In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« The Closer
Episode Recap: "'Til Death Do Us Part One"
Argh I try so hard not to watch the "coming attractions" for next week, but I just tilted my head up from the Blackberry for a second and saw a snippet that indicated a certain direction for Part 2 of this season finale. Bad Matt. OK, moving on....
So, Topper Barnes, he of the "magical and invisible boat," exists? Awfully convenient timing indeed just as Brenda tricked defense attorney Steven Culp into making the dog-hair evidence admissable.
An interesting case this week in that it's been near impossible for Brenda & Co. to establish that a murder was committed, let alone that Dr. Schafer was connected to it. It was good to see the squad going around in circles, every lead coming up empty. Still, they continued to make Pope the "wrong every-step-of-the-way bureaucrat," which in my opinion (expressed here before) undermines the character. Doesn't he have an ounce of detective's instinct to hold the job he has? And yet he stands there and asks, in all seriousness, if it's possible the victim "just fell." Ugh.
I liked how the episode opened with the handheld videographer's cam, mirroring the season opener. We've come full circle and all that jazz. From the instant we saw the yipping dogs, I knew they would figure into the case somehow. (Don't they always, O.J.?)
We'll see how reliable this Topper Barnes turns out to be. If he's solid, I have an inkling of where this will go, now that I think further about the "preview" snippet mentioned earlier.
I had read in TV Guide's The Closer preview that Brenda would uncover a shocking truth about Fritz. So glad it wasnt a "never-mentioned first wife" or whatnot. Brenda seems rather aghast by the two DUIs. Could this underscore for her the difference between being engaged and getting married?
The bullets:
"Sgt. Gabriel, PhD"? Since when?
How funny, Tao pulling a "Horatio Cane" with the flipping of the sunglasses.
Have we gone a whole season minus Fresh Prince's Uncle Philip? Has James Avery not healed from his real-life surgey yet? The replacement M.E., though a rather capable expert witness, is a bit creepy with his making bedroom eyes at Gabriel and all.
Brenda searching the house for her Ho Hos and Ding Dongs, only to find Fritz's "No More Sugar!" sign. And her then coveting Provenza's donut.
Pope on Brenda's knowing how to talk to the press: "No, you don't. You're irritable and you snap at people."
Brenda mussing her hair and throwing in the occasional giggle as "The Dumb Blonde Closer."
Provenza not at all subtly making a play for Bambi the receptionist.
Overall, a "slower" episode, as my wife groused, but they were merely setting the table for Part 2. I trust next week's conclusion will pay off.
"To be continued..."
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Sep 3, 2007 10:24 PM
|
|
PHD = Priority Homicide Division.
|
|
Sep 3, 2007 10:46 PM
|
What an absolutely fabulous episode. I loved how the show began and how the writers interweaved the trial with the squads findings and investigation.
And whoa! Fritz does have a drinking problem! Wow. On another blog, someone had inquired about that and I remember dismissing it when Fritz didn't drink to Brenda's parents toast of their engagement. I guess I would make a poor closer.
Can't wait for the finale
|
|
Sep 3, 2007 10:48 PM
|
I didn't think the ME's flirting was creepy. Only funny, since Gabriel seems oblivious.
I hope James Avery is OK though.
Fritz is the perfect man, but there had to be some flaw, as no one is 100% perfect.
Also, PHD is not PhD. It stands for Priority Homicide Division.
|
|
Sep 3, 2007 11:37 PM
|
As always, the episode started off by holding the attention and keeping it. But, this time I caught a whiff of not being 100% sure that he was the right guy.
Also, I thought in the first season Fritz drank wine on their first date--or am I wrong? And if he does have a drinking problem why didn't he tell her? Awkward I also can't believe the finale is next week--argh!!!
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 12:54 AM
|
Matt, we'll chalk the PhD, PHD thing up to you being tired. 
Does anyone know who was playing the defendant?
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 12:55 AM
|
|
For a moment the PHD quote threw me as well, but I thought about it for a minute and realized what Gabriel meant. I also miss James Avery/Uncle Phil. Every time they go to the coroner's office I cross my fingers and hope it is him instead of creepy (totally good call) Morales. I do think Uncle Phil was in the first or second episode in his wheelchair, but nothing since then. This show is must see tv in our house and I don't want it to be over next week!
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 1:54 AM
|
Yesterday was perfect. A paid holiday and The Closer marathon ending with a new episode.
I never imagined Brenda not closing a case. This episode was awesome. Did I imagine it or is Brenda actually doubting herself? Amazing!! This case is baffling. They keep coming to dead ends. Very frustrating.
Poor Gabriel. Seems clueless that Morales is interested in him. I hope we see Uncle Phil next season. I miss him.
Can't wait for next week although a tiny part of me isn't so anxious b/c it means the end of The Closer's best season. 
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 8:45 AM
|
I was a little frustrated that Brenda (ergo the writers) failed to bring up whatever injury the coroner found at the victims armpit that suggested he had been dragged. I thought that erased all doubt about whether there was a murder or not.
Did I miss something or see something that wasn't there?
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 9:01 AM
|
One of the parts that totally cracked me up was Tao hamming it for the camera while at the crime scene.
Also was the wife in question the very talented Sarah Brown, the first Carly from General Hospital? I wish we had more of her.
.. The husband? Totally creeps me out.
I also thought Fritz's big secret was he had been married/a kid. I was surprised when his secret was about DUIs. It will be interesting to see how it plays out next week. Also it will finally give Jon Tenney to shine.
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 9:05 AM
|
I am very nervous for next week....not so much for the case, but as for her and Fritz's relationship. Brenda has trust issues, we know this; and the fact that her work is her life, I can see her treating Fritz like a suspect, hence the "you don't trust me", teary eyed Fritz in next week's preview. Every person has a flaw and it's Brenda's job to find that flaw. It's probably eating her up inside that she didn't put together the subtle clues earlier.
As for the case, I think she has to get it wrong this time around. They hinted to it all episode, with Pope telling her to 'not bet' on the case and that she was more concerned with getting her car insurance fixed than solving the case, which is so unlike Brenda. But the fact that Topper and this magical boat are just appearing out of nowhere suggests that there is something fishy for sure.
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 9:20 AM
|
PHD = Priority Homicide Division.
D'oh!
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 9:43 AM
|
I agree with everyone about James Avery/Uncle Phil-Totally miss him, the other guy creeps me out-taking pictures of him with Gabriel and smiling like it's nothing-just weird. Also, they never did mention the arm in court, why is that? I did like the fact they opened with the video, like the season opener, and we got to see the video actually being played in court. Total circle all the way around. Too Cool.
Good to see the old Rex from Desperate Housewives alive and well, he was great.  Can't wait till next week to see where this goes and what will happen between Fritz and Brenda. I think what will come into play in court is that Brenda wasn't 100% into this case, she was busy on the phone, being put on hold, while trying to interview the wife-ex-wife, and then while everyone was informing Pope about everything, she took a call as well, That MAY be why she is doubting herself, she wasn't fully focused on the case, nor on the whole being engaged/getting married either. This is just my opinon and I am still thinking about everything, will post more after I rewatch it again! Love this show will miss it when it goes off until next time! LOVE LOVE THE CLOSER!!!!
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 10:03 AM
|
Still, they continued to make Pope the "wrong every step of the way bureaucrat," which in my opinion (expressed here before) undermines the character. Doesn't he have an ounce of detective's instinct to hold the job he has?
You'd be amazed at just how many of the higher ups in police departments are actaully NOT qualified for the jobs they have! They are, by the way, promoted mostly by seniority, not skill. It is a sad, but very true, reality.
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 10:17 AM
|
I hope the creepy (yes, he creeps me out) ME doesn't turn out to be some serial/stalker/killer guy. Heal quickly James Avery!
I was equally glad the writers didn't pull a Luke-Danes-has-a-secret-love-child arc too! Its a known great show killer - ask Amy Palladino
Love this show!!! 
|
|
Sep 4, 2007 10:27 AM
|
|
|
