(S04E10) For the season finale, The Closer came up with an episode that was packed with a little bit of everything. There was high drama and suspense, real danger, inappropriate humor and gripping emotion. It wasn't a perfect blend of elements. In fact, at times I was put off by the chicanery. However, there's an old adage in show business (or maybe it's just movies?) that says, audiences will forgive you for anything if you give them a good finish. The Closer delivered by that measure in every respect. The big climax reveals are after the jump, so if you haven't watched the show yet, you've been warned.
The seriousness of the episode was really serious. The seemingly strange actions of some Valley Oak high schoolers were tied to the original victim, a guy who'd blown himself up with a pipe bomb. In this first act, even as fear of the building going up in an explosion was real, Brenda's comical exasperation was disarming.
She was literally carried out of the building by Sanchez because she didn't want to stop investigating, and then defied every L.A.P.D. rule by sneaking back into the building for her purse. In Brenda's defense, I might have done that myself. Losing your purse is a bitch. Still, you know she knows better.
That funny business was then topped by the toilet humor as the squad learned how the deceased had once defecated on the principal's desk. After some bad jokes, the investigation went to Ridgemont High-circa 21st century, where the prime suspect turned out to be Johnny McFadden, a kid with a stash of pipe bombs and propane tanks, bulletproof vests and high powered rifles in the family garage. "So much for involved parents."
The creepiest scene of the show was McFadden's interrogation. You just knew something untoward was going on, and it was more than the fact that Johnny was stoned and taunting Brenda. He gave them no information, which was frustrating. If anything, he mislead them.
Also, it was never explained how he got the chocolate. Usually a suspect gets nothing. I wonder, did they provide him with the catalyst to commit suicide by letting him buy a candy bar from the vending machine?
The tragedy at Columbine comes back into the story when Fritz explains how the killers that day in Colorado had not achieved their objective. But it's Brenda's skills of observation coincided with her bad sense of direction that helps her figure out that the target of the bombs wasn't the school but the mall. By then, it was too late to stop the remaining Valley Oak kid from trying to succeed where the Columbine boys failed.
The climax at the mall was action packed, dangerous and lethal. The shooter was heavily armored so despite rounds of bullets being fired at him, he didn't go down. I kept wondering why nobody was aiming at his head, but I know cops are trained to shoot at the body. Still, I wanted to blow his head off.
In the melee, Sanchez saved Provenza's life, but took three shots in the process. Brenda and company finally blew up the shooter's duffle bag full of pipe bombs to kill him as he was going to reload.
A helicopter swooped down and Sanchez and Brenda were loaded on for a fast trip to the hospital. The unresolved ending begs the question -- did Sanchez follow Brenda's direct order to keep breathing and will he still be with the squad when The Closer returns this winter for some holiday episodes?
Other points of interest
-- Brenda telling Gabriel to try not to look so much like a cop when they go to the McFadden house, so he introduces himself as Mr. G, everyone's favorite chemistry teacher.
-- Did you catch the SoyJoy product placement? Then they ran a commercial.
-- Will Pope was back in uniform to meet the press, and as usual for Pope, he's too fast to wrap up the case and make everything look neat and tidy.
-- The bomb-disabling robot was called Babs, named for Saint Barbara, the patron saint of bomb techs according to Tao. It was probably a very accurate representation of a robot, but it sure looked like something you might make with an erector set.
-- It was funny how much Brenda disliked the mall and the idea of shopping for home goods. Fritz was ready to pick out wall paper swatches.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-16-2008 @ 9:25AM
Paul McCall said...
At one point in the interrogation Brenda asked the kid if he "wanted anything else to eat" which indicated to me that they had given him the chocolate bar after he asked for one.
Flynn was yelling "Head Shots" after the close-up of the bullets impacting on the shooter's bullet-proof vest. Of course no one made the head shot. All of the squad should go back to the practice range after it took them so long to hit that bag.
My wife noticed the SoyJoy placement but I noticed that Brenda pushed it away with a disgusted look. An odd sort of product placement.
I thought the humor was a little over the top, perhaps as an antidote to the seriousness of last weeks episode.
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9-16-2008 @ 9:25AM
FloridaGirl25 said...
I felt like this was a very special episode of the A-Team, I'm sad to say. (And I hated the SoyJoy product placement, which had all the subtlety of last night's episode - that is, none.)
When Provenza said "I don't run" early in the episode, you just knew he was going to run before the night was over. And just in case you missed it, Sanchez wasted some of his previous breath reminding us of it after he was shot. I can connect the dots very well by myself, thank you.
Brenda was so anxious to get the cell phone and computer of last night's first victim, but never showed any interest in McFadden's. She and her team are much better cops than that. When McFadden realized the police were at his home, he ran - to his computer! Hey folks, what was so important on his computer, don't you want to look? Even if he started a killer delete routine, unplug the computer so you still have a chance to find out what he was up to.
As you say, where did he get the chocolate bar? They've interviewed young adults before and they didn't give them candy.
And while we're discussing non sequiturs, why is Fritz so interested in wallpaper when they are renting?
I didn't think this episode was well written or well directed. It was well acted, with what the actors were given, but it never rang true.
I'll wait for the new year and hope for a return to a more subtle and character-driven style.
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9-16-2008 @ 10:17AM
Greg L said...
I enjoyed the episode, but was a little put off by the lousy gunfire effects in the shootout at the end. No practical squibs, just a lot of composited dust, spark hits and muzzle flashes. The explosion at the end was nice, though.
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9-16-2008 @ 10:45AM
khamel said...
the writer for the finale was clearly an oklahoma football or more likely an oakland raiders fan. the kids names were darren whatever and john mccfadden. darren mcfadden!
a very intense episode but it wasn't one of my favorites. i have a feeling that sanchez is dead or atleast that his role will change greatly. he was clearly affected by his brothers death (you could see it when he didnt laugh at the jokes in the office) so if they write him off it will make sense.
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9-16-2008 @ 1:54PM
Diana said...
I thought the same thing re: Darren McFadden, but he played for Arkansas.
9-16-2008 @ 11:55AM
StillBash said...
52. 4- 9 8 Sep 08 Tijuana Brass
53. 4-10 15 Sep 08 Time Bomb
54. 4-11 5 Jan 09 Good Faith
55. 4-12 12 Jan 09 Junk in the Trunk
Research. Must be a foreign word around here. All shows that go on hiatus to steer away from the big four starting their fall lineup are getting their "season finale" review here while returning in January.
Two thumbs up.
I can't wait for all the "egg in our faces" posts in January.
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9-16-2008 @ 1:46PM
Goody said...
What is the reviewer supposed to call it? When the Network calls the show the "Season Finale" in big bold letters on the TV Screen, I think the reviewers don't have much choice.
9-16-2008 @ 4:50PM
StillBash said...
Don't know. Maybe point out that there are two episodes left. SOMEWHERE in the article.
9-16-2008 @ 4:54PM
StillBash said...
"some more episodes in the winter" just doesn't cut it.
I mean seriously, the whole episode is criticized for being a weak season finale when it's clear and obvious that the makers of the show never intended it to be anything like that.
The network chose to simply cut the real season finale off (together with another episde, maybe they belong together, maybe not - maybe the network THOUGHT that they belong together since previous seasons had two-part or two-hour long season finales) but I don't know what can I say this is a clear example of the network fuxxoring with the product and the reviewer doesn't notice.
Maybe this is because of the looming strike, maybe not. I for one don't know. But I would've liked to.
9-16-2008 @ 12:35PM
Jimmy said...
For the first few minutes I wondered if the series has done a CSI and swapped out their writers for the writers of Two and a Half Men. While I normally enjoy the humor of Provenza and Flynn, I found all the slapstick off putting. In fact, I was utterly bored with this episode until the last 10 minutes, which while over the top made up for an otherwise mediocre summer finale. I know this is tried-and-true television action plotting, but can none of these police officers shoot?! They were right on top of the kid and kept hitting the wall.
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9-16-2008 @ 12:36PM
Jimmy said...
For the first few minutes I wondered if the series has done a CSI and swapped out their writers for the writers of Two and a Half Men. While I normally enjoy the humor of Provenza and Flynn, I found all the slapstick off putting. In fact, I was utterly bored with this episode until the last 10 minutes, which while over the top made up for an otherwise mediocre summer finale. I know this is tried-and-true television action plotting, but can none of these police officers shoot?! They were right on top of the kid and kept hitting the wall.
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9-16-2008 @ 1:38PM
Max said...
The humor and the banter of the team was awesome in this one.
The only thing that bugged me is don't these guys ever go to the shooting range? Like 6 people with 9mm pistols shooting at a guy less than 30 feet away and no one can score a head shot? Or at least shot his legs, knock him down. There was a lot of gunfire with little damages, even on the part of the kid. It was like an A-team episode.
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9-16-2008 @ 5:40PM
RetUSMCGunny said...
I agree with Max, how could they miss a head shot or even leg/arm shots at basically point blank range? It even took more than a few shots for someone to hit the bag with the pipe bombs in it...atrocious shooting for professionals.
Overall, the show was good, not one of their best, but it kept me relatively entertained.
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9-16-2008 @ 6:34PM
Carissa said...
As usual, I'm a TVSquad oddity. I loved the episode from start to finish. I am a big fan of humor in stressful situations. It is how I have lived my life and I appreciate it when others are depicted the same way.
I really don't care about product placement. It amazes me that everyone gets so freaked out about it. It always bugged me when people drank "Beer" and they made fake labels for everything. Now it's just like real life. Amazingly enough, I'm drinking a Pepsi and it's right beside my keyboard. Not "Cola."
The scene at the end was riveting to me...I know they should have been able to shoot him, at least one shot, but this squad is rarely in this type of situation. They investigate scenes after the crime, not while they are in progress. The enormity of what the kid was trying to do had to be added pressure, as well as others pointed out, they are trained for body shots. Fritz did scream "head shots!" but I imagine it's not that easy to do when you are ducking and covering.
I was so afraid Provenza would be shot. And Sanchez saving him gave me goosebumps. I love these characters, and I thought that episode was a hell of a ride in every respect.
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9-16-2008 @ 8:34PM
Gordy said...
Wow, all these words, and no mention of Brenda going all Tomb Raider on the roof. That's the hottest she's looked the entire series! Kudos to wardrobe.
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9-16-2008 @ 8:43PM
Xyon said...
At least (most) everybody agreed that the squad needs to go to the firing range.
I'm hoping the strike gets resolved, but understand and like having new episodes in place if it does happen.
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9-17-2008 @ 3:53PM
Mike said...
Unbelievable!! The show was going so well and then....the bloody rooftop scene.....I nearly turned it off after 3 count em 3 cops couldnt touch the kid !! What were those writers thinking? That the viewing audience would buy any of that? Next season - can we please have a bit more believablity, even if it is TV!!??
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9-16-2008 @ 11:20PM
J said...
To those people who say that the squad should have been able to make a head shot, you try that when your target is peppering you with automatic fire... They were WAY outgunned and hitting a head is not an easy thing under duress. Plus, as someone noted, this is probably a situation the squad is not in very often. It's different in target practice.
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9-17-2008 @ 11:24AM
Laura said...
I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!
For the over the top humor - for the goofiness, for the love the squad obviously has for one another - and for the quircky, relationship Brenda and Fritzy have.
I thought this was a great season finale for this particular season...can't wait for January.
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9-17-2008 @ 2:49PM
Jan Crump said...
I don't understand why people have to pick TV shows apart. It's called "entertainment" for a reason. I absolutely love this show and all the characters on it. The jokes about the poop on the principals desk were hilarious, they have offered people drinks for snacks in the interrogation room in the past, Brenda is fanatical about her purse and getting things when people tell her she can't have them, Fritz is thinking wallpaper cause he's hinting it's time to buy a house, and the closeness and interlocking relationship of each of the people was played on spot. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, but I watch it solely for entertainment - not to dissect later. I do hope Sanchez makes it cause he is one of my favorites and it'd be different without him. I love this show and wish them all well, and can't wait for the next episodes - be it season finale/opener or just extra episodes - I'll watch and continue to enjoy. It doesn't matter what they call it!
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