‘The Closer’ Closes Season Three on a High Note
Superb Guest Stars Make All the Difference
I’m not much of a soap opera fan. Okay, I’m not a soap opera fan at all. But, one thing is certain—during the limited number of times I’ve watched ABC’s General Hospital, I’ve developed a strong liking for three-time Daytime Emmy winner Sarah Brown, the actress who played cunning Carly Benson Corinthos to perfection from 1996 until 2001. Several actresses have tackled the part over the years. Yet, when I think of classic Carly, Brown always comes to my mind first.
That’s why I was thrilled last week and this week when the talented actress showed up in The Closer‘s two-part third-season finale, “Til Death Do Us Part,” playing the seemingly naive wife of a questionable ophthalmologist under investigation for murdering her atypically ethical divorce attorney. Thanks to Brown’s considerable acting chops, audiences are kept guessing to the very end what the extent of her involvement in the crime is.
The two-parter is notable for several other guest stars, as well. Steven Culp, who is in everything these days, it appears, plays hard-hitting defense attorney Lucas Cordry. Culp is known for his work in many film and television projects, of course, most recently including his turns as Bree Van De Kamp’s murdered first husband Rex in Desperate Housewives and deceitful head FBI Special Agent Fred Chambers in the best new series this summer that will probably never return, Traveler.
And then there’s the Yellow-Eyed Demon from Supernatural, one Fredric Lehne, who puts in an appropriately seedy performance as the murder suspect’s primary alibi confirmer.
Another well-deserved shout-out goes to James Patrick Stuart of Andy Richter Controls the Universe and numerous other TV series, who capably brings to life Deputy District Attorney Martin Garnett every time the prosecutor shows up in an episode.
With quality guest stars like that, it’s not a surprise the third season of The Closer comes to a unifying and satisfying end after Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson (last year’s Best Drama Actress Emmy winner and current nominee Kyra Sedgwick) and her crackerjack team of diverse detectives work their case inside and out to reach a just conclusion, despite the threat of a potentially incorrect arrest. I’ve no doubt that Season Four will continue this trend of television excellence.
To learn more about the highly recommended police drama The Closer and to watch episodes online, visit The Closer‘s Web site at TNT.
The Closer photo courtesy of TNT
