We may not be able to understand what the knife-wielding assailant was saying in the latest episode of 'The Closer' (Mon., 9PM on TNT) as he was spewing his venom and anger in a foreign language, but we do know what message got lost in translation.

Never bring a knife to a car fight.

The assailant was in pursuit of another man in a crowded shopping mall, surrounded by potential witnesses. This indicates he was probably beyond the point of reasoning, so running became the better option. Eventually, he caught up to his prey near the road, and the two tussled on the ground, and ultimately on the hood of a car.

A fortuitous throw by the victim sent his attacker into the road, where he learned that car beats knife every time. And when it's a police car, you lose twice. It was a quick end to what could have otherwise been a very nasty ending to a holiday shopping trip.