Major Crimes (2012)

Watchseries; I have read elsewhere that the real LAPD served as consultants on the show. If that is the case, how on earth did this whiny Rusty character make it to the screen? What department on the planet would allow some kid free access to squad rooms, computers, interviews, etc. I don't care that he was the Commander's adopted kid or that he had a miserable biological mother -- if anything, Raydor should have been extra cautious about him being around because it could have also meant the end of her career.

His presence reminds me of a continual "bring your kid to work day," except he can do whatever he wants. Interview a prisoner who's involved in an active investigation? Sure, no problem! Want to sit in on viewing interviews or hang out in the murder room? No sweat! Want to have access to privileged information? Sounds good to me. NOT!!!

I know this sounds really mean of me -- and fasten your seatbelts Rusty lovers -- but when I saw Stroh's message on the wall that Rusty was next, I actually cheered.

I have read elsewhere that the real LAPD served as consultants on the show. If that is the case, how on earth did this whiny Rusty character make it to the screen? What department on the planet would allow some kid free access to squad rooms, computers, interviews, etc. I don't care that he was the Commander's adopted kid or that he had a miserable biological mother -- if anything, Raydor should have been extra cautious about him being around because it could have also meant the end of her career.

His presence reminds me of a continual "bring your kid to work day," except he can do whatever he wants. Interview a prisoner who's involved in an active investigation? Sure, no problem! Want to sit in on viewing interviews or hang out in the murder room? No sweat! Want to have access to privileged information? Sounds good to me. NOT!!!

I know this sounds really mean of me -- and fasten your seatbelts Rusty lovers -- but when I saw Stroh's message on the wall that Rusty was next, I actually cheered.

Major Crimes watchseries. It is not very often where you have one crime TV series cancelled only to be replaced with many of the original cast members but excluding the major star (Kyra Sedgwick) of the original crime series and to have such an enduring presence for years to come.

I must say that week in and week out Major Crimes generated a suspenseful and entertaining crime program in which each of the detectives and their new leader Captain Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell) all played significant and independent thinking detectives with an eclectic personality. Mrs. Shullivan and I have discussed this TV series on many occasions and we both agree that theirs is an all star cast, second to none.

If I had to pick a single favorite detective I just could not. If I had to pick a favorite episode from the series 105 episodes spanning six (6) seasons I just could not. I will however say that the Major Crimes unit were all unique personalities and during each episode I just was never sure what to expect, which detective(s) would leave us with an inspiring ending, with a humanistic approach to crime solving because there were just far too many great stories to choose from.

This group of detectives especially Captain Raydor whose husband Jackson Raydor (Tom Berenger), she was seperated from due to his drinking and gambling problems as well as just not being a good husband and/or father to their two (2) now adult children. Unlike many TV series the producers allowed the audience to recognize that Captain Raydor was a devout Catholic by religious faith, but always struggled with her decisions amongst her family members (divorce isa dirty word for Captain Raydor) including the adoption of a near adult named Rusty who was under her direct witness protection in a murder case, as well as in her methods of capturing the criminals.

I must say that the "like father and son" relationship that the curmudgeonly detective Louie Provenza (G.W. Bailey) and the 17 year old witness under police protection Rusty Beck (Graham Patrick Martin) shareded was very endearing. The emotional and "take no prisoners" approach that the tough as nails, wild eyed detective Julio Sanchez (Raymond Cruz) displayed was also one of my favorites. But having said that, each of the detectives including detective Mike Tao (Michael Paul Chan) their technical data guru, detective Amy Sykes (Kearran Giovanni) with her military surveillance background, recovering alcoholic detective Andy Flynn (Tony Denison) who followed his captain Raydor around like a love lost puppy dog, and their videographer Buzz Watson (Phillip P. Keene) all were such interesting characters. All the supporting cast such as the police chief, deputy district attorney and coroner played key roles a well.

Without question though this series is rated a 10 due mainly to the high quality team of the series writers who are far too many to mention and the show creator James Duff who also created the predecessor crime series "The Closer".

I give this series a perfect 10 out of 10 with such an amazing cast from book-end to book-end and without failure, a suspenseful and dramatic series with superior quality writing throughout the series lifespan of an amazing 105 episodes. I will definitely be looking to purchase this "complete series" when it becomes available to purchase.

This Rusty character totally ruins the show. First of all, he contributes NOTHING to the show, plus he sticks his nose in every investigation, running off and doing things that he wants to do. He has free roam because he's the captain's son, uses the police department's computers to do an illegal background search, runs and talks to the judge, and on and on. He's a SPOILED BRAT that has no business on this show. Get rid of him!!!!!!

Major Crimes has taken the already rich and developed characters of The Closer and endowed them with more back story and more emotional depth. I particularly like that every character is now up front and am thoroughly enjoying the interplay among the characters. The new teen character is helping to expose a tender side of Lt. Raydor. Kudos to all the actors for developing such dynamic and sympathetic portraits.

In addition, the writing and directing is exemplary. The asides and business among the characters enriches the relationships, and the plots are moving, sometimes at breathtaking speed, but also with a rhythm that enhances the tension and release of the plot line. This show is the highlight of our television viewing week!

My wife and I were big fans of The Closer so when it went off the air we gave Major Crimes a chance. I'm still not a huge fan of Mary MCDonnell but she's alright. The rest of the old cast that made it through to Major Crimes is just great, and the few additions are fine as well. But we just can't stand the Rusty character.

For us the Rusty character ruins the flow of the show. We enjoy one Major Crime per episode and find the Rusty story to be a disturbing diversion from what is going on in each episode. It was okay for four or five episodes but it should have been killed a long time ago.

We don't feel the Rusty character adds anything to the show, on the contrary we are bothered every time he shows up. I'm sure the actor Graham Patrick Martin is fine, its just the character we don't like. I'm getting more and more irritated by Rusty every episode.

Every time the Rusty character shows up we go into smartphone mode with one eye on the screen to see when we should refix our attention on Major Crimes instead of the weather, email, Facebook, or news on our phones.

Please Please Please lose the Rusty character and don't replace that character with another side story.

The Closer was one of the best shows ever on TV. For the first few seasons, every episode was riveting and most episodes had an unexpected twist or surprise ending. The final episodes of the series gradually and flawlessly morphed Captain Raydor, who had always been a thorn in Brenda Leigh's side, into a hero and set her up to be the lead of the Major Crimes squad. The best of the cast from The Closer was carried over as well, and it looked as if the spin off might turn out to be nearly as good, if not quite as good, as the original show. Unfortunately, while Major Crimes is pretty good, even very good at times, it falls short of its early promise, mostly because of the storyline involving Rusty, Capt. Raydor's teenage ward. Rusty comes across as unpleasant, rude, annoying, and petulant, and the writers have given him way too much screen time. In addition, his constant presence at the police station is not credible, as detectives do not have time to coddle a whiny teenager as the Major Crimes squad does, going so far as to help Rusty with his schoolwork and offer him advice at every turn. Without Rusty the series would undoubtedly be far better. But as another reviewer mentioned, he is designed to attract young viewers, and so we're probably stuck with him for the run of the series. Too bad.