TVSquad

(S05E03) If you were Kyra Sedgwick and you were asked to choose an episode of The Closer for Emmy consideration, this would be a strong candidate. For one thing, Ms. Sedgwick was given a really strong adversary, another likely Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series, Battlestar Galactica's Mary McDonnell. As Captain Sharon Raydor, Force Investigation Division, McDonnell made an immediate impression.

Oh, baby, did she ever! She took over investigating the crime scene, forcing out Major Crimes. Then Brenda met Sharon and the sparks flew. Under different circumstances, these women might have been good friends. Both are forces to be reckoned with, no-nonsense types. Under these circumstances, however, they were oil and water. More on the specifics of the case after the jump.

The case was intense, with David Gabriel's career on the line for returning fire in a shoot-out outside a bar. The victim's gun wasn't found, Gabriel had been drinking, FID was suspicious from the get-go. Raydor suspected a cover up the moment Brenda appeared at the hospital before she did.

When Brenda witnessed Captain Raydor lauding her superiority over Sergeant Gabriel, Chief Johnson emerged. "You are a captain and a subordinate officer. You will remember that when addressing me. Do I make myself clear, Captain?" From then on, it was war.

From FID's perspective it looked bad for Gabriel. Once Brenda's team got to the crime scene and dug into the case, discrepancies emerged. They were enough to clear Gabriel circumstantially, but Brenda still needed the confession for an open and shut case.

To say she pushed the envelope was an understatement. Her tactics were effectively heavy-handed, and you have to wonder if a lawyer would be able to get the confession tossed. Yes, Brenda read him his rights, but she also pointed a revolver (unloaded) at a guy in a hospital bed. Still, Brenda's free legal advice to Eric -- about transferred intent -- was illuminating.

It was fun to see Stephen Martines back as Ricardo Ramos, the L.A. Times police beat reporter, especially since Brenda finally realized she could get more Ricky on her side. Their "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours," scene bode well for future collaborations.

But the meat of the episode was Johnson vs. Raydor. "You stay out of my way, Captain, and I'll stay out of yours," sounded fine when Brenda said it, but, clearly, these women are bound to cross swords again.

Gabriel's romance with Daniels has left scars. Irene got promoted out of Major Crimes, not to return, while David remained behind to shoulder the blame from his peers. More importantly, the Chief had stopped confiding in him. In the end, Brenda saved his career and their relationship might return to the way they were. No such luck with Irene. She refused his Hallmark card, which he finally ripped up and tossed.

Finally, there was Kitty. Saying goodbye to the cat, waiting for the vet to come for the last time, Brenda was in tears. So was I. Anyone with a pet will understand.