Recap / The Closer

Season 1

Brenda Leigh Johnson arrives in Los Angeles to take over the Priority Homicide Division of the Los Angeles Police Department. Facing skepticism from within her squad, political threats from outside of it, and a seeming lack of support from her boss, Brenda tries to navigate her way through the season's theme: a woman in a man's world.

• "Pilot"
• "About Face"
• "The Big Picture"
• "Show Yourself"
• "Flashpoint"
• "Fantasy Date"
• "You Are Here"
• "Batter Up"
• "Good Housekeeping"
• "The Butler Did It"
• "L.A. Woman"
• "Fatal Retraction"
• "Standards and Practices"

Season 2

The theme of this season is partnerships. Brenda and Fritz contemplate a Relationship Upgrade, while her professional relationships with the rest of the squad (particularly Gabriel) evolve. Meanwhile, the unique nature of Provenza and Flynn's partnership is explored for the first time.

• "Blue Blood"
• "Mom Duty"
• "Slippin'"
• "Aftertaste"
• "To Protect & To Serve"
• "Out of Focus"
• "Head Over Heels"
• "Critical Missing"
• "Heroic Measures"
• "The Other Woman"
• "Borderline"
• "No Good Deed"
• "Overkill"
• "Serving the King, Part 1"
• "Serving the King, Part 2"

Season 3

The theme for this season is family, as many of the season's cases revolve around the fragility of family dynamics. Meanwhile, the LAPD faces budget cuts, forcing the squad to become more united and creative in solving both the cases and their unit's problems.

• "Homewrecker"
• "Grave Doubt"
• "Saving Face"
• "Ruby"
• "The Round File"
• "Dumb Luck"
• "Four to Eight"
• "Manhunt"
• "Blindsided"
• "Culture Shock"
• "Lover's Leap"
• "Til Death Do Us, Part 1"
• "Til Death Do Us, Part 2"
• "Next Of Kin, Part 1"
• "Next Of Kin, Part 2"

Season 4

Season 4's theme is about the power that the media, the law, and violence hold over the LAPD and society at large. Notable for having the first appearance of Philip Stroh, who will become a recurring nemesis for Brenda.

• "Controlled Burn"
• "Speed Bump"
• "Cherry Bomb"
• "Live Wire"
• "Dial M For Provenza"
• "Problem Child"
• "Sudden Death"
• "Split Ends"
• "Tijuana Brass"
• "Time Bomb"
• "Good Faith"
• "Junk in the Trunk"
• "Power of Attorney"
• "Fate Line"
• "Double Blind"

Season 5

This season's theme is change. Brenda and Fritz begin married life, while Priority Homicide is now Major Crimes — and one member short. This season is particularly notable for three things: Kyra Sedgwick won the Primetime Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2010 after this season; the debut of Mary McDonnell as Captain Sharon Raydor, who has as complicated a relationship with Brenda as anyone ever has; and a four-episode arc with Sedgwick's real-life daughter Sosie Bacon playing her visiting niece, Charlie.

• "Products of Discovery"
• "Blood Money"
• "Red Tape"
• "Walking Back The Cat"
• "Half Load"
• "Tapped Out"
• "Strike Three"
• "Elysian Fields"
• "Identity Theft"
• "Smells Like Murder"
• "Maternal Instincts"
• "Waivers of Extradition"
• "The Life"
• "Make Over"
• "Dead Man's Hand"

Season 6

Season 6 sees a change at the top of the LAPD, and the theme of attraction isn't restricted to interpersonal relationships, as the lure of status proves to be a bigger draw to some than others. It also contains what ultimately becomes the moment Brenda's Cowboy Cop tendencies drive her to an action that will affect the rest of her career.

• "The Big Bang"
• "Help Wanted"
• "In Custody"
• "Layover"
• "Heart Attack"
• "Off The Hook"
• "Jump The Gun"
• "War Zone"
• "Last Woman Standing"
• "Executive Order"
• "Old Money"
• "High Crimes"
• "Living Proof, Part 1"
• "Living Proof, Part 2"
• "An Ugly Game"

Season 7

The show's seventh and final season averts British Brevity by being 21 episodes long. Its theme is love and loss, exploring the reasons and consequences of fractured relationships. Brenda deals with her father's cancer diagnosis, trust issues within the department, and a civil lawsuit that could cost her everything.

• "Unknown Trouble"
• "Repeat Offender"
• "To Serve With Love"
• "Under Control"
• "Forgive Us Our Trespasses"
• "Home Improvement"
• "A Family Affair"
• "Death Warrant"
• "Star Turn"
• "Fresh Pursuit"
• "Necessary Evil"
• "You Have The Right To Remain Jolly"
• "Relative Matters"
• "Road Block"
• "Silent Partner"
• "Hostile Witness"
• "Fool's Gold"
• "Drug Fiend"
• "Last Rites"
• "Armed Response"
• "The Last Word"