I have to say I've enjoyed just about every episode of the closer over it's 7 seasons.I especially like the way the initial hostility of the other detectives eventually turns into respect and finally into a willingness to do what it takes to help BLJ in some of her times of need.I also like that there's been a few episodes that are tongue in cheek - who can forget Provenza popping his little blue pill only to find a dead body in the bath tub, or the recent ep with Santa drinking his egg nog.Maybe things get sewn up a little too well at times, but she's also had a few cases get away from her. The psychological aspect is what gives the show it's edge I think.I also like that it doesn't resort to over the top violence.I'll be very sad when the show ends this season.

The characters and the acting, that's how. Kyra Sedgwick has managed to pull off that rarest of things - an anti-hero with pathos. Think Ralph Fiennes in 'Schindler's List' or Michael Caine (*not* Sly Stallone) in 'Get Carter', and you may get the idea.While Detective Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson is not quite in Amon Goeth territory, she is undoubtedly one of those people who you're glad is 'on your side', and who you probably wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, let alone on the other side of an "interview" table at Parker Center.As far as I'm concerned, she is a murderer (quite possibly a serial one), and my 'voice of conscience' tells me that the Philip Goldman character should nail her to the wall...in court. On the other hand, the Devil at my other shoulder (and, I'm sure, the producers') wants her to tear his slimy face off. And that's what makes good television.Of course, most great shows are the result of team-work, and this one is no exception: I've seen G.W. Bailey I don't know how many times, yet to me he is now Lt. Provenza; and the show has now been running long enough to get under the skin (as much as TV allows) of all the characters in the squad. I wouldn't be at all surprised if some spin-off wasn't spawned based on him and Lt. Flynn (or indeed Det. Sanchez); and I'd certainly check out the first few episodes.My favourite character of all though is Captain Sharon Raydor - one of the best 'introduced' characters I can remember in a TV series – and I look forward to the battle of wits between her and Goldman (and maybe Johnson herself).I hope by now you can tell I'm a fan; and although I still think Brenda Leigh and her delicious "Thank you so much" should be on the other side of her own interrogation desk, it makes for great viewing.Keep 'em coming.

I would love to say that there is a redeeming quality to the actors in this show but too bad we are forced to watch Sedgwick speak in an accent that even Kevin Costner would laugh out loud at. Plus it's hard to like a character that has a lot of lines and leads the cast but sticks her lips out so far that the dry mouth smacking sound is the most repulsive distraction ever by a television actor. The rest of the cast however does a rather decent job and the stories are somewhat original but lets face it. It's all just Law and Order rebuffs. The biggest problem with these shows is that they are slightly formulaic and are getting more and more tiresome as the years go on. It all ends up like a lot of cops running in circles accusing everyone under the sun in an attempt to make the audience feel like they may be barking up the right tree and that the resolution is oh soooo close however it always comes to a shocking conclusion in the end and the cops always go "well doesn't really matter how we got there just as long as we got there." These police must have zero friends outside to the department. All in all, Go away Kyra and just let Kevin be the bread winner in the family.

A recent episode called "Maternal Instincts" was such a tear-jerker. Brenda really showed her true colors - a caring and compassionate person. Maybe the writers wanted to show how she has grown over the years from a rather self-centered person to someone who could actually be a mother. It was a brilliant piece of acting and writing for the entire cast.I live in Atlanta and was born here. Brenda's southern accent is rather thick for Atlanta, but just right for some areas outside the Atlanta metro area, perhaps middle or south Georgia. In any case, her accent is so good that when I first saw the show, I remember thinking "I didn't know Kyra Sedgwick was southern!". Guess the joke's on me - she's from NYC.This isn't the kind of show you can just have on in the background. You really need to focus on it and appreciate it like a fine glass of wine.