'The Closer' - 'The Big Bang' Recap (Season Premiere)

(S06E01) Change is never easy, and for a character as set in her ways and averse to technology as Brenda Leigh Johnson, you just knew the new offices for Major Crimes were going to make her more antsy than usual.

Remember how difficult it was for Brenda when she first tried to drive in Los Angeles? Well, navigating the new office was like that for her. For more on the mirrors and screens and break room that was too far from Provenza's desk, follow me after the jump.

A $10 million new Major Crimes office space -- in a new building -- was not up and running. It reminded me of what they call "a soft opening" for a store or restaurant. Everything was half-baked and not ready for prime time. Leave it to Brenda, though, she found a way to make it work nonetheless. Still, telling the suspect that his wife had cheated on him with the victim was rather forward, even for Brenda.

It was a good case, despite the lack of prime suspects. One strong element in 'The Closer' continues to be the chemistry of the team. Everyone contributes, everyone has a moment, and Brenda remains the planet around which they orbit. It's a formula, but one that works very well. Even a slapstick bit like Provenza trying to keep Sherie from seeing the body being lowered from the wires worked.

While it was established in that scene that Sherie was a ditz, she still had a great lawsuit once Brenda sent her in to entrap her husband Caleb and he tried to kill her. She probably signed some kind of waiver, but still, she was nearly strangled before Major Crimes intervened and arrested Walker. In a way, it worked out better for Brenda: She got the actual murderer -- Paul -- to confess, as well as Caleb for trying to kill Sherie. A two-fer!

The topicality of how Los Angeles is saving energy and money by having blackouts in the middle of the night was a cool element. It was something most people wouldn't know about and proved to be a key element in the crime.

Pope had a big announcement, which was teased for most of the show. The L.A. Chief of Police is retiring and it looks like Pope is moving up to take over. We'll find out for sure in the weeks ahead ... and how it affects Brenda, no doubt.

Other points of interest

-- Natasha Gregson Wagner played Sherie. If she reminded you of Natalie Wood, it's because she's Natalie's daughter.

-- That was Steven Culp Currie Graham from 'Men in Trees' (and lots of other shows) as Paul. Any time they cast a good character actor like him, you can pretty much guess he's a likely killer. They don't waste casting on stars who can't handle a good confession scene.

-- Brenda's file box that she brought from the other office was filled with candy ... Hershey's Kisses and such. You won't find a bottle of booze in her drawers, but chocolate, yes.

-- You have to feel for Commander Taylor: How could they not have given him an office in the new building? If he's the paranoid type, he might wonder if they're sending him a message about his job security. The explanation about when the design for the building was created and the changes in the department since then, though, made a lot of sense. It should be interesting to see his reaction when he discovers the conference room is his permanent office.

-- The role-playing between Fritz and Brenda at home was pretty cute.

-- "This new building is an obstacle course." -- Brenda to Will