The Closer: "Armed Response" Episode Commentary
Okay, I don’t normally do episode commentary or the like, but this is the end of The Closer and none of my nearby friends watch it so I have to expel all my feelings somewhere!!
So first…the Leak.
I know this will sound like hindsight and all that, but I’ve had my money (metaphorically) on Gabriel for months. Two weeks ago just clinched it for me with the introduction of his lawyer girlfriend (but I’ll get to that in a bit).
Gabriel is loyal. Absolutely. He’s been there for Brenda from the start. But he’s also an ethical guy and questions Brenda more than any other member of the squad. He’s the first to balk when she crosses the line and clearly had doubts about the Terrell Baylor incident. So I pegged him for the leak a long time ago even though I really wanted to believe I was wrong because he’s just such a good, decent, loyal guy.
And then two weeks ago, we met his girlfriend. A lawyer who he’s dated for a year. A woman who also seemed to question Brenda and who clearly knew an awful lot about Gabriel’s work. So I thought maybe, just maybe, Gabriel could turn out to be a decent, if misled, guy after all. We all do pillow talk (as Sharon reminded us later…can we please see some of her pillow talk in MC? Pretty please). And it’s not like Gabriel’s job is classified. How easy for him to have dished about his job and his boss to his girlfriend?
I will say that I supposed Anne may have inadvertently been a leak. She was so nice and unassuming! I definitely didn’t expect that she was being paid by Goldman. I figured she talked to her lawyer classmates, shared some tidbits from her boyfriends exciting job, maybe discussed the dubious nature of the situations as case studies and somehow things got back to Goldman. All professions are small worlds. Juicy gossip like that would get around.
Of course, I just came up with that theory two weeks ago so I didn’t really consider how the information would have gotten to Goldman so quickly. He knew things before Brenda did sometimes. Which means Gabriel was calling Anne in the midst of things and she was calling Goldman. And I really liked her too. Boo.
But there we have it. Gabriel is the leak…or the source. And though he’s rescued from being the ultimate bad guy, he’ll still be ostracized. Knowingly or not, he put Brenda and the team in jeopardy and they won’t forgive him for that. Especially not because Anne or no Anne, it was Gabriel’s doubts about Brenda that fueled Goldman’s case. Yes, the team accepts his apology (and can I just hug Provenza for his quick response!) but Flynn spoke what most of them were probably thinking. Gabriel can’t stay. No team building can repair this one. Once Brenda leaves, and her needing him is gone, Gabriel will gracefully bow out. That’s my prediction anyway.
Topic #2: Brenda Leigh
We all know she’s leaving, that’s no big surprise. But the circumstances have been questioned. Will she get run out or leave of her own free will? Until this week, I was pretty sold on her getting run out. Things have been extremely antagonistic toward Brenda lately and I thought either Pope would pressure her out of the DA and the Mayor would.
It could still happen. But this week and the previews for next week have me leaning more and more toward a graceful exit, even if the past year does play a part.
We started to see Brenda prioritizing her personal life and relationships for once tonight! She puts work aside when Fritz shows up, apologizes to Gabriel, openly admits to putting murders above everything else, and takes responsibility for all that's happened!! I could hug you right now, Brenda. And that’s a first.
And then there’s her father. She says she’s worried about "later". When the cousins all leave and Daddy’s all alone, Brenda’s gonna want to take that month of leave and head back to Atlanta. She regrets not having time for her mom and she wants to sell her house (finally). All things point to Brenda Leigh Johnson finally putting home before homicide. Amen.
I respect her skill and her passion. I understand what it feels like to love what you do and to believe it’s so incredibly important. But Brenda’s been needing to take a step back for awhile and I, for one, am going to applaud her when she finally does. And I do hope it gets to be on her own terms. She deserves it.
BTW I love, I love, I LOVE Fritz widening his stance to be at the same level as Brenda when she takes off her heels! So cute ♥
And finally….Sharon. My favorite topic of all:
Her look in the viewing room! The tension, the awkwardness, the side-looks between everyone, and the clear and evident pain she is experiencing at what she’s there to do. It is painful and beautiful at the same time. When she curls in on herself, breathes deep, tries to avoid all the questions in everyone’s eyes… Oh my.
The slow motion was totally unnecessary (not that I ever mind getting MM in slow motion!). It was clear what Raydor was about to do and that exhale…Mary really is a wonderful actress.
I had read a review by someone who watched some of these episodes early and they had written about one scene in which Mary tells a whole story with just the look on her face and I have to wonder if this was the episode. Either in the viewing room or when she’s walking down the hall or looking at Brenda when she asks for Gabriel. Without any words, you can just see that this is the least favorite part of her day, week, career! So much emotion just in her eyes!
Have I mentioned lately that I’m really excited for an entire show with Mary McDonnell as the lead?!! Too bad I’m moving out of the country in 5 weeks and probably won't get to watch Major Crimes until 2015...
Well, folks, that about wraps up my commentary on “Armed Response”. I realize I’ve said absolutely nothing about the crime itself, but really, aside from Brenda getting a last notch on her "closer" belt, who really needs the murders at this point? Get Stroh and give us Mary!
PS Has anyone else noticed how the ‘M’s in MAJOR CRIMES have pointy tips on the middle dip? I like it. Gives the title an edge. [I owe my avid attention to fonts to being yearbook editor in high school and an analyzer of all advertising.] Kudos to TNT on their subconscious marketing.
So first…the Leak.
I know this will sound like hindsight and all that, but I’ve had my money (metaphorically) on Gabriel for months. Two weeks ago just clinched it for me with the introduction of his lawyer girlfriend (but I’ll get to that in a bit).
Gabriel is loyal. Absolutely. He’s been there for Brenda from the start. But he’s also an ethical guy and questions Brenda more than any other member of the squad. He’s the first to balk when she crosses the line and clearly had doubts about the Terrell Baylor incident. So I pegged him for the leak a long time ago even though I really wanted to believe I was wrong because he’s just such a good, decent, loyal guy.
And then two weeks ago, we met his girlfriend. A lawyer who he’s dated for a year. A woman who also seemed to question Brenda and who clearly knew an awful lot about Gabriel’s work. So I thought maybe, just maybe, Gabriel could turn out to be a decent, if misled, guy after all. We all do pillow talk (as Sharon reminded us later…can we please see some of her pillow talk in MC? Pretty please). And it’s not like Gabriel’s job is classified. How easy for him to have dished about his job and his boss to his girlfriend?
I will say that I supposed Anne may have inadvertently been a leak. She was so nice and unassuming! I definitely didn’t expect that she was being paid by Goldman. I figured she talked to her lawyer classmates, shared some tidbits from her boyfriends exciting job, maybe discussed the dubious nature of the situations as case studies and somehow things got back to Goldman. All professions are small worlds. Juicy gossip like that would get around.
Of course, I just came up with that theory two weeks ago so I didn’t really consider how the information would have gotten to Goldman so quickly. He knew things before Brenda did sometimes. Which means Gabriel was calling Anne in the midst of things and she was calling Goldman. And I really liked her too. Boo.
But there we have it. Gabriel is the leak…or the source. And though he’s rescued from being the ultimate bad guy, he’ll still be ostracized. Knowingly or not, he put Brenda and the team in jeopardy and they won’t forgive him for that. Especially not because Anne or no Anne, it was Gabriel’s doubts about Brenda that fueled Goldman’s case. Yes, the team accepts his apology (and can I just hug Provenza for his quick response!) but Flynn spoke what most of them were probably thinking. Gabriel can’t stay. No team building can repair this one. Once Brenda leaves, and her needing him is gone, Gabriel will gracefully bow out. That’s my prediction anyway.
Topic #2: Brenda Leigh
We all know she’s leaving, that’s no big surprise. But the circumstances have been questioned. Will she get run out or leave of her own free will? Until this week, I was pretty sold on her getting run out. Things have been extremely antagonistic toward Brenda lately and I thought either Pope would pressure her out of the DA and the Mayor would.
It could still happen. But this week and the previews for next week have me leaning more and more toward a graceful exit, even if the past year does play a part.
We started to see Brenda prioritizing her personal life and relationships for once tonight! She puts work aside when Fritz shows up, apologizes to Gabriel, openly admits to putting murders above everything else, and takes responsibility for all that's happened!! I could hug you right now, Brenda. And that’s a first.
And then there’s her father. She says she’s worried about "later". When the cousins all leave and Daddy’s all alone, Brenda’s gonna want to take that month of leave and head back to Atlanta. She regrets not having time for her mom and she wants to sell her house (finally). All things point to Brenda Leigh Johnson finally putting home before homicide. Amen.
I respect her skill and her passion. I understand what it feels like to love what you do and to believe it’s so incredibly important. But Brenda’s been needing to take a step back for awhile and I, for one, am going to applaud her when she finally does. And I do hope it gets to be on her own terms. She deserves it.
BTW I love, I love, I LOVE Fritz widening his stance to be at the same level as Brenda when she takes off her heels! So cute ♥
And finally….Sharon. My favorite topic of all:
Her look in the viewing room! The tension, the awkwardness, the side-looks between everyone, and the clear and evident pain she is experiencing at what she’s there to do. It is painful and beautiful at the same time. When she curls in on herself, breathes deep, tries to avoid all the questions in everyone’s eyes… Oh my.
The slow motion was totally unnecessary (not that I ever mind getting MM in slow motion!). It was clear what Raydor was about to do and that exhale…Mary really is a wonderful actress.
I had read a review by someone who watched some of these episodes early and they had written about one scene in which Mary tells a whole story with just the look on her face and I have to wonder if this was the episode. Either in the viewing room or when she’s walking down the hall or looking at Brenda when she asks for Gabriel. Without any words, you can just see that this is the least favorite part of her day, week, career! So much emotion just in her eyes!
Have I mentioned lately that I’m really excited for an entire show with Mary McDonnell as the lead?!! Too bad I’m moving out of the country in 5 weeks and probably won't get to watch Major Crimes until 2015...
Well, folks, that about wraps up my commentary on “Armed Response”. I realize I’ve said absolutely nothing about the crime itself, but really, aside from Brenda getting a last notch on her "closer" belt, who really needs the murders at this point? Get Stroh and give us Mary!
PS Has anyone else noticed how the ‘M’s in MAJOR CRIMES have pointy tips on the middle dip? I like it. Gives the title an edge. [I owe my avid attention to fonts to being yearbook editor in high school and an analyzer of all advertising.] Kudos to TNT on their subconscious marketing.