End of The Closer, Start of Major Crimes {Spoiler!}

If you've not seen the very long awaited series finale of The Closer and the beginning of Major Crimes, then I suggest you go do that and then come back. I also suggest watching Major Crimes, at least this one time.

If you're a long time viewer of The Closer, you would remember that,

a) It's the last episode, and

b) It would be about finally getting that scumbag rapist lawyer Stroh.

I thought the episode was just okay. Brenda identifying Stroh by his walk from behind? It could've been Christian Bale for all anyone cared. You knew when she went nuts on Stroh at the station it wasn't just because of he said about her mother - you know it was because she needed DNA samples and breaking his nose would do it. What I didn't expect was the nose bleed to be all over her. I know (not first hand) that nose bleeds are messy, but really...?!

I didn't even shed a tear even when Brenda did as she was saying goodbye to the guys in the last five minutes. Perhaps it's just that we've known the news that Kyra Sedgwick is calling it quits so long ago, we've been bracing for landing ever since. I was more shocked seeing Brenda shoot Stroh through her handbag (oh no, they didn't!) than anything. But it was sweet (literally) when the guys gave her a replacement bag all filled with candy. I wonder how many of those bags do they still have around in the wardrobe department.

At least she didn't die or anything bad happened to her - as far as we (the audience) know, now she works at the DA's office with Gabriel. Even the last shot of her in the elevator eating the Ring Ding (or Ding Dongs?)? I found it an apt ending. At least she could guest star in Major Crimes down the road... and she left better dressed than she did coming in. Like, really.

Of course with Major Crimes right after that, at least some loose threads from the previous hour were addressed, like the Rusty angle. Remind me again why can't Brenda and Fritz take him in? Oh yeah, because Rusty had been attacked at Brenda's place. Whoops, forgot that.

You've got to feel a little bad for Provenza, having control of the division for only a week before he got supplanted by another woman he doesn't like right away (Raydor) as his boss. As anyone would've called it, it just reminded me of The Closer's pilot episode way back when. Even down to the one black person that liked the new boss right away - anyone remembered that? Uh huh. Well okay, it's practically The Closer, except in name :P

My only laugh out loud moments was Raydor finding Brenda's candy drawer and Fritz with the brown paper bag clearing it out at the end of the case, haha.

This new plea bargain angle would take some getting used to. I was okay with the episode, but not in love with it. But sucker me will keep watching to see how it goes.