The Closer

They'll bring you in. She'll make you talk.

Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson transfers from Atlanta to LA to head up a special unit of the LAPD that handles sensitive, high-profile murder cases. Johnson's quirky personality and hard-nosed approach often rubs her colleagues the wrong way, but her reputation as one of the world's best interrogator eventually wins over even her toughest critics.

CrimeDramaMystery

Seasons

1. Pilot

Air Date: 2005-06-13

A seemingly routine murder investigation by the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division is interrupted by the arrival of Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson, the new head of the LAPD’s Priority Murder Squad. An outsider from Atlanta in her first week of service, Brenda has already begun to face the resistance of long-time high-ranking officers and only her assistant, Sgt. Gabriel, seems willing to try to work with her.

2. About Face

Air Date: 2005-06-20

Brenda and the team must investigate the murder of high-profile model Heather Kingsley, who dies as a result of nicotine poisoning. As Brenda investigates, she is drawn into the world of celebrity beauty, where illusion is everything, and the standard high.

3. The Big Picture

Air Date: 2005-06-27

Brenda must fight for justice for two Russian prostitutes murdered by the illegitimate son of a Russian mafia figure. As she does, she confronts her own prejudices, and discovers the justice for these women is scarce in a world dominated by men.

4. Show Yourself

Air Date: 2005-07-04

Brenda and the Priority Homicide Team investigate a sniper who is killing gang members in and around MacArthur Park. Offering assistance is an ex-Army colonel who believes the sniper to be his son. As an all-out gang war looms, Brenda tentatively accepts his assistance.

5. Flashpoint

Air Date: 2005-07-11

Brenda enters the high-stakes world of pharmaceutical research, when a drug trial for new anti-addiction medication lead to the death of one of the principal investigators. Nothing is quite as it seems as she investigates the high-powered president of the drug company sponsoring the trial, the seemingly easy-going psychiatrist and the teenaged participants in the study.

6. Fantasy Date

Air Date: 2005-07-18

Brenda finds herself the unexpected victim of violence against women when she investigates the murder of a congresswoman's daughter. At first, it appears the victim was engaged in sexual activity online that included an invitation to violence.

7. You Are Here

Air Date: 2005-07-25

A judge is murdered in Griffith Park and Brenda's investigation takes an unexpected twist when her best witness, or perhaps her prime suspect, is his teenage son with autism. Challenged by the boy's behaviors, but convinced he has the clue to unraveling the case, Brenda must try to understand him in order to learn what he knows.

8. Batter Up

Air Date: 2005-08-01

When a gay man is murdered, seemingly the latest victim of a string of hate crimes, Brenda must confront prejudices inside and out of the LAPD. Meanwhile, Flynn and Taylor step up their efforts to undermine Brenda once again, but with unexpected effects, as the team begins to rally around Brenda.

9. Good Housekeeping

Air Date: 2005-08-08

The murder of an adolescent girl from Mexico, found dead in the Los Angeles River, proves difficult and painful for Brenda and her team. At first, a known sex-offender seems the likely candidate, but questions arise about why the girl and her mother were brought to the US, leading the investigation in another direction.

10. The Butler Did It

Air Date: 2005-08-15

Three wealthy, spoiled and unruly children become the target of Brenda's investigation when their stepmother is murdered and the family butler seemingly commits suicide shortly thereafter. Riding heard on the trio is their family attorney, who cleans up their messes and provides them with alibis.

11. L.A. Woman

Air Date: 2005-08-22

Brenda finds herself at odds with the FBI in a struggle to gain control of the murder investigation of a well-known businessman. Deciding to work in tandem, Brenda finds herself working directly with Fritz, who was assigned to the case.

12. Fatal Retraction

Air Date: 2005-08-29

Brenda and her team must find not only a killer, but also identify the killer's victim when a deranged, homicidal madman is set free due to mistaken identity. While trying to make sense of an array of complexities in this unusual matter, the case takes an even darker turn when Brenda becomes the center of the psychopathic killer's attention.

13. Standards and Practices

Air Date: 2005-09-05

An unnamed source files a grievance against Brenda in the midst of a high-profile investigation of a murdered L.A. filmmaker. With her career on the line, Brenda is skeptical of Chief Pope's intentions when he volunteers to help. In classic Brenda style, she spurns the accusation and the PHD team comes together to act in unison, sending shock waves through the entire department.

1. Controlled Burn

Air Date: 2008-07-14

When a massive fire breaks out in Griffith Park, Priority Homicide is on hand to help. Meanwhile, Brenda and Fritz are living in a small apartment and getting on each other's nerves.

2. Speed Bump

Air Date: 2008-07-21

Brenda and the team must determine if a murder was revenge or mere coincidence when a recently released murderer turns up dead, the victim of a hit-and-run. As usual, Brenda's personal life isn't much better: she must deal with a recently incapacitated Fritz.

3. Cherry Bomb

Air Date: 2008-07-28

Brenda suspects something more than suicide when a high-school girl is found hanged in her bedroom, and the investigation uncovers a ruthless sexual game being played at a private school.

4. Live Wire

Air Date: 2008-08-04

A man wearing a surveillance wire is shot to death at point blank range in downtown Los Angeles, while interpersonal relationships on the squad force Brenda into a corner.

5. Dial M For Provenza

Air Date: 2008-08-11

Provenza and Flynn lose the evidence in an attempted murder case when Provenza's car is stolen.

6. Problem Child

Air Date: 2008-08-18

When a 12-year-old disappears, Brenda must decide whether to treat him as a runaway or a missing person.

7. Sudden Death

Air Date: 2008-08-25

Det. Julio Sanchez' little brother Oscar is shot and killed, leaving Julio beside himself with grief and seeking his killer any way he can, which threatens the investigation.

8. Split Ends

Air Date: 2008-09-01

Brenda and the squad investigate the murder of a hair stylist and Brenda's parents stop in for a visit on their way to Alaska.

9. Tijuana Brass

Air Date: 2008-09-08

When an FBI informant is the prime suspect in the deaths of two Tijuana police officers, Pope, Taylor and Brenda must deal with a public relations mess when a newspaper prints an unflattering story about Priority Homicide.

10. Time Bomb

Air Date: 2008-09-15

The newly renamed Major Crimes Division investigates the death of a teenager that may be related to a planned massacre.

11. Good Faith

Air Date: 2009-01-26

Brenda and the team investigate an apparent suicide that the medical examiner believes was actually a murder.

12. Junk in the Trunk

Air Date: 2009-02-02

The body of a man who stole $3 million in diamonds is found in the trunk of a car and the condition of the body makes determining the cause of death impossible.

13. Power of Attorney

Air Date: 2009-02-09

Brenda goes toe to toe with the tricky attorney of a man suspected of a brutal rape and murder.

14. Fate Line

Air Date: 2009-02-16

Fritz's sister agrees to use her psychic powers to help the Priority Homicide Division resolve one of their cases, and while her abilities appear to help her understand how Brenda works, they don't seem to stop her from offering misguided advice.

15. Double Blind

Air Date: 2009-02-23

Brenda and Fritz's attention is diverted by problems on the job even though their wedding day has finally arrived, and bad blood between the members of the Priority Homicide Division threatens to cause one of the officers to leave the department.

1. The Big Bang

Air Date: 2010-07-12

After a man is murdered while taking pictures of the stars from his balcony, the squad suspects the crime is somehow connected to the woman with whom he was having an affair. But their investigation is hindered by a missing murder weapon, as well as the difficult adjustment of moving into a new office.

2. Help Wanted

Air Date: 2010-07-19

Capt. Raydor (special guest Mary McDonnell) accompanies Brenda on an investigation involving the disappearance of a nanny working for close friends of the mayor. Meanwhile, Raydor’s real purpose in taking part in the investigation could have big career implications for Brenda.

3. In Custody

Air Date: 2010-07-26

While investigating a suspicious suicide, the squad wades into a nasty child-custody dispute between a dying man and his meth-addicted ex-wife. Meanwhile, Pope applies for the police chief job, but Brenda might have something to say about whether or not he gets it.

4. Layover

Air Date: 2010-08-02

Provenza once again finds himself in a professionally embarrassing situation when he discovers a dead body in the condo of a flight attendant he picked up while extraditing a prisoner.

5. Heart Attack

Air Date: 2010-08-09

At the request of Detective Mikki Mendoza, the squad becomes involved in investigating a series of brutal murders that indicate a Mexican drug cartel may have moved into the city.

6. Off The Hook

Air Date: 2010-08-16

After a parole board member is viciously murdered during a panicked phone call with Sgt. Gabriel, Pope announces an overreaching plan to boost the police department’s image. His plan, however, hinges on Brenda first being able to solve the crime.

7. Jump the Gun

Air Date: 2010-08-23

A bank robbery supposedly committed by a known gang of thieves leaves a security guard dead. It also leaves a lot of unanswered questions about the prime suspects and why this latest robbery doesn't fit their regular pattern. Meanwhile, Pope gets some news about his chances at becoming the city's police chief.

8. War Zone

Air Date: 2010-08-30

In a case that could carry national security implications, three soldiers are gunned down outside an LA club two days after returning home from duty in Afghanistan. Brenda’s investigation puts her on a collision course with Major Edward Dorset (guest star Gary Cole), a military liaison officer.

9. Last Woman Standing

Air Date: 2010-09-06

Brenda's next case has her investigating the brutal murder of an actress who was dating through an online service, unfortunately the case takes a backseat because Brenda has an interview with the mayor for the next chief of police. Brenda still has second thoughts about whether she'd like the job.

10. Executive Order

Air Date: 2010-09-13

The murder of two paramedics leads the LAPD and the FBI on separate investigations on a case that could be the precursor to a major terrorist attack. But Brenda fights to remain a step ahead, even though she's forced to work with the counter-terrorism unit's Chief Tommy Delk, who happens to be one of Brenda's fellow finalists for the job of Chief of Police.

11. Old Money

Air Date: 2010-12-06

One of Brenda's detectives is ambushed on the street, and the main clue to figuring out the motive behind the attack is a garbage bag containing more than $37,500. The investigation then turns into a race to clear the detective's name over allegations of witness tampering.

12. High Crimes

Air Date: 2010-12-13

Chief of Police Tommy Delk (guest star Courtney B. Vance) assigns Major Crimes a seemingly minor case involving the armed robbery of several medical marijuana dispensaries. But when one of the robberies turns into a murder, the case becomes a test of Brenda’s readiness to move up in the department.

13. Living Proof (1)

Air Date: 2010-12-20

Brenda's holiday plans change suddenly when a man is attacked by a knife-wielding assailant who is accidentally run over and killed by the police officer responding to the 911 calls. Brenda & Fritz receive a huge surprise for Christmas from Brenda's parents.

14. Living Proof (2)

Air Date: 2010-12-27

Brenda finds she has another victim and later learns that her parents have been robbed and the Christmas gifts stolen from the RV. The investigation has to continue through Christmas day.

15. An Ugly Game

Air Date: 2011-01-03

The routine arrest of a crack addict exposes a questionable rehab facility and leads Brenda and her squad on a race to find a missing young woman. The case leads Gabriel to question Brenda’s judgment and Fritz to reveal to Brenda the some ugly truths about his past.

Select an episode to start watching

Rating

7.9/10

Release Date

2005-06-13

Episodes

109 (7 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Videos

Production Companies

The Shephard/Robin Company

Walking Entropy

Warner Bros. Television