Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) not only has to solve several more baffling murders during the fifth season of this popular series, including finding a serial killer whose bloody path stretches from Los Angeles to Houston, Texas, but she also has to deal on several occasions with an antagonistic Internal Affairs officer (Mary McDonnell).

Brenda’s personal life continues to be difficult.  Not only must she make a painful decision regarding her gravely ill cat, but she and her FBI husband (Jon Tenney) agree to take in Brenda’s troubled teenage niece (Sosie Bacon).

CRITIQUE

Kyra Sedgwick continues to be a neurotic delight as the multi-faceted Brenda.  Her supporting cast, J.K. Simmons, Tenny, Corey Reynolds, Robert Gossett, G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, Michael Paul Chan and Raymond Cruz, is also well chosen. 

The season consists of 15 1-hour episodes on 4 discs.

The murder cases that Brenda and her team are called upon to solve are always intriguing and usually quirky.  In the “Strike Three” episode, for example, two uniformed police officers and a civilian are shot to death on a dark street, and the perpetrators appear to be members of a white supremacist group.

“Tapped Out,” as well as “Make Over,” may involve murders, but they are also emphasize the series’ lighter side.  In the first episode, several members of the Major Crimes Unit, including Chief Pope (Simmons), are conned by a phony detective named “Dick Tracy” (Andrew Daly), and in the other, Lt. Provenza (Bailey) discovers that his former partner, George (Beau Bridges), has undergone a sex change operation and is now “Georgette”.

“Waivers of Extradition,” directed by Ms. Sedgwick’s husband, Kevin Bacon, deals with a serial killer whose victims are found off IH-10.  This episode includes a terrific chase sequence, the equal to anything seen in a high budget theatrical action movie.

The writing quality of The Closer is always first-rate, intelligent and funny.  It is definitely one of the finest series on television today.

THE VIDEO

The 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen picture is broadcast sharp.  There are no noticeable flaws.

THE AUDIO

The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound is excellent.

THE EXTRAS

Scene at the Crime Location Map: Short (3-5 minutes) “behind-the-scenes” visits, hosted by series creator James Duff and others, to where the various season’s episodes have been filmed.

Gag Reel: Missed lines and other bloopers.  Cute.

Police Files: Unaired Scenes: Scenes that wound up on the cutting room floor.

FINAL THOUGHT