It amazes me that after six-plus seasons, The Closer can still be revealing secrets about its characters.

"Drug Fiend" proved just how much life there is left for them. For some, including Detective Gabriel, that will bring a sadness, but for others we can continue their journey through Major Crimes.

This week we discovered David (I’m sorry, David who?) Gabriel has been having a relationship for the past year; very quietly, at that. Knowing he has been having this private back story, and the way in which he defended Brenda to Ann, eased some of my fears that he might be the mole in the department.

There are other reasons for a character not to move on with Major Crimes, and given his relationship with Brenda, I’m going out on a limb right now to say that her absence from the division will be what keeps him from sticking around. That and Ann, of course. I enjoyed her, and related with her worries about his family (and everyone else in his life) not liking her. Gabriel likes strong women and he found one in Ann. 

The case of the week was quite despicable, wasn’t it? It really hit home for Brenda and how she was able to work it without breaking sooner than she did was testament to her professionalism. We had no idea that her father wasn’t responding well to his cancer treatment and something inside me was whispering that even the great Dr. Parr won’t be able to turn that around. 

The scene between Brenda and Dr. Parr at the end, from a desperate daughter who also happened to be an annoyed police chief to a frustrated and upset, yet excellent cancer physician, was brilliant. Her tears and the softening of Parr’s face made for a beautiful moment of television.

Brenda: I'm not looking for a decent human being, I'm looking for a great doctor and you're it. | permalink

Let’s talk about Pope for a moment. The business with the Special Master Warrants and his clamor for the top of his rank are cringe worthy. Are they even trying to hide that he is the mole? I don’t think it would have any less impact to just throw it out there that he has been the person sabotaging Brenda’s career than it would be to turn the tables and out Gabriel. Just because we see him for the slime that he is, it was apparent that until she was at the table with Fritz, it hadn’t fully hit Brenda how little faith Pope had in her. 

Considering their deep past and how she trusted him so implicitly, it slammed her hard to realize he was truly trying to take her down. She sarcastically remarked to Raydor that she was happy she and Commander Taylor were running interference for her, but what were the odds a few years back that Taylor would stick his neck out in any situation for Brenda? If he’s the mole, I can’t think of a motive to do her a solid in that investigation. 

These last episodes are really turning up the heat. Great emotional battles are being waged and lines are being drawn. Some almost implausible, but they work. 

I had the opportunity to chat with Corey Reynolds (Gabriel) and will be posting that interview in the next couple of days, so keep an eye out here for what he has to say about Gabriel’s future. I can’t wait to see what next week brings, can you?

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.