Grade: A

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TNT's The Closer celebrates the season with a murder of a spurious Santa claus, at a theme park built around the jolly old elf's persona. But that's not the only thing occupying the minds of the department, as Buzz's sister, Casey (FlashForward's Christine Woods) pays a visit, giving the male officers visions of more than just sugarplums dancing in their heads.

Fred Willard plays Santa Jack, the proprietor of the holiday park, who has a bit of a problem with smoking, drinking, and pawing women. Santa Randy was his protege, killed in a Santa-arrival zipline accident where someone had tampered with the devices brakes. For Santa Jack, it's been the latest in a string of bad luck. His only source of support is his niece (True Blood's Lauren Bowles), who leases her uncle the property for a song. Now he's the prime suspect in Santa Randy's Santacide, an accusation that troubles Buzz (Phillip P. Keene), who's inner little boy is brought to the fore here, along with his great faith in Santa Randy despite all his personal foibles.

"You Have the Right to Remain Jolly" also touches on the ongoing lawsuit subplot, pitting Brenda (Kyra Sedgwick) against her attorney, culminating in a resolution that opens a can of worms about her marriage.

Series creator James Duff writes this bundle of comfort and joy, delivering an episode with the mix of detective work and quirky personal interaction that has formed the hallmark of The Closer.

The Closer, "You Have the Right to Remain Jolly" airs Monday, December 5 on TNT, 9|8c.