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« The Closer
June 18, 2007: Slashes 'N Cuts
Welcome back to Red Herring Central, aka a new season of TNT's The Closer!
For any newcomers to the superb series, we are glad to have you here to break down the week's episode, twists and turns and double-backs included. You’ve chosen a real crackerjack of a show to test-drive, and you shall be rewarded for your expenditure of brain power every Monday night. For the regulars from Season 2... here, have a pastry.
Let's start with a show of hands: Who thought the Wallaces' son did it? Yep, my hand is up. I know, I know, it's rare that the prime suspect proves to the be culprit in Brenda Leigh-land, but I thought for sure this was going to be a "he did it/no, he didn't/oops, yes he did" reveal. That is, until they unveiled the secret second family. You know, early on I was pondering, "The dad spends a lot of time with this unseen shrink, maybe they are one and the same?" I see now I should have stuck with that. That whole cell-phone-behind-the-wet-bar clue threw me, too. I thought, "A-ha! Dad and doc had identical phones, the killer grabbed the wrong one on the way out" — until I realized that made little sense. (Yes, newbies to this blog, you will see that though I truly believe I should have been an ace private eye in this life, I actually kinda stink. But I do try. And note that not once did I hop on the "secret wife [aka Herman's Head's Molly Hagan] did it" bandwagon.)
Interesting cold open, by the way, with a camera crew documenting the crime scene walk-through, and the assorted PHSers grumbling over what they are and are not allowed to say/deduce. I thought that was going somewhere, but I realize it must be residual and regrettable fallout from the assorted trouble the Priority Homicide Squad got into for last season's indiscretions.
Nice parallel (as The Closer oft does) with Brenda and Fritz's matching yet separate cordless phones. As we all know, when the camera dwells just an instant too long on something from Brenda's personal life or workplace doings, it's a bit of a clue, a tip in the right direction.
As we heard last fall from series creator James Duff and in the recent live TVGuide.com webcast, this season is about family, both the ones we have at home and the "families" we have at work. And damned if Brenda was going to let one of her team members go. I liked the twist that Gabriel let us/her think he was going to transfer back to regular homicide, only to then show us his secret meeting with Pope to lay out a very sneaky solution to the budget crisis. Wannabe politician indeed!
Speaking of the "Financial Crisis Guidelines," how about Provenza glimpsing that memo and then semi-subtly sucking up to the boss lady by manning the dry-erase board? That gave me a chuckle. And then admonishing Flynn for being a rabble-rouser/asking to be the team's casualty? Ha.
As for the season premiere's guest casting, I thought Kyle Gallner (aka Smallville's "The Flash") did a fine if predictable job as the doped-up son/prime suspect. But Kevin Sheridan (Veronica Mars, American Dreams) was the one who really impressed me and pulled me in, showing how increasingly distraught Dr. Reichter's "other" son became as he first "visited" but then took in the cushier digs of his dad's secret family. You could see that he affected Brenda, too, making her realize that sometimes even the guilty have their "justified" reasons for doing what they do.
The weak spot for me this week was the Brenda-Fritz stuff, frankly. Their relationship tensions just get me riled up, make me "uneasy," because Brenda doth protest so much every step of the way, I wonder if she is slowly busting the Fed's heart into pieces. Especially in contrast with her ever-slightly warmer/fuzzier moments with Pope.
That said, an overall terrific episode — grisly crime scene notwithstanding — and a taut, twisty tale!
For more on the new season of The Closer, read our recent features on Kyra Sedgwick and J.K. Simmons, and check out series creator James Duff's TVGuide.com celebrity blog.
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Jun 18, 2007 10:22 PM
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Most impressive, Jeff. You cut-and-pasted that shpiel to six (6) different Closer blogs here in a span of 14 minutes!
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Jun 18, 2007 10:58 PM
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That's quite the rant Jeff. All valid opinions but not really ones I agree with. I feel that the whole second season was setting up a more rigid, distressed, and increasingly out of control Brenda Leigh Johnson.
The withering away of her Southern Charm only mirrors the horrors of Los Angeles' crime life and the concessions she has to make both professionally and personally to get by in the city.
I feel that they are building up to a breaking point with Brenda and that's why she's become so angry and limitless.
The cases are touching her personally more and more each episode and I feel she may eventually equate that to her having to step back and relinquish some of the control issues she has with Fritz and with Pope. She's losing control in all aspects of her life.
I don't know... I just loved the premiere and I found Brenda to still have her quirks and her charms while continuing to become one scary woman.
The length she went to with Kyle Gallner's Eric were simply ruthless and disgusting. You could tell Sgt. Gabriel was blown away at how far she went in that hospital room to get him on suicide watch and when all was said and done, she had to leave the room because she was so flustered with how far she went herself.
Like I said earlier, this has been growing since last season and I feel there is a clear direction they're working toward with her character.
I'm sticking with it and keeping my faith in the creators.
PS - Kyra Sedgwick? Once again amazing!
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Jun 18, 2007 11:25 PM
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Jeff
I'm sorry but I beg to disagree with your post. I was riveted through this whole episode and was so glad it was without commercial, and so glad my phone did not ring!
I was positively drawn into it from minute 1. One thing I could agree with is that the "shaky camera" at the beginning was a bit annoying, when they were moving from the crime scene to showing the names of the stars, but besides that, I have no qualms with this episode.
I too thought that the son had done it, until of course I saw the other family. Usually one does not sympathise with the guilty, but the 2nd son was so believable in his pain at what his father had done and said, that you could actually feel sorry for him.
This show has always been a favorite of mine, and this episode has put it way to the top now! I think it was EXCELLENT and well played out and well acted.
Oh and I'm so glad Provenza is not going anywhere, and extremely glad that Sgt Gabriel is not moving either! Gosh I can't see Brenda going anywhere without him. I love his loyalty to her, even though sometimes you might think he's snitching, but he sure has got her back, and I love that about him. He and Provenza, besides Brenda, are my two favorite characters, and they just light up the screen for me. Sorry for blogging so long, I was checking after the show to see how soon I could!
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Jun 18, 2007 11:49 PM
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I loved this episode! Brenda was edgier than her usual edgy self--but for many reasons. The murder scene, budget cuts, maybe having to move, etc. I loved when Pope said, "yeah, you're thinking about it (budget cuts) on time and a half!"
That aside, I figured out "the guy is Wallace AND Richter" when Wallace wasn't listed as working at the prisons and Richter was, whom, according to the son, his dad always talked to. So, when they went to Richter's house and Brenda said, "He isn't alive" in answer to something, I knew I was right.
Anyway, loved the episode. And no commercials! Who doesn't love that?
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Jun 18, 2007 11:52 PM
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i know im spacing out, but i wasn't watching it on tivo so i couldnt pause or anything, but what did fritz's name plate say, and why was it funny?
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Jun 19, 2007 12:38 AM
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Welcome back, Brenda Leigh. You have been missed! I enjoyed the entire episode--well, maybe not all the weird camera work--I was getting a little seasick. I also never knew how unnerving two plastic cups could become!!
I think I understand why she is wound a bit tight--she doesn't like things in her world to go less than smoothly and suddenly bumps are popping up. And, I agree Matt, the bit between her and Fritz didn't set right with me either. But I'm glad she's back!! And great writing too!!
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Jun 19, 2007 1:35 AM
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Fritz' nameplate had "FBI" lined out and replaced with "LAPD" because he helps Brenda out so much.
I didn't think I would, but I enjoyed the marathon leading up to the premiere. I was all excited! And then . . . Hated the camera work at the beginning. It drained some excitement out of me.
I love Provenza and Gabriel, but I think Tao is my favorite.
I expected more of a surprise in the story. I was more interested in how Brenda was going to save her squad than in who the killer was.
Maybe part of the family theme this year will have detectives other than Brenda show up as intelligent and make major contributions to cases. With the way the episode ended with Gabriel saving the job and Fritz getting his way with moving, maybe they will show Brenda being less in control this year.
Loved Pope's line of asking Brenda to come back into a world where she works for him.
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Jun 19, 2007 5:30 AM
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I dont understand y people didnt like the camera angle in the beginning.. I think it was a great change of space, and for the beginning I think it was necessary to brake with the usual...
Brenda again lights up the screen, andf let me tell you that for a dominican kid growing up in NYC and seeing many great shows, Brenda is by far as good as Sipowitz from NYPD blue.
I have been watching this show from the beginning andf she never gets boring, and I know the rest of the cast is partly to blame. From Police academy alumn who I never thought I could see him in anything else.. Provensa has been a delight, Gossett Jr. whould b proud of his sonn, that cat can act like hell, i wonder y I never noticed him in anything else?.. The characters on this show are great, but I want to know more about them, but I guess thats the lure... Great episode, loved the acting by the son's of the polygamist... and fritz is always great too see in small portions, lets us viewers want more... If only the wife was as committed to this show as I am
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Jun 19, 2007 7:12 AM
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Is it just me, or does anyone else find the Brenda-Pope relationship more interesting than Brenda-Fritz? Not just romantically. I find their interactions more enjoyable. When Fritz comes on TV, I generally just sigh and wait for the return to the action. Brenda-Pope sees, though, are funny/sweet.
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Jun 19, 2007 9:05 AM
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OK - I'll bite. I'm confused! Who posted this blog - Jeff (I see no reference to a Jeff) or Matt Webb Mitovich?
In any event, I love this show - and I loved this episode.
I see several of you disliked the opening. It was unsettling - but it is also like a crime scene - people with assigned duties trying to do what has to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. And it is confusing because their assigned duties are all different. How much worse it is for a multiple homocide? Multiply it out....
Brenda Leigh was great! Pope trying to get her to pinch pennies was also great.
Love Gabriel.
Kyle Gallner - WOW! We half expected him to be the killer - he acts guilty! But to see him break down when he is truly realizing that he is alone - WOW!
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Jun 19, 2007 9:05 AM
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ITA with heavenleight re: romance with Fritz.....just doesn't interest me at all. The cast on this show has to rank with one of the BEST ever assembled. Kyra is great and the others are so perfectly cast that I was actually nervous that someone might be leaving. Love this show.
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Jun 19, 2007 9:32 AM
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^ Matt posted the blog, it says it right at the bottom after the share icons.
Camera work for me was not an issue and it worked on a couple levels. It was a vehicle to reintroduce each character, their rank, and a little bit about their personality. A refresher for those viewers who maybe watch casually and not obsessively like many of us do. It also worked as a way to intro everyone for NEW VIEWERS.
And it was kind of a funny dig storywise at how screwed up they got last season and how they now have to document everything.
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Jun 19, 2007 9:35 AM
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I really enjoyed this episode. I thought it had a good mixture of emotional elements - lightheartedness, tragedy, confusion, stress, etc. - and was extremely well acted.
I was afraid that it was going to be a formulaic ending when it the "other" son became the suspect but the actor's (I don't remember his name) portrayal made it anything but a neat and tidy ending. He was so believeable expressing the jealousy about his fathers other family and then transitioning into the horrible pain of being denied and referred to as a prisoner from the jail. Wow. Well done.
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Jun 19, 2007 9:37 AM
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nihaodanielle-
Fritz's name plate said, "Special Agent LAPD Det. Fritz Howard Johnson"
Everything that is underlined was struck through.
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Jun 19, 2007 9:45 AM
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