With more episodes starting in November as well as more episodes next summer, The Closer actually has quite a ways to go before ending despite being in its last season. As such, the main storyline, Brenda getting sued, isn't over yet. The case is dismissed, but Goldman decides to pursue her at the federal level, somehow having found out about similar instances to the Terrell Baylor one.
What's disturbing is how dogged Goldman is in going after her and her specifically. While Goldman may have a valid point about Brenda's conduct, he's like one of those ACLU types who has gone off the edge. This case is personal, because he feels the need to get rid of her and wants to get in her face before the trial begins, and it makes him an insufferable character. Of course, Curtis Armstrong knows plenty well how to play an insufferable, having played one for years on Moonlighting.
Regarding the leak, I think it's Pope, even if there is no evidence. He's always seemed like an ass and that final scene, opening the door to the lawyer for Brenda to get chewed out, is pretty suspicious.
We're getting a better idea of how Brenda will eventually leave the show as the season moves on. It's doubtful Goldman will win in the end--the writers probably don't want Brenda to bow out in shame. But it's clear the lawsuit has gotten to her and she may be close to cracking. She is obviously distressed when the suspect kills himself in the interrogation room and berates the sheriff's deputy for going beyond the law.
The case this week felt more like an opportunity for Brenda to reflect on past events than anything else. The car theft thing never really took off and ended with the restaurant hostess, one of the only three asked about the theft (the other two being the guy who killed himself and the sheriff's deputy), being arrested.
Score: 8.5/10
Showing posts with label The Closer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Closer. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Review - The Closer Season 7 Episode 9 Star Turn
I would have problems with "Star Turn" if it were supposed to be a serious episode--as the mother never gets a lawyer, making her easy pickings for Brenda--but it is supposed to be a funny, ripped-from-the-headlines episode which pokes fun at Rebecca Black's "Friday," with the characters, especially Gavin, reveling in the mess.
Moving into the summer finale next week, Gavin sniffs out what Goldman is up to--dangling a settlement before refiling charges--which puts Brenda back in the same place. I'm guessing Brenda will meet Terrel Baylor's mother and it will be very emotional.
Score: 8.7/10
Moving into the summer finale next week, Gavin sniffs out what Goldman is up to--dangling a settlement before refiling charges--which puts Brenda back in the same place. I'm guessing Brenda will meet Terrel Baylor's mother and it will be very emotional.
Score: 8.7/10
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Review - The Closer Season 7 Episode 8 Death Warrant
I'm really liking this season of The Closer, with the ongoing investigation into Terrell Baylor's murder intruding into all aspects of Brenda's life. The investigation plays a large role in "Death Warrant," and in the last act, we see the Brenda who dropped Terrell of in unfriendly territory, the unforgiving Brenda who simply wants to punish the criminal. She's a scary person and Kyra Sedgwick does not disappoint.
Until now, Raydor has largely been the antagonist who hung around and caused trouble for the team. The team didn't really like her and I'm guessing the audience didn't like her either. This week, however, we see the other side of her, the kick ass officer who can shoot a criminal in the head with a beanbag. It's a nice departure from her usual role, and hopefully we'll see more of that in the ramp up to her taking over Brenda's job (assuming the spin-off is still a go).
As far as Gavin's investigation for the mole, we don't learn anything new, but Gavin is quite confident in himself. After interviewing everyone, he tells the entire room that he will win, making it clear to both the mole and Goldman what he thinks. This fresh act of confidence is somewhat reassuring, but things seem far from over.
Score: 9.1/10
Until now, Raydor has largely been the antagonist who hung around and caused trouble for the team. The team didn't really like her and I'm guessing the audience didn't like her either. This week, however, we see the other side of her, the kick ass officer who can shoot a criminal in the head with a beanbag. It's a nice departure from her usual role, and hopefully we'll see more of that in the ramp up to her taking over Brenda's job (assuming the spin-off is still a go).
As far as Gavin's investigation for the mole, we don't learn anything new, but Gavin is quite confident in himself. After interviewing everyone, he tells the entire room that he will win, making it clear to both the mole and Goldman what he thinks. This fresh act of confidence is somewhat reassuring, but things seem far from over.
Score: 9.1/10
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Review - The Closer Season 7 Episode 5 Forgive Us Our Trespasses
The last season of The Closer is moving ahead with great vigor, as the legal system crashes down on top of Brenda and leaves her in tears at the end of the episode. The case--a son killing his hypocritical transvestite father--has direct relevance on Brenda's mindset. She empathizes with her son, seeing that he may have had a fine reason for killing his father. But the law must be upheld and she has him arrested. And so too must the law be upheld in Brenda's case, and her belief that she did no wrong is crumbling, especially with the visit to the location last week with Raydor.
Score: 8.7/10
Score: 8.7/10
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Review - The Closer Season 7 Episode 3 To Serve With Love
Flynn and Provenza episodes haven't gotten old since the first one in the second season, and "To Serve With Love" is no exception. This is a duo that will be funny under any circumstance. Tempted by extra money on the side, they get into trouble once again, drawing Buzz in as well. They are doing some borderline illegal activity and certainly unethical activity throughout the episode, but they aren't malicious and everything works out fine in the end.
Score: 8.8/10
Score: 8.8/10
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Review - The Closer Season 7 Episode 2 Repeat Offender
It turns out that Delk did die and Pope is now Chief of Police. Funny how these things work out... Anyway, it adds extra layers to the IA investigation, sure to complicate matters for Brenda and her department. Pope as Chief would normally be a good thing since he has and would protect Brenda. However, because Delk initiated the investigation and Pope is new, he has to cover all his bases, especially since he was the one would granted the guy immunity which led to Brenda dropping him off where he got killed. And because of department rules, Raydor cannot tell Brenda what Pope ordered of her. It's a dangerous game everyone is playing and it'll only get more volatile as the season goes on.
The case in "Repeat Offender" is pretty forgettable, with Brenda's usual tricks to catch unsuspecting suspects on camera and during the interrogation. Like the case in the season premiere, there was little to see, not much intensity or something different.
Score: 8.2/10
The case in "Repeat Offender" is pretty forgettable, with Brenda's usual tricks to catch unsuspecting suspects on camera and during the interrogation. Like the case in the season premiere, there was little to see, not much intensity or something different.
Score: 8.2/10
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Review - The Closer Season 7 Episode 1 Unknown Trouble
The seventh and final season of The Closer begins with a very lackluster case. There is a dead rapper and 6 other bodies, and Brenda eventually catches the killer, the ex-boyfriend of the rapper's girlfriend. The dead people are barely established and we're given little reason to care about them other than that the music industry probably corrupted them. Gabrielle's connection doesn't factor in the end and is explored, oddly enough, through conversations in the police headquarters rather than Gabrielle actually talking to the victims' parents.
But the case wasn't the primary issue in the episode. Brenda has bigger issues, with a lawsuit filed against her for her actions in "War Zone," in which Brenda released a gangbanger out in a neighborhood where she knew he'd get beaten to death. Now, Delk and Raydor are breathing down her neck and with Pope moved to traffic, there's no one to protect her this time.
The episode ends on a shocking note as Chief Delk keels over with a stroke. So much for worrying about what Delk would do. Presuming that Delk dies or is put out of commission, the Chief of Police position is once again open. Taylor? Pope? Brenda? With the seventh season being the last and the announcement of a spin-off called Major Crimes starring Mary McDonnell, there are many on options on the table.
Those fretting over the end of The Closer can breath easier for a while longer. Although the first 15 episodes of the season will air this year, there will be another 6 episodes next summer to ease into the spin-off, giving us plenty of time to give Brenda our last goodbyes.
Score: 8.4/10
But the case wasn't the primary issue in the episode. Brenda has bigger issues, with a lawsuit filed against her for her actions in "War Zone," in which Brenda released a gangbanger out in a neighborhood where she knew he'd get beaten to death. Now, Delk and Raydor are breathing down her neck and with Pope moved to traffic, there's no one to protect her this time.
The episode ends on a shocking note as Chief Delk keels over with a stroke. So much for worrying about what Delk would do. Presuming that Delk dies or is put out of commission, the Chief of Police position is once again open. Taylor? Pope? Brenda? With the seventh season being the last and the announcement of a spin-off called Major Crimes starring Mary McDonnell, there are many on options on the table.
Those fretting over the end of The Closer can breath easier for a while longer. Although the first 15 episodes of the season will air this year, there will be another 6 episodes next summer to ease into the spin-off, giving us plenty of time to give Brenda our last goodbyes.
Score: 8.4/10
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 15 An Ugly Game
"An Ugly Game" tries to show that Brenda is not infallible and that Gabrielle has her back regardless of her current mindset. However, how the episode plays out leaves me with plenty of questions. There were the intense scenes you come to expect from the show, but the plot left me
Hasn't Brenda dealt with addicts before, so wouldn't she know how they think? It's not like Brenda was baffled by the sheer complexity of the case or character. It was an addict who killed someone but claimed to be the victim--a circumstance Brenda should cut through with ease.
And why did Gabrielle call Pope without fully trying to explain to Brenda what was going on. Sure he told to about the keys in an emphatic manner, but he never confronted her, sat her down, and told it to her straight. Instead, Gabrielle brings in Pope to handle Brenda. But I guess that is supposed to be Gabrielle having her back.
Score: 8.3/10
Hasn't Brenda dealt with addicts before, so wouldn't she know how they think? It's not like Brenda was baffled by the sheer complexity of the case or character. It was an addict who killed someone but claimed to be the victim--a circumstance Brenda should cut through with ease.
And why did Gabrielle call Pope without fully trying to explain to Brenda what was going on. Sure he told to about the keys in an emphatic manner, but he never confronted her, sat her down, and told it to her straight. Instead, Gabrielle brings in Pope to handle Brenda. But I guess that is supposed to be Gabrielle having her back.
Score: 8.3/10
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Preview of Week 1/02/11 - 1/08/11
The Closer - TNT, Monday, January 3, 9:00pm ET
The second to last season finale of the series is here. Will there be anything to propel the show towards an endgame?
Caprica - Syfy, Tuesday, January 4, 6:00pm ET
If you feel the need to watch 5 hours of television, Syfy has your answer--a marathon burn off of Caprica.
Southland - TNT, Tuesday, January 4, 10:00pm ET
Southland is back!? We'll see how the budget cuts will effect the third season of arguably the best crime drama on television.
V - ABC, Tuesday, January 4, 10:00pm ET
ABC renewed V last year despite waning ratings. We'll see if the writers can come up with something more interesting to bring in viewers.
The second to last season finale of the series is here. Will there be anything to propel the show towards an endgame?
Caprica - Syfy, Tuesday, January 4, 6:00pm ET
If you feel the need to watch 5 hours of television, Syfy has your answer--a marathon burn off of Caprica.
Southland - TNT, Tuesday, January 4, 10:00pm ET
Southland is back!? We'll see how the budget cuts will effect the third season of arguably the best crime drama on television.
V - ABC, Tuesday, January 4, 10:00pm ET
ABC renewed V last year despite waning ratings. We'll see if the writers can come up with something more interesting to bring in viewers.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 14 Living Proof, Part 2
It's almost the end of the year and I don't feel like blogging, so this will be really short.
"Living Proof, Part 2" wraps up the two-parter, pinning the murders entirely on Armand, who is Skander's father and actually a Serbian who assumed to name to avoid war crimes charges. It's very tidy, making me think that Joan might be more involved than everyone thinks. Either way, the episode does have a conclusion and everyone gets to eat inside the station. By the way, hasn't anyone heard of Google Translate?
Fritz stealing the presents was too far-fetched. We're supposed to believe that to ensure that Brenda's parents don't permanently move to Los Angeles, Fritz breaks into the trailer to steal the presents. Sorry, but these are adults, not kids on a playground.
Score: 8.5/10
"Living Proof, Part 2" wraps up the two-parter, pinning the murders entirely on Armand, who is Skander's father and actually a Serbian who assumed to name to avoid war crimes charges. It's very tidy, making me think that Joan might be more involved than everyone thinks. Either way, the episode does have a conclusion and everyone gets to eat inside the station. By the way, hasn't anyone heard of Google Translate?
Fritz stealing the presents was too far-fetched. We're supposed to believe that to ensure that Brenda's parents don't permanently move to Los Angeles, Fritz breaks into the trailer to steal the presents. Sorry, but these are adults, not kids on a playground.
Score: 8.5/10
Monday, December 20, 2010
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 13 Living Proof, Part 1
It's Christmas time, but crime still goes on, meaning the crimesolvers have to stick around and finish the job. It also means that we'll have to stick around an additional week to see the conclusion.
Unfortunately for everyone else and their Christmas plans, Brenda remains tenacious and keeps digging. The result is a slew of dead bodies relating to an Albanian blood food (the line had me laughing). Left alive is the boy, his uncle, and his aunt. One or more of them isn't telling the whole truth, and the recording of the uncle and the grandfather arguing in Albanian should shed more light once it's translated.
"Living Proof, Part 1" keeps things mostly in the center with Brenda's parents arriving to add light humor to the episode while the mounting body count forced everyone to stay grounded. The conclusion next week should be more explosive once we learn what's really going on.
Score: 8.8/10
Unfortunately for everyone else and their Christmas plans, Brenda remains tenacious and keeps digging. The result is a slew of dead bodies relating to an Albanian blood food (the line had me laughing). Left alive is the boy, his uncle, and his aunt. One or more of them isn't telling the whole truth, and the recording of the uncle and the grandfather arguing in Albanian should shed more light once it's translated.
"Living Proof, Part 1" keeps things mostly in the center with Brenda's parents arriving to add light humor to the episode while the mounting body count forced everyone to stay grounded. The conclusion next week should be more explosive once we learn what's really going on.
Score: 8.8/10
Monday, December 13, 2010
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 12 High Crimes
With the surprise announcement last week that The Closer would be ending after seven seasons, I began to think about how the series would end. The six season has danced around the fact that change in the department is coming and Brenda may be in a new position soon. However, she's steadfastly clung to her current position of head of Major Crimes and no one can force her to do something she doesn't want to do.
Still, Brenda getting promoted and leaving her team behind would be a fitting end to the show. She came to Los Angeles under hostile conditions and proved herself to the team and any doubters, solving case after case with grit and tenacity. Now, she's more or less settled into a comfortable position and it would be a good time for her to slip into another role.
"High Crimes" has Chief Delk directly asking Brenda about replacing Pope and she declines, partially out of an illogical loyalty to Pope. Certainly, she done her fair share by making Pope look good for hiring her, so I don't see why Brenda feels that Pope deserves anything extra.
The case involves marijuana dispensaries being robbed, so Provenza, the crotchety old man, came out. Delk, luckily, views his actions with amusement and not an impulse to get rid of the old, useless guy. The twist was predictable once Tao shot the glass and nothing happened, but there were enough laughs in the episode to make it worth watching.
The scene of Brenda and Fritz arguing really epitomizes their relationship. Fritz shows that he cares about her and doesn't want her to get hurt, so he gets a little pushy about Brenda taking Pope's job. She throws it back into his face rather indignantly. Neither are right in the situation--Fritz could have been more diplomatic--but Brenda, as always, is off in her own world. Fritz has a dangerous job as well and she doesn't seem the mind if he's in harm's way, and only seems to care about his job when she needs information. Somehow, Fritz puts up with all her crap.
Score: 8.7/10
Still, Brenda getting promoted and leaving her team behind would be a fitting end to the show. She came to Los Angeles under hostile conditions and proved herself to the team and any doubters, solving case after case with grit and tenacity. Now, she's more or less settled into a comfortable position and it would be a good time for her to slip into another role.
"High Crimes" has Chief Delk directly asking Brenda about replacing Pope and she declines, partially out of an illogical loyalty to Pope. Certainly, she done her fair share by making Pope look good for hiring her, so I don't see why Brenda feels that Pope deserves anything extra.
The case involves marijuana dispensaries being robbed, so Provenza, the crotchety old man, came out. Delk, luckily, views his actions with amusement and not an impulse to get rid of the old, useless guy. The twist was predictable once Tao shot the glass and nothing happened, but there were enough laughs in the episode to make it worth watching.
The scene of Brenda and Fritz arguing really epitomizes their relationship. Fritz shows that he cares about her and doesn't want her to get hurt, so he gets a little pushy about Brenda taking Pope's job. She throws it back into his face rather indignantly. Neither are right in the situation--Fritz could have been more diplomatic--but Brenda, as always, is off in her own world. Fritz has a dangerous job as well and she doesn't seem the mind if he's in harm's way, and only seems to care about his job when she needs information. Somehow, Fritz puts up with all her crap.
Score: 8.7/10
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 11 Old Money
How about that opening fight? We usually see Sanchez doing that kind of thing, but Flynn was pretty awesome there. Anyway, "Old Money" is a fairly standard episode with Flynn getting attacked, the culprit being a guy Flynn put away over 10 years ago. Brenda does her thing, getting the involved parties to help and gets the guy in the end.
There's a further development in the Brenda getting promoted arc; this time, Fritz tells Brenda that she'll be taking over Pope's job. Again, she's lured away from her team and it's hard to imagine the show working if she's in a higher position, unable to get her hands dirty in the interrogation room. Where is this all going?
Score: 8.5/10
There's a further development in the Brenda getting promoted arc; this time, Fritz tells Brenda that she'll be taking over Pope's job. Again, she's lured away from her team and it's hard to imagine the show working if she's in a higher position, unable to get her hands dirty in the interrogation room. Where is this all going?
Score: 8.5/10
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Preview of Week 12/05/10 - 12/11/10
Boardwalk Empire - HBO, Sunday, December 5, 9:00pm ET
The personal rifts opening up last week lead into the first season finale of Boardwalk Empire.
The Walking Dead - AMC, Sunday, December 5, 10:00pm ET
As soon as The Walking Dead splashed on television on Halloween, it's the season finale now--last episode for almost a year. Last week's episode ended with the CDC guy opening the door, deviating enormously from the comic. What happens now?
The Closer - TNT, Monday, December 6, 9:00pm ET
The Closer returns for six more episodes to finish off the season.
Men of a Certain Age - TNT, Monday, December 6, 10:00pm ET
Middle-aged men rejoice at all the inside jokes, and everyone else doesn't really care.
Criminal Minds - CBS, Wednesday, December 8, 9:00pm ET
This is now series regular Rachel Nichols's first episode. Let's see how this goes. What confuses me is how Nichols could be a cheaper actress than AJ Cook, seeing as she's been in some big Hollywood movies.
Community - NBC, Thursday, December 9, 8:00pm ET
Stop-motion animation! Community continues to top itself every week.
The personal rifts opening up last week lead into the first season finale of Boardwalk Empire.
The Walking Dead - AMC, Sunday, December 5, 10:00pm ET
As soon as The Walking Dead splashed on television on Halloween, it's the season finale now--last episode for almost a year. Last week's episode ended with the CDC guy opening the door, deviating enormously from the comic. What happens now?
The Closer - TNT, Monday, December 6, 9:00pm ET
The Closer returns for six more episodes to finish off the season.
Men of a Certain Age - TNT, Monday, December 6, 10:00pm ET
Middle-aged men rejoice at all the inside jokes, and everyone else doesn't really care.
Criminal Minds - CBS, Wednesday, December 8, 9:00pm ET
This is now series regular Rachel Nichols's first episode. Let's see how this goes. What confuses me is how Nichols could be a cheaper actress than AJ Cook, seeing as she's been in some big Hollywood movies.
Community - NBC, Thursday, December 9, 8:00pm ET
Stop-motion animation! Community continues to top itself every week.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 10 Executive Order
As expected, Brenda doesn't become Chief of Police, and will stay in the position she feels comfortable with. The writers set up "Executive Order" to give Brenda a tough choice in the end, not an arbitrary on her part to reject the position.
Major Crimes takes on a crazy firefighter killer who has tanks on sarin gas, and in the process of taking him down, Brenda shoots and kills him, bringing an investigation that wards off any hope the mayor would pick her. Her counterpart working on the case--also a frontrunner for the job--becomes Chief. I wonder what, if any, fallout there is as the season progresses. The new Chief seems like a nice, upstanding guy, but the winds could turn easily. And what about Brenda? Was the shot a deliberate attempt to release herself from the pending Chief of Police decision?
Score: 8.7/10
Major Crimes takes on a crazy firefighter killer who has tanks on sarin gas, and in the process of taking him down, Brenda shoots and kills him, bringing an investigation that wards off any hope the mayor would pick her. Her counterpart working on the case--also a frontrunner for the job--becomes Chief. I wonder what, if any, fallout there is as the season progresses. The new Chief seems like a nice, upstanding guy, but the winds could turn easily. And what about Brenda? Was the shot a deliberate attempt to release herself from the pending Chief of Police decision?
Score: 8.7/10
Friday, September 10, 2010
Preview of Week 9/12/10 - 9/18/10
I'll be gone from Saturday to Tuesday, so I'm posting this early. That also means I probably won't be able to review the finales of True Blood, The Closer, Lie to Me, and every other show airing in the four days. I'll try my hardest to watch a few episodes and write a few reviews, but don't count on it.
True Blood - HBO, Sunday, September 12, 9:00pm ET
The third season of True Blood has largely been a disappointment to me. Sure Denis O'Hare has been electric, but the Bon Temps stories, which take up good part of each episode, have been a train wreck since the beginning. Without the action centered around the townsfolk, I have no desire to see what boring thing they're up to each week.
Lie to Me - Fox, Monday, September 13, 9:00pm ET
It's weird that the 22-episode season ends in September, right before all the other shows come back and then Lie to Me returns in November with another 13 episodes, but that's the way Fox wants to play it given their lack of 10pm programming. From the description of the season finale, it doesn't look like the episode was be anything special, but we'll see.
The Closer - TNT, Monday, September 13, 9:00pm ET
Will Brenda become Chief of Police? Will she withdraw? Honestly, I don't care and she won't get the position for creative purposes. Without Brenda in the interrogation room, there's hardly any show left, meaning she can't be Chief.
Covert Affairs - USA, Tuesday, September 14, 9:00pm ET
The first season of Covert Affairs ends with two episodes, filling the slot usually occupied by White Collar. As is expected of all USA shows, the last episode will be the culmination of the ongoing thread, in this case, the mystery behind Ben. I'm very interesting in seeing how the writers explain Ben's decisions and how if they are willing to make some key characters like Arhur and Jai look like bad guys.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - FX, Wednesday, September 15, 10:00pm ET
Wild, reckless, and somehow funny, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia returns for its sixth season.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Cartoon Network, Friday, September 17, 9:00pm ET
Yeah, I like a cartoon for kids. It's actually not a bad show to watch if you're doing something else since the plots are absurdly simple.
True Blood - HBO, Sunday, September 12, 9:00pm ET
The third season of True Blood has largely been a disappointment to me. Sure Denis O'Hare has been electric, but the Bon Temps stories, which take up good part of each episode, have been a train wreck since the beginning. Without the action centered around the townsfolk, I have no desire to see what boring thing they're up to each week.
Lie to Me - Fox, Monday, September 13, 9:00pm ET
It's weird that the 22-episode season ends in September, right before all the other shows come back and then Lie to Me returns in November with another 13 episodes, but that's the way Fox wants to play it given their lack of 10pm programming. From the description of the season finale, it doesn't look like the episode was be anything special, but we'll see.
The Closer - TNT, Monday, September 13, 9:00pm ET
Will Brenda become Chief of Police? Will she withdraw? Honestly, I don't care and she won't get the position for creative purposes. Without Brenda in the interrogation room, there's hardly any show left, meaning she can't be Chief.
Covert Affairs - USA, Tuesday, September 14, 9:00pm ET
The first season of Covert Affairs ends with two episodes, filling the slot usually occupied by White Collar. As is expected of all USA shows, the last episode will be the culmination of the ongoing thread, in this case, the mystery behind Ben. I'm very interesting in seeing how the writers explain Ben's decisions and how if they are willing to make some key characters like Arhur and Jai look like bad guys.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - FX, Wednesday, September 15, 10:00pm ET
Wild, reckless, and somehow funny, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia returns for its sixth season.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Cartoon Network, Friday, September 17, 9:00pm ET
Yeah, I like a cartoon for kids. It's actually not a bad show to watch if you're doing something else since the plots are absurdly simple.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 9 Last Woman Standing
Brenda's ongoing journey towards the Chief of Police position, to me, has been a snooze-fest. There is only one conclusion--she become Chief. The show's entire format would be demolished if she did become Chief, and we'd be left watching her doing administrative tasks while wishing to be back in the interrogation room. The six season's theme, attraction, is not about any person, but to duty and justice. Brenda's utmost priority is to bring bad guys to justice, and more importantly, she has to be knee-deep in the process, being there right as the criminal is nabbed and knowing she had a personal hand in doing so. Up at her pedestal as Chief, however, Brenda will be unable to fulfill her need to be the closer. We see her struggle in "Last Woman Standing," unable to hand out even the simplest of duties to Taylor, and as Chief, it'd be much worse.
The case was pretty basic and didn't grab my attention, especially with multiple interruptions over the Brenda's interview, none of which really went anywhere. Two initial suspects are interrogated before the landlord, introduced at the beginning of the episode, is caught.
Captain Raydor's approach to preparing Brenda for the interview with the major is quite odd. She takes her usual combative stance, even though she's supposed to be helping Brenda, and demeans her several times. At the end of the episode, when she describes why she wants Brenda to go ahead with the job, she states directly that Brenda got her job "the old-fashioned way," AKA sleeping with Pope. But we see that Raydor, despite how she feels about Brenda and animosity about how far up the ladder Brenda is, for the sake of women, is willing to push Brenda forward and Brenda, in turn, takes the mantle to be an example for women everywhere.
Score: 8.1/10
The case was pretty basic and didn't grab my attention, especially with multiple interruptions over the Brenda's interview, none of which really went anywhere. Two initial suspects are interrogated before the landlord, introduced at the beginning of the episode, is caught.
Captain Raydor's approach to preparing Brenda for the interview with the major is quite odd. She takes her usual combative stance, even though she's supposed to be helping Brenda, and demeans her several times. At the end of the episode, when she describes why she wants Brenda to go ahead with the job, she states directly that Brenda got her job "the old-fashioned way," AKA sleeping with Pope. But we see that Raydor, despite how she feels about Brenda and animosity about how far up the ladder Brenda is, for the sake of women, is willing to push Brenda forward and Brenda, in turn, takes the mantle to be an example for women everywhere.
Score: 8.1/10
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 8 War Zone
My back is killing me right now, so I don't want to spend any more time on the computer than needed.
First off, big congratulations to Kyra Sedgwick for winning the Emmy for actress in a drama series. She can act, and definitely put on a performance in "War Zone." She battles a stubborn Army Major while figuring out how to deal with a murderer who has a immunity agreement.
The chilling ending isn't anything new, but we're reminded that Brenda isn't afraid of skirting the law. In fact, her behavior is a small step below Dexter, allowing the gangster to be killed without actually getting her hands dirty. I guess justice is served in the end, but is it right, especially for someone in running to become Chief of Police?
The addition of Fritz as FBI liaison to the LAPD already is providing some humorous moments, the Major sounding off on Brenda needing to get laid directly to Fritz. Of course, Fritz makes sure the Major doesn't know about the relationship.
Score: 9.0/10
First off, big congratulations to Kyra Sedgwick for winning the Emmy for actress in a drama series. She can act, and definitely put on a performance in "War Zone." She battles a stubborn Army Major while figuring out how to deal with a murderer who has a immunity agreement.
The chilling ending isn't anything new, but we're reminded that Brenda isn't afraid of skirting the law. In fact, her behavior is a small step below Dexter, allowing the gangster to be killed without actually getting her hands dirty. I guess justice is served in the end, but is it right, especially for someone in running to become Chief of Police?
The addition of Fritz as FBI liaison to the LAPD already is providing some humorous moments, the Major sounding off on Brenda needing to get laid directly to Fritz. Of course, Fritz makes sure the Major doesn't know about the relationship.
Score: 9.0/10
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 7 Jump the Gun
"Jump the Gun" had a cool robbery case involving more people than it seems at first, and Fritz will be more involved now that he's the liaison to the FBI, which will bring more tension between him and Brenda.
And the final surprise is that Pope is nowhere on the short list while Brenda is. I don't know the mindset of people in the police chain of command, but Brenda has never strived to get a promotion, even inhibiting her ability to move up by being so abrasive in the pursuit of criminals. But Pope openly admits that he's always wanted to be Chief. Can we assume that he'd rather play politics than do his job properly? Well, he's out of the running, so I hope we won't be seeing him anymore. As for Brenda, I'm not sure how the show would work if she were Chief. Certainly she wouldn't do the hands on interrogations, and that's pretty much the core of the show, which rules out her becoming Chief in the end.
Score: 8.6/10
And the final surprise is that Pope is nowhere on the short list while Brenda is. I don't know the mindset of people in the police chain of command, but Brenda has never strived to get a promotion, even inhibiting her ability to move up by being so abrasive in the pursuit of criminals. But Pope openly admits that he's always wanted to be Chief. Can we assume that he'd rather play politics than do his job properly? Well, he's out of the running, so I hope we won't be seeing him anymore. As for Brenda, I'm not sure how the show would work if she were Chief. Certainly she wouldn't do the hands on interrogations, and that's pretty much the core of the show, which rules out her becoming Chief in the end.
Score: 8.6/10
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Review - The Closer Season 6 Episode 6 Off the Hook
I've never liked Pope, but with the Chief position opening up this season, he's been more of a prick than usual. In "Off the Hook," he goes out of control, refusing to listen to anyone and berating those not a fault just because he's mad. Brenda calmly tries to investigate as she usually does, but Pope hijacks the entire proceeding and makes many unreasonable demands. Of course, these actions are to cover his back and make him look better to the public, thus increasing his chances to get the position.
The case is fairly basic with the murder of the parole board commissioner due to a woman angry at her husband killed by a parolee. It was hard to enjoy the episode when Pope was always being irrationally mean. Even in the end, he remains pissy towards Brenda.
Score: 8.4/10
The case is fairly basic with the murder of the parole board commissioner due to a woman angry at her husband killed by a parolee. It was hard to enjoy the episode when Pope was always being irrationally mean. Even in the end, he remains pissy towards Brenda.
Score: 8.4/10
