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« The Closer
Episode Recap: "Dumb Luck"
Gee, as I type the blog title up there, I guess they kind of tipped us off to the guilty party, eh?
What a bonus this week: My wife (who typically has no threshold for procedurals/anything remotely "intense") watched with me — and she liked it! It was all I could do to keep from confessing that I thought it was actually an excessively goofy episode, featuring no less than:
• a mysteriously sickly Brenda
• the squad "trapped" in hazmat suits
• a manic valet with OCD
• an adulterous, comically dumb bimbo with improbable cleavage
• and for good measure, a dopey muscleman hit man
Yeah, it was a bit much.
That said, the case wrapped up with a nice twist here and there. I never for once suspected the husband, but hoped that the blonde wouldn't be revealed to be, like, secretly brilliant. That "twist" has been overdone ever since... that certain movie I won't name so as to not spoil anyone.
Some bullets:
• I have this "soft spot" for when TV shows reference dates that coincide with the actual airdate. I think that happened here, yes? Wednesday the 25th?
• Pope after asking to see Brenda: "Let me rephrase that rhetorical question."
• Terrence in the morgue commenting on the dead personal trainer's consumption of carbs
• Gabriel being mistaken for a strip-o-gram
• Did Kyra Sedgwick crack up a bit when Tiffany broke into her crying jag...?
• Is Sanchez a bit dopey this season?
• Flynn hinting that Brenda might want the name of Kenny's OCD meds
• commander Taylor re Kenny's hankering for floss: "Yeah, I'll get right on that."
• Buzz as Tao: "Do I have to overexplain everything?"
• Tiffany ranting about this "tapestry of justice"
Now, about the ending... Are we to infer that Brenda knows/suspects what ails her? Too young, I would say, for the "change of life," so... does she think she may be pregnant? Is it time to go there? Is Kitty no longer her only "baby"?
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Jul 23, 2007 10:20 PM
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It's funny--I thought maybe it's "pre-big change" and didn't know if she's too young--however, she just had her 40th birthday--I hope not!! Loved her line about "take a magazine and I'll let you know when I'm ready to see you..." Thank you Brenda-- from everyone who has grown roots waiting in a doctor's office!!
I really didn't think it was too much at all--I loved every minute of it--I guess dumb bunnies appeal to me! Also, again my man Provenza stuck out with the comment (on the "white" Tao) "He's adopted"
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Jul 24, 2007 1:46 AM
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Thank you Matt for pointing out most of my highlights too! I also was thinking the very same thing by the end but I don't know.....seems a bit premature in the season. We haven't even met Brenda's father yet!! Just 2 quick quotes that almost made me pee,
Terrence to Pope (as he wheeled by him with a body in the morgue)"she's a spitfire, ain't she".
and not quite a quote but an observence: Ln't Tao's head peeking out of the doorway when the "raid" was happening 
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Jul 24, 2007 1:49 AM
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I also got a kick out of Provenza delivering the goods on where the victim and his date had dinner, etc., and then ending with "Thank Yew.... Thank Yew...."
Funny episode!
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Jul 24, 2007 8:43 AM
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After being asked if he was Tao, Buzz lifted his goggles and said with a bit of attitude “Lt. Michael Tao”. That was cute.
I think Brenda suspects/knows what’s wrong with her. At first, I though she was pregnant but I never heard of a fever being a symptom. Maybe she was sweating because she was panicking. I hope she’s not pregnant. I feel it’s too soon to bring a baby into the picture.
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Jul 24, 2007 9:07 AM
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Oh, yeah, she's pregnant. Nausea is the obvious symptom everybody thinks/knows about, but there are a lot of others nobody tells you about, which correspond to Brenda Leigh's "flu": temperature swings (fever), nasal congestion (cold), and fatigue. When I saw her lying down on the ground next to the vic at the beginning, and then curled up on the bed at the end, pregnancy was the first thing that popped in my head...
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Jul 24, 2007 9:45 AM
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OH MY GOD - that was a great episode. But one thing that it appears just about everyone has failed to mention was Provenza's aptitude in this case. Someone already mentioned his "Thank Yew, Thank Yew..." but from the beginning, he was the first on the scene and began reading the riot act to the other members of the team when they all arrived late. He did his best Deputy Chief Johnson throughout the episode! Every time Brenda was complaining that she was on her own with only Provenza to help, Provenza got it done. He recruited help to bring in the valet & the inept killer. He got all the credit card receipts and figured out the restaurant. He was Brenda's solid if unlikely ally in this episode. Way to go Provenza!
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Jul 24, 2007 9:51 AM
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Yes, Provenza really came through in this one. Guess he's still sucking up in the wake of the forced retirement threat from Episode 1!
And mind you, I can take "zany" with my The Closer, but this episode just seemed to pile on wacky aspect after wacky aspect, to the point that it made the actual case tricky to track. That said, it was lotsa fun.
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Jul 24, 2007 10:16 AM
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I just remembered that I read this season's theme is family so maybe she is pregnant.
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Jul 24, 2007 11:19 AM
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I love my Closer. This one made me laugh and was a nice change of pace. I figured that Brenda was perhaps having anxiety attacks. With all the changes, budget demands, Gabriel going Rambo, and Fritz putting the pinch on her about buying the house, etc., she's kinda freaking - losing control as it were. I hope they don't go the pregnancy route or early menopause...Please, I'd like a little fantasy with my reality
The blonde with the 'improbable cleavage' was a hoot, as was her brute squad of one. The OCD valet was a 'Monk like' touch. Provenza is really shining and Sanchez and the entire squad is gelling in a nice family.
Maybe that is the point of the 'family' theme this year - showing all sides and shades. Whatever, they can keep them coming as far as I'm concerned.
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Jul 24, 2007 11:43 AM
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I agree with everyone, the "Thank Yew's" from Provenza were too funny. I think maybe they wanted to do a lighter episode since a lot of the previous ones this season have been so dark and/or heavy. Still love this show and Monday is starting to become one of the best nights on television now!
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Jul 24, 2007 12:30 PM
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Love, love, love this show!!! This episode was a hoot from start to finish. I like it when they throw a lighter episode in every now and then. That dumb couple was hilarious. I loved it when she said that she doesn't trust cops because the last time she did the cop stole her pot!! As funny as it was, I didn't know the identity of the killer until they started talking about the differing of the days. Then it clicked. I can't imagine what is wrong with Brenda, but I (like so many others) really hope she isn't pregnant or pre-menopausal. A simple infection of some kind would explain her symptons. Maybe she needs an appendectomy. I can just see Brenda trying to run the squad from a hospital bed. There isn't enough Fritz this season. I really want a wedding!!
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Jul 24, 2007 12:58 PM
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Regarding Buzz changing places with Tao, I didn't get it. What was the point? All Tao did was flip a switch when Brenda Leigh pushed the signal. Buzz couldn't do that?
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Jul 24, 2007 1:17 PM
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I'm still recovering from the devastating episode two weeks ago. High comedy is just what I needed from The Closer this week.
Pregnant or menopausal? Well, I vote for pregnant, but most of the women in my grandmother's family have started 'the change' right around their 40th birthday--by mom was 38, my aunt was 41. Random fevers, exhaustion, nausea...Brenda Lee could totally be starting her 'change'; the big family decision may be that if she doesn't get pregnant almost immediately, she won't ever. And would Fritz choose to stay with her if he was never going to be a dad? The question of children is a deal breaker in a LOT of relationships.
I hope she's pregnant, but there may be a lot more drama in menopausal.
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Jul 24, 2007 1:30 PM
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Well, I was very surprised with the show yesterday. It was somewhat refreshing following the last few dark ones. I wonder when her parents will be coming? Wasn't her dad angry or upset with her?
Loved her with Provenza. Just wish he got credit for his good work.
She's been sick for a while now. If you go all the way back to before the last season ended, she wasn't feeling well. If she were pregnant, don't you think it would be more evident by now? I am wondering if it's high blood pressure? Or anxiety? I could be pregnancy though.
I can't wait for next Monday so I can see what is happening with her...just hope that it's not one of those drawn out things where you have to wait through several epis to get an answer.
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Jul 24, 2007 1:53 PM
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