Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) has to solve several more baffling murders during the sixth season of this popular series, including a case involving a terrorist targeting firemen, plus one that has to do with Serbian war criminals and another in which Lt. Flynn (Tony Denison) becomes the target of an assassination attempt.

Additionally, Brenda and her staff must contend with the annoying quirks in the new LAPD office building and the search for a new Chief of Police, with both her and her boss, Will Pope (J.K. Simmons), being candidates for the job.

CRITIQUE

Kyra Sedgwick is her usual neurotic, candy-munching self as the multi-faceted Brenda.  She’s the top cop who can always figure out the clues and get the killer to confess.  But, in her personal life, I’m beginning to wonder how her FBI agent husband (Jon Tenny) continues to tolerate her often insensitive, self-centered attitude.

The murder cases that Brenda and her team are called upon to solve are always intriguing and this season is no different.  In the “Help Wanted” episode, for example, a nanny goes missing and soon Brenda discovers that she’s not the first one to disappear.

“Off the Hook” involves the murder of a member of California’s Parole Board, while “War Zone” has to do with the gang shooting death of three soldiers, recently returned from Afghanistan.  I’m told that the ending of this episode will come back to haunt Brenda in Season Seven of the series.

Among the guest stars or recurring cast members who appear this season are Mary McDonnell (as Internal Affair’s Captain Raydor), Barry Corbin and Frances Sternhagen (as Brenda’s parents), Courtney B. Vance, Jon Seda and Natasha Wagner, who looks just like her mother (Natalie Wood)

The regular supporting cast, J.K. Simmons, Tenny, Corey Reynolds, Robert Gossett, G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, Michael Paul Chan and Raymond Cruz, is well chosen, and the writing quality of show continues to be first-rate, intelligent and funny.  It remains one of the finest series on television today.

The sixth season of The Closer consists of 15 one-hour episodes on 3-discs.

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

Script to Screen: A “Making of” featurette about Episode 3.

Kyra Sedgwick Opens Up About The Closer: An on-camera interview in which the actress reminisces about her six years with the series.

Gag Reel: Missed lines and other bloopers.  Cute.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

Great show.  Good season.