After a successful premiere for season five, The Closer returned with a second episode that featured much of the same. We had another outstanding guest star, an officer from a different unit that could pose future problems for Brenda and the team, and a few more hints at just what the heck is going on with everyone. Even better, while they didn’t offer the explanation for the Gabriel/Daniels resolution, they did at least acknowledge it. It was all wrapped around a case that, while interesting, was never really that surprising.
Let’s start right there, with the case of the week. It’s an interesting story to start with, because we’ve all read accounts somewhere along the line of just such a thing happening. I’m speaking, of course, of Summers, and big time white-collar criminals that seem to get off a whole lot easier than they should. It’s particularly interesting for The Closer to choose this story because Kyra Sedgwick was one of those involved in the Madoff scandal.
It all made for an interesting case, but it was one that never surprised me at any point. As soon as they revealed the obscure ransom number, $1, 190,476.19, it was clear that it would be one of the employees. And the moment we heard the kidnapper’s voice, it was obvious who he was. Perhaps Miguel Sandoval (Medium) isn’t that recognizable to everyone, but they still should have gone with the good ol’ electronic voice disguiser to keep that particular mystery brewing just a little longer. And finally, given the fact that Mario was heading home to grab his traveling gear, the fact that Summers was dead didn’t come as much of a surprise either.
That’s not to say it was a bad episode. It just wasn’t as tense as it could have been. Much of it played out very nicely. I particularly liked the final interrogation with Brenda and Vargas. That’s a perfect spot for Sandoval, and you had to feel for his argument that it just wasn’t fair that they were working to protect Summers. At least, until you were snapped back to reality with Brenda’s response, “I don’t work for the fairness system, Sir.” It was a great scene, and it’s just the kind of thing that The Closer does so well.
Elsewhere, what did you make of our new friend Mikki Mendoza (Paola Turbay, Cane)? She’s kind of the anti-Brenda, right? Where Brenda would pause to contemplate what might be behind a door, Mikki will kick it right down and go find out. Plan B, crashing into Vargas with a car, might have been a little far out there, but I think there is a lot of mileage to be had with the two of them on the screen together, and am happy to report that we will be seeing more of her.
Moving to the rest of the gang… If you’ve been playing along with the home game, your ears must have perked right up when Brenda asked about a forensic accountant. It pegged my Daniels meter and I really thought we were going to get a little more on that story. Not so much, but it is nice that they acknowledged it. And rather interesting that Gabriel feels like it’s a role that he now needs to assume. Moving along, there was another short bit of Buzz and his bad equipment, while Provenza’s newfound relationship seems to be just a little manic. It also looks like Sanchez has similar ideas where Miss Mendoza is concerned. It’s too early to say what all of that means, but it has made for an intriguing start to the season.
At the end of the day, “Blood Money” was another solid entry. Given that last week’s premiere was the highest rated scripted cable program so far this year, things are certainly looking up for Brenda and the team. Add to that all of the new shenanigans with the characters and it’s looking like this is going to be a very good season.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Jun 16, 2009 @ 16:00 EST5EDT
Yeah…they used an awfully distinct, undisguised voice on that phone call for anyone who has watched Medium (since they revealed his photo early on). I love that the phone tap was somehow in stereo (check out the display).
What I’m not clear on is why exactly they had to unlock the account immediately upon confirmation of life. It was the middle of the night and the cash withdrawl wouldn’t have taken place for hours at least, but this seemed intentional. How exactly was Gabriel supposed to have prevented an electronic transfer when obviously no one bothered to change the credentials (or had he not gotten to it yet)?
Also, they find multiple photos of the house, likely indicating that it is a component of the plan, but can’t manage to figure out where it may be? The incomplete nature of the house should have made it easy to narrow down without a hint out of the mouth of the suspect.
A lot of potential, but this one came off as pretty sloppy. On top of that, the fuzzy character progression so far this season and lack of focus on the team makes the stories less compelling and more like the standard CSI-type procedural. Let’s hope that they have some more depth in store for us.