Finally we get back to a “regular” episode of The Closer. Very little is mentioned about everyone’s job limbo. Instead, we have a murder; just the way it should be. Plus, Brenda’s parents are going to move to L.A.! (Is this like bringing a baby in to save a show that’s going to be ending soon?)
Having found myself in the middle of a giant mall last Saturday (not my decision, believe me), I kind of loved the opening for this week’s episode. Even though there’s much more to all of the crimes, I could totally see the whole knife-wielding thing happening due to the holiday shopping frenzy, regardless of any blood feud that may or may not exist. I saw the aftermath of a (very minor) assault when I was at the mall, so I would definitely believe it. Plus, the whole scene was shot really well. When the dad got hit by the car at the end, I definitely let out an audible “oof.”
Beyond that, this episode seems to be proceeding very predictably. I’ve never worked with a group of people in my life who have all had such awesome Christmas plans. Park City? Maui? Italy? Are you kidding? Of course the case is going to be twisted, forcing everyone to be delayed. That’s just how TV world works.
Skander is definitely creepy, but obviously not a murderer, since he wrote to his aunt that the police were keeping his mom somewhere. If the real guilty party is anyone other than his aunt, Joan the Linguist/Lawyer, I will be officially shocked. I was sold as soon as she ran out of the interrogation room and yelled something like, “This will never be over; no matter what I do!” No matter what she does? Interesting thing to say, because what is it that she’s doing? Except murdering her husband’s entire family, of course.
Even though Joan isn’t a refugee herself, she spent a lot of time in a very devastating situation. It’s not completely off-the-wall to think that her experiences in Kosovo had some negative effects on her. My guess is she’s killing the family in a twisted attempt to keep her own family safe. She doesn’t want the reminders of the past, of the war to infect her otherwise happy life. She doesn’t want Armand to have to avenge anyone, so she’s making sure there’s no one left.
However, there are a few unanswered questions: Skander clearly does have something to do with this whole mess, as does his dead aunt. Were they the ones who started the blood feud, and Joan just came in and finished it? Also, what were Armand and his father yelling at each other? They sure did say a lot, and I can’t imagine that the reason that he was trying to kill his son didn’t come up in conversation at some point. So what is Armand holding back?
Clacked by Kona Gallagher 
on Dec 21, 2010 @ 13:38 EST5EDT
The Closer is one of my very fave shows and I’m so ticked that they’re ending it that I can hardly concentrate on the plot now, but that said, this was a good ep….and how can you not love the shots of Fritz when he talks about Willie Mae and Brenda’s Dad? I can’t imagine the writers going to cliche city with a baby for Brenda…. just wouldn’t fit. Then again….. it’s a scripted drama, so who knows?
I’m just sad to see it go.
You have to be right re the aunt. She was creepy from the get-go.