photo: tnt
The Closer
Necessary Evil
Original Air Date: Nov 28, 2011
Will – Sr. Reviewer
will@thetwocentscorp.com
Brenda Leigh Johnson returns in one of the most drama filled episodes yet! Also, the fabulous Mary McDonnell returns as Captain Sharon Raydor.
Captain Raydor picks up where she left off by continuing to audit the Major Crimes Division. The show starts off with a crime scene where a high school principal has been shot and killed in his car. Now that the lawsuit has gone to the federal level, Raydor is making sure everything falls within procedure.
Raydor is walking around hounding all of the detectives to make sure they fill out the log book correctly. A moment that made me laugh out loud was when Raydor asked where Brenda was and she pops up out of nowhere. Of course, Brenda has not signed in to the log book and Raydor goes ballistic that she still is not following the rules. Let me say that I loved Brenda’s wardrobe in this episode, especially the trench coat with the belt around it in the beginning.
Anyway, lets turn back to the case at hand for a moment. Mr. Reed, the new principal of a troubled high school has been shot in killed while he was on the phone with his wife. Brenda begins investigating and figures out that many people did not like that he was trying to make students improve grades in order to play sports. She focuses her attention on the coach of the football team who is extremely passionate about his students.
Meanwhile, Raydor decides to talk to Pope about a few things. She says that she is not appreciated and that she is not treated like a Captain should be treated. She also tells him that she has received a new job offer as a security director in the private sector of security. Even though she can be a pain sometimes, she gets the job done and Pope knows this. Pope begs her to stay and not retire and he even tried to bribe her with a promotion to Commander. She still does not want to stay but Pope convinces her to think about it for a little while.
Brenda’s investigation fully turns to Coach Kar. The coach has motive because he was being transferred by Mr. Reed. Brenda decides to execute a search warrant on his house. The warrant is technically for stolen trophys from the high school but they are hoping to find a gun. Captain Raydor makes this extremely clear that they need to follow procedure. Anyway, the detectives find three teenage boys living at his house and first, everyone’s thoughts go to child abuse but that is not the case. The coach only wanted what was best for those kids with no parents in the picture. In a shocking turn of events, Brenda figures out that one of the boys shot the Mr. Reed because they did not want to see Coach Kar transferred.
Now! This to me was the most intense part of the show. The show ends off with Captain Raydor going to do a follow-up interview with Coach Kar and finding Goldman, the attorney suing Brenda and the LAPD. Raydor and Goldman exchange some intense words before Goldman confirms our fears that indeed there is a leak in Brenda’s division. Raydor asks Goldman repeatedly to reveal the leak but Goldman gives her a smug smile and drives off. You could feel the intensity coming off of the tv!
Now it is time for my weekly poll of Captain Sharon Raydor! This week, I loved her! I think she truly has Brenda’s back and I would be shocked to find out otherwise. Brenda is being very stubborn like I would be and not accepting the help that is being given to her. I also agree that Raydor is not fully appreciated like she should be. Even though she is in internal affairs, she is still a Captain. What did you think of Raydor this week?
Favorite Moments:
-“From Atlanta or tonight”?-Provenza responding to Brenda’s question of “when did I arrive?” because she did not sign in to the log book.
-“I’ll make doubly sure the log entries are made.”-Provenza responding to Raydor’s criticism of not following procedure.
-“Ignore me like you usually do.”-Raydor speaking to Provenza and Flynn
-“I wasn’t asking for a lesson in elementary ballistics Lt.”-Raydor firing back at Flynn for assuming there was only one shooter.
-When Raydor and Goldman ran into each other.
-When Brenda pops out from nowhere when Raydor is tracking her down at the crime scene.
TheTwoCents 
Great review. I agree that Raydor’s not fully appreciated here – although Brenda seems to be coming around to admitting that Raydor’s help is much needed. I think, because Brenda’s such a strong, assertive (and stubborn) personality, she needs someone equally as strong to go head on against her to make her see the light and we the writers have Raydor for that.
My favourite moment was Brenda’s “encouragement” towards the end of the episode where she takes the long windy road to telling Raydor that she appreciate’s Raydor’s presence and help. It was a moment of wonderful camaraderie, if you could call it that.
I totally agreee with you. Brenda is very strong ans stubborn and if you have watched all of the seasons, you know she does not like change. I think we are going to see Brenda in more of a compromising position as the season draws to a close.
I think Raydor told Pope and Taylor she was retiring to test if the information made it to Goldman. It did, and I know I think she knows who the leak is. The question is what does she do about it. I think Raydor has become such an asset to the show: I love her!!!
That is a great theory! I didn’t even think that was her plan all along. I just don’t know if they would make the leak so obvious. I would think it be more of a jaw dropper. You know?