best episodes of The Closer poster

Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson transfers from Atlanta to LA to head up a special unit of the LAPD that handles sensitive, high-profile murder cases. Johnson's quirky personality and hard-nosed approach often rubs her colleagues the wrong way, but her reputation as one of the world's best interrogator eventually wins over even her toughest critics.

7 Seasons
109 Episodes
Ended
Crime Drama Mystery
episode image To Protect & To Serve
9.1/10 (692 votes)

#1 To Protect & To Serve

S2:E5

Brenda finds herself involved in a cover-up of her own when she helps the PHD investigate a non-priority case. Why? Because the deceased woman was found in Provenza's garage. Once again, the team finds themselves racing against the clock before the LAPD brass discovers what they're up to. Will Brenda be able to protect her team and their hard-earned trust?

episode image The Last Word
9.0/10 (554 votes)

#2 The Last Word

S7:E21

In the series finale, we bid a final farewell to Brenda Leigh Johnson. When a young man calls 911 to report seeing someone being buried in Griffith Park, police find not only her remains, but those of several other women who were kills as far back as two years ago. Brenda immediately suspects Philip Stroh and, despite departmental restrictions, sets out to finally tie him to the murders. Meanwhile, the witness who called 911 makes Brenda look at her life and future. Stay tuned to the next show, Major Crimes, which will pick up from the moment The Closer ends. A large portion of the characters are moving to the new show. to work under the new supervisor of Major Crimes, Captain Sharon Raydor.

episode image Time Bomb
8.9/10 (519 votes)

#3 Time Bomb

S4:E10

The newly renamed Major Crimes Division investigates the death of a teenager that may be related to a planned massacre; the squad searches for a bomb before it can explode.

episode image Power of Attorney
8.8/10 (469 votes)

#4 Power of Attorney

S4:E13

Brenda goes toe to toe with the tricky attorney of a man suspected of a brutal rape and murder. Going a few rounds to get to the truth, Brenda dukes it out with the lawyer who is just as clever in the ring as she is. Can she hang in there and get to the truth before the final bell?

episode image Waivers of Extradition
8.8/10 (419 votes)

#5 Waivers of Extradition

S5:E12

When a serial killer's spree crosses from Texas to California, Brenda must work with Detective Curt Landry, her Texan equivalent. The two match wits and find themselves going toe to toe as each tries to gain control of the case and the way in which they solve it.

episode image Road Block
8.8/10 (451 votes)

#6 Road Block

S7:E14

The LAPD's Police Commissioner and his wife, Gail, may be in trouble when Brenda becomes determined to uncover a scandal one of them tried to cover up.

episode image Fatal Retraction
8.7/10 (556 votes)

#7 Fatal Retraction

S1:E12

Brenda and her team must find not only a killer, but also identify the killer's victim when a deranged, homicidal madman is set free due to mistaken identity. Trying to make sense of an array of complexities in this unusual case, Brenda comes across what may be another betrayal by a member of the Priority Homicide Division. The case takes an even darker turn when Brenda becomes the center of the psychopathic killer's attention.

episode image Standards and Practices
8.7/10 (581 votes)

#8 Standards and Practices

S1:E13

An unnamed source files a grievance against Brenda in the midst of a high-profile investigation of a murdered L.A. filmmaker. With her career on the line, Brenda is skeptical of Chief Pope's intentions when he volunteers to help. In classic Brenda style, she spurns the accusation, refusing to suppress her demeanor in deference to the complaint. In response to the situation, the PHD team comes together to act in unison, sending shock waves through the entire department.

episode image Saving Face
8.7/10 (552 votes)

#9 Saving Face

S3:E3

At a retired cop’s funeral, Lt Provenza and Lt. Flynn discover something quite unexpected along with the corpse.

episode image Blindsided
8.7/10 (532 votes)

#10 Blindsided

S3:E9

In an effort to get good PR for the department, Deputy Chief Johnson takes a journalist on a ride-along, but when the Crown Vic is targeted and shot at, Brenda is forced to live under 24-hour police protection, while being the key witness in the case she must solve.

episode image Cherry Bomb
8.7/10 (475 votes)

#11 Cherry Bomb

S4:E3

Brenda suspects something more than suicide when a high-school girl is found hanged in her bedroom; the investigation uncovers a ruthless sexual game being played at a private school.

episode image Overkill
8.6/10 (467 votes)

#12 Overkill

S2:E13

Brenda and Fritz have a hard time agreeing who is in charge when an informant's wife and and FBI agent are both murdered. Brenda discovers that she and the PHD must work quickly when the leading witness in the case is scheduled to testify against a powerful mobster. When the killer's identity is uncovered, the PHD finds themselves under attack; an attack that takes someone down.

episode image Homewrecker
8.6/10 (544 votes)

#13 Homewrecker

S3:E1

Brenda and the team investigate the grisly slaying of a family, and the only survivor is the drug-addled teen son. Meanwhile, a financial crisis rocks the LAPD, bringing about budget cuts, numerous changes --- and possibly Provenza’s early retirement. And Fritz hopes to move into a new house with Brenda.

episode image Ruby
8.6/10 (534 votes)

#14 Ruby

S3:E4

A recently released sex offender is accused of kidnapping a child, and with time running out, Det. Gabriel beats a confession out of him. Deputy Chief Johnson must deal with Gabriel and also get the pedophile to re-confess.

episode image Sudden Death
8.6/10 (464 votes)

#15 Sudden Death

S4:E7

Det. Julio Sanchez' little brother Oscar is shot and killed, leaving Julio beside himself with grief and seeking his killer any way he can, which threatens the investigation.

episode image War Zone
8.6/10 (378 votes)

#16 War Zone

S6:E8

In a case that could carry national security implications, three soldiers are gunned down outside an LA club two days after returning home from duty in Afghanistan. Brenda’s investigation puts her on a collision course with Major Edward Dorset (guest star Gary Cole), a military liaison officer.

episode image Silent Partner
8.6/10 (373 votes)

#17 Silent Partner

S7:E15

Brenda seeks help from a businessman, played by guest star Jason George (Grey's Anatomy), with old ties to the neighborhood where Turell Baylor was murdered.

episode image Manhunt
8.5/10 (483 votes)

#18 Manhunt

S3:E8

It looks to be the return of a serial killer when two bodies turn up dead. With the knowledge that he kills in sets of three, Chief Pope charges Brenda and her squad to hunt down the killer before the third victim is taken.

episode image Dial M For Provenza
8.5/10 (505 votes)

#19 Dial M For Provenza

S4:E5

Provenza and Flynn lose the evidence in an attempted murder case when Provenza's car is stolen; Pope is not happy when Brenda is forced to free the suspect and gives her and the squad 48 hours to retrieve the car, the evidence and the suspect.

episode image Tapped Out
8.5/10 (455 votes)

#20 Tapped Out

S5:E6

When an internet matchmaker is murdered, the team finds themselves investigating the matchmaker's early-stage television show. Adding to the craziness is a fake officer, who turns everything upside down. In an effort to school himself on the inner workings of Brenda's group, Pope decides to work as one of the team.

episode image Strike Three
8.5/10 (386 votes)

#21 Strike Three

S5:E7

A high-profile shoot-out has left two policemen and a teenage boy dead leads to numerous mysteries spinning around the case. Enter Force Investigation Division bigwig Sharon Raydor, who upends Brenda's investigation with her merciless snooping.

episode image Maternal Instincts
8.5/10 (398 votes)

#22 Maternal Instincts

S5:E11

Caught in the crossfire of a shootout, two people end up dead and one remains in critical condition. Now Brenda and the team must figure out the the intended crime and the intended victim in order to determine the perpetrator. Brenda and Fritz disagree as they continue to struggle with Charlie, and Provenza drastically alters his lifestyle.

episode image Help Wanted
8.5/10 (405 votes)

#23 Help Wanted

S6:E2

Capt. Raydor (special guest Mary McDonnell) accompanies Brenda on an investigation involving the disappearance of a nanny working for close friends of the mayor. Meanwhile, Raydor’s real purpose in taking part in the investigation could have big career implications for Brenda.

episode image Executive Order
8.5/10 (327 votes)

#24 Executive Order

S6:E10

The murder of two paramedics leads the LAPD and the FBI on separate investigations on a case that could be the precursor to a major terrorist attack. But Brenda fights to remain a step ahead, even though she's forced to work with the counter-terrorism unit's Chief Tommy Delk, who happens to be one of Brenda's fellow finalists for the job of Chief of Police.

episode image Old Money
8.5/10 (339 votes)

#25 Old Money

S6:E11

One of Brenda's detectives is ambushed on the street, and the main clue to figuring out the motive behind the attack is a garbage bag containing more than $37,500. The investigation then turns into a race to clear the detective's name over allegations of witness tampering.

episode image To Serve with Love
8.5/10 (387 votes)

#26 To Serve with Love

S7:E3

Flynn and Provenza get into the usual trouble moonlighting as process servers when a man dies shortly after they serve him.

episode image Last Rites
8.5/10 (372 votes)

#27 Last Rites

S7:E19

The murder of a priest puts the squad on a collision course with the Catholic Church and drives a wedge between Brenda and Chief Pope. Meanwhile, Brenda’s parents are in town while her father continues his cancer treatments.

episode image Armed Response
8.5/10 (358 votes)

#28 Armed Response

S7:E20

Brenda finds a young couple involved to in the investigation by accident after finding two people dead outside in the street Brenda has no idea that the DA is watching her every move Capitan Raydor and Chief Pope find out who the leak is.

episode image Fantasy Date
8.4/10 (557 votes)

#29 Fantasy Date

S1:E6

Brenda finds herself the unexpected victim of violence against women when she investigates the murder of a congresswoman's daughter. At first, it appears the victim was engaged in sexual activity online that included an invitation to violence. But as Brenda and the team investigate the world of online solicitation of sex, they discover just how vulnerable to abuse women are, and how easily the web can be used for revenge. In the end, Brenda finds a killer bent on revenge, and saves the victim's reputation, but not without paying a terrible price herself.

episode image Good Housekeeping
8.4/10 (538 votes)

#30 Good Housekeeping

S1:E9

The murder of an adolescent girl from Mexico, found dead in the Los Angeles River, proves difficult and painful for Brenda and her team. At first, a known sex-offender seems the likely candidate, but questions arise about why the girl and her mother were brought to the US, leading the investigation in another direction. Soon, the girl's backpack suggests the girl's uncle or the family for whom the mother worked may have been involved, A search of the house suggests one of the family is the murderer, but which one? An end-run by the family, determined to protect the killer, takes Brenda to Mexico, where she must use all her resources, Fritz and Mexican law to finally bring the killer to justice. The usually cantankerous Dr. Crippen shows his softer side as he briefs Brenda following the autopsy, in a scene representative of the way in which the violent death of a child impacts the police.

episode image Serving the King (2)
8.4/10 (454 votes)

#31 Serving the King (2)

S2:E15

Glad to be back with her team, Brenda focuses on finding a terrorist-linked suspect. Working with the CIA, who also wants their hands on this suspect, Brenda realizes that she was given false information, and wonders if she's been set up. To prevent herself and the PHD from falling prey to a sinister plan, Brenda must untangle a web of lies to determine who she can trust - before it's too late.

episode image The Round File
8.4/10 (505 votes)

#32 The Round File

S3:E5

An old man’s confession to seven murders leads Deputy Chief Johnson to investigate the sudden and unnatural deaths at his nursing home.

episode image Til Death Do Us Part (2)
8.4/10 (425 votes)

#33 Til Death Do Us Part (2)

S3:E13

Still experiencing the strain of her case, Brenda finds herself under another time crunch when she must disprove a questionable alibi within 48 hours to prevent the investigation from falling flat. As Brenda searches for the truth in her case, she discovers some inside information that may have an unfortunate effect on her relationship with Fritz.

episode image Death Warrant
8.4/10 (349 votes)

#34 Death Warrant

S7:E8

Brenda seeks Capt. Raydor's help in an investigation of possible police brutality; Brenda's attorney starts deposing the squad about the Baylor case.

episode image Pilot
8.3/10 (779 votes)

#35 Pilot

S1:E1

A seemingly routine murder investigation by the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division is interrupted by the arrival of Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson, the new head of the LAPD’s Priority Murder Squad. An outsider from Atlanta in her first week of service, Brenda has already begun to face the resistance of long-time high-ranking officers, particularly Capt. Taylor of Robbery Homicide, as well as the questionable confidence of her own squad, who have decided to request transfers en masse. Only her assistant, Sgt. Gabriel, seems willing to try to work with her.

episode image The Big Picture
8.3/10 (605 votes)

#36 The Big Picture

S1:E3

Brenda must fight for justice for two Russian prostitutes murdered by the illegitimate son of a Russian mafia figure whiles she overcomes the prejudices of a department who sees one dead prostitute as pretty much the same as another. As she does, she confronts her own prejudices, and discovers the justice for these women is scarce in a world dominated by men. When the FBI steps in to take over the investigation, she shows the stern stuff she's made of, using highly unorthodox methods to finally bring the murderer to an unusual form of justice. Meanwhile, Brenda's relationship with Fritz takes a new direction, as the FBI's involvement in this case hints at the challenges that will come when they must balance their work and professional lives. At the end of the episode, Brenda purchases one of the dead girl's house, and finds herself the owner of a cat she doesn't want, but who has ideas of its own.

episode image Critical Missing
8.3/10 (487 votes)

#37 Critical Missing

S2:E8

When the drowned bodies of a mother and daughter are found by fishermen, Brenda and the team must determine if the apparent suicides are more than that. Following a strange coil of discoveries, the most surprising revelation that surfaces is one about the killer.

episode image Heroic Measures
8.3/10 (509 votes)

#38 Heroic Measures

S2:E9

When a young boy blames himself for the death of his friend, Brenda must tread lightly to get to the bottom of the case. Complicating matters is the deceased child's mother, who offers up accusations of her own.

episode image Serving the King (1)
8.3/10 (460 votes)

#39 Serving the King (1)

S2:E14

Resulting from the showdown in the murder room, Brenda finds herself taking some involuntary time off. When she is asked to help a friend solve a murder that is linked to a terrorist group, Brenda works to find the killer and still keep it under wraps. Meanwhile, Commander Taylor jumps at the chance to break apart the PHD while Brenda is away.

episode image Controlled Burn
8.3/10 (457 votes)

#40 Controlled Burn

S4:E1

When a massive fire breaks out in Griffith Park, Priority Homicide is on hand to help. But when an unidentified dead woman's body is found in the center of the scene, Deputy Chief Johnson is doing a lot more investigating then directing traffic. Meanwhile, Brenda and Fritz are living in a small apartment and getting on each other's nerves.

Cast & Chracters

character image Brenda Leigh Johnson

Brenda Leigh Johnson

Actor: Kyra Sedgwick
character image Will Pope

Will Pope

Actor: J.K. Simmons
character image David Gabriel

David Gabriel

Actor: Corey Reynolds
character image Russell Taylor

Russell Taylor

Actor: Robert Gossett
character image Louie Provenza

Louie Provenza

Actor: G.W. Bailey
character image Andy Flynn

Andy Flynn

Actor: Tony Denison
character image Mike Tao

Mike Tao

Actor: Michael Paul Chan
character image Officer Buzz Watson

Officer Buzz Watson

Actor: Phillip P. Keene
character image Special Agent Fritz Howard

Special Agent Fritz Howard

Actor: Jon Tenney
character image Julio Sanchez

Julio Sanchez

Actor: Raymond Cruz
character image Captain Sharon Raydor

Captain Sharon Raydor

Actor: Mary McDonnell
character image Kevin Adams

Kevin Adams

Actor: Matt McCoy

The highest rated episode of The Closer is "To Protect & To Serve" (S2E5) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 692 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Show Yourself" (S1E4) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 534 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Fatal Retraction" (S1E12) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 556 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Show Yourself" (S1E4) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 534 votes.

The highest rated episode is "To Protect & To Serve" (S2E5) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 692 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Aftertaste" (S2E4) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 457 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Saving Face" (S3E3) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 552 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Four to Eight" (S3E7) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 449 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Time Bomb" (S4E10) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 519 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Good Faith" (S4E11) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 349 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Waivers of Extradition" (S5E12) with a rating of 8.80.

This episode received 419 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Blood Money" (S5E2) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 348 votes.

The highest rated episode is "War Zone" (S6E8) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 378 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "The Big Bang" (S6E1) with a rating of 7.90.

This episode received 341 votes.

The highest rated episode is "The Last Word" (S7E21) with a rating of 9.00.

This episode received 554 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Repeat Offender" (S7E2) with a rating of 7.90.

This episode received 340 votes.

Name Department Job
Greer Shephard Production Executive Producer
James Duff Production Executive Producer
Michael M. Robin Production Executive Producer
Rick Wallace Production Executive Producer

Similar Shows You Might Like