On The Closer this week, Brenda finally got herself a lawyer at the suggestion of Raydor, and when she heard his retainer was $25,000 her entire attitude went to the birds.

Elsewhere, the beating death with a ball peen hammer of a registered sex offender resulted in one of the most violent looking autopsies I've ever seen on the show. The case and Brenda's attitude made for a heck of a ride.

Even though the case was less than savory, I was laughing throughout the hour. Admittedly, I'm iffy on rape when both parties are still in their teens, so I wasn't as appalled at the mixture of crime and humor like I was in the recent past.

There was little chance the neighbor's daughter would have been hurt, as she had been duly prepared to scream like a banshee and blow a rape whistle should the guy have come near her. The little spitfire demonstrated both of these little tidbits with gusto. Nobody was going to get their hands on her! 

They got more laughter out of me when Brenda informed Fritz she cut out their little luxuries like, oh, their phone service and those extra cable channels they never watch (hello, ESPN!) so they could afford her attorney.

I had never noticed their kitchen before, but it was full of old fashioned appliances and Brenda cooking in her lace blouse really made her look like a 1940s housewife. She looked fully prepared to jump through the centuries for a little sacrifice.

Mark Pelligrino, most - recently seen on shows like Lost, Supernatural and Being Human - offered up a role of a completely different kind as Brenda's outlandish attorney. Not only was his character eccentric, but some of the suspects came off like C movie thespians from a Cinemax production.

Watching the Missus and her artificial breasts attempt to lift a three-foot cement garden gnome off the ground was particularly effective... in making them look like idiots.

Introducing us to Brenda's new attorney, having her and Fritz squabbling like an old married couple, and the valley girl knockoffs whodunit provided a nice respite from the intensity that has intermittently plagued us as the series winds down.

Not too cold and not too hot, "Home Improvement" was just right.

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.