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« The Closer
Episode Recap: "Round File"
This was a sweet (as in, "Awww") episode of TNT's The Closer, with the aging police-beat reporter hunting down one last story. It also served as an easy "transition back in" for Gabriel, though I was surprised we weren't privy to a case while he was away. Maybe no sense in punishing the actor for the character's trespasses? Nice moment when Brenda called out for the MIA Gabriel, creating awkward looks amid the PHDers.
It was a decent mystery, too. Surely the casting of Mrs. McCluskey as the head nurse was to make us view her askew. The manager being the culprit, though, seemed a bit expected and his "defense" a tad pat especially for a mere $2,500 a pop (or "ma," as the case may be).
Was I the only one who at a midpoint, once the home's financials came to light, began to suspect that Gary Who Never Lies (French Stewart, as sinewy as ever) would be dovetailed into this case as some sort of "supplier" of cash-rich retirees? That'd have been a stretch, though, especially so close to the bridezilla/killer plastics guy "coincidence."
Before I fire off some bullets, I have to say, evil nursing homes are on par with Italian mobsters as far as stereotypical depictions on TV. I know there are some real stinkers in the system and neglect/abuse is a problem, but TV really offers a regular, scary view of them. The place that took care of my dad seemed aces.
The bullets:
OK, Brenda Leigh's very distinctive ring tone is starting to irk me.
Noticing the better togs on deputy chief Johnson? Slacks (!), stylish argyle tops...
Brenda to Provenza: "I'm almost afraid to ask you this: Do you remember anything about this old man?" Fair enough.
Sanchez whispering for a primer on Rumpelstiltskin
Have we seen this tool of a medical examiner, Morales, before? Yuck.
Darkly comic, yet comic: Provenza telling Gabriel, "There's no need to beat information out of this old man. He's been confessing all morning."
I have a low tolerance for "zany" on my Closer , but Brenda's fax confusion wrong papers sent to wrong numbers was rather amusing.
The nursing-home receptionist to Provenza: "You must be here for a tour!" His comeuppance for being darkly comic above.
I'm getting concerned that Pope is becoming that "wrong every step of the way" bureaucrat we see so often in the movies.
Provenza offering to board Baxter for the night awwww!
I got a bit choked up when Gabriel answered Brenda, "Yes, ma'am. Completely ready."
Brenda's bit at the end, with Whaley: "All I have to find is one package of Rough on Rats...." Great (phony?) product name!
In fact, my greatest pleasure from The Closer these days is Brenda's weekly post-confession zinger. It leans toward being righteous at times, yeah, but boy, does she put people in their place, adeptly vocalizing what we ourselves are thinking about the guilty scumbag. I want to shout at the perp on my TV, "You've been served."
PS. Sorry about the late posting. Massive technical probs.
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Jul 17, 2007 9:51 AM
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Sweet episode. Because my grandmother's in a nursing home, I almost choked up a few times.
I'm glad Brenda and Gabriel made up.
My "laugh out loud" moment was when Provenza told Gabriel that there was no need to beat the old man b/c he'd been confessing all morning.
I wonder what happened with the regular ME? I noticed he was in a wheelchair a couple of episodes ago. I hope the ME from last night is a temp. What a jerk!
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Jul 17, 2007 10:11 AM
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I rewound a couple of times to see the Brenda/Gabriel exchange. It was so sweet how he smiled going into the interview room.
I too wondered where "Uncle Phil" was last night and why he was in a wheelchair. M.E. Morales has been on before. I think it might have been Season 1. I remember b/c when I saw him then I thought there is the guy from Nip/Tuck.
I have to start recording Heartland now b/c the end gets cutoff every time.
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Jul 17, 2007 10:17 AM
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Thanks for a great recap, Matt. I can not believe no one has posted a comment yet. Well I thought this Closer was a great eposide. From Fritz and Brenda still looking for a house to Brenda calling her mom at the end of the episode. The whole fax thing was pretty funny too. It was a little sad not to see Sgt. Gabriel in the group as much as before and I thought we were going to see a Sgt. Gabriel free episode, but thankfully we didn't!!! I really enjoy Brenda and Gabriel together they make a great team. As far as the storyline goes, my husband guessed it right away. I really liked how Provenza picked up where Gabriel would have been and how he was somewhat in the spot light (for a change). I really enjoy Provenza and his lines as well. He really cracks me up. All in all it was a nice "AWW" type of a episode and a far cry from last weeks. Matt, Thanks again for your recap!!
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Jul 17, 2007 10:21 AM
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After last week's intense ep I needed a few LOL moments and this one provided them. What it boils down to is the interplay between the characters that makes this show tick and often it takes no more than a certain look to delight me and create a chuckle or two. It all just works so well.
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Jul 17, 2007 10:33 AM
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Great REview Matt. I enjoyed seeing Orsen Bean and the great Nina Foch. She has played, the adorable, Ducky's MOM (on occassion) on NCIS. Glad she's still working and putting in fine performances.
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Jul 17, 2007 10:44 AM
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Great recap Matt--last week's show was so gasp-worthy I'm glad last night was a bit more "awww"!! And while I love all the characters, I have to admit Provenza is coming out in the lead just on his comments alone!
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Jul 17, 2007 12:26 PM
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This was a great episode. This week I remembered to ask my TIVO to tape 5 minutes over because it was always cutting off the end (still haven't seen last week's stellar [i think! ] ending!). This week, at the end it seemed as if the writers were setting up for Brenda & Fritz getting that house sometime in the future. Just the look on her face.
Matt, a favor please? I don't know what pull you have with the website folks, but can we go back to the previous system where the comments were listed from earliest to latest? This current way is driving me bananas! Anyone else?
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Jul 17, 2007 1:13 PM
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Medusa, I'm with you. I prefer the "earliest to latest" listing.
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Jul 17, 2007 1:21 PM
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Blog Settings,
The blogs are now user settable. The default is "newest first". You can change it by clicking on "My Settings" on the top of the page and then "Community Preferences" on the left side of the page.
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Jul 17, 2007 1:59 PM
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Matt, a favor please? I don't know what pull you have with the website folks, but can we go back to the previous system where the comments were listed from earliest to latest? This current way is driving me bananas!
Though under this new format yes, you could change it back under "Preferences," rest assured that we are returning the default to "first comments on top." No specific timetable.
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Jul 17, 2007 2:41 PM
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James Avery, our regular Medical examiner, had foot surgery. That is why the wheelchair last episode. I don't know why the new guy last night.
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Jul 17, 2007 3:39 PM
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Great resolution to the Gabriel storyline.
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Jul 17, 2007 4:45 PM
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Brenda Leigh and Gabriel are the cutest platonic couple on TV!! While I love her and Fritzie together, I love that the writers have crafted a very special relationship between her and Lt. Gabriel.
I had to rewind several times to verify that Brenda actually said "Rough on Rats"!!!
This show is making my summer.
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Jul 17, 2007 8:33 PM
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A favorite old poem:
Willie and some other brats
Ate up all the Rough on Rats
Father said when Mother cried,
"Don't worry dear, they'll die outside"
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Jul 17, 2007 9:14 PM
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