There is always a standout on every installment and on Major Crimes Season 2 Episode 12 the character who got all the good lines was Amy Sykes.

Remember when she was so irksome after first joining the department? Perhaps that means even DDA Rios will eventually become a standout.

Yes, Rios was the DDA of choice on "Pick Your Poison," and amazingly she wasn't a complete annoyance. The writers must have gotten the message from us faithful viewers that the "I hate dead people" joke had run it's course because she actually stood inside next to the bodies of the deceased without making clucking and gagging noises or pretending she was about to faint.

Hallelujah! 

The case wasn't bad, and had a lot of twists and turns leading the team past a few red herrings before the got to the real offender, but about halfway through it became apparent who the killer was going to be. These days, it's always the female teacher sleeping with her male students.

It must be just too taboo for a male to sleep with young girls as the entertainment community has take major strides away from those storylines. I can't think of the last time a male teacher slept with a young girl and claimed to be in love. It's always the women who are the silly goose romantics in these situations. Don't be afraid to switch things of your own making up a bit, Hollywood.

The big finale at the end of Major Crimes Season 2 Episode 11, wherein Rusty was caught having kept all of the letters from his stalker from everyone, and subsequently being turned in by his gal pal Chris still wasn't resolved as of this episode, so we got to see some of their rationale behind the decision making process. 

Up front it appeared there were three options open to Rusty, but Sharon put the kibosh on one of them. That left the witness protection program or staying with Sharon and never giving his protection detail the slip again or being forced into option one against his will. Provenza mentioned there was a third option, and that was all Rusty needed to hear to know exactly what it was - using him as a lure to get the letter writer out and in the open.

It was a cool twist to have the "buy guy" (who everyone kept thinking was "bi-guy") from the high school the murdered kids attended offer himself up as a personal security detail to Rusty. Since he had to out himself as the narc, he couldn't go back as such. As he looked like a student, he could easily provide the protection Rusty needed that would allow him to be a normal kid.

Watch Major Crimes Season 2 Episode 12 Online

Rusty's past and his wishy-washy behavior over his relationship with Chris have left everyone wondering whether he is a homosexual or bisexual or whatever. While they've never come out and said it, the bi-guy references and Sharon's perked up ears at Rusty's insistence that a mental help professional be experienced in the area to help him with the one issue with which everyone knew he was struggling if he agreed to a mental health evaluation sure made it seem like it's on everyone's minds.

No. It wasn't his sexuality. It was his ability to play chess. How, exactly, a therapist will be able to help a kid play a better game of chess is beyond me, but perhaps some sort of anxiety reducing strategy could be put into play. If it gets them all to the end of the case and he can be a normal boy, they should be all for it.

There were some really enjoyable moments to the episode, even if it felt some of the signature team comedy moments were a bit lacking. Dr. Morales calling Rayor, Sykes and Rios Charlie's Angels a couple times was definitely a highlight. The second time he did it, they turned in unison and it felt very right. Even with Rios!

Provenza sticking up for Rusty is still on point, and I was surprised that Taylor had Rusty's back with Provenza. Normally he'd be the first stickler in any situation and would be all for separation of Rusty and Sharon, but he's seeing the benefit of their relationship as it allows for Rusty to help further the investigation. Even Rios has come on board. Will wonders never cease?

It's the holiday season, and The Closer was always so great at bringing all of the eclectic characters together for off-kilter holiday episodes. I hope over the next five weeks we get to see that with our friends in Major Crimes. Wouldn't it be nice to have a friendly face from the old days pop in for a hello, as well?

What did you think of the winter premiere and what characters are you looking forward to standing out in this short return from hiatus? 

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.