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« The Closer
Episode Recap: "Culture Shock"
It's OK, I was prepared for it. After so many consecutive weeks of stellar The Closer episodes, a near-perfect season, we got one that had me borderline Zzzzz-ing. There simply weren't enough "a-ha" moments or clever deductions on the part of Brenda & Co. It's like her father was looming the whole episode, simply waiting to play an unwitting role in the investigation. And then we got the "missing 2-incher" discovery... but to what end?
John Wesley Shipp, though, was aces in his guest role as Chris Conroy, the murder victim's "business partner." The way he so smoothly put his spin on their arrangement was good stuff. He has aged into a wily villain type.
The highlight of the episode, fleeting though it was, was seeing Tao lead an interview. I LOL'd when he tossed the flash drive on the table, scoffing, "40-bit encryption? You weren't even trying."
So, just to be clear, the father killed Ping-Meih because she had shamed his son by carying on with her money man? And then the son thought he had flown Pops away to safety... but didn't. Do I have that right, at least?
The bullets:
• Tao telling the crowd to "Calm down and step back!" — in English.
• "Tick-tock goes the clock!"
• Gabriel goading Flynn, who was goading Gabriel: "Anyone feeling irrational?"
• "She has weapons in her trunk, Clay. She parks wherever she wants."
• Fritz as Brenda shuttles off the 'rents to an all-Chinese tour bus: "I thought I knew how little shame you had.... "
• Pope's weekly grievance, always phrased differently: "In some cultures, superiors are shown a modicum of respect.... " And at the end of his tirade: "Please tell me I did not just say all of that in front of your parents."
• Brenda's reaction to the doctor's "no sweets" directive — and her folks' knowing look to each other.
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Aug 20, 2007 10:22 PM
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I have to disagree with your assessment of this week's episode. It was one of my favorites of this season. Granted, the resolution of the crime was a bit meh but who cares when you've got so many character nuggets from Brenda and her team?
Some of my favorites:
- Provenza & Tao's exchange at the beginning when Provenza asked Tao to tell the crowd to be quiet.
- Brenda's mom's rhinestone encrusted chambray hat and chambray jacket with floral appliques. And of course her husband matched.
- All that Tao time! Love him!
- Anything Fritz said or did. He looked worn out!
- Brenda's mom to Provenza: "I was sure you'd be a Captain by now."
- Brenda dumping her parents on a Chinese language tour bus.
- Brenda's mom's translation of the tour: "Chinese, chinese, chinese, Robert Wagner or Frank Sinatra, chinese, chinese, chinese."
- "Don't worry. You're still strong vital and beautiful."
- Brenda's father's toast and her mom's "here, here bottoms up"
- Brenda's mom to Pope: "we were so sorry to hear you got divorced.... again."
- The doctor's office scene, especially Brenda's (and her parents) reactions to the news about cutting out sugar and snacks.
Overall, this was a great episode that had me laughing almost the entire time. It's great when a show can balance harrowing situations (last week's shooting and that awesome elevator scene) with more lighthearted fare. I wish there were more than 2 episodes left in the season.
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Aug 21, 2007 12:30 AM
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I also enjoyed tonight episode--granted the mystery wasn't that compelling, however the other "action" made up for it. I enjoyed Brenda's comment about "the old car has to make a pit stop" and (shudder) "ovarian drilling". I fear her squad will be running for the hills when they hear she's off of sugar--again! 
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Aug 21, 2007 1:21 AM
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Another lingering glance between Sanchez & Daniels. Hmmmm....
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Aug 21, 2007 2:52 AM
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Hasn't Sanchez been propositioning Daniels for the past couple of seasons? I actually thought it was a joke at first, but now, I think that we are finding that he took it alot more seriously. (Obviously more than she did.) I think that is what that 'lingering glance' was about. i think it was like a "you picked him over ME?" kinda thing. This may set up some interesting fireworks between Sanchez and Gabriel.
Love, love, LOVED the look that Brenda gave her Dr. when it was suggested that she give up sweets. Like -- "Noooo way!". Good epi.
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Aug 21, 2007 9:24 AM
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Another lingering glance between Sanchez & Daniels. Hmmmm....
Yeah, I meant to mention that. What's up with that? Did Daniels once rebuff Sanchez? Why all the squad-wide animosity towards the Gabriel-Daniels romance?
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Aug 21, 2007 9:35 AM
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Enjoyed this episode. I agree, the mystery wasn't compelling at all - but it wasn't about the Chinese woman, it was about Brenda trying to work, entertain and explain! Poor Fritz, he must really love her.
And Matt, yes, Sanchez has been rebuffed on several occasions. And though I've been complaining about the menopause story-line for weeks, I am satisfied with the resolution and the turmoil it will create for Brenda and the squad. Brenda off sugar again, for medical reasons, this should be good...
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Aug 21, 2007 9:58 AM
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I was surprised when Brenda yelled at Flynn and told her team she didn't want to hear anymore about Gabriel and Daniels. She was pretty emotional.
Brenda's reaction to "no sweets" was classic!! As soon as the doctor said "insulin", I knew what she was going to say. It was hilarious that as Brenda went into shock, Fritz had to remind her that she didn’t have cancer.
Another cute scene: Fritz carrying Mama's purse on his shoulder as he was walking into the office with gifts.
I'll admit that I found the murder portion of this episode a little boring. Oh well, I still LOVE LOVE this show.
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Aug 21, 2007 10:00 AM
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Love this show. I wonder how long Fritz is going to be able to put up with it all, though.
Can anyone tell me what the father and son said to each other at the end in the interrogation room? Brenda said there was no need for translation...but I would like some! Anyone have a summary or know where I can find one?
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Aug 21, 2007 10:45 AM
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I loved last night's episode. To me, it's never about the investigation anyway. It's all in the characters and their reactions and we had a bunch of reactions!
The best part of the evening was Brenda's parents going around and spreading the word about the engagement wherever they went. Gabriel in the hotel - that was a reation. But the best had to be Chief Pope - chewing Brenda's ass - I swore her father was going to belt him! Pope's reaction to hearing about the nuptials - what a double-take!
My favorite part though was the close-up on the doctor's mouth as she was telling Brenda about "Drilling your ovaries". I really thought that Brenda was going to pass out!
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Aug 21, 2007 11:01 AM
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Geez, Matt - lighten up or get more rest. Although this didn't have the action of the last few episodes, I really thought this was among the best episodes of the season as it dealt with more family and Brenda stuff which I really enjoy. (And I liked how Clay was brought into the revelation of how the murder was likely committed. His pointing out the missing wrench didn't seem gratuitous to me at all.) Great scenes with sharp dialogue make for compelling watching on my part - not the number of 'a-ha' moments.
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Aug 21, 2007 11:07 AM
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Best line of the night:
Provenza to Tao: "What do you mean you don't speak Chinese? You sure fake it enough when we are ordering take-out"!
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Aug 21, 2007 11:48 AM
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I really enjoyed this episode as well and was surprised that Matt didn't. There were so many great lines and reactions by the characters that I was laughing so much. To me the enjoyment of this show are the characters and not so much the crimes/mysteries.
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Aug 21, 2007 11:54 AM
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There was some great character stuff, the interaction between the characters in this episode made up for not so an intense case. The beginning with Tao and Provenza was hilarious, the squad finally knows about the engagement, Daniels is back and we know what's wrong with Brenda. I'm relieved that it's something that's curable and not what was expected. Good job writers! I feel for Fritz, if he didn't love her so much... he almost lost his mind in this ep yet he was so loving at the end in the doctor's office, all the while giving her support and holding her hand. Overall, it was a decent The Closer episode. Next week sounds very exciting.
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Aug 21, 2007 11:58 AM
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