Our rating: 3 out of 5

Rated: TV14

reviewed by Charity Bishop
 

Only one program gets my parents and I to sit down together in the summer and watch. The Closer is the highest rated crime drama on cable and it's not hard to see why. It's not the mysteries that hook us in or the action-packed chase scenes or even the intense interrogations so much as its lovable, eccentric and sometimes downright irritating heroine.

There is no one better in the business of closing cases and wrangling confessions out of criminals than Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) of the LA Police Department. A born and bred Southerner with a charming drawl and a "thank you so much" for every occasion, she prances around in her high heels and suit dresses and stuffs sweets into her extra-large purse whenever she is not barking out commands to her well-trained associates. Their most recent case is a harrowing murder scene in which an entire family has been stabbed to death. Mother, Father, and little sister are found downstairs and in the attic is a trembling elder brother high on cocaine who doesn't remember what happened. Knowing the boy will be released into child protective services if she cannot come up with a reason to keep him institutionalized, Brenda has her task force working throughout the night for evidence to connect him to the crime.

Unfortunately, the police department is facing severe financial setbacks that will mean cutting back on overhead. Long hours are no longer possible and Chief Pope (J.K. Simmons) insists that every division lose at least one full time detective. Early retirement is encouraged, something that disconcerts Lt. Provenza  (G.W. Bailey) as he wonders if he is about to get the boot. In the meantime, another division has made a bid for Sgt. Gabriel (Corey Reynolds) but as he is her favorite, Brenda is reluctant to let him go. Then there are her health problems and the fact that her live-in FBI agent boyfriend Fritz (Jon Tenney) wants to move into a bigger house. Throughout are the same humorous antics and conversations that made earlier seasons so memorable. One of the best things about this show is its characters and we get to meet Brenda's dad this season, which makes for some terrific fun. He seems gruff at first but we soon learn he has a sense of humor and a lot of wisdom to impart. You will literally laugh out loud at some of the antics all of them get up to, from shenanigans in hazmat suits to the Christmas episode in which Brenda, Fritz, Provenza, Flynn, her parents, and a violent fugitive are stuck driving across state lines in an RV, but emotional and touching moments are as frequent as the humor. I was a bit teary-eyed at the end.

For a cable series the content is lighter than one might expect but some episodes do contain descriptions of crimes that might make more sensitive audiences cringe. Arguably the season's most thrilling episode, "Manhunt" revolves around a serial killer who abducts, tortures, and murders young women then disposes of their nude bodies on public beaches. No nudity is shown, but there is discussion about rape, mutilation, and torture. Parents might find "Ruby" hard to watch, since it revolves around the kidnapping, molestation, and murder of an eleven year old girl. The man responsible makes some sexually suggestive remarks about little girls. Woven into other episodes are discussions about extramarital affairs (Brenda learns one of her superiors had one), some immodest clothing, and innuendo. The end of "Till Death Do Us Part" closes with Brenda and Fritz starting to undress.

Violence is implied more than shown but a man attacks a woman with a cattle prod and she is forced to shoot him in self-defense. Blood spurts as she puts at least six rounds into his chest. We see a suspect that had been badly beaten and learn he was attacked by other prisoners in the holding cell. Conversations revolve around the manner of death for many victims. Some of the crime scenes are extremely gruesome, with blood spatter and other indications of violence. Other thematic elements include a police officer abusing his authority in beating a confession out of someone, Brenda deceiving a suspect in a particularly cruel manner, and occasional bad language (though Brenda never says anything more than "oh, for goodness sakes!"). There are some intense episodes this season but also some fun ones. You will laugh at the bride who assaults the police because she tried to drag a corpse away from the church steps so she could have her wedding as planned, and roll your eyes at the stupidity of a trophy wife who confesses to murder under the belief that she cannot be held responsible for it.

Though the crimes are interesting and the resolutions satisfying, in the end it is the characters that the audience most remembers. I know that for fans of the series, it seems like a long wait between seasons.