[mreposter]

So far, the first three episodes have been pretty interesting. It's mostly the same cast as The Closer, so there's solid continuity, just a new emphasis on how they get their bad guy.

Raydor is a strong contrast to Brenda - very stiff and formal, so she's struggling to bond with the team and take up her leadership position. And they've moved Taylor up pretty much filling in as the hard-assed boss who's mainly worried about the political angle.

So far the killers have been pretty easy to spot, but then again, the Closer had mostly given up on the shocking twist, "oh my god, I can't believe it was him!" story lines long ago. So it mostly comes down to how they manage to get the confession and seal the plea bargain. It's not as exciting as how Brenda used to do it, but compelling none the less.

The one thing that bugs me is that with The Closer and Brenda she was always driven by getting justice for the victim. This caused her to be totally driven and frequently to do crazy/extreme things. So far with Major Crimes the justice for the victim angle has been downplayed and replaced with a focus on the legal/police process. It's just not as emotionally engaging as before.

 

[spartanstew]

I'm really not liking the kid story line.

I keep hoping he'll be the next victim.

 

[hilmar2k]

I found that the last few seasons of The Closer Brenda's character and personal life became a little too overpowering. With Major Crimes, the other characters are coming out more, which I like.

And yeah, the kid's gotta go.

 

[fluffybear]

I have not had a chance to sit down any of the episodes since the premiere but anxiously looking forward to doing it one night soon.
I was hoping the kid was only going to be there for the premiere episode but sounds as if he might be there longer. Shows that tend to introduce new child characters always go down hill. I realize Major Crimes is a 'new' show but for the most part it is nothing more then The Closer with a new name and lead.

 

[Kentstater]

I don't know that I would call him a child. The actor is almost 21 and looks 25.
He is supposed to be 15 or 16 I think.

It is not working.
I cant stand Captain Raydor.

But my wife likes it so I bite my tongue, and blood is gushing from my mouth.

 

[eakes]

The last two shows of Closer and the first two of Major Crimes leaned heavily on operating from the 'lawyer book', emphasising the importance of following the law in searches and questioning and eventually 'cutting a deal' to get offenders in jail. This was a major departure from Brenda's trickery and sleight of hand in getting confessions. (most of her confessions would not have held up in court)

Major Crimes was going to be about following the law to put criminals in jail. However, last nights show fell back on using trickery to locate a vital piece of evidence and a subsequent confession - no lawyers and no deals!

Major Crimes does not have the energy of Closer and I suspect it will flounder its way to an early grave.

 

[mreposter]

Not to give too much away, but they've resolved some of the issues with the kid/teen, so I think he may get less annoying going forward. His story is the one thing that's humanizing Raydor and making her less stiff. Plus, it's a way of giving us her back story.

I think they're taking a risk making her so rigid. Even her apartment is practically perfect in every way. Check out the pictures on the wall behind her desk - they're perfectly aligned in a tight grid with each frame exactly aligned and the corners touching just so.

It stands in stark contrast to the early Closer episode when Brenda's cat had kittens and Detective Gabriel had to herd all the little kittens through her house.

 

[1953]

This weeks (9/4) show was weak.

 

[TBoneit]

No issue with the kid as being a kid, just that they should have chosen better.

So far the show is OK, As with most shows I'm not interested in a second viewing.

The second season of Grimm has been fine too. NBC must like it they way they gave it a early start boosting it with the Olympics.

 

[Ned C]

Raders voice is so monotone, like finger nails on a blackboard.

 

[mreposter]

I'm really starting to enjoy this series. I'm still one episode behind, but the one with the young prostitute locked in the bathroom was really good. The show is starting to find it's own personality.

 

[MurphieNB]

I have to admit that after the first few episodes, my wife and I were willing to pass on the series. But we've endured, and have really enjoyed the last episodes.

Agree very much with the post about the kid humanizing Raydor. Don't know where the story line is going with him, but wouldn't be surprised if he ended up with her permanently.

 

[Drucifer]

Returning on Monday, 10 Jun at 9 PM EDT for Season 2

READ MORE

Nadine Velazquez to Be a Series Regular on the TNT Hit Drama Series "Major Crimes"

She'll play Deputy D.A. Emma Rios who is newly assigned to the Phillip Stroh case.

READ MORE

 

[TomCat]

That can only improve the show. I'd been rooting for her to get a show for a long time. It serves the producers of Charlie's Angels right that their show failed; possibly if they had not killed Nadine off in the first ep, we would still be watching it.

I still like MC, and it and The Closer before it have always been ensemble efforts with strong players, but that said, Raydor is no Brenda; the top two characters (the other being Pope) are sorely missed.

I think what keeps this show going is James Duff, who contributed greatly to how good The Agency was, and was showrunner for one of my all time faves, The D.A., which sadly only ran 4 episodes. Add Wolf Lake and STNG to the resume. IMHO, James Duff is not only a great writer, possibly as good as it gets, but he reinvented TV drama in a way not done before, which was to hire a cast of actors who each had great strong personalities in real life, and then encourage them to draw from those personalities when creating the characters he writes for, rather than just hiring the best-looking actor available and forcing him to conform to a preplanned idea of the character.

That is the very essence of egoless collaboration, and it foments a happy crew, happy talent, and great television. It certainly worked for The Closer.

 

[jimmie57]

I don't know that I would call him a child. The actor is almost 21 and looks 25.
He is supposed to be 15 or 16 I think.

It is not working.
I cant stand Captain Raydor.

But my wife likes it so I bite my tongue, and blood is gushing from my mouth.

+1

 

[jimmie57]

I'm really not liking the kid story line.

I keep hoping he'll be the next victim.

+1

 

[1953]

We are big fans of the Major Crimes show.

 

[iceturkee]

i must be in the minority but i love mary mcdonnell. she had a brief turn playing john carter's mother on er, did battlestar galactica and has 2 oscar nominations.

 

[jimmie57]

i must be in the minority but i love mary mcdonnell. she had a brief turn playing john carter's mother on er, did battlestar galactica and has 2 oscar nominations.

It is just a personal idea but I think her voice needs more power and a change of tone in her speaking, especially in the job she supposedly has in this show. She talks in basically a monotone.

 

[ThomasM]

Captain Raydor isn't the reason people are watching. It is the antics of the ensemble cast which were also on The Closer-especially lieutenant Provenza. The "Rusty" story line is the biggest tuneout-not to mention how unbelievable it is. I just hope Capt. Raydor doesn't ADOPT this jerky kid!! Then we will be stuck with him forever in every episode!