Strike Three (20 Jul. 2009)

Two officers are shot and killed in the line of duty. However, captain Raydor's internal investigation could jeopardize Major Crimes' chances of finding the killers.

Director:

Nelson McCormick

Writers:

James Duff (creator), Steven Kane

Stars:

Kyra Sedgwick, J.K. Simmons, Corey Reynolds

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson
J.K. Simmons	...	Assistant Chief Will Pope
Corey Reynolds	...	Sgt. David Gabriel
Robert Gossett	...	Commander Taylor
G.W. Bailey	...	Lt. Louie Provenza
Tony Denison	...	Lt. Andy Flynn
Michael Paul Chan	...	Lt. Mike Tao
Raymond Cruz	...	Detective Julio Sanchez
Phillip P. Keene	...	Buzz Watson
Jon Tenney	...	Agent Fritz Howard
Mary McDonnell	...	Captain Sharon Raydor
Paola Turbay	...	Det. Mikki Mendoza
Richard Tyson	...	Ted
Ray Porter	...	Adrian Beck
Derek Phillips	...	Stomper

Storyline

The Major Crimes squad is pulling out all of the stops to solve the murder of two patrolmen who were obviously ambushed. A teenager, Kevin Weber, is also found dead at the scene and Brenda is convinced he was part of the gang that killed the police. Unfotunatley for her, she comes against Capt. Sharon Raydor whose unit is tasked with investigating all cases where a police officer might have discharged their firearms and killed a citizen. While Brenda works from the assumption that Kevin is guilty until proved otherwise, Capt. Raydor assumes he's innocent until proven guilty.

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Plot Keywords:

investigation | tattoo | drugs | nazi | police violence | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 July 2009 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shephard/Robin Company, The, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min 45 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Captain Sharon Raydor: I usually first.
Commander Taylor: Then this should be a change for you.

User Reviews

No Way Out

This is a counterpoint review. Though at the time of writing, only 3 out of 11 people found the pre-existing review useful, I think there is a need to state why it is not useful. Also, despite an 8.6 rating, this episode is underrated.

Now, the reviewer gives this episode 4/10 and writes, "(Captain Raydor) is unbelievably annoying. Ms. McDonnell portrayal of this character is wooden and one dimensional." He confesses to "fast forwarding through the scenes involving this character". So, how exactly is he then able to form a *proper* picture of the character? Had the reviewer actually listened to all what Raydor says, he might have a better understanding of this episode. Also, "one-dimensional" can only be a *line*, something needs to be two-dimensional to constitute a flat surface.

Why do I consider this episode underrated? It is already a phenomenal 9/10 because it deals objectively with the US legal system's political correctness that has gotten out of hand, meaning that criminals hide behind the very same Constitution that the founding fathers drew and which most Americans consider the very core of what makes America great. But never has it been bluntly stated as clearly as in this episode that the American Dream has become the American Nightmare. This is not just *fiction*. This is a horrifying look into how the American legal system works.

Accidents happen in conflict situations where a split second might make the difference between a police officer's life and death. And in this day and age they all have to consider the possible lawsuits against them if they accidentally shoot the wrong person. Upholders of the law like Captain Raydor have made it clear to them. As a result, they might hesitate and get themselves killed. Thus, criminals have the edge. On top of that, all kinds of fortune seekers look for the opportunity to suck money from the system that is supposed to protect them though money never helps with grief over the loss of a loved one. How will the system protect them if they win in court and diminish the system's budget?

Captain Raydor and Brenda's final scene together is, in its unwavering look at the gargantuan problem, a scene the viewer will be going through in their heads over and over again. It is what earns this episode the tenth star. When those who single-mindedly uphold the law obstruct those whose duty is to administer the law, they are also as a side effect tipping the scales of justice in favor of the criminals. This is not how it is supposed to be. Evil knows how to turn nobility and integrity of Good against Good itself. At the end, you are left wondering, is there no way out? Is the game already lost but Good just doesn't realize it?