The Closer: Fatal Retraction -TV.com just saw on TNT Marathon, of 1st season it seems. this one was very good, bcs the bad guy Croelick was so compelling to watch. he sounds much like... Kevin Spacey, yep. but rather different face, more of a looker ~

The Closer - TWoP Forums p33
-mrsdalgleish(whose cmmts & recaps recently re Kidnapped I've liked)-Fantastic episode. Saw the shrink-as-perp coming a mile away (as did we all, I'm sure) I did see the shrink as a bad guy, he was what's the word? creepy, squeamish, sortofsexuallyicky I think there's a word I can't think of, but the actual psycho was so twisted I'm watching the replay at 11 just to catch all the clues he was throwing. And Provenza-cam as he avoided the ruckus and arrived in time to cuff the shrink. And Flynn! I really did not see that resolution of conflict coming before tonight. Love it. "I'm requesting a permanent transfer to her department." LOVE IT.
-Provenza continues to grow on me, it was great how the camera stayed with him ah "Provenza-cam" when the shrink tried to run, as he leaned back and then casually strolled over to the guy to cuff him. ..And this has to be one of my favorite lines, my mouth fell open at the end of the show when the woman burner confronted Brenda in the parking garage: Bill - "Do you smoke after sex?" "it's an old joke. you know it? do you smoke after sex?" Brenda - "I don't know. I never looked."
--Brenda has such a unique confidence, especially when she is dealing with the most clever, dangerous criminals. Remember Dennis, the arrogant rich guy from a couple episodes back? He was smitten with her, and she, in turn, indicated they might meet again - when she pursues his past murder of an old girlfriend. Now we've got a truly sadistic psycho with a testosterone rush for her. When Brenda donned the cheapslut outfit for that first interrogation, I was scared that she'd underestimated her opponent. KS was great at letting us see Brenda's realization that she might be over her head... but she maintained control even when he hurled one of the chairs onto the table.
-Speaking of looks, what about Brenda when the DA was describing the Psycho’s type (after Captain Wuss told her that SHE was the Psycho’s type) as blond and pretty in a common sort of way. Her face just fell. Then Flynn chimed in that the Psycho went for trashy types. Loved her expressions. KS is the best.
-I loved that whole bit. A lovely subtle shift of acting by KG, and nice working in of the humor by the writers again. This show really does a nice balance between the dramatic and the comic moments. ...I think her unique confidence and can-do spirit is what I find most appealing about her. She's easy to underestimate by outsiders; but she's actually extremely competent and tough, without being bitchy or invulnerable.
-The woman-burner was enough to keep me creeped out. He had a bit of the Ted Bundy charm, a good-looking sociopath that kept popping up everywhere.
- . . . the psycho we love to hate: handsome, smart, scary. Did you notice all his double meanings delivered with complete nonchalance and straight face? "You're fiery, and a little too bossy" was so smoothly delivered that I almost missed it. he has set victims on fire.

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earlier twop cmmts about the show p31-2:
-I'm glad the boys have accepted Brenda. And Provenza cracks me up. Bang, bang, bang!
-mrsd- It seems to me that every time Fritz says, "Will?" looking all suave and debonair and the-one-whom-Brenda-is with, the chief's weenie shrinks. Kudos to JKS for playing it like that, too.
-I think Brenda is very assertive and authoritative. Why should the burden be on her to prove herself to every new asshole she meets? Her title and position of authority should be good enough. She puts these assholes in their place very nicely without turning into a raving lunatic. Is it judo where you are supposed to use the opponent's weight as leverage in self-defense? Well, Brenda is praticing judo. yeah that's apt. I wish I could be more like her.
-I get a kick out of her accent changes. I know her deep southern accent annoys some people here, but I love the way she uses it to get people to trust her or underestimate her intelligence. I’m from Virginia and have been known to alter my accent when needed. Sometimes a sweet southern drawl gets better results than a more clipped mid Atlantic one.
..p34-mrsd-When she's focused on the task, her people skills (those that she demostrates in interrogations) disintegrate. Then she does this reflexively "southern" politeness and apologizes for interrupting, not because she's really sorry, but because it's habit from her upbringing, and/or effective.I like the fact that her crew just jumps up and gets to work now when she does that. Gabriel doesn't try to manage her, no one complains about her being too picky or detail oriented. They're converts to The Church Of Closing More Cases.
-Note to TNT: More Pope, please! Thank yew. Thank yew very much.
yeah the actor JS is good, just like people said
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haha just heard on the following episode: "Cpt Taylor, I suppose I shld apologize to you for not being born in Los Angeles. However, having observed your work for several months now, I can think of no fair and reasonable system in which I wouldn't outrank you."
and then the closing scene where Brenda throws away each sheet of paper representing the resignation of every member of her team is she is fired or transferred. and she does this saying each name and asking them to do something (I guess to file the finished case). and then says she hears they sometimes gather at omalleys after a successful case and "under the circumstances" she'd like to buy them drinks. "If - you're available. and if.. you would like that." aw.
-mrsD- Best. Opening. Ever. Provenza's "Thank yew!" imitating Brenda made me wish the DVDs for this were on sale already -- I would have bought them that instant. this was the season 1 finale. And sure, the ending was just all wish-fulfillment, with her smack-downs of everyone, and the squad turning in their resignations, but I don't give a damn. I loved it. Flynn's compliment (!!) Brenda said she was most surprised by his resignation, the whole time she's been there, he has never once complimented her.he steps forward, pulls toothpick I guess out of his mouth, says "Chief, you have really nice legs." JKS looking dapper, and finding Brenda hilarious despite himself. Fritz continuing to be the Best Boyfriend Ever (another wish-fulfillment that I don't mind in the least). Kittie! I love Kittie, did not notice her in this.
-Delurking to say that another nice touch was the scene where Brenda threw away the staff's resignation letters one by one. It made me recall earlier in the season when Brenda did the same thing, only then everyone threatened to resign because they did not want to work with her.
-This one had me literally laughing out loud, especially at Provenza's imitation, and when Brenda said her piece in the meeting. Pope's face was priceless, but he really should have seen that coming. I liked that they ended the finale in the same way they ended the first episode, with Brenda just joyfully indulging in a ring ding, like it's just the greatest thing ever.
-I really loved what a great sense of humor Brenda had in this episode, especially in the beginning with Provenza; that little flick she gives the hairpiece as she's holding it in his face was priceless. I think that's one of the reasons why her squad has come to feel such loyalty to her, and I think it really belies the lable of "bitch" that keeps getting attached to her. I also loved the look on her face as she was tossing the resignations in the trash; the huge smile she gave each person as she addressed them made me so happy for her. I think she really earned this respect from her squad members - this episode may have been wish fulfillment, but it was damn good wish fulfillment, and that's all I can ask from a show.

These TNT marathons are coziness to me. I felt so cozy the day I watched much of the season 2 marathon.