Julio just can't catch a break, can he?

He's never really gotten over his wife's death and recently learned that she was the one responsible for stopping her seizure meds, leading to her death.

And in Major Crimes Season 4 Episode 23, he finds out that Stephanie Dunn, who he's been bonding with over the loss of their spouses, killed her husband and a bunch of other people.

To his credit, Julio did the healthiest thing possible: he yelled at Stephanie while confronting her about the murders she'd committed, then stopped her from killing herself.

I'm sorry won't cut it.

Julio

• Permalink: I'm sorry won't cut it.
• Added: March 14, 2016

The heartbreak was written all over his face after he took the empty gun away and allowed Sykes to arrest her. He really looked down at Provenza's makeshift wedding. 

In retrospect, Stephanie was most likely to be the killer. She was an outsider, supposedly bereft over her husband's death, and came on strong when she claimed someone else was guilty.

But did it have to be that way? Did the first woman to give Julio hope have to turn out to be the murderer he was seeking?

Rachel took everything from me. My self-respect, my job, my husband. I know you won't believe it, but I loved that son-of-a-bitch. I LOVED him.

Sherrie

• Permalink: Rachel took everything from me. My self-respect, my job, my husband. I know you won't believe...
• Added: March 14, 2016

It seemed like heartbreak was the theme of the hour. Hickman's wife had the perfect motive for murder – Rachel Gray stole her husband and her happy marriage. Apparently Rachel did the same thing to Stephanie, which is what caused her to snap and start killing people.

Even Gary's plot against Sharon Beck had something to do with being heartbroken, albeit in a twisted manner.

Patrice: Louie, you look amazing.
Provenza: Well, that's because... I'm amazed.

• Permalink: Well, that's because... I'm amazed.
• Added: March 14, 2016

Thankfully, we had Provenza's wedding as a counterbalance to all those failed relationships. Everyone kept joking about how many marriages Provenza has had, but he and Patrice seemed truly in love. His nervousness and difficulty believing she really wanted to be his wife were endearing.

Sharon and Andy also make a nice couple, though they didn't say much during the wedding scenes, and Rusty and Gus also looked good together.

All those couples allowed the hour to end on a happier note. Even Julio smiled at one point even though the sadness in his eyes was very clear.

Everyone's about to know something, Gary. And now I'm leaving you just like you left me, in a place full of cages with nowhere to go.

Rusty

• Permalink: Everyone's about to know something, Gary. And now I'm leaving you just like you left me, in a...
• Added: March 14, 2016

Rusty's confrontation of Gary provided an interesting juxtaposition with Sharon's confrontation of Stephanie. Both Rusty and Sharon pointed out that everyone knew – or soon would – what had really happened.

I wasn't a big fan of this particular Rusty storyline, which seemed like a rerun of past storylines. But I cheered when Rusty confronted Gary. Hopefully now he can put his past to rest for once and for all and move on to something better.

No. I'm not talking to her. She goes or I go. Gentlemen, I'm under no obligation here, am I?

Sherrie

• Permalink: No. I'm not talking to her. She goes or I go. Gentlemen, I'm under no obligation here, am I?
• Added: March 14, 2016

About the only low point of the episode was the continuation of this ridiculous Hickman/Sykes relationship or whatever it was. Hickman is one of the most annoying characters to visit the Major Crimes Unit; let's hope this is truly the last we've seen of him.

So now that this long story arc has come to a close, what did you think? How long did it take you to figure out Stephanie was the killer? Do you think Julio will ever find happiness?  Weigh in below!

Check back this summer when Major Crimes Season 5 begins airing! In the meantime, don't forget you can always watch Major Crimes online to catch up on anything you missed or want to see again.

View Slideshow: 2016 Renewals and Cancelations

Rizzoli & Isles is preparing to air its final season.

Animal Kingdom is aiming to entertain you with its first. This new series centers on 17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody, who moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother dies of a heroin overdose.

Find out on what dates you can expect TNT originals to appear.

How full will your calendar be this summer? As jam packed as you want it to be!

Monday, June 6

9pm  Rizzoli & Isles - Season 7 Premiere

Tuesday, June 7

9pm  Animal Kingdom - Series Premiere

Sunday, June 12

9pm  The Last Ship - Season 3 Premiere

Monday, June 13

10/9  Major Crimes - Season 5 Premiere

Sunday, June 19

10/9  Murder in the First - Season 3 Premiere
 

View Slideshow: Season Finale Schedule: When Will Shows End?

Poor Flynn. Even when Provenza tries to help, he ends up cursing him.

Or maybe Provenza did Flynn a favor, since nobody wants to live in a house with toxic mold.

Either way, Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 4 showed viewers that for the Major Crimes Unit, ordinary activities like touring a house for sale end up being more work than they bargained for.

Watch Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 4 Online

It was meant to be funny, and in a way it was, that after everything was said and done, the house was unsuitable. Still, I couldn't help feeling bad for Flynn. He had his heart set on moving into a gorgeous house with Sharon and Rusty.

Maybe next time the house won't come with murder in the backyard and toxic mold everywhere else.

Woman: Oh my God. Is that really Heather? She was so full of life on Sunday?
Provenza: That's why they call it... MURDER.

• Permalink: That's why they call it... MURDER.
• Added: July 11, 2016

Provenza's attempt to intimidate the other people making offers on the house was easily the most amusing part of the hour. He sounded like a parody of an Agatha Christie novel.

Of course, nobody was pressured into confessing, which was a good thing as none of them were the actual murderer.

Who didn't want to kill this woman?

Sharon

• Permalink: Who didn't want to kill this woman?
• Added: July 11, 2016

"Skin Deep" turned the trope of the victim being perfectly loved so that there are no viable suspects on its head by making the victim a detestable person that everyone had a motive to kill. For once, I had no idea who it was by halftime. 

Yu: That would violate doctor-patient confidentiality.
Provenza: You're not a doctor!

• Permalink: You're not a doctor!
• Added: July 11, 2016

Dr. Yu seemed like a plausible suspect but in retrospect was an obvious red herring since he appeared so early in the hour. Also, the joke about mixing up "you" and "Yu" was overused.

However, Heather was blackmailing him in addition to keeping the identity of her son's father hidden. Too bad he didn't find out about that little scheme. He could have neutralized her blackmail with some of his own.

Oh! She drowned. Can I see the prelim?

Hobbs

• Permalink: Oh! She drowned. Can I see the prelim?
• Added: July 11, 2016

Hobbs found the case a little too entertaining. She sounded like she was watching it on television when she found out about the drowning.

Dr. Irwin was one of the stupider criminals, thinking that because he's a dentist he can get away with murder and falling for the ploy of the detectives "understanding" that he didn't mean to kill anyone and only needing him to confirm it.

The LAPD only wishes we could spend more time reuniting fathers with their sons.

Tao

• Permalink: The LAPD only wishes we could spend more time reuniting fathers with their sons.
• Added: July 11, 2016

The Ethan subplot was interesting. Did we ever find out why the boy was living with his grandparents instead of his mother in the first place?

Did anyone else think Julio was going to end up taking care of Ethan? He's been trying to become a foster parent for the last several episodes and there was a chance Ethan would be removed from his grandparents' care.

If you really want to know what's going on with that house, there's two people you can ask, and I'm neither of them.

Buzz

• Permalink: If you really want to know what's going on with that house, there's two people you can ask,...
• Added: July 11, 2016

The Rusty subplot was minimal. It's an improvement over the ridiculous Rusty's bio-mom plot of this season, but Gus was conveniently absent and Rusty's fear was easily resolved.

I'd have liked to have seen him talk to Dr. Joe about how he thought he was going to be abandoned again just like his bio-mom did. That would have been moving, as well as being the only way his concern made any sense.

There was no real reason for Rusty to fear he was getting in the way or that he wasn't being invited to live at the new house.

Buzz's personal investigation didn't get much air time this week. We did get a couple of clues from Provenza in the last scene, most notably that the guys who robbed and killed Buzz's family weren't amateurs. 

It was disappointing that that storyline took up so little airtime. It's one of the most interesting aspects of this season.

What did you think of "Skin Deep"? How long did it take you to figure out who did it? Did you enjoy Provenza's plan to keep other buyers away from the house?

Weigh in below, and don't forget you can watch Major Crimes online any time you want to see more of Provenza, Flynn and the rest of the Major Crimes Unit.

View Slideshow: 17 Fierce Females on TV

For a while, it's seemed like Julio Sanchez couldn't get a break.

He found out that his wife's death was no accident, but a suicide. His new girlfriend turned out to be a murderer. He spent time in anger management.

And on Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 5, it seemed like his behavior had gotten him in trouble again. Fortunately, that turned out to be a clever red herring.

Watch Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 5 Online

The format of "Cashed Out" was interesting. Instead of seeing the crime of the hour unfold in real time, the story was mainly told in flashback while the CPS worker interviewed Sanchez's co-workers to determine whether he was really fit for fatherhood.

Do you really think a homeless child would be better off living on the street than with Julio?

Rusty

• Permalink: Do you really think a homeless child would be better off living on the street than with Julio?
• Added: July 18, 2016

The CPS worker didn't seem to understand the nature of police work very well, despite having been the same person who placed Rusty with Sharon.

She seemed convinced that Julio's confrontation of a suspect and successful hostage negotiation techniques were evidence of some sort of self-destructive streak.

It didn't seem to matter to her that Julio's work actually helped resolve a situation peacefully rather than via gunfire, and it didn't seem to occur to her that the nature of the job is that it requires employees to put their lives on the line to protect citizens.

She shouldn't have needed Sykes to tell her that Julio's behavior was heroic rather than stupid, nor should she have needed Rusty to question her judgment about this.

CPS: I have worries about your judgment.
Julio: There were people around me. Civilians. The hostage. You can come back every day from here until I retire and I will still say I made the right choice.

• Permalink: There were people around me. Civilians. The hostage. You can come back every day from here...
• Added: July 18, 2016

It seemed to me that the CPS worker was the one whose judgment was questionable, not Julio's.

He took into account the crowds in the park and on the street, the psychology of the hostage taker, and what would most likely keep the hostage safe in a matter of seconds.

The CPS investigator sounded more like an Internal Affairs officer than someone who wanted to make sure a foster child was going to a loving home.

The reveal that Julio was actually under review for a Medal of Valor was so sweet both because of her obnoxiousness and because it's about time Julio got a break!

You don't just go to therapy, find the problem and fix it forever. Look at me. I don't drink anymore, but I'm still an alcoholic. You can't change who you are, but you can change where you're going.

Flynn

• Permalink: You don't just go to therapy, find the problem and fix it forever. Look at me. I don't drink...
• Added: July 18, 2016

Flynn's defense of Julio was my favorite because he was so authentic. He's right; problems don't just go away, but people can grow past them anyway. 

CPS: Lieutenant Provenza, I've been wanting to have a chat with you and I get the sense you're avoiding me.
Provenza: You can't take a hint.

• Permalink: You can't take a hint.
• Added: July 18, 2016

As for Provenza, was he just being grumpy or was his testimony a carefully calculated plan to show Sanchez was exactly what CPS was looking for in a foster parent?

It used to be when someone was dead on a barbecue, they were dead on a barbecue, not updating the Facebook from beyond.

Provenza

• Permalink: It used to be when someone was dead on a barbecue, they were dead on a barbecue, not updating...
• Added: July 18, 2016

The case was almost incidental; the real story was Julio's quest to be approved to foster a child. However, it was entertaining to see Provenza struggle with how much social media was involved with the case.

As Rusty predicted, Provenza wasn't going to like the case at all. The lieutenant didn't disappoint in that regard, shooting off some funny one-liners as he tried to understand what Glen's company was even doing or how Adrian could be posting from beyond the grave.

The two people who were Adrian's backers were incredibly stereotypical and annoying, complete with unfunny jokes about breaking people if they didn't pay up. The rest of the episode was strong, though, so that's a minor complaint.

What'd you think?

Was the flashback format interesting and effective, or did it confuse you? How loudly did you cheer when Sanchez finally seemed to be on the winning side of things? Do you want to see Sanchez become a foster parent?

Weigh in below, and don't forget you can watch Major Crimes online if you'd like to see "Cashed Out" again.

View Slideshow: 2016 Renewals and Cancelations

It's bad enough when Major Crimes can't solve a series of robberies, but when the robber escalates to murdering a British tourist, it becomes an international incident.

Or at least, that's what Chief Taylor thought at the beginning of Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 6. By the end of the hour, it turned out it was a hit for hire. Was it even related to the robbery spree?

This is what it's come to, eh? Deciding which prison I'm going to die in.

Kemp

• Permalink: This is what it's come to, eh? Deciding which prison I'm going to die in.
• Added: July 25, 2016

Marcus Kemp, the actual assassin, was a piece of work. Even with his confession, it wasn't clear what the real story was.

Claire Branson hired Kemp to kill her husband, but was Robert really trying to leave her, or was that in Kemp's head? What did the murder have to do with Kemp's blackmail of Claire Branson?

And what did it have to do with the string of robberies? That connection was quickly dropped, making me wonder whether Major Crimes was ever going to solve that case.

Buzz is a blank screen on which you are telling a compelling story.

Peter

• Permalink: Buzz is a blank screen on which you are telling a compelling story.
• Added: July 25, 2016

Reporter Peter Ogden was just as obnoxious as Kemp. Was anyone else disappointed that he didn't turn out to be the murderer? He was British, hated cops, and seemed cynical enough to pull it off while pretending to be investigating the case.

In any event, Ogden's advice to Rusty was completely ridiculous.

While Rusty needs more exposure, he doesn't need to get views by sensationalizing or completely making things up and hiding behind the claim that it's just a theory.  

Hopefully Rusty will ignore this stupid advice altogether.

Sharon: It's your mother.
Rusty: I don't feel like being manipulated today.

• Permalink: I don't feel like being manipulated today.
• Added: July 25, 2016

Speaking of Rusty, hopefully this ridiculous storyline about his bio mom's baby is over after this. Rusty was right that his bio mom was just trying to manipulate him. She's been putting the decision about the baby on him for weeks now.

It's nice that she stopped by to thank him after he finally picked up her phone, but are Gary's parents really decent people? Is she making the right decision for her baby?

Does anyone really care about this story?

I'd much rather see Buzz make some headway on his investigation into his dad's and uncle's deaths, but that was back-burnered again.

Instead, there was a convoluted search for a gun that led from a sweet, though scatterbrained, old woman to her loser grandson to Marcus Kemp, who tried to claim that he sold the gun again.

He has friends in jail. Why am I not surprised?

Buzz

• Permalink: He has friends in jail. Why am I not surprised?
• Added: July 25, 2016

Jesse Harris and his grandma filled this series' need for quirky suspects and crime victims. I wondered if Mrs. Harris suffered from dementia, while her grandson was just off the wall.

If the baby thing is so important to you, stop talking about it or find someone else to have it with.

Sykes

• Permalink: If the baby thing is so important to you, stop talking about it or find someone else to have...
• Added: July 25, 2016

What's going on with Sykes and Cooper? Their argument about getting married and having children seemed to come out of nowhere. When did they go from merely dating to this serious? 

It didn't seem like the argument was anywhere near over when the case was interrupted. It'll be interesting to see what happens with this.

What did you think of "Tourist Trap"?

Are you curious about the other victims of the crime spree? Do you think this is the end of the latest Sharon Beck storyline?

Weigh in below and don't forget you can always watch Major Crimes online if you missed anything.

View Slideshow: 17 Characters Who Should Put A Sock In It

Nobody does a manhunt like Major Crimes.

Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 7 featured an unhinged, suicidal man who was armed with more guns than he could carry.

In some ways, it was a tense, exciting hour of television. Yet something seemed all too political about it.

Watch Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 7 Online

Some of the themes of this episode have been dealt with heavily on the news.

The perpetrator, Elliot Chase, was armed with AR-15s and other weapons that are currently at the center of debates over gun control, and his plight began because he lost his job and his home in the recession of 2008.

Mental illness and guns is a hotly debated topic, and unfortunately "Moral Hazard" didn't really do much to address it.

What's going on? Is Elliot okay? Did he do something?

Karen

• Permalink: What's going on? Is Elliot okay? Did he do something?
• Added: August 01, 2016

Elliot's ex-wife, Karen, painted a tragic picture of her husband to viewers. She and Elliot were, presumably, happy until he lost his job. Soon after they lost their home, and his mental state became too much for his wife to deal with.

This wasn't really delved into any too deeply, though; it was just a point of information so that the cops knew who they were dealing with. 

In a way, this works well. Nobody wants to watch a TV show that's really an hour-long infomerical for a political position. At best, that kind of episode is boring. 

There's nothing entertaining in politics disguised as a fictional story.

However, a more nuanced depiction of Elliot's mental illness would have made the story richer.

I found myself wanting to know why he went off the rails. His belief that mortgage brokers are "evil" just wasn't enough of a motivation and made him into a bit of a cartoon villain.

I got hit today, and it hurt. But leaving here wouldn't just hurt me. It would probably kill me.

Provenza

• Permalink: I got hit today, and it hurt. But leaving here wouldn't just hurt me. It would probably kill...
• Added: August 01, 2016

Patrice's conflict with Provenza was more interesting than the manhunt itself. Patrice, as usual, thought she knew best and decided that it was time for her Louis to retire. I found myself wondering why Provenza didn't just tell her that he had no intention of retiring.

The fact that at the end of the hour, he did just that, made up for his reluctance to communicate earlier on.

Julio: Sir, are you okay?
Provenza: No.... my wife... is gonna kill me!

• Permalink: No.... my wife... is gonna kill me!
• Added: August 01, 2016

Provenza's dilemma was a source of humor as well as an interesting story in its own right. Only Provenza would lament after getting shot that his wife would be upset with him!

Buzz: Sorry, can't talk.
Rusty: Okay, just listen while you get ready to go wherever you're going.

• Permalink: Okay, just listen while you get ready to go wherever you're going.
• Added: August 01, 2016

Rusty, on the other hand, had another annoying little sideline. This time, he was bothering everyone he could think of to try to find a way around LAPD policy so that Buzz could check out some fingerprints.

Buzz's story should be big news. It should be a season-long arc that moves forward in every episode even if there's not a lot of time to devote to it.

What it should not be is a story that consists entirely of filler scenes in which Rusty bugs everyone without there being any payoff at the end.

Gus' annoyance with Rusty's obsession mirrored the audience's, though it's a good set up for a conflict between Rusty and Gus over Rusty's job later on.

Did you like "Moral Hazard"? Did Elliot's behavior make any sense to you? Were you bothered by the mention of AR-15s in this storyline?

Weigh in below, and if you missed something, make sure to watch Major Crimes online.

View Slideshow: 2016 Renewals and Cancelations

Is this the last we've seen of Sharon Beck?

Please?

Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 8 was a solid story, and the Gus/Rusty payoff at the end almost made the Sharon Beck nonsense worth it.

But Rusty's bio-mom adds little of value to the show and Rusty could be better used to further the Buzz investigation plot. So hopefully this is the last of her.

It was entirely predictable and annoying that Rusty would have sudden pangs of guilt and love for his new half sibling as soon as he saw the sonogram.

It's particularly obnoxious that almost all the characters that are dragged into this ridiculous storyline co-sign his bio-mom's decision to make him responsible for what she does with her baby.

Actually, Gary's parents invited my mom to move in with them so that they could all raise the baby together.

Rusty

• Permalink: Actually, Gary's parents invited my mom to move in with them so that they could all raise the...
• Added: August 15, 2016

This blame game is entirely unfair to Rusty. It's also something that many people with substance use problems do in order to justify their drug use.

Rusty has a right to his opinion about his bio-mom's pregnancy. But as Sharon R. pointed out once, he doesn't have the right to dictate what she does with her body or her baby.

He should not be encouraged to allow her to use his new half-sibling to manipulate him into helping her by blaming his choice to be distant from her for her choice not to have any contact with the baby.

Rusty: If anything ever happens to me... damn it.
Gus: What?
Rusty: I love you.

• Permalink: If anything ever happens to me...damn it.
• Added: August 15, 2016

The sweet Gus/Rusty scene almost made up for the stupidity of this whole storyline. Rusty finally admitting his feelings for Gus and allowing himself to be vulnerable was a touching moment.

It would have been even more touching if he came to this conclusion while helping Buzz investigate the death of his father rather than getting sucked back into a relationship with his bio-mom that's sure to cause more unnecessary drama down the line.

Rusty: How do you know when to give someone another chance?
Flynn: There is no formula. But sometimes not giving someone another chance hurts you more than it hurts them.

• Permalink: There is no formula. But sometimes not giving someone another chance hurts you more than it...
• Added: August 15, 2016

It was nice to see Flynn as an addict in recovery. I'd forgotten he was an alcoholic, and seeing that inform his choices – and the advice he gives others – was a nice piece of character development.

The case itself had enough twists and turns to keep viewers' attention.

Having Jared be a friend of the family that Flynn didn't want to be guilty was a nice touch. So much evidence pointed to Jared that it was pretty obvious it wasn't him, but the emotional component of the mystery was still enthralling.

Tina: You think someone's gonna mistake you for an actress?
Sykes: They did with you, so why not?

• Permalink: They did with you, so why not?
• Added: August 15, 2016

There were also a a whole cast of quirky suspects. Major Crimes does quirky well and it hasn't been using this strength lately.

Tina was the worst, and Sykes' comeback to her was applause-worthy. Chris' mother wasn't much better, with her domineering manner and belief that her son would be perfectly healthy if he were still under her thumb.

Rusty: Hey, Lieutenant. How's the murder investigation going?
Flynn: Oh, just fine. We have lots and lots of suspects but no motive.

• Permalink: Oh, just fine. We have lots and lots of suspects but no motive.
• Added: August 15, 2016

Flynn's statement about how many suspects there were and how few motives summed everything up nicely. In the end, it turned out to be an agent with an axe to grind.

The inclusion of the replacement actor could have been prepared for better, but the rationale behind the crime mainly made sense.

Did you realize Sean was a killer? Are you hoping this is the end of the Sharon Beck baby storyline? 

Share your thoughts below and remember: if you missed anything you can watch Major Crimes online to get caught up.

View Slideshow: 2016 Renewals and Cancelations

It's always the wife. Or at least, that's what Lieutenant Provenza would have us believe.

Except this time it wasn't.

Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 9 offered a case that was both quirky and sad, a rough start to Julio's attempt to be a foster parent, and Sharon needing to rein in Rusty's impulsivity.

It was as sad as it was quirky and made for an enjoyable hour of television.

The investigation of the hour was worthy of Law and Order: SVU, complete with a college student who was earning money on the side as a prostitute.

The girl and her boyfriend seemed to have a philosophical disagreement with the idea that prostitution is wrong.

What a stupid question. No, he wasn't jealous. Why would he be? And I wasn't in a relationship with Bobby. It was transactional. Safe sex.

Bree

• Permalink: What a stupid question. No, he wasn't jealous. Why would he be? And I wasn't in a...
• Added: August 22, 2016

It was an interesting point of view, though it didn't make prostitution any safer or less illegal. The cops were quick to point out that prostitution led to Bobby Cushing's murder but didn't spend much time on the fact that Bree, the prostitute in question, could have also easily been raped or killed.

Oh my God. Oh... what have I done?

Mr. Miller

• Permalink: Oh my God. Oh... what have I done?
• Added: August 22, 2016

Lately, Major Crimes seems to have developed a bad habit of pulling the real criminal out of thin air in the last fifteen minutes of the hour. "Family Law" was no exception.

Suddenly, Bree's father was found to be in the hotel where Bobby and Bree had their last encounter. Unsurprisingly, he turned out to be the killer.

Since the case is so often incidental to the actual point of the story, this kind of tacked-on ending might be acceptable once or twice, but it seems to be a pattern. 

In any event, it could have easily been avoided by having Bree's relationship with her father be part of the story prior to his sudden appearance and subsequent confession.

It also wasn't very clear what Bree's friendship with Bobby's daughter, Megan, had to do with anything.

I found a guy. We don't know if he's THE guy yet, and we don't want him knowing we're onto him.

Buzz

• Permalink: I found a guy. We don't know if he's THE guy yet, and we don't want him knowing we're onto him.
• Added: August 22, 2016

Buzz's investigation into his father and uncle's murders was finally back in the forefront! Predictably, Rusty ignored instructions to stop filming because he thought he knew better than Buzz how to proceed with the investigation.

Let's talk about what you don't know, or don't remember.

Sharon

• Permalink: Let's talk about what you don't know, or don't remember.
• Added: August 22, 2016

I was glad that instead of Rusty going off half-cocked and making a mess out of everything, he turned to Sharon. She explained the issue in no uncertain terms and ordered Rusty to delete the video.

His response made me wonder if he'd already sabotaged the case by posting it on his blog.

Staying with a black family last night was bad enough. I'm not going anywhere with a Mexican!

Mark

• Permalink: Staying with a black family last night was bad enough. I'm not going anywhere with a Mexican!
• Added: August 22, 2016

Rusty's introduction to Julio's temporary foster son, Mark, was more interesting than his refusal to listen to anyone. Like Mark, Rusty was an abandoned kid. In fact, he was abandoned at the zoo – the place Mark wanted to be abandoned at for some reason.

Now that Mark's mother has turned up dead, the parallel is almost complete. If Mark witnessed his mother's murder, Rusty will certainly be a good mentor for him.

Rusty and Mark's scenes were enjoyable, but I hope that Julio can build rapport with the kid himself and get around his prejudices somehow. Julio needs to be able to relate to Mark in some way other than threatening to handcuff him if he doesn't behave.

What did you think of "Family Law"? Did the solution to the mystery seem random? Do you think Rusty will somehow mess up Buzz's case? Will Julio be able to foster Mark now that his mother is dead?

Weigh in below, and don't forget you can  watch Major Crimes online if you missed anything.

View Slideshow: 17 Fierce Females on TV

Julio-centric episodes are a rare treat onMajor Crimes.

Julio is always an emotional, complex character who is fun to watch as he struggles to keep moving forward during difficult circumstances.

Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 10 was no exception.

Considering the major losses Julio has had in his life, from his wife's death to his girlfriend turning out to be a murderer, it's not surprising he is willing to do anything to protect a motherless little boy.

He gets double points for caring so much about a child who hates him because he's Mexican.

Please can we wait for her? I'll be good, I promise. It won't be long. I'm sorry, okay? I'll be good.

Mark

• Permalink: Please can we wait for her? I'll be good, I promise. It won't be long. I'm sorry, okay? I'll...
• Added: August 29, 2016

From the beginning, telling Mark he was going to see his mom didn't seem like a good idea. Since Ava was dead, he was going to get his heart broken and not understand why, no matter what the detectives did.

He might even have blamed Julio for his mom's failure to appear.

Characterization wise, though, it was an important move. Mark lost a lot of the anger and hatred towards Julio once he heard his mom was around. He seemed a lot more like an eight-year-old boy and a lot less like a carefully groomed domestic terrorist.

He even warned Julio about Henry's room, which might have saved all of the detectives' lives.

It'll be interesting to see where his relationship with Julio goes from here. Will he learn that Julio lied to him? Will he understand that Julio pulled out all the stops to save his life?

See, this is why nobody likes the press.

Andy

• Permalink: See, this is why nobody likes the press.
• Added: August 29, 2016

Rusty's identification with little Mark was interesting and refreshing. He might be a good mentor for the boy if Mark will allow him to be.

Rusty's preoccupation with sitting in on Buzz's interview was annoying, however. He seemed to have no understanding of why Sharon was hesitant to grant him this privilege and was determined to manipulate his way into it.

Forget the puppy dog eyes; Rusty needs to demonstrate an ability to take responsibility for his actions and not continue to act like he knows more than the cops about how to investigate a cold case.

See, that is why they call us Major CRIMES, not Major Crime. We are capable of handling more than one asshole a day.

Provenza

• Permalink: See, that is why they call us Major CRIMES, not Major Crime. We are capable of handling more...
• Added: August 29, 2016

Buzz's interview with Hecht provided a riveting counterpoint to the main case of the hour. Buzz's reluctance was more about being afraid to face the truth about his family members' death than it was about not wanting to distract from the other case.

Provenza knew it and didn't let him get away with it.

So meth and real estate fraud. They're diversified.

Sharon

• Permalink: So meth and real estate fraud. They're diversified.
• Added: August 29, 2016

The case itself was a bit odd and convoluted, but as usual, it wasn't really the point. The cases on Major Crimes tend to be vehicles to explore character development and this was no exception.

This case was about Julio and Mark. It was also about a particularly eager DDA trying to get evidence to put away another white supremacist, who seemed to exist mainly to say stupid things and make himself look like an idiot.

Darnell: This has nothing to do with justice, and by the time you figure that out HE'LL be in charge.
Chief Taylor: I already am.

• Permalink: I already am.
• Added: August 29, 2016

If this were a more serious type of show, the stereotypical racism shown here might be problematic.

Racism is a more complex problem than depicted here, and it was confusing that Mark didn't seem to actually hold the racist beliefs he was indoctrinated with but was only using them to hurt Julio because he wanted his mom.

However, as quirky characters go, Darnell was one of the kookiest and most entertaining and served the purpose of making racists look stupid.

What did you think of "Dead Zone"? Are you warming to Mark? Do you think Rusty will grow up and stop doing annoying things?

Weigh in below!

Don't forget that if you missed anything, you can watch Major Crimes online to catch up.

View Slideshow: 17 Characters Who Should Put A Sock In It

They killed Chief Taylor.

He was often at odds with Sharon and the detectives about how to proceed, focused on handling the media during difficult cases, and recently responded to bigotry with a smile and a soft word.

His part was never huge, but he was an important part of the operation anyway. And as of the beginning of Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 11, he was dead.

His death was surprising and sad, and the Major Crimes Unit's reactions to it were nothing short of riveting, emotional drama.

Rusty: I don't wanna just sit around. I wanna help. Dr. Joe was my friend.
Provenza: Rusty. I have known Russell Taylor from his first day. We are all dealing with tragedy.

• Permalink: Rusty. I have known Russell Taylor from his first day. We are all dealing with tragedy.
• Added: September 05, 2016

Provenza didn't even have a real wisecrack the whole hour. He was gentle but firm with Rusty, supportive of Sharon and focused on catching the conspirators who had killed Chief Taylor.

The chief wasn't the only casualty.

DDA Rosen was also killed. All I could think of was how ironic it was that Jason Kravitz's character on The Practice was also an attorney who was violently gunned down.  

DDA Rosen was less of a part of Major Crimes; his death was shocking but not nearly as saddening.

That's not the problem. The problem is I took a human life today and I can't find a single part of me that feels bad about it.

Sharon

• Permalink: That's not the problem. The problem is I took a human life today and I can't find a single...
• Added: September 05, 2016

Sharon's struggle with her guilt, or lack thereof, over killing Dwight Darnell, the white supremacist who had killed Taylor and Rosen and seriously wounded Dr. Joe, was an interesting and emotional sideline.

She went from numb to guilty once she met Darnell's mother, who didn't understand why they needed an autopsy and didn't want to talk about her son's white supremacist hero.

It looked like her emotional struggle wasn't over as she watched Ms. Darnell through the window at the end of the hour.

I wish they had shown us her interview at Behavioral Sciences. Those would have been some meaty, emotional scenes.

Somehow Sharon must manage to parent Rusty, who is beside himself with pain over Dr. Joe, while dealing with her own trauma.

Provenza asked Rusty to be strong for Sharon, but that's a lot to ask from a young man whose life had been changed by the same therapist who nearly died and who the cops are pretending did die.

Listen. Losing Chief Taylor like this... well, calling him a hero, doesn't help does it? But that's how we'll remember him.

Howard

• Permalink: Listen. Losing Chief Taylor like this... well, calling him a hero, doesn't help does it? But...
• Added: September 05, 2016

Deputy Chief Howard's tribute to Chief Taylor summarized what everyone felt and inspired them to just keep moving forward with the case. 

It was also moving for Buzz to get some good news about his own case while in the midst of this tragedy.

Finding out from Jennifer Edwards that Gene Hecht wasn't with her on the night of the murders and had one of the dead men's watches was the break he – and viewers – needed during this heavy episode.

Someone loaded Dwight's gun, Lieutenant. I think this is one of those times when we have to gather our facts first and come up with a theory of the crime later.

Sharon

• Permalink: Someone loaded Dwight's gun, Lieutenant. I think this is one of those times when we have to...
• Added: September 05, 2016

The conspiracy investigation seems to be hitting plenty of dead ends, with a top suspect found murdered and another one dying at the scene. Whether Deputy Sims or any other victim was actually involved with the shooting remains to be seen. 

This looks like it will be a dramatic ending to this season as Major Crimes moves into its midseason finale.

Who do you think was involved with the shooting? Which character's reaction did you find most emotional? Weigh in below!

If you missed something, you can always watch Major Crimes online to catch up.

View Slideshow: 17 Fierce Females on TV

How creepy were those neo-Nazis stomping their feet in unison at the end of  Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 12?

There's nothing scarier than a cult leader who appears to be able to murder with impunity and who has the total loyalty of his followers, and Jordan Graff certainly fits that bill.

He is smug, arrogant, and filled with hate -- will  the Major Crimes Unit be able to bring him to justice?

Having the cops' investigation of Graff and his neo-Nazi organization be intertwined with Sharon's confession to her priest elevated this episode to a higher level. Unlike the evil Graff, Sharon is grappling with big questions related to her use of deadly force against Dwight Darnell.

And if I can take a life with no feeling at all, I don't know who I am anymore.

Sharon

• Permalink: And if I can take a life with no feeling at all, I don't know who I am anymore.
• Added: September 12, 2016

The fact that Sharon is questioning everything proves that she is the good person that she fears she is not. It's not her numbness that's the problem; it's her fear that that numbness means she doesn't care about the sanctity of human life.

Meanwhile, Graff has ordered many murders and seemed to be using his followers to threaten Sharon and the rest of the Major Crimes Unit without any signs of conflict over what he's doing.

I'd say you're all in over your heads and have been for some time.

Graff

• Permalink: I'd say you're all in over your heads and have been for some time.
• Added: September 12, 2016

Is the Major Crimes Unit in over its head? Maybe. But I'm hoping Graff is headed for a fall.

This three-part story is much easier to swallow than the five part "Hindsight" that spanned from  Major Crimes Season 4 Episode 19  to Major Crimes Season 4 Episode 24. The story flows more naturally and is far more interesting.

In addition, weaving Julio's foster kid into it adds another dramatic element.

There wasn't much of that in "White Lies Part 2", but what little there was, was a riveting setup for future conflicts. Julio wanted to go home and take care of Mark, but Provenza considered Mark a neo-Nazi in training who shouldn't take precedence over the case.

Hopefully this conflict will escalate in future episodes. In any event, it's wonderful to see Julio have this story arc, which guarantees that he will finally get the consistent airtime he deserves.

Do you want to ask me what I did wrong? Do you want to ask me how I raised a kid who grew up to do these terrible things?

Ms. Darnell

• Permalink: Do you want to ask me what I did wrong? Do you want to ask me how I raised a kid who grew up...
• Added: September 12, 2016

Julio also stands in direct contrast with Dwight Darnell's mother, who hates what her son has become but is convinced that everyone else blames her and refuses to cooperate much with the investigation.

There is clearly more to the story than she is letting on, and her extreme reaction to being asked about Dwight's father suggests that perhaps he was the catalyst for Dwight's downfall in some way.

Vogel: Yeah, I knew Dwight. A real sweet kid.
Sykes: Yeah, adorable. I watched him shoot up a courtroom, kill my chief and a couple of good friends.

• Permalink: Yeah, adorable. I watched him shoot up a courtroom, kill my chief and a couple of good friends.
• Added: September 12, 2016

It was both sad and heartwarming to see how the rest of the MCU is keeping Chief Taylor's memory alive and trying to honor it by solving his murder. Sykes was particularly strong, standing up regularly to white supremacists and people who didn't seem to want to take their interrogaiton seriously.

You made the difference in your life. Don't forget that.

Dr. Joe

• Permalink: You made the difference in your life. Don't forget that.
• Added: September 12, 2016

Rusty's short little scene with Dr. Joe was one of the highlights of the hour. Even while recovering from being shot and having to keep secret that he's alive at all, Dr. Joe is a calming, encouraging influence in Rusty's life. He needs to get well soon, because Rusty desperately needs a session.

I wasn't thrilled with Gus' response to Rusty's attempting to search for Billy Jones. Granted, Gus doesn't know that Dr. Joe is actually alive, and Rusty's decision not to spill the beans was surprisingly mature, given his previous behavior.

However, Gus was dismissive of Rusty's work, apparently ignoring that that same dedication was what led Rusty to uncover the identity of his sister in the first place. He also was quick to psychoanalyze Rusty. It came across as demeaning rather than concerned.

Hecht: Hey, what's the bug up his ass? I don't get it.
Provenza: The two men at the ATM who were murdered... his father. His uncle.

• Permalink: The two men at the ATM who were murdered... his father. His uncle.
• Added: September 12, 2016

Buzz finally got a real lead in his father and uncle's murders! Going through high school yearbooks was ingenuous. It will be exciting to see what comes of this lead.

What did you think of "White Lies, Part 2"? Are you enjoying this three-episode arc so far? Is there a particular storyline you love or would like to see less of?

Weigh in below, and don't forget you can always watch Major Crimes online if you missed anything.

View Slideshow: 17 Characters Who Should Put A Sock In It

How heartbreaking was Julio's goodbye to little Mark?

The kid was originally obnoxious, parroting racist comments he'd heard from his family and hating Julio because he was Hispanic. 

But in the little time he was on, Julio became so protective of him that losing Mark hurt viewers as much as it hurt him.

Major Crimes Season 5 Episode 13 wrapped up a number of emotional storylines before heading into a cliffhanger. Who else can't wait until 2017 for its return?

Much of the hour was dedicated to finally figuring out exactly who ordered the hits in the courtroom.

As Provenza and Sharon quickly realized, this shooting wasn't really in the Z-Brotherhood's interest. All it did was bring unwanted police attention to the group's illegal activities.

The solution to the mystery was convoluted and I have to admit I'm still a bit confused. Martin Borjas was Dwight Darnell's father. He also ordered all the hits.

Darnell's mother killed him before he could be taken into custody, presumably because he called Dwight a weak link that had to be eliminated, but Borjas' connection to the Z-Brotherhood still didn't make sense to me. 

I just left another 11-year-old boy and his little sister without a father. And now I keep thinking, what's going to happen to those kids? What have I done? What have I done?

Buzz

• Permalink: I just left another 11-year-old boy and his little sister without a father. And now I keep...
• Added: September 19, 2016

In any event, the entire hour revolved around family relationships. Ms. Darnell blamed the lack of a father for Dwight's becoming a white supremacist and killing all those people. Elsewhere, Buzz struggled with guilt as his colleagues arrested Bill Jones for his part in the murder of Buzz's father and uncle.

Buzz wanted to close the case, but he couldn't help wondering what was going to happen to Jones' children now. Seeing that Jones had created a family that he loved seemed to change his attitude towards everything that had happened.

Luckily, he had Provenza with him to insist on justice.

That's the beauty of the justice system. It doesn't give a damn how you feel.

Provenza

• Permalink: That's the beauty of the justice system. It doesn't give a damn how you feel.
• Added: September 19, 2016

He also had Rusty to disregard the rules and help find Bill Jones. Rusty's impulsivity sometimes gets him into trouble, but he definitely is good at what he does. 

Rusty Thomas Beck, you are not supposed to be following murderers around.

Sharon

• Permalink: Rusty Thomas Beck, you are not supposed to be following murderers around.
• Added: September 19, 2016

Sharon's laying down the law notwithstanding, it's highly unlikely that this is the end of Rusty's side career as a detective. He seems really cut out for investigative journalism and I'm looking forward to seeing what he gets into next.

Nobody wants to be brave, Mark. Brave is what we do when we're all out of choices.

Julio

• Permalink: Nobody wants to be brave, Mark. Brave is what we do when we're all out of choices.
• Added: September 19, 2016

Saddest of all was Julio's goodbye to Mark. This was tough for both of them.

Julio has gotten the short end of the stick so many times that it would have been nice to see something work out for him. After seeing him deal with his wife's death and his next girlfriend turn out to be a murderer, it seemed so unfair that he didn't get to keep his foster son.

Mark: Did I do something wrong, Julio? What did I do wrong?
Sanchez: You didn't do anything wrong. It's just the way the world works.

• Permalink: You didn't do anything wrong. It's just the way the world works.
• Added: September 19, 2016

It was heartbreaking hearing Mark begging to stay with Julio. The poor kid thought he was being punished for his previous behavior by being forced to live with his grandparents instead.

Hopefully Mark will be all right and not turn up as a suspect in a future case.

Julio's speech about bravery was one of the most beautiful things I've seen on this show. Did anyone else find themselves in tears over this whole sequence?

It was obvious that Andy was going to have a heart attack or other serious medical problem as soon as he said he was having chest pain. It was still an effective cliffhanger even though viewers have been down this road with him before.

Andy will likely survive, but how will this latest health crisis affect his relationship with Sharon and his ability to work?

How did "White Lies Part 3" rate as a season finale? Who's looking forward to when this series returns?

Weigh in below!

Don't forget you can watch Major Crimes online if the hiatus is too long for you and you want to see anything again.

View Slideshow: 17 Characters Who Should Put A Sock In It