Plot: What’s it about?
Los Angeles is home to countless important people, from movie stars to musicians to executives to all manner of the rich and famous. Whenever one of these famous folks finds themselves in even a minor situation, the media is there to let the world know. If someone famous happens to die, the town turns into a shark tank, as reporters flock to Los Angeles to cover every detail of the death. But when someone is murdered, the situation is more sensitive than ever, so steps must be taken to control that situation. That is why the LAPD has formed the Priority Murder Squad, a special unit put together to handle high risk, high profile cases and make sure the situation remains in hand. At the head of this squad is Brenda Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick), a CIA trained agent who is the best in the world at what she does. She is an ace when it comes to interrogation, able to crack even the toughest suspects and witnesses. Her slow drawl and hard attitude work wonders with her cases, but also cause some tension with her coworkers. Even as she cracks cases and helps deliver justice, she is not looked upon with much respect. But Johnson will continue to take the cases and do her best to solve them, even if it means taking on some of Los Angeles’ most famous residents.
The television airwaves are crowded with police dramas of all kinds, with CSI shows, four Law & Order shows, plus all the other contenders. In other words, when TNT announced its new original series The Closer, I didn’t think much of it, since so many similar options exist. But now the first season is out on DVD, so I gave the show a look, but does The Closer stand out from the crowd? On a show of this kind, you need a lead that draws you in, like the ones found on Monk and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. In this case we have Kyra Sedgwick, who plays a Southern belle type detective with a tough attitude and incredible skills. Her interactions with her coworkers really add a lot the show, as there is more friction in that respect than on most shows of this kind. The focus on interrogation also helps The Closer stand out, as the tension is thick and the pressure never lets up. The supporting cast is very good also, including a personal favorite of mine, J.K. Simmons. While I wouldn’t rank The Closer up with Law & Order or CSI, it is a solid show and has a lot to offer. If you’re a fan of shows like this one, you should find a lot to like here and this release is recommended.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame, as intended. I found these episodes to look as good, if not better than you’d find on broadcast. The image is clean and sharp, with no real flaws that jumped out, so the episodes look impressive. The detail is high throughout, though not quite as much depth as the elite transfers out there, but still well above average. I found colors to be warm and natural, with no errors to mention, while contrast remains consistent at all times. I do wish all shows were now shot in widescreen, but that is no fault of the transfer here, as these episodes should more than satisfy fans.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio here is basic, thanks to the included stereo surround soundtracks, but all the bases seem to be covered. The nature of the series is one of a natural, subtle audio presence too, so its not like the material screams for dynamic presence. A few scenes could have been boosted a shade, but even then, the experience wouldn’t have been enhanced that much. The sound effects come across in fine form, with the same kind of audio presence you’d expect from a television show, though these days, some do provide a more immersive texture. No troubles with dialogue either, as vocals are clear and crisp throughout the episodes. Not the kind of audio to show off your system with, but I have no complaints about the results. This release also includes subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Some of the episodes include unaired scenes, so you see more than the broadcast versions.
