Major Crimes

Great ensemble cast picks up where "The Closer" leaves off. Good stuff. But I guarantee you will tire of Rusty's constant whining and his annoying voice.

I didn't watch Major Crimes or The Closer during the runs on TNT but sure glad I discovered both. I was able to rent both shows DVD sets from our local library (check it out, you might be surprised what's available at Libraries) and made copies so I could watch at my convenience. I watched in the proper order and started with The Closer, great show but that's for another review, and it's a great lead into Major Crimes. The weekly plot lines are mostly good but what sets this show apart is the excellent balance of characters. They really compliment each other and all the actors did a great job. Was kind of funny seeing Julio in Major Crimes after the actor (Raymond Cruz) was Tuco Salamanca in BB. Quite the opposite...LOL. They had good guest stars along with good part time characters too. Overall an enjoyable show and one that left me wanting more episodes. I believe the downfall in ratings for Major Crimes was the Rusty character and storyline. I found it uninteresting and others I've talked to about the show agreed. Not that it shouldn't have been there but the focus on him went too far. Glad I watched it and I'll probably watch both again. It's been a couple years since I last watched an episode but been seeing them pop up occasionally in syndication.

I watched The Closer from beginning to the end! I absolutely love this spin off. I love that some of the characters have stronger roles and I love the firm and human side that Mary McDonnell brings to the show. Last weeks episode was so realistic with the use of infra red surveillance equipment and I must say that I was on the edge of my seat during the shoot out! I love the continuing appearance of Rusty and honestly prefer him and his problems to Brenda Leigh's cats. Seeing Fritzy in ongoing episodes lends to the continuity of the story line of the last show of The Closer. I do miss Det. Gabrien and I hope he has moved on to to some opportunities but all in all I totally do enjoy the new show and the existing cast!

I thought I'd be sad to see the series end much like with The Closer. But, if I had to endure one more scene with that character, Rusty Beck, I'd seriously consider picking up the mantle from Philip Stroh.

The Closer was one of the best shows ever on TV. For the first few seasons, every episode was riveting and most episodes had an unexpected twist or surprise ending. The final episodes of the series gradually and flawlessly morphed Captain Raydor, who had always been a thorn in Brenda Leigh's side, into a hero and set her up to be the lead of the Major Crimes squad. The best of the cast from The Closer was carried over as well, and it looked as if the spin off might turn out to be nearly as good, if not quite as good, as the original show. Unfortunately, while Major Crimes is pretty good, even very good at times, it falls short of its early promise, mostly because of the storyline involving Rusty, Capt. Raydor's teenage ward. Rusty comes across as unpleasant, rude, annoying, and petulant, and the writers have given him way too much screen time. In addition, his constant presence at the police station is not credible, as detectives do not have time to coddle a whiny teenager as the Major Crimes squad does, going so far as to help Rusty with his schoolwork and offer him advice at every turn. Without Rusty the series would undoubtedly be far better. But as another reviewer mentioned, he is designed to attract young viewers, and so we're probably stuck with him for the run of the series. Too bad.