt kicking, not a barrage of bullets. Mr. Bacon did a fine job of directing his wife and the rest of the cast. It was really one of the best story lines so far this season.
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Aug 14, 2007 9:53 AM
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I just cannot believe how good this show is. Just when you think you've seen the best episode yet...along comes another one that is even better.
I honestly think this is the best overall SEASON of any TV show. I haven't been disapointed yet.
My favorite scene is Brenda hugging Gabriel. My second favorite...Provenza poking his head out of the elevator right after Brenda's big moment and looking around like "did I miss anything?" LOL!! The cast of this show is terrific!!
And that elevator scene...my goodness. It was just amazing. There was no doubt that Brenda was talking to herself as much as the suspect. "I'm alive...but I am NOT Ok!" If Kyra and the writers don't win Emmy's next year I will personally drive to the voters houses and beat them all about the head!!
And Fritz...you better make that cat very, VERY happy!!!
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Aug 14, 2007 9:57 AM
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OMG, what an episode! There were so many laugh out loud moments but very tense ones too. Brenda's parents are perfect and you can definitely see both of her parents influence on her. Case in point when her dad told her it was easier to ask for forgiven than permission. That sums her up perfectly. The SWAT guys were great as the rest of the team. I thought one interesting note was Gabriel admitting that he has been dating Daniels for over a year. And when the tech room guy raised his hand when Pope asked who knew they were dating was a good laugh for me too.
The shooting totally caught me offguard and Gabriel protecting Brenda and her apology to him later were so good. They really are a great team.
This is the BEST show on TV. Period.
p.s. One side note to TNT...ENOUGH WITH THE PROMOS FOR ALL YOUR OTHER SHOWS! We get it...but 3 commercials for the same show in the same break is overkill. And the promos on screen when the show is on should be axed. ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH!
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Aug 14, 2007 10:01 AM
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