My mother and I are both big fans of "The Closer", TNT's hit show now in its 6th year. Kyra Sedgwick plays a strong, feminine, feisty, Southern, sometimes pushy and overbearing head of Los Angeles' Major Crimes Division, Brenda Leigh Johnson. According to Wikipedia, the show has had a cultural impact both on the role of women in the workplace, as well as the place of cable TV alongside network programming. Personally, I've learned a lot from "The Closer" and I've listed the highlights here:
1. The more capable a woman is, the easier it is for men to report to her.
Although there was quite a bit of animosity and resentment when Brenda Leigh first joined the LA police force, over the years her natural abilities as a case closer and leader have created a very different team environment. Apex Shed Leigh All of the men, even those who tried to get her fired early on, now appear to have a high level of respect for her. Interestingly enough, the person Brenda Leigh now has the most conflict with is another strong woman.
2. If you lie, you'll always be found out.
While I realize that there are, in fact, people who get away with lies, the majority of us don't. Sooner or later, usually when our attention is elsewhere, we let slip the truth. Also, lying may be the hardest transgression to be forgiven. It undermines the trust that others have in you and is near impossible to get past.
3. Most controlling people have at least one person they are afraid of, because they are even more controlling.
One of my favorite episodes is when Brenda Leigh, usually the most dominant person in any room, gives her father 'what for' about trying to control the timing of her wedding. It was quite revealing to see this tough woman who can talk through and over a room full of people, be tongue-tied and struggle to claiming her independence back from her father. Apparently, it also inspired her fiance Fritz to confront her about setting the date for their wedding within a certain time frame. Go, Fritzie!
4. When romantic entanglements go bad, the entire team loses it's effectiveness.
The Major Crimes Division brings together a team of individuals who all bring different strengths and skills to the table. One of the sub-plots was the romantic pairing of two of the detectives. At some point, the relationship soured, which created havoc for the entire team. The bickering and competitiveness of the Sargent David Gabriel and Detective Irene Daniels did not impact just their individual performance, but the entire team became ineffective because of it. I guess that's why so many organizations have a no-fraternization rule.
5. A successful team values what each member brings to the team.
The members of the team are very diverse, composed of blacks and whites, male and female, multiple ethnicities, married, single and divorced, parents and non-parents, and I'm sure there are many others if I thought about it longer. However, none of those surface differences mean anything on the team. It is well oiled and everyone on the team gets recognized for what they bring. This applies to Chief Johnson, as well as Buzz, the technical guy. They are a role model for all teams (at least when there are no breakups going on!).
6. Don't follow your married ex-lover anywhere.
Brenda Leigh has an interesting relationship with her boss. He was apparently her co-worker back in Washington, D.C. and was responsible for bringing her to LA to head the then-called Priority Homicide Unit. It turns out that they had an affair back in DC, back when Assistant Pope was married to his first wife. Apparently he left his wife, and Brenda, to marry his second (now ex) wife. Although Brenda is now happily married to Fritz, there are times when, whether on a professional or personal basis, this fact comes to the surface and seems to flavor their communication. At any rate, the wisdom I've learned from those two is "let all your past relationships stay in the past and definitely don't move across the nation to work for them again!"
7. Inconsiderate people can still be loved deeply.
As mentioned, Brenda's single-minded purpose (closing her current case) can make her very inconsiderate, overbearing and sometimes unbearable. While on a case, she is wrapped in her own little world and runs roughshod over many people, including her husband. In fact, there have been some instances of her doing some underhanded things to solve her case and creating issues with her FBI-agent husband. Despite that, and their occasional fights, Fritz still loves, supports and respects her. Over the years, I've often wondered about the (apparently) loving mates of some individuals that drove me through the wall. Our views of people are all different, but the luckiest of us have someone who can see through the garbage to the element core of who we are and love us deeply!
8. Everyone deserves to have a drawer full of chocolate goodies for "emergencies."
With her many imperfections, one of my favorite of Brenda's failings is her drawer full of chocolate candy. No matter crisis is going on, you can count on Brenda to have her top side drawer chock full of individually wrapped, full-size chocolate bars. I love how it's right there so there is no searching and it really symbolizes how many of us feel when faced with a difficult situation. Like Brenda, I believe that there is no problem that chocolate can't solve. (Oh, and I can really relate to how she savors ever bite and every smell before she bites. She is my all-time favorite chocoholic!)
9. You can't ever say "Thank You So Much" too often.
One of the ways this cop show differs from many others (all others?) is the number of times per episode you'll hear Brenda Leigh say "Thank You So Much" with that lovely Southern drawl. It's a small thing, but it is actually one of the things that has helped endear her to her staff. They are not used to their boss thanking them for doing their job. I especially like when her smile and "thank you" silence someone who was ready to explode at her. They are so surprised at the civility, it seems to throw them off focus immediately. Now that's a skill we could all use!
10. If I'm ever picked up by the police and put into an interrogation room, demand a lawyer immediately!
OK, I'm not sure this is the intent of the show, but from watching Brenda and the other detectives interrogate suspects, the minute the police close the door with me sitting at that little room with the single table and the long mirror on the wall opposite me, I'm going to ask for a lawyer. While not all interrogators may have Brenda's skill, I know I am no match for those skilled professionals. I guess I better start carrying the name of a good defense lawyer!