The Closer: "Culture Shock" Review - IGN (2024)

Brenda's parents keep the episode interesting.

"Culture Shock," though lacking a great murder mystery, was a decently enjoyable episode. Having Brenda's parents in town (and in tow) added several comically lighthearted moments that reminded us of the human side of our favorite deputy police chief. There was also the fun of watching Brenda and Fritz's engagement news come to light with the rest of the characters.

Though the investigation was nothing special, the show did a fine job of keeping us guessing as Brenda sought out the murderer of Ping-Me, the owner of a successful Chinatown tour bus company. The episode offered up gang relations, prostitution and Communist-money-smuggling as red herrings, but what it finally came down to was, as the episode title infers, a little bit of culture shock.

As explained in the show, many Chinese nationals make their way into the United States via an individual known as a "Snakehead." The Snakehead makes all the arrangements and charges highly for his services. Ping-Me had associated herself with a rich entrepreneur called Chris Conroy who gave her the money to pay off the Snakehead. In return, Conroy expected, and received, sexual favors. Their relationship was not hidden, and Ping-Me's father-in-law saw the affair as highly disrespectful to his son and their culture. It was the father-in-law, a man very out of place in his new world, who committed the murder. The reveal, though a bit unexpected based on all the other paths we've traveled, wasn't very shocking.


By far, the most enjoyable aspect of this episode was having Mommy and Daddy to deal with as Brenda attempted to investigate the crime. Reaching new levels of shamelessness, Brenda took her parents with her to key locations of the case under the guise of a fun day out. First stop was Chinatown where Brenda put her folks on a Chinese-speaking tour bus so she'd have a free moment to interview a suspect. Brenda's mother explained it was fairly easy to follow. The guide would point at a house and say, "Chinese, Chinese, Chinese, Robert Wagner, Chinese, Chinese, Chinese, Frank Sinatra." Later, there was dinner at the same hotel where Chris Conroy was staying.

The Closer: "Culture Shock" Review - IGN (2)

Kyra Sedgwick, Barry Corbin

Brenda also brought her parents into the murder room. Her mother's been there before, so it was sweet to see her treat the detectives to some gifts, including some more homemade fudge. Their presence also allowed for a very funny moment where Pope went off on Brenda only realizing too late he was doing so in front of her parents. This was also where Pope, and the rest of the Priority Homicide Division, learned of Brenda and Fritz's engagement. Chief Pope's reaction was great: a slow double take, a polite congratulations and then a quick exit from the room. It was a great reminder that Pope had once harbored strong feelings for Brenda… and might still.

Closing out the episode was another doctor's visit to S. Epatha Merkerson. Humorously, Brenda's parents were present here as well. We learned that Brenda has a treatable condition, though the idea of "ovarian drilling" did send Brenda into some understandable shock. With Brenda's "mystery illness" now revealed, and the effects of her early-onset menopause reversible, the storyline seems to be becoming a bit of a moot point. Still, a visit from the parents made "Culture Shock" worth our time.

In This Article

The Closer: "Culture Shock" Review - IGN (3)

The Closer

The Closer: "Culture Shock" Review

The Closer: "Culture Shock" Review - IGN (2024)

FAQs

What was Brenda's illness in The Closer? ›

Finally seeing a doctor, she is given a preliminary diagnosis of menopause. In the emotional upheaval that follows, Fritz proposes marriage. The following episode reveals that she actually suffers from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, so she undergoes more tests to ensure that it is not cancer.

Is The Closer a good show? ›

The Closer is the best crime show I have ever seen! It has great character development and interesting chemistry between the characters. There is crime and murder, of course, because that is what the show is about.

Was there a leak in The Closer? ›

While Brenda returns early after her mother's death to help Major Crimes solve the murder of a security guard, Raydor uncovers the leak in the department from Brenda's Turell Baylor case.

Why did Closer stop? ›

Kyra wanted to go out on top.

After seven seasons, the ratings keep going up. For some people, this would mean staying until viewers stopped watching. But Sedgwick was happy that fans are still begging for "The Closer" not to end.

Did Kyra Sedgwick and Mary McDonnell get along? ›

"We had wonderful chemistry and trust," McDonnell said of Sedgwick in an interview with Parade. "It's great when you're working with a woman and you're both not afraid to oppose each other or find the common ground."

Why was Brenda fired from The Closer? ›

In the end of The Closer, due to her efforts to capture Phillip Stroh leading her to assault him, Brenda, knowing she will lose her job, leaves the LAPD and gets a new job as Chief at the District Attorney's Office's Bureau of Investigation. While its more administrative, she can still work in the field sometimes.

Why did Kyra Sedgwick stop doing The Closer? ›

One of the major reasons why she left the show was to spread her wings creatively. "I thought about it for about a year, and it finally came down to the fact that I really want to do other things, creatively. I'm an artist, and I want to express myself in other ways and other places," the actress said.

How much did Netflix pay The Closer? ›

According to leaked documents obtained by Bloomberg News, Netflix paid $24.1 million for The Closer.

Is Major Crimes a sequel to The Closer? ›

Major Crimes is an American police procedural television series starring Mary McDonnell. It was a continuation spin-off of The Closer, set in the same police division, now headed by McDonnell's character, Sharon Raydor. It premiered on TNT on August 13, 2012, following the finale of The Closer.

Who betrayed Brenda on The Closer? ›

It was a reveal a year in the making, and one done with a twist on the penultimate episode of "The Closer" (Mon., 9 p.m. ET on TNT). Gabriel was revealed as the informant, but he was just as stunned as the rest of the team that the information was coming from him.

Who was the inside snitch on The Closer? ›

In season 7, it is revealed that Gabriel's girlfriend is the mole feeding inside information about Major Crimes to defense attorney Peter Goldman.

Does Kyra Sedgwick have a Southern accent? ›

She also has a big, bendy Southern accent that is not native to the actress.

Who replaced Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer? ›

The case for Mary McDonnell succeeding Kyra Sedgwick on The Closer just got stronger. Sources confirm to TVLine exclusively that McDonnell will reprise her role as Captain Sharon Raydor for the show's super-sized “final” season — but not for another measly arc.

Who did Kyra Sedgwick inherit money from? ›

Kyra Sedgwick inherited a fortune from her venture capitalist father, Henry Dwight Sedgwick V. Some publications estimate that the Kyra Sedgwick inheritance amounted to around $16 million.

Did Brenda win the lawsuit in closer? ›

There's been a federal lawsuit over it, which Brenda Leigh won, but the hunt continues. The attorney thinks she's depriving criminals of their day in court; she thinks she's on the righteous side of justice, saving the system a lot of money in court costs along the way.

Did Kyra Sedgwick marry her cousin? ›

Actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick have been married since 1988, according to People. The couple wouldn't find out until years later that they are actually ninth cousins once removed, according to Forbes. The revelation of their genealogy came in a 2012 PBS episode of the show "Finding Your Roots," per People.

How old was Kyra Sedgwick during The Closer? ›

Sedgwick: I was 39 when The Closer started. It certainly wasn't intentional for me to have a groundbreaking show. It just happened to be.

Is Kevin Bacon with Kyra Sedgwick? ›

Personal life. Sedgwick married actor Kevin Bacon on September 4, 1988. The couple have two children, Travis Sedgwick Bacon and actress Sosie Ruth Bacon. The family lives in New York City.

What happens to Fritz and Brenda on The Closer? ›

He also now hides a heart attack from his wife and his need for a pacemaker. Dialogue in later episodes shows that the two remain married and that Brenda remained in Los Angeles with Fritz.

Does Brenda get pregnant on The Closer? ›

But I have to say I'm disappointed (though my feelings are mixed) that Brenda didn't get pregnant in this last episode. The transition from death to life, as she loses her mother & her career, would have been perfect.

What happened to Chief Johnson's mother on The Closer? ›

She dies near the end of Season 7 after asking to tell Brenda something that she dies before she can express. Brenda is left devastated by her death and the fact that she brushed her mother off and so would never know what she had wanted to say. Clay Johnson (Barry Corbin): Brenda's father.

Was The Closer canceled? ›

On July 11, 2011, the series began its seventh and final season, having finished its sixth season as cable's highest-rated drama. The Closer's final six episodes began airing on July 9, 2012, with its finale airing on August 13, 2012. Following the finale, The Closer's spin-off, Major Crimes, premiered.

Did The Closer become Major Crimes? ›

It's a complex switcheroo where star Kyra Sedgwick and two of her most prominent co-stars from TNT's hit crime drama The Closer will say goodbye. But the rest of the cast stays intact, headed by a character played by guest star Mary McDonnell in a series with a new name, Major Crimes.

Was Daniel Baldwin on The Closer? ›

"The Closer" Cherry Bomb (TV Episode 2008) - Daniel Baldwin as Mark Yates - IMDb.

What show made the most money on Netflix? ›

Stranger Things (season 4), a retro sci-fi series -- 1.35 billion hours. Dahmer, a true-crime serial killer series -- 856.2 million hours. Money Heist (part 5), a Spanish-language thriller -- 792.2 million hours. Bridgerton (season 2), a period romance -- 656.3 million hours.

Will Kyra Sedgwick return to The Closer? ›

Kyra Sedgwick isn't completely closing the door on "The Closer." The "Call Your Mother" star told Access Daily hosts Mario Lopez and Kit Hoover that she's keeping her options open when it comes to a possible reboot of the hit drama, which ran for seven seasons on TNT.

Who owns Netflix the most? ›

Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX)

Institutional investors hold a majority ownership of NFLX through the 82.80% of the outstanding shares that they control. This interest is also higher than at almost any other company in the Cable/Satellite TV industry.

What should I watch after The Closer? ›

The Closer Similar TV Shows
  • Případy 1. oddělení ...
  • The Irregulars. TV Show | United Kingdom | 03/26/2021 | Netflix | Crime | Case of the week. ...
  • Criminal Minds. TV Show | United States | 09/22/2005 | Crime | Case of the week. ...
  • The Blacklist. ...
  • NCIS. ...
  • Dobrodružství kriminalistiky. ...
  • Bordertown. ...
  • Živé terče.

What disease does Mary McDonnell have? ›

Season five of the hit television drama Grey's Anatomy on ABC featured a guest heart surgeon Dr. Dixon, played by Mary McDonnell, who lives with high functioning Asperger's Syndrome.

What city is The Closer set in? ›

Each episode of The Closer deals with an aspect of the Los Angeles culture as it interfaces with law enforcement in the megacity.

Who was the leak at the end of The Closer? ›

After the penultimate episode's big reveal that Lt. Gabriel (Corey Reynolds) was the inadvertent department leak through his girlfriend, who had been paid to befriend and gain Gabriel's trust by the notorious attorney Peter Goldman (Curtis Armstrong) and Det.

Who did Brenda marry on The Closer? ›

Fritz is an old friend of Brenda's and has known her since at least her time in Washington, D.C. Fritz and Brenda were married in the last episode of Season Four of The Closer.

Who was the leak to Goldman on The Closer? ›

After a few weeks, Goldman's mole is revealed by Captain Raydor to be a woman named Ann Mason, who had been and still was dating LAPD Detective David Gabriel. Mason was a law student who was paid $70,000 for information on Major Crimes to cover her student loans.

Did Kyra Sedgwick's daughter play in The Closer? ›

Sosie's first acting role was in Loverboy, which her father directed. She has also appeared in four episodes of Sedgwick's series The Closer and joined the off-Broadway musical Fiction in Photographs last year.

Was there a mole in The Closer? ›

In the finale of “The Closer,” who was revealed as the mole, and how and why did Brenda Leigh Johnson leave her job? A. Well, the mole was revealed in the secondto- last episode, titled “Armed Response.” It was Ann Mason (Shanti Lowry), the girlfriend of Det. Sgt.

What happened between Gabriel and Daniels on The Closer? ›

In season 2, she started dating Sergeant Gabriel and continued doing so until the beginning of season 4, when they started having problems and eventually broke up.

Does Reese Witherspoon have a natural Southern accent? ›

As many roles as she's played over the years, though, her Southern performances have been few and far between. Yet the following five, which span her career, remain eminently rewatchable, with Witherspoon dialing up (or down) her natural Nashville accent to memorable and award-winning effect.

Does Julia Roberts have a Southern accent? ›

Julia Roberts was born Oct. 28, 1967, in Smyrna, Ga. One of her best-known early roles put her Southern accent to good use portraying Shelby Eatenton Latcherie in "Steel Magnolias." She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the role.

What states have a strong Southern accent? ›

Specifically, the Atlas definitively documents a Southern accent in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina (though not Charleston), Georgia (though Atlanta is inconsistent), Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Louisiana (co-occurring with Cajun and New Orleans accents), as well as almost all of ...

Do Fritz and Brenda get divorced? ›

He also now hides a heart attack from his wife and his need for a pacemaker. Dialogue in later episodes shows that the two remain married and that Brenda remained in Los Angeles with Fritz.

What happens to Brenda on The Closer finale? ›

Brenda lives on. She was not killed off in some hero's death. She did not leave in disgrace.

Who was the internal leak on The Closer? ›

After the penultimate episode's big reveal that Lt. Gabriel (Corey Reynolds) was the inadvertent department leak through his girlfriend, who had been paid to befriend and gain Gabriel's trust by the notorious attorney Peter Goldman (Curtis Armstrong) and Det.

Who betrays Brenda in The Closer? ›

It was a reveal a year in the making, and one done with a twist on the penultimate episode of "The Closer" (Mon., 9 p.m. ET on TNT). Gabriel was revealed as the informant, but he was just as stunned as the rest of the team that the information was coming from him.

Who ends up being the mole in The Closer? ›

In the finale of “The Closer,” who was revealed as the mole, and how and why did Brenda Leigh Johnson leave her job? A. Well, the mole was revealed in the secondto- last episode, titled “Armed Response.” It was Ann Mason (Shanti Lowry), the girlfriend of Det. Sgt.

Who is Brenda's father on The Closer? ›

Brenda is left devastated by her death and the fact that she brushed her mother off and so would never know what she had wanted to say. Clay Johnson (Barry Corbin): Brenda's father.

Who replaces Chief Pope on The Closer? ›

Final appearance. Thomas "Tommy" Delk is the Chief of Police of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) during The Closer, being appointed to the position at the end of “Executive Order” of Season 6.

Does Brenda become chief of police on The Closer? ›

Final appearance. Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson is the Commanding Officer of the LAPD's Major Crimes Division (formerly known as the Priority Homicide Division and even earlier as the Priority Murder Squad) during The Closer.

Does Brenda ever appear on Major Crimes? ›

Brenda almost made a surprise guest appearance.

Unfortunately, they weren't able to align schedules in time to make it happen prior to the show's cancelation.

Does Brenda go to jail? ›

The court found Brenda guilty of capital murder and sentenced her to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She is still serving her sentence. Kendra Hatcher was the new girlfriend of Brenda's ex-partner Dr.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 6532

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.