Your Advance Look at The Closer episode: Sudden Death

I was granted an advance viewing of the upcoming episode of The Closer, entitled Sudden Death. Those who know how big of a Closer fan I am would know that I felt luckier than someone who won a huge pot in texas hold em poker.  Anyways, on the show. You guys know that I don’t like to give away too many spoilers because then you won’t enjoy the show as much. But what fun would it be if I didn’t share anything? To view the episode tune in to TNT next Monday, August 25th, at 9 p.m. (You bring the popcorn, I’ll bring the gummi bears.) I recommend turning in earlier because starting at 9 a.m. there will be a 13 episode marathon of The Closer.

Sudden Death focuses on Detective Julio Sanchez (Raymond Cruz) and what occurs in the wake of the unexpected and sadly fatal shooting of his brother. This is the kind of TV episode that occurs in niche shows (crime, hospital, or uh…beet farming) where everything you know is knocked to the wayside because personal attacks hit a group of people differently. I know that sounds vague, because how could a personal attack not affect someone differently. Honestly?  I’m not sure how to anymore specifically phrase this. What do I mean by ‘differently’? Well, more intensely for sure. But other than that it varies by as many individuals as there are involved. The only common thread that I’m (fairly) certain is there is that it’s different than how you feel about other cases for your job.

Raymond Cruz and Kyra Sedgwick

I guess that’s what they mean when they say something hits you close to home. Only, it’s not just close to your home – it’s in your home on your favorite chair, and what are you gonna do about it now? Well, objectivity is a difficult skill, and it is one that you will see struggled with in this episode. Without the ability to detach from the case, things get messy. A leak in the department and the methods used by Sanchez to find the killer both become problems. Plus, an unfriendly face with their own motives becomes salt in the wound.

Brenda (Kyra Sedgwick) is once again smooth with her interrogation techniques, and every time I watch this show I feel pretty wowed. Put it this way: I would not want to be in a room with her if I had a major secret. But it is the grief-ridden performance by Raymond Cruz as Julio Sanchez that particularly wowed me this time. I have one other name to drop, and that is: Kevin Bacon. Bacon, Sedgwick’s real life husband, directed this episode. And very well, I’ll add. But would you expect any less?

The entire episode is chock full of talent. My one real complaint? Much as I love the costume design work in general (especially for Brenda), Brenda does wear a dress in this episode that screams ‘I’m a pilgrim’. Pilgrim fashion never caught on for a reason.

G.W. Bailey as Det. Lt. Provenza

My favorite quotes for this episode:

“I finally get to be the witness who didn’t see anything.” – Julio Sanchez

“People maybe be created equal, but they don’t die that way. Murder isn’t fair.” – Brenda Leigh Johnson

“I know I didn’t do it by the book. But the book doesn’t cover this.” – Not telling you who says this, it’ll tell you too much.

Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon on the set of The Closer

Pictures are courtesy of TNT, they are by Karen Neal