'The Closer's' Curious Case

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

Every time we welcome Brenda Leigh Johnson back to our screens, it seems as if an eternity has elapsed.

Okay, not really.

In actual fact, it's only been a few months since we were left breathless by the shootout of all shootouts (Wyatt Earp has nothing on Priority Homicide - wait, I mean Major Crimes), which saw Detective Sanchez take three bullets to save Lieutenant Provenza and then be whisked off in a helicopter to the nearest trauma ward with a very nervous BJ thinking he might not make it.

I confess I kinda knew he WOULD be just fine, but that didn't take anything away from the summer finale.

Wowza.

That said, I think I was expecting more of a Sanchez-on-his-deathbed (or in recovery) storyline pick-up as opposed to having him nicely healed up and ready to get back to action.

Call me pleasantly surprised.

I suppose had they lamented the whole Sanchez-gets-shot thing, it might've been way too heavy and/or dwelled on something that, while fantastically action-packed to watch, wasn't necessarily keyed to a huge plot development (as far as I know). Besides, who wants another Lilly Rush-esque shot-but-I-can't-deal-with-my-issues thing?

No thanks.

However, Sanchez isn't quite right in the head so as to be sent back onto the streets. Hmmm ... now where have I heard that before?

Darn behavioral specialists and their recommendations.


The Case

I don't know what to call this one: The Curious Case of a Girl Who Didn't Have Cancer, Fooled The Victim Into Taking Care of Her Anyway, Then Offed Him in the End When He Figured Out She Was a Scam?

Something like that.

Let's just say our victim was searching for some divine intervention after living the hard drug life (and burning a number of bridges trying to support his habit). To his credit, he was trying to straighten out his life with the help of ... how should I say ... a rather progressive, hippy-esque church - complete with its congregation meeting in a newly purchased roller rink.

Hey, whatever works.

Too bad Cancer Girl had other plans.



The Return of Parents

Oh yes.

They're back.

Staying with BJ and Fritzy for a few days on their way to a Hawaiian cruise ... until Daddy has heart attack.

Another one.

Cue BJ learning of his first one two years ago (at which time Mama and Papa chose deliberately NOT to tell her so as NOT to bother her).

Bummer.

But BEFORE that ... did we mention the sampling of wedding dresses Mama has brought along for BJ to try on? Or the let's-find-a-church scavenger hunt?



The Impending Wedding

With the dresses on display, the failed church hunt and the heart attack, we now know that a) Mama and Daddy are now in the house for a month as Daddy recuperates; b) the wedding is scheduled to be in a month (hmmm ... season finale, anyone?); c) the wedding isn't going to be in a church thanks to Mama figuring out BJ wants something low key - a hotel room, overlooking the beach with just a handful in attendance (party at BJ's house later, though).

And yet, does anyone sense some irony when Fritzy says now that it seems everything is to BJ's liking, the wedding just MIGHT happen?

Hmmm.

The season just started up again, and I already want to get to the finale.

So good to have The Closer back.

New episodes of The Closer air Mondays at 9 p.m. on TNT. Visit The Closer official Web site for the scoop on all-things BJ and Co.