TV's most distinguished - and best - police procedural drama opens its fifth year with a blinding gem. The less you know about the plot, the better. The twists, as almost always in The Closer, are audacious, yet not preposterous - a difference most other shows fail to see. Since any episode of The Closer, with its perfectly balanced juggling act between humor and drama, is rarely below 8/10, what gives this one that extra *ninth* star?
The Closer scene. As in "Brenda the Closer". The series is called The Closer, because Brenda always closes her cases. It's not about whether she does or does not, it is about *how*, even in the most by-a-thread situations. When Kyra Sedgwick unleashes Brenda's wrath on the guilty one, you do *not* want to be in their place. Branda's utterly merciless psychological hammering is a terrifying thing to witness indeed, and a testament to both the astonishing quality of the writing and the tremendous acting talents of Kyra Sedgwick. Yet she also shows us that when removed from work, Brenda can drop her shield and reveal the sadness she feels inside. And together, the regular cast form one of the best ensembles on TV - ever.