User reviews

The crime aspect of this show is pretty good, but not extraordinary. This should NOT be the reason to watch the show. If you're looking for that, look somewhere else.

Watch the show for the charming character portrayed by Kyra Sedgewick, who looks like she's in over her head and a mess, but never really is. You won't like her much at first, then she'll start to grow on you and you can't wait for the next episodes. Watch it for the old Lt. Provenza, who you probably wouldn't mind punching in the face ... then episodes later, he's one of your favorite characters on the show. The characters is what makes this show good, and the crimes only further bring out their own .. uh .. character. The script dialog is also very witty. And the acting is very, very good.

If that's what you're looking for, then great. If you're looking for CSI, watch CSI. :)

After watching every episode of "The Closer" up to the current one (final episode Sept. 2007), I feel it's time for me to commend every aspect of this series about an elite homicide squad.

Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson (Kyra Segdewick) is consistently one of the most engaging television series characters I've seen in a very long time. She's the star but certainly not alone in delivering quite engaging, excellent characterization, and entertaining performances.

This series goes to show that today's television doesn't have to depict violence, gore, profanity, or much that older children couldn't watch. Yet, for an adult who likes Cronenberg's and Lynch's films, this clean cut show is quite interesting without being too 'vanilla'.

Sedgewick has really come into her character by this third season and I like it far better than "24" which has now become monotonously predictable. There's no guessing what Deputy Chief Johnson will do to protect and close one of her cases!

An outstanding drama that dances on the edge of being a formula cop show and a soap opera. Brenda Lee Johnson is an outstanding interrogator with a background of being difficult to work with but achieving great results. However, her personal life is a mess. She is hired from Atlanta to head LAPD's Priority Crimes Unit for those high profile crimes that need a resolution and need it quickly. Tensions arise immediately. Her brusque style makes her own people want to transfer away, her boss is a former lover who dumped her and she manages to make many more enemies than friends. The crimes are formula enough that you can probably figure out whodunit before you get to the climax but it's the characters and relationships that sell the show and make it worth watching. Not only is Kyra Sedgwick giving the performance of her life in this series but she has a terrific supporting cast that gives the series heart. The ability of the writers to also give us some great comic lines keeps the show teetering at times from comedy to drama. The first season is already out on DVD. Watch it from the first episode to the last, in order, and you can see why this show has become the most watched show in basic cable history.

This series looks like a plain ol' cop drama from the outside but that couldn't be any further from the truth. Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson is the head of a elite detective unit that solves homicides, now here are a few things you should probably know. First this chief has been trained how to interrogate by the C.I.A, secondly her entire squad is made up of detectives(that's right no rookies here), and of course her Husband is an F.B.I. Agent. Still need more? The way that this woman gets the job done is both masterful and incredible, on top of which she controls an entire unit full of men like a school teacher does in a classroom.

This show is a must see, one of the few drama's where the female lead isn't a model and yet the plot is so good that it makes absolutely no difference at all. 10/10 for originality, solid acting, fantastic plot lines.

And as a professional woman, why was I surprised by the nasty comments about the lead character? One poster missed the point entirely when he wrote that all of the detectives working for her submitted their resignations after the first meeting because she was a real bitch. They submitted their requests for transfer BEFORE EVEN MEETING HER. Under the circumstances, her behavior was pretty restrained. How I wish I could think up some of the responses she comes up with -- and had the guts to utter them!

And what's with the comments on her clothing? If Sipowicz had shown up, would you have questioned his credibility as a leader because he doesn't look like he walked off the pages of GQ? Few men in my workplace look like they spend a lot of time thinking about their wardrobe (to their credit, imo); why do you hold women to such a ridiculous standard?

I love the junk food theme. When was the last time you saw a fresh green salad in a police department? Oh to be starving and to see only donuts (forbidden food) lying around!

She's human -- a little bedraggled sometimes, a little neurotic about what she eats, not a paragon of organization... why can't you find that likable? If she were the stereotypical cold blue-suited automaton you seem to expect, you'd hate her even more, wouldn't you?

Wait... maybe all you hostile posters are just constructing an elaborate parody of how some men treat professional women. My bad; you're brilliant!

I am loving this series and it is the only show on TV right now that I really hate to miss. Brenda Lee Johnson is such a refreshing character. She has some slight skeletons in her closet, but has moved on to her new job and is getting it done with intense efforts, despite some members of her team being less than welcoming. Her love interest is hot and I certainly hope this continues and heats up during this second season. Fritz, I hope, will have a stronger part in this season and their relationship will heat up. He is very caring and thoughtful and hopefully Brenda will appreciate him and not mess this up. I would love to see their relationship be portrayed as healthy and happy--not like all the other junk on TV. I bought the First Season DVD set and haven't gotten tired of watching them. All of the plots have been suspenseful and interesting--the twists are super. Good writing--hope it lasts.

The Closer is a show which has a fairly realistic portrayal of a working environment; there are relationship dynamics which have evolved over the several seasons and which explore the inter-personal connections made between co-workers as they solve cases. From the beginning episodes where Brenda's staff worked against her, sometimes with the expressed desire for her to fail, to the latest season where they appear to be firmly on her "side" there is an interesting dynamic in showing an intelligent and capable woman as authority-figure and the gradual and sometimes reluctant acceptance of her as the officers she works with see for themselves what she is bringing to the dept.

The show brings a lot of elements of the classic mysteries, and uses clever reveals and intelligence as well as past personal experiences and leaps of intuition in solving crimes. The actors who make up the main cast are all very talented and the writing allows us glimpses into the entire cast, though the show is clearly focused on Brenda. Each episode also allows the viewer to see some of the personal drama without being heavy-handed or too soap-opera, keeping a good balance between the police investigation and the people who are doing the investigation.

I find it interesting, however, that most of the people I know who do not like the show are male and love similar stories where a male in the central authority and does the exact same things that Brenda does to close a case. For someone who likes police drama, with realistic characters who are not always perfect, this is an excellent show to watch. The episodes are well paced, the story lines through the seasons are detailed and have a lot of personal touches for the characters

The only problem I've ever had with The Closer is the whole concept of a Priority Homicide Squad. Just what constitutes a priority homicide, as distinct from your garden variety one? The answer as the LAPD brutally admits is one that has or is guaranteed to give them bad publicity if it don't get solved.

So on that basis Chief J.K. Simmons formerly Doctor Emil Skoda on Law and Order forms a Priority Homicide Squad with some of the best detectives the LAPD has. But in heading it, Simmons reaches out of the department all the way to Atlanta for Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson as beautifully played by Kyra Sedgwick.

The fact the two of them were once romantically involved is of secondary importance. Simmons is not a guy to mix pleasure and business. Her big asset on the job is an incredibly disarming manner and innate ability to read people that makes them fess up. That whole southern mush mouth drawl also grates on the sophisticated ears of some of LAPD's finest. But Brenda gets results.

We also see her as a fully developed character with a home life and a romantic life, that revolves around a current relationship with an FBI agent played by Jon Tenney. But there are days she goes home to nothing more than her cat which makes her good people in my book.

And the staff has its conflicts. Right now Gina Ravera and Corey Reynolds are going through a breakup that's not good for staff morale. But there is an old adage about not performing bodily functions where you consume edibles. Anthony John Dennison once her biggest detractor has now come around. Michael Paul Chan and Raymond Cruz have always been loyal to her. But my favorite is G.W. Bailey who used to be Sergeant Rizzo on MASH who always has something interesting to say.

The Closer ends almost as frequently as Perry Mason with Brenda Lee breaking down her suspect. The writing in these scenes is some of the best currently on series television. In fact The Closer is the TNT network's best show second to none.

At just about 45 minutes into each episode, Brenda Leigh suddenly and brilliantly solves the case, the murderer being always the least likely suspect. The culprit is soon blurting out his, or rarely her confession, by then either stammering some pathetic self-justification to the Dep. Chief's stern and unforgiving gaze or simply reduced to tears.

Deputy Chief Johnson leads a team of hand-picked detectives at the Priority Homicide Squad yet not one of them is capable of solving a homicide. Brenda Lee does the detecting -- all of it. After all, she's the boss lady and on this show all men are doofuses -- the white ones, at least--capable at best of following her precise orders, at worst of charging out and arresting the obvious suspect (invariably innocent) or of making hormone-driven jackasses of themselves in predictable ways.

No surprise that often the biggest jerk of all is her middle-aged, bald headed boss. For some strange reason the creator of the show inserted a back story in which these two had a romantic relationship before Brenda came to the L.A.P.D. Perhaps this is to explain the odd reversal of roles. It is generally she who orders him around.

Nor are the criminals on this show very bright. Unlike real life, few ever exercise their right to remain silent. Fewer yet ask to speak to a lawyer, or if they have one they ignore his advise and talk themselves into a jail cell, which is the better part of the Dep. Chief's "genius" interrogation technique. Often, the suspect will ask **her** if he needs an attorney!

Different from light-hearted crime shows like "The Mentalist" on CBS or the cable-produced "Monk", "The Closer" often explicitly depicts violence and murder, or at least its aftermath. There is little humor here. Add to this the jerky hand-held camera that is often used (to lower production costs), and you get the entirely false impression that this is how real police operate.

The Closer is a show which has a fairly realistic portrayal of a working environment; there are relationship dynamics which have evolved over the several seasons and which explore the inter-personal connections made between co-workers as they solve cases. From the beginning episodes where Brenda's staff worked against her, sometimes with the expressed desire for her to fail, to the latest season where they appear to be firmly on her "side" there is an interesting dynamic in showing an intelligent and capable woman as authority-figure and the gradual and sometimes reluctant acceptance of her as the officers she works with see for themselves what she is bringing to the dept.

The show brings a lot of elements of the classic mysteries, and uses clever reveals and intelligence as well as past personal experiences and leaps of intuition in solving crimes. The actors who make up the main cast are all very talented and the writing allows us glimpses into the entire cast, though the show is clearly focused on Brenda. Each episode also allows the viewer to see some of the personal drama without being heavy-handed or too soap-opera, keeping a good balance between the police investigation and the people who are doing the investigation.

I find it interesting, however, that most of the people I know who do not like the show are male and love similar stories where a male in the central authority and does the exact same things that Brenda does to close a case. For someone who likes police drama, with realistic characters who are not always perfect, this is an excellent show to watch. The episodes are well paced, the story lines through the seasons are detailed and have a lot of personal touches for the characters, and it is nice to see a show where a woman can be represented as a whole person with many layers, instead of as a two-dimensional stereotype.

Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson (who often thinks rules don't apply to her and was brought in by Assistant Chief Will Pope/J.K.Simmons , her former boss in the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C., with whom she had an affair) as the head of the Priority Homicide Division of the LAPD , which was created to focus on high profile cases . Brenda runs the Priority Homicide Division of the LAPD with an unorthodox style , she is a well trained interrogator and has a great innate ability to get confessions and to read people resolving the city's toughest , most difficult , hardest cases . Later on , there appears Sharon Raydor well played by Mary McDonnell introduced to the Priority Homicide Division universe as the Captain of the Force Investigation Division , taking over the renamed PHD , which looks into officer-involved shootings , including one involving Detective David Gabriel/Corey Reynolds . It is a subdivision of Internal Affairs bound by federal oversight and is unpopular among LAPD personnel . She and Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson are initially antagonistic , although each is very dedicated to her job and believes in following the truth . Subsequently Raynor commands ¨Major Crimes¨ , a spin-off to ¨The Closer¨. Each series of "The Closer" has a theme on which its episodes are based. For Season 1, the theme is a woman in a man's world , the followings about partnerships , family , upon a meditation on power , the changing , and adjustment.

The expert team it is formed by the following members : 1- Corey Reynolds plays well Sergeant David Gabriel . The ambitious and eager Gabriel quickly becomes Brenda's favorite in the squad and her right-hand man, also occasionally her driver and errand boy . Gabriel is thoughtful and intelligent, and will stand up for what he believes in, even disagreeing vocally with Brenda when she veers toward street justice outside the system. Gabriel is a problem solver and creative thinker. He subsequently has s love affair to Detective Irene Daniels , Gina Rivera. 3- John Tenney interprets magnificently as Fritz Howard who is a special agent with the FBI and is part of the Crimes Unit in Los Angeles . He knows Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson/Sedgwick from when they both lived and worked in law enforcement in Washington D.C. He has been in L.A. for three years when the series begins and has a sister, Claire, who believes she is psychic. He knows about Will Pope/J.K.Simmons and his relation to Brenda and is uncomfortable around him 3- G. W. Bailey plays very well as Lt. Louie Provenza , he is a cranky older cop who has been married four times , initially gives Brenda a hard time , but warms to her and particularly appreciates her toughness . He and Lt. Andy Flynn/Tony Denison , his best friend and one of her biggest defenders , have a habit of getting into shenanigans together , fouling up cases and tell jokes themselves . As the oldest member of the squad , he is often threatened with forced retirement for budgetary reasons . He is a crusty curmudgeon who hates when people touch his stuff, but he still has sharp detective skills . He is especially protective of Detc. Julio Sánchez/Raymond Cruz . 4-Tony Denison performs perfectly Lieutenant Andy Flynn , he isn't always the most dedicated detective, and sometimes cuts corners or slacks off on cases . His loyalties can be shifting . His best friend is Provenza, and the two have the habit of getting into antics and nearly fouling up cases . Flynn is a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for 10 years . He is divorced and has a grown daughter . 5- Michael Paul Chan plays rightly Lt. Mike Tao , he is the unofficial technology , science and electronics expert for the Los Angeles Police Department's Priority Homicide División . He is of Chinese descent and his wife Kathy is Japanese . They have a teenage son . Before being transferred to Priority Homicide , Tao was a member of the SID . He is a true geek and loves to explain the science behind everything, even when a short answer will do . 6- Raymond Cruz is good as Detective Julio Sanchez , he is an important and competent member of the Priority Homicide Division , under direction of Brenda Johnson . He is a widower and an expert on Latino gangs . He has a quick temper and often plays the "bad cop" in interrogations, getting in a suspects face or threatening violence . Despite his temper, he can also be taciturn, letting his menacing stare do the talking . He is a shameless flirt and also very brave as well as tough . 7- Phillip P. Keene plays as Buzz Watson , he is a Civilian Service Coordinator who provides technical support to the Los Angeles Police Department's Priority Homicide Division . He films crime scenes and runs the audio system in the interrogation room . Brenda also calls on him for random help in a pinch. The squad is protective of him , as a civilian , but also treats him a little bit like a mascot or pet . 6- Robert Gosset plays as Taylor , he is manipulative and works hard to undermine Brenda at every turn . Taylor loves addressing the media . He encourages people in his squad to continue their education . 8- Jonathan Del Arco plays Dr. Morales , Deputy Medical Examiner for the Los Angeles County Department of the Coroner . As such, he is responsible for determining cause of death . He is sarcastic, blunt and has a sense of humor, even over dead bodies. But he is also sensitive and clearly shows pain for victims , especially the younger ones . He is openly gay and sometimes serves as a resource on the gay community.

I have to say I've enjoyed just about every episode of the closer over it's 7 seasons.

I especially like the way the initial hostility of the other detectives eventually turns into respect and finally into a willingness to do what it takes to help BLJ in some of her times of need.

I also like that there's been a few episodes that are tongue in cheek - who can forget Provenza popping his little blue pill only to find a dead body in the bath tub, or the recent ep with Santa drinking his egg nog.

Maybe things get sewn up a little too well at times, but she's also had a few cases get away from her. The psychological aspect is what gives the show it's edge I think.

I also like that it doesn't resort to over the top violence.

I'll be very sad when the show ends this season.

Love the character driven show. However, the main character has the absolute worst southern accent I've heard in a long time. It's very distracting to me, as a southerner, things she says just don't sound right.

I'm only about half way through the series. But I don't know if I can finish. Brenda could very well be the most annoying character on TV. Yes she is a great detective, but I don't think I can take her anymore. I like the other detectives too. She does whatever she wants and no one seems to do anything about it. I'll try a few more episodes, but I don't think I'll make it to the end.

I didn't see the first episode of this series, but from the first time I watched it I could tell it would be one of my favorite shows. And I wasn't disappointed. There are so many things I love about this show, but most of all it is hilarious to watch the characters interact with each other. Kyra Sedgwick excellently portrays a tough woman who won't let people walk all over her. People complain that Brenda is a b****, but maybe that's the point. What fun would it be to watch a show with nothing but sweetness and joy between the main characters, no conflict whatsoever? The tension she endures and often causes just makes the show all the more entertaining.

What is most irritating, however, is to hear people complain about how the perpetrators in each show is obvious. Anybody who had listened what TNT had been saying about the show before it premiered would know that they said from the beginning that this show would be unlike other crime dramas in that the crime would not be the main focus. This show is ABOUT Brenda Johnson.

So, in conclusion, this is an excellent, intelligent, amusing show, and I am sad to see the season end.

TNT has found a real winner in the cable TV series world with this series which continues to do well now three seasons in. "The Closer" is full of drama, love, passion, intrigue, humor, and seriousness. Kyra Sedgwick is great as Brenda Johnoson a real true southern belle from Atlanta, GA with both charm, wit, grace, and intelligence who starts a new life in Los Angeles as a chief deputy detective. Each episode Brenda always is very tough on each crime and murder case she works she's tough as nails in the interview asking tough questions to suspects. Brenda also is very witty and smart when looking for clues upon the crime scene her investigative work is hands on, but underneath it all she never losses her southern charm and nice gentle ways. Her love life is off and on but sometimes romance with an FBI agent is shown. She's certainly a tough woman cracking L.A.'s most bloody and tough cases with hard work and determination, her habit is a bad sweet tooth! I just love the way Kyra speaks and portrays Brenda so well with a deep and thick southern drawl a real twang of talent! Really this series is good a tribute to police detectives and their hard work of crime solving skills, even better it's nice to see the fine Kyra Sedgwick doing a role so well a real role model to every working woman!

"The Closer" is a terrific show with a terrific star, terrific supporting cast, and terrific stories. Little else to be said.

Kyra Sedgwick is Brenda Leigh Johnson, who comes to Los Angeles from Atlanta to run the Priority Homicide Division. At first, the men under her aren't happy and don't want her there. Brenda, however, is very gifted in not only figuring out cases but getting confessions, combining a sweet, smiling Southern style with toughness when she doesn't get what she wants. Soon, the very men who resented her are her biggest champions.

The cast includes G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, J.K. Simmons, Tony Reynolds, and Robert Gossett. Jon Tenney plays Fritz, Brenda's love interest who later becomes her husband. Each character has his own well-fleshed out personality and work together beautifully as an ensemble.

The stories are excellent, but for me, it's Sedgwick who makes this show. Brenda always acts frazzled, but when she gets down to business, she's right on target. She eats junk food -- in fact, at an apartment that's a murder scene, she starts eating the candy she finds and goes back for more. She dresses like she buys her clothes at the Salvation Army. Her house is a mess. She's human. Excellent show.

This overall series score of 7.6 is about the right rating for "Major Crimes", its spin-off series. But "The Closer" with its brilliantly subtle writing, directing and acting for an adult audience outdoes it in every department. Amazed and dismayed that this series only equals the rating of its much lesser follow-up. It should be somewhere around the 9s.

The supporting cast were all so good for the seven (7) seasons (2005-2012) that they entertained us while appearing on the Closer, that many of them were wisely transferred over to the evolution TV crime series, Major Crimes, for an additional six (6) seasons (2012-2018) for our benefit.

As for the Closer's supposedly star, Kyra Sedgwick, who plays Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson with a fake southern accent that seems to come and go more often than her murder victims, after watching her for seven seasons whining and crying in almost every one of the series dwindling 109 episodes over the seven (7) seasons, well Mrs. Shullivan and I were happy to see this series put to rest. We just couldn't take any more of Kyra Sedgwick's whiny antics anymore.

I find it hard to believe that this crime series lasted for seven (7) series with their police chief Brenda Leigh Johnson controlling every suspect interview personally, bending the rules as she deemed fit, manipulating almost every single suspect during her interrogation of them, and yet, not one suspect ever seemed to say the one magic work that would keep them out of jail, "LAWYER!".

If you have watched the entire series as Mrs. Shullivan and I have, and if you check either the front and/or back cover of each and every season's DVD packaging, you will see that the executive producer, and the series so called star, Kyra Sedgwick, is front and center so that everyone knows this vanity project was all about her. She ruined the series for me.

Thank you G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, Mary McDonnell, Frances Sternhagen, Barry Corbin, Robert Gossett, Corey Reynolds, Michael Paul Chan, Phillip P. Keene, Jon Tenney and especially Raymond Cruz for keeping us interested enough to continually tune in for all seven (7) seasons, in spite of that irritating series lead Kyra Sedgwick.

I give the series a passable 6 out of 10 IMDB rating for the stellar supporting cast, and I have to emphasize that I lowered my rating two notches specifically to penalize that whiny Captain Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) who was intolerable to watch each and every episode. CLOSED

A great cop show with smart plot lines, interesting characters and a distinctive style. The story starts out with Brenda, a southern transplant to LA. She's very good at solving odd murder cases and getting a confession from the criminal. She's not so great at the rest of her life. As the story develops we watch her weave her job and her very messy personal life with intelligent, interesting and occasionally funny results. The insight into police life and politics adds another fascinating dimension, to what is already an impressive show. I really think the new cable style of short seasons pushes shows like this to the utmost, making every episode highly watchable.

I hate to sound petty, but if you can get past the terrible fake Georgia accent of the main character (or don't know what a real Georgia accent sounds like), this show is OK. After watching the show for nearly a year, I barely even notice the terrible color of lipstick she wears (the lipstick she wears in promos look good, but it looks awful on the show).

Most importantly, what you think of this show is going to depend on how realistic you expect a show to be. I, personally, prefer cop shows to be somewhat unrealistic because I don't believe there is any reason to give criminals any ideas or solutions. (Ask any detective or forensic investigator and they'll tell you solving crimes is much more difficult since CSI first aired).

On The Closer, the main character, Brenda Leigh Johnson, is supposed to have specialized interview training, but her most notable talent is the condescending tone of her voice when interviewing suspects. The police staff and most of the brass are written as if they are completely incompetent and inexperienced so that Brenda can swoop in and save the investigation- for example, during one search warrant execution of a house, the police are also searching the garage until Brenda "enlightens" them that the garage cannot be searched unless it is specifically stated in the warrant.

But the story lines are usually interesting and creative, and I think the show is quite entertaining if you don't expect it to be realistic.

Kyra Sedgewick needs to learn to do a proper southern accent. Her's is grating in every way! Perhaps she could talk to someone from the south? Perhaps a coach? Please stop with that irritating, whiny, embarrassing fake southern accent!

He is only one that loves her self centeredness. Otherwise some of the storylines are good. Especially when they tried to sue brenda.