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« Vee's Views
The Closer: Julio’s Heart
Rising from chair
**clapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclap**
Bravo to the writers
Bravo to the Cast, especially Raymond Cruz (Julio Sanchez) and Michael Chan (Lt. Tao)
Bravo to the director, Kevin Bacon, who is really establishing himself to be a fabulous director
If last week’s disturbing episode of a psychotic adolescent left a bitter taste in your mouth, last night’s episode cleansed your palate and left you speechless, drained and emotional, especially the final 2 minutes.
We learned quite a lot about a couple of the PHD members, especially Sanchez.
1) His first name is Julio
2) He is one of 7 children
3) He rides a motorcycle
4) Sanchez and Tao are friends outside of the squad room
5) Tao is married!!!
6) Sanchez lives in a tough part of Los Angeles
It is here that the episode opens with Sanchez in his garage working on his motorcycle. He hears shots and immediately grabs his gun and runs towards where he believes the shots came from.
**pause** Let me say here, this is where I have much respect for peace officers, the armed service personnel and fire fighters. They run toward danger. Thank you!
Sanchez encounters a young woman covered in blood, who leads him to her boyfriend of 3 weeks who is lying in the street shot 4 times. It is Sanchez’s youngest brother, Oscar. Sanchez has the presence of mind to snap shots with his camera phone the crime scene and the young woman. At the hospital the entire PHD squad (minus Daniels), along with Commander Taylor, Brenda, Fritz and Pope, are at the hospital to lend support to Sanchez. They are all stunned by the news of Oscar’s death while a clearly in shock Sanchez chatters non-stop. I was sorry he didn’t think to call his parents or siblings to help him through his anguish, but make no mistake about it, when push comes to shove, the PHD is a real family. You knew they would do whatever was needed to find this killer.
Because this may be an attack from any of the multitude of gangs against a fellow police officer, Pope orders Brenda and Commander Taylor to spare no expense or manpower to find the killer(s). Ever faithful Fritz offers the assistance of the FBI and their resources. This would prove pivotal, as a FBI undercover officer will provide the gun, which will lead them that much closer to the murderer.
Over 100 gang members are corralled and questioned. Brenda is stymied by Oscar’s girlfriend falsely accusing a black man in shooting Oscar and purposely misidentifying the color of the car (I can understand her reasoning in deliberately lying because she was fearful for her life (It was NOT a racist motive). Sanchez insistence to assist her is also encumbering Brenda and she orders him to stop interfering and to seek grief counseling. She discovers that Tao has been surreptitiously feeding Sanchez information and appropriately admonishes him as only she could.
Through the lead from Fritz’s undercover officer, career criminal Guz is interrogated and I was surprised Pope or even Gabriel for that matter, didn’t insist that an armed officer be in the room with Brenda. That man was scary!
I have to say, this time I was wrong in my first assumption that perhaps Oscar’s girlfriend had something to do with his murder. When her ex-boyfriend, the creepy gang member Puppet was hauled in, I thought for sure he forced her to set Oscar up, because the kid had the gall to mouth off at him. Puppet informs Brenda that the only reason he didn’t kick Oscar’s tail was because everyone knew Sanchez-the-cop was his brother. I believe this bravado unwittingly led to Oscar’s death.
SPOILER ALERT
Guz’s 14-year-old brother, Tony is outraged that Oscar refused to show him his hat upon demand and shoots Oscar. **sigh** A young man about to start college is murdered by an unrepentant Tony who wrongly believes he is a rival gang member.
I wish this story was an isolated case, but it is not. Our newspapers are full of stories about senseless murders daily.
The snarly newsman, Ricardo, informs Brenda, that there were 4 other young men killed and demands to know why their murders wasn’t given the same priority as Oscar. **rolls eyes** This guys bugs me to no end!
I am not ashamed to admit that I cried a few tears at the sight of an anguished Sanchez, who had given Oscar the hat he was killed over, crying his brother’s name over and over again as Provenza, of all people, comforts him.
Outstanding episode – beginning to end!
Some memorable lines from the show - both from Brenda:
"That's what we bitches call motive."
“Could you please liaise?"
There was one light-hearted moment: Provenza taking off his shoes and sticking his feet in the gang members’ pool. 
Sorry this was a little long, but there was much to cover.
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Aug 26, 2008 11:30 AM
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Hey Rev! I just wanted to stop by and lightly nudge you back into my Older Crowd blog. There's popcorn...
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Aug 26, 2008 11:35 AM
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*rod rises and joins rev in the standing ovation*
Hi Rev!
This was an excellent episode of The Closer. That ending broke my heart.
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Aug 26, 2008 11:55 AM
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Hi Rev,
Wow! What a heart-wrenching episode and about time we got to see more of Sanchez. Raymond Cruz was amazing. And Kevin Bacon really did justice to the great script.
**pause** Let me say here, this is where I have much respect for peace officers, the armed service personnel and fire fighters. They run toward danger. Thank you!
Amen to that, Rev.
I have to say, this time I was wrong in my first assumption that perhaps Oscar’s girlfriend had something to do with his murder.
I thought so too, Rev. I was sure that she had been forced to set up
Oscar to be killed as revenge toward Julio.
I was happy to hear that Brenda was going to push for the 14-year-old punk to be tried as an adult. Otherwise, under California law, he'd be out on the streets again when he turned 25.
There was one light-hearted moment: Provenza taking off his shoes and sticking his feet in the gang members’ pool.
And waving his big gun around. I loved that scene!
“Could you please liaise?"
One of my favorite lines too.
As a side note, I wonder what TPTB at the Los Angeles Times think of "Ricardo." As irritating as he can be, he does at times give them good information.
Great recap, Rev. Thanks.
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Aug 26, 2008 11:58 AM
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That was a FANTASTIC episode of THE CLOSER. It was quality acting, writing and directing and if I could do it, I wouldn't have changed a thing.
How gut-wrenching was it when you realized that poor Sanchez's brother had been killed because of a hat - a hat fro crying out loud. And I will be the first to admit that I nearly broke down when Sanchez was blaming himself for his brothers death - because he had bought him that hat! TRAGIC - TRAGIC - TRAGIC!
Raymond Cruz really demonstrated his range as an actor last night! I have seen him in may roles and he always impresses me. He played a horrible, insane drug-dealing gangster last season on Breaking Bad, he played a very funny role on My Name is Earl and last night he knowcked it out of the park as Julio Sanchez!
Thanks for a terrific blog REV! I have been wating for this to show up..........
but it was worth the wait!
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Aug 26, 2008 12:57 PM
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ANOTHER great recap, Rev!
That episode hit home (NOT from my neighborhood) just from what i see on the news almost everyday.
Spoiler-My only complaint was that the real killer was given up the moment "mom" walked into the precinct with that "extra" character to wait with her. Shows nowadays never have deadweight as far as casting is concerned, so I knew from that moment what was going to happen next.
That also applies to whenever you see a familiar character actor in a seemingly minor bit role. Odds are he will be back later as the killer.
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Aug 26, 2008 1:16 PM
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Another great episode of The Closer and another great blog from Rev. There is always that twist at the end. I kind of had a feeling either the Mom or brother of the guy on parole was behind it.
I love this show.
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Aug 26, 2008 1:21 PM
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Oh Rev, what a heartbreaking episode. I cried, too.
One of the saddest moments I ever saw on television was Sanchez crying in Provenza's arms and the look of anguish on Provenza's face just killed me.
It was weird hearing them call each other by first names at the hospital and very telling that Sanchez kept calling Provenza "Sir." I'm not sure what his relationship is with his own father, but Sanchez definitely respects Provenza.
As for Sanchez conducting his own investigation instead of mourning with his family - I think his head knew he was impeding the investigation, but he had to be able to feel like he was in control of something, anything, so his heart could put off having to deal with his grief.
Thanks for a truly great review!
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Aug 26, 2008 1:57 PM
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Hi Rev!
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Aug 26, 2008 4:08 PM
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REV - did you see the previewsfor next week?
Brenda's mother and father pop in for a visit!!
That is sure to be a treat!!!
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Aug 26, 2008 4:42 PM
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And waving his big gun around. I loved that scene!
That was so funny Marci. **giggle** Provenza does have his own strange method of doing things.
I was hoping someone would mention when Brenda was admonishing Sanchez for his “methods” and he retorted that she didn’t mind it before. Good one.  I found that a little two-faced of her because of all her recent rule bending too.
Thanks for a terrific blog REV! I have been waiting for this to show up..........
but it was worth the wait!
So is my soufflé, Ranger
That also applies to whenever you see a familiar character actor in a seemingly minor bit role. Odds are he will be back later as the killer
This time they had me fooled Mr. Furley. I couldn’t imagine trying to raise Boy in that type of environment.
I love this show.
I do too Lynn. I experienced so many different emotions watching this episode: Anger, fear, dread, grief, despair, compassion, annoyance, denial and remorse. I need a lighter fare next week
One of the saddest moments I ever saw on television was Sanchez crying in Provenza's arms and the look of anguish on Provenza's face just killed me
Me too Kath! I felt so bad, especially when Brenda looked helplessly on….
Hi Rev!
Hi Megan!!!! How’s RL treating you? Better I hope, or at least not as hectic.
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Aug 26, 2008 7:34 PM
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REV - did you see the previewsfor next week?
Brenda's mother and father pop in for a visit!!
That is sure to be a treat!!!
I didn't see this post until now, no I didn't see the previews Ranger, but thanks for the heads-up. I've missed them and I'm sure they'll bring some fun with them.
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Aug 26, 2008 7:41 PM
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Thank you for another great blog, Vee!
Wow, I was wrung out after this one. I think I've had enough of the killing of kids episodes for awhile. Unlike Mr. Furley who is much more attuned than I am, I didn't know it was the boy the girlfriend was freaking about at the end. I was thinking it must be the undercover officer who had gone bad. So I was relieved it wasn't him, although horrified it was a 14 year old with no remorse. Maybe Mom and Dad will lighten up next week's episode!
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Aug 27, 2008 12:28 AM
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Hi Rev,
I got back from visiting my mom and sister a little while ago. I never watch previews, but just read about mom and dad visiting next week. I hope this means a reprieve from all of the gut-churning and a little fun for a change.
I hope you had a good night.
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Aug 27, 2008 12:44 AM
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