The essential episodes of The Closer
Watch these 15 in order and you've got The Closer — each pick states its reason.
- 01
A seemingly routine murder investigation by the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division is interrupted by the arrival of Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson, the new head of the LAPD's Priority Murder Squad. An outsider from Atlanta in her first week of service, Brenda has already begun to face the resistance of long-time high-ranking officers, particularly Capt. Taylor of Robbery Homicide, as well as the questionable confidence of her own squad, who have decided to request transfers en masse. Only her assistant, Sgt. Gabriel, seems willing to try to work with her.Determined to show them what she is capable bringing to the Squad, Brenda embarks on the investigation undeterred. Her victim is a woman killed in the home of technology genius with the secret to a multi-million dollar piece of software, found by his quiet, religious assistant. Drawing on the skills of her officers, particularly Lt. Tao's forensic and technological talents, Brenda soon discovers her victim may be more than meets the eye. But when a former flame, Agent Fritz Howard of the FBI lends a hand, both her investigation and her private life take unexpected turns, leading her to a startling conclusion to the case. In the end she proves to the Squad she is, as billed, a closer.
- 02
When a juror dies during a mob boss trial, Brenda has to finesse her way to questioning the remaining jurors. Meanwhile, an unannounced visit put her plans with Fritz on hold.
- 03
The murder of two USC students in an apparent gang shooting that leaves another in the hospital has Brenda juggling responsibilities for entertaining her mother and solving the case.
- 04
When Flynn and Provenza put sky box tickets over duty, the repercussions could bring the unit down.
- 05
Brenda investigates the apparent suicide of a "stalkerazzo," and Fritz receives a disturbing phone call.
- 06
The discovery of two bodies, a Japanese woman and her daughter in an apparent murder/suicide, puts the team on the trail of a possible multiple murderer.
- 07
An 8-year-old boy dies and his distraught friend blames himself for his death. As the grieving mother casts blame on the doctors, the detectives look into her as the responsible party.
- 08
Brenda finds herself investigating the goings on at a retirement facility when a man confesses to seven murders and refuses to give his name.
- 09
Brenda, while ill and with most of her team forced into WMD training, has to solve a murder with just Provenza.
- 10
A reporter dies while Brenda helps him profile the LAPD, but Pope bars her from participating in the case until the department psychiatrist clears her for duty. At home, she and Fritz await her parents for a visit.
- 11
Carjackers compromise Priority Homicide's successful murder-for-hire sting operation when they make off with Lt. Provenza's car, containing all the compiled evidence.
- 12
Texas authorities help Major Crimes catch a serial killer, but will Brenda allow the killer to be extradited to Texas to face the death penalty? Meanwhile back at home, she must decide whether Charlie can stay and live with Fritz and her.
- 13
An apparent Albanian blood feud puts the kibosh on everyone's Christmas getaway plans, all but for Brenda, who's parents have come to announce that they're moving to Los Angeles.
- 14
Flynn and Provenza fail to detect a robbery-homicide in progress at a cash-for-gold store, leading to a messy and awkward investigation for Major Crimes.
- 15
Brenda puts her career on the line to prove that Philip Stroh is guilty of murder, even though she has no hard evidence or smoking gun.
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He's smart, he's good looking, and he's got a great sense of humor.
