What I’m Watching: The Closer

The Closer: Season 6, Episode 7 “Jump the Gun” (B+)

Well, at least there’s one suspected law enforcement official on television who isn’t guilty of a major crime. He’s still obnoxious enough to ask his interrogators to sign his overtime sheet for the time he’s been in holding while being questioned, but that’s hardly as despicable an offense. It’s easy to forget because of the superb ensemble that this show takes its title from the fact that its lead character is a fantastic investigator capable of producing remarkable results in the form of a confession from her suspects. The penultimate scene with the brother is a perfect illustration of her subtle abilities, and a commendable one at that. Giving Fritz a new role as the FBI-LAPD liaison is similar to the job recently given to Henry on “Psych,” and I think both have been done for a similar reason: with less time spent at home, it’s beneficial to give these regular cast members something to do on a weekly basis that relates to the cases at hand. It also creates so many opportunities for the alternately cringe-worthy and hilarious negotiations and interactions between the married couple that is Brenda and Fritz. Pope’s news that Brenda is on the shortlist for chief and he isn’t is fairly surprising given his high-ranking position, and Brenda’s immediate confession that she doesn’t even want the job created a powerful last scene sure to have negative effects throughout the rest of the season. Truthfully, there isn’t really anyone else we’ve seen before who could be in the running for chief given the fact that both Raydor and Taylor probably didn’t apply. Could Brenda actually get the job?