Gary Cole Guests on Pivotal Episode of TNT's The Closer
Television Review: The Closer, "War Zone"
by R.J. Carter
Published: August 30, 2010
A drive-by shooting that leaves three dead outside a nightclub may be a run-of-the-mill homicide for Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick). But when the three victims turn out to be soldiers just home from Afghanistan, the investigation turns into a military obstacle course as a US Army liaison is determined to report the incident as a possible terrorist attack, a la the shooting at Fort Hood.
Of course, it wouldn't be much like The Closer if the case was as straightforward as it initially appears, and the writers quickly turn this one around into a gut-wrenching story of callous killers and gangland vengeance. There's still the overarching subplot running its course, involving the strained relations between Brenda and Assistant Chief Will Pope (J.K. Simmons) over Brenda's being short-listed as a candidate for the new police chief, but mainly the focus stays tight on Brenda trying to get a confession her way while being herded into doing things the Army's way. Guest star Gary Cole is somewhat underused in his role as the Army liaison, but gets a few humorous scenes conversing with Agent Fritz Howard (Jon Tenney) about Brenda's obstinacy.
(l-r) Jon Tenney, Kyra Sedgwick and guest-star Gary Cole in TNT's
The Closer.
photo credit: Karen Neal |
"War Zone" is a unique episode in The Closer's run, as it reveals a side of Brenda viewers haven't seen before -- a colder side that makes calculated decisions with deadly consequences. The ending of this episode is definitely going to have fans burning up the discussion boards, and this reviewer is willing to bet the fallout from this episode isn't over yet.
The Closer, "War Zone" airs Monday, August 30 at 9pm | 8pm CT on TNT.
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