Summer TV Viewing: The Closer

One of the best things about summer, aside from open-toed sandals, is the return of "The Closer." This smart and engrossing crime drama stars Kyra Sedgwick as the eccentric head of a special homicide division of the Los Angeles Police Department. If you haven't watched this quirky and absorbing show, you're missing out on one the best hours of television around today.

On the surface, "The Closer" would appear to be another run-of-the-mill crime procedural: an elite squad of detectives headed by Deputy Johnson is charged with solving L.A.'s high-profile crimes. The squad is comprised of the idealistic Sergeant Gabriel and Brenda's favorite; veteran Detective Lieutenant Provenza who refuses to retire, lest one of his many ex-wives gets her hands on his pension; Provenza's frequent "partner-in-crime," Detective Flynn, who delights in snarky commentary; the silent, but intimidating, Detective Sanchez and Lieutenant Tao, the geeky, but by turns technologically astounding investigator. Rounding out the cast of characters is Brenda's former flame, Assistant Police Chief Pope, Commander Taylor, Brenda's former rival, now consultant and Buzz, who videotapes crime scenes for the squad.

What sets "The Closer" apart from the pack is the often ingenious way Brenda solves her cases and the crafty manner in which she extracts confessions from criminals without them even knowing it. Watching how Brenda tricks perpetrators into confessing, makes for fascinating television as they realize the petite blonde has nailed their ass to the wall. While Brenda is a crackerjack in the interrogation room, she's a bit of a mess on the home front. Though she recently married longtime love, FBI Agent Fritz Howard, Brenda's hard-driving dedication to her job gets in the way of their time together. In addition, she wages a daily battle against her addiction to sugar, namely the tasty little snack cakes she squirrels away in her desk, purse and any other place she can think of.

Another anomaly of "The Closer" is although she is the titular character, Brenda isn't always likable. She can be offensive, insensitive and single-minded in her pursuit of closing the case. However, Kyra Sedgwick manages to infuse Brenda with humane qualities including her adoration of her Southern Belle mother and cranky father, her relationship with Fritz and her respect and even affection for her squad. It's no wonder that Sedgwick has been honored with a Golden Globe and has received Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series each year the show's been on the air.

The sixth season of "The Closer" premieres July 12 on TNT at 9 p.m. ET.

Sources:

http://www.tnt.tv/series/closer/about/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001718/