Episode: “Controlled Burn” – Season Premiere (Season 4)
Premiere Date: Monday, July 14th, 2008
Rating: 3.5 out of 4 Stars
Quick Synopsis: LA’s burning and Brenda’s fuming.
Long Synopsis: Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank and San Mateo are being threatened by a huge fire at Griffith Park. Four people have been found dead and the fire department trying to keep it from spreading, the Priority Homicide Division is on the case. A previous foe that the team was unable to put away returns and becomes a prime suspect. On top of that, the team has been saddled with a reporter to try and improve the department’s image. Also, things haven’t exactly worked out on the home buying front and the new temporary place doesn’t allow pets.
Review: The Closer returns with an episode that has everything you could want. It has its trademark humor and awkward situations, a great guest star and a new obstacle in Brenda’s way to solving the case.
Kyra Sedgwick continues her brilliant turn as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson. She has some really great scenes. Whether it be her reaction to the fire, her conversation with Fritz about getting a toilet in their place fixed, or matching wits with Jason O’Mara’s (In Justice, The Agency) Bill Croelick. He appeared previously on season one of The Closer in “Fatal Retraction” and has been seen most recently on Grey’s Anatomy and Men in Trees and will be in ABC’s upcoming Life on Mars this fall. The back and forth between the two is exciting and is the reason I love watching TV.
The Closer premieres tonight, July 14th on TNT before the second season premiere of Saving Grace. As always, it is most definitely worth watching. It’s more than just a great summer show. It’s consistently one of the best shows on TV right now. If you need a season three refresher, then check out this rapid recap video. For more on tonight’s episode, view some photos, video clips and an interview with star Kyra Sedgwick.
Finally the day has come for all of us Closer fans! Judging by your review I’m gonna love the premiere because it’s trademark good The Closer episode. This show is amazing. The quality of it can’t be denied.
Followed this series closly and love it. 4th season premiere is weak, in my opinion. Unless Brenda and Crolick meet again this season in a 2 parter where she nails him, he will have been thrown in the premiere just to add spice to the story.
Ron, Croelick won’t be showing up anymore this season, but I don’t think his character was just thrown in to “add spice to the story,” it was the story. This episode was about the one that got away and his taking the opportunity to flaunt the fact. Everything else in the episode was just an excuse to be able to tell that story. Anyway, that’s the way I saw it.
I don’t have cable! Does anyone know when the most recent show will be on the TNT website? Last season they were posted on Wednesday…
Jason, could be but there were no other “the one that got away” threads in the story. He’s just there. Besides, his mimic of a high wire walker after his joke about “not looking” established him as the one that got away last season. Episode 2 starting now. I’m gone.
Lilly, Sorry not to have answered sooner. I am not sure how soon episodes are posted online, but the first episode from this season is out there now.
Ron, I think they mention it in passing, once they notice he was at the scene. But, probably could have been clearer, as it was quite some time ago his character appeared on the show.