Every long-running show is compelled to do a holiday episode, an especial challenge for a crime show. "The Closer" is generally quite witty, but this episode raised the bar. Fred Willard as a drunken Santa Claus was a hoot! Christine Woods played to perfection the role of Buzz's skeptical sister, so much so that she became unbearably annoying -- but that was the point. A terrific addition to the holiday season, and Christmas is good all year.
9 Reviews
Freaking out in advance
biorngm12 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Santa's niece has attempted to get rid of him more than once and the latest attempt was with the zip line. The zip line attempt was successful in killing the hired help, not Santa. Brenda sifts through the clues and evidence to determine from Santa Jack that his life has been in danger several times recently. Santa Jack, as he calls himself, has been portraying Saint Nicholas for decades, being very proud to be Jolly Saint Nick; he takes the job seriously and he has a business insurance policy to guaranty reimbursement of the previous yearly income in case of a shut down for his seasonal operation.
Buzz and his sister, Casey, are visiting the Christmas village for nostalgia; they had attended many times when they were kids. Santa Randy comes down the zip line to Santa's workshop from the above tower all covered in white to mimic the North Pole. Santa Randy doesn't slow down as he approaches the building, missing the platform, hitting the chimney and is fatally injured. Santa Jack's voice announces the zip line arrival of Santa, Buzz films the arrival, Casey looks on and a woman dressed as an elf is filmed expressing grief before the accident. The woman caught on film is Santa Jack's niece Donna McBride. Her father willed her the property, although the village is entirely Santa Jack's business; her uncle Jack was to pay her a percentage of the revenue for being his landlord but she has let it pass over the years.
Suspicion lands immediately on Santa Jack for all the wrong reasons; he supported Santa Randy, giving him a better job, paying for sending Randy to Santa school. Brenda learns Jack's Halloween program was shut down by the county because one boy incurred botulism from brownies Jack bought for the kids. Santa's sleigh gave out which was Jack's red mini-van experiencing brake failure. The float normally used to enter the village burnt to a crisp in September with Santa Jack on it; not to mention the recent zip-line event. A hung-over Santa Jack wonders if it has been a conspiracy against Santa with these dubious incidents. Jack sits in the interview room with Gabriel and Brenda, she speaks about the possibility someone killed the wrong Santa.
Gavin met Brenda and Fritz in his office declaring Goldman only brought that law suit against you in hopes of establishing a leak in your division; he has used that leak to compile an impressive list of litigants in that Federal lawsuit of his. Gavin asks for another $25,000 to continue defending the Chief.
Later in this episode Brenda has an epiphany while Fritz removes Stroh-case related items from their guest room. He asks for related material to be gone because it is interfering with their situation with the pending lawsuit; instead of freaking out in advance, he requests they deal with the lawsuit as it unfolds.
Brenda has Donna McBride in the media room while Buzz replays his footage of the zip-line event. Brenda notes the anxiety displayed by Donna before the slide occurred; likely prompted by her uncle Jack announcing the festivity rather than participating. McBride was offered $20 million for the property and $1 million for the village to Santa Jack. Gabriel reads her rights while cuffing her, and she is restrained from going after her uncle for refusing to sell; she ultimately says she would try to kill him again if given a chance. She is finally led away for the killing of Santa Randy.
There is a poignant moment at the end when Casey reads her letter to Santa talking about the loss of her father and her big brother Buzzy's stolen bike; she asks Santa for another bicycle. Santa Jack enters with champagne, telling all he sold the village for $20 million where they will build a shopping mall.
This is the centennial episode in the series; despite a murder, there are some pleasantries; an installment worth a look.
Buzz and his sister, Casey, are visiting the Christmas village for nostalgia; they had attended many times when they were kids. Santa Randy comes down the zip line to Santa's workshop from the above tower all covered in white to mimic the North Pole. Santa Randy doesn't slow down as he approaches the building, missing the platform, hitting the chimney and is fatally injured. Santa Jack's voice announces the zip line arrival of Santa, Buzz films the arrival, Casey looks on and a woman dressed as an elf is filmed expressing grief before the accident. The woman caught on film is Santa Jack's niece Donna McBride. Her father willed her the property, although the village is entirely Santa Jack's business; her uncle Jack was to pay her a percentage of the revenue for being his landlord but she has let it pass over the years.
Suspicion lands immediately on Santa Jack for all the wrong reasons; he supported Santa Randy, giving him a better job, paying for sending Randy to Santa school. Brenda learns Jack's Halloween program was shut down by the county because one boy incurred botulism from brownies Jack bought for the kids. Santa's sleigh gave out which was Jack's red mini-van experiencing brake failure. The float normally used to enter the village burnt to a crisp in September with Santa Jack on it; not to mention the recent zip-line event. A hung-over Santa Jack wonders if it has been a conspiracy against Santa with these dubious incidents. Jack sits in the interview room with Gabriel and Brenda, she speaks about the possibility someone killed the wrong Santa.
Gavin met Brenda and Fritz in his office declaring Goldman only brought that law suit against you in hopes of establishing a leak in your division; he has used that leak to compile an impressive list of litigants in that Federal lawsuit of his. Gavin asks for another $25,000 to continue defending the Chief.
Later in this episode Brenda has an epiphany while Fritz removes Stroh-case related items from their guest room. He asks for related material to be gone because it is interfering with their situation with the pending lawsuit; instead of freaking out in advance, he requests they deal with the lawsuit as it unfolds.
Brenda has Donna McBride in the media room while Buzz replays his footage of the zip-line event. Brenda notes the anxiety displayed by Donna before the slide occurred; likely prompted by her uncle Jack announcing the festivity rather than participating. McBride was offered $20 million for the property and $1 million for the village to Santa Jack. Gabriel reads her rights while cuffing her, and she is restrained from going after her uncle for refusing to sell; she ultimately says she would try to kill him again if given a chance. She is finally led away for the killing of Santa Randy.
There is a poignant moment at the end when Casey reads her letter to Santa talking about the loss of her father and her big brother Buzzy's stolen bike; she asks Santa for another bicycle. Santa Jack enters with champagne, telling all he sold the village for $20 million where they will build a shopping mall.
This is the centennial episode in the series; despite a murder, there are some pleasantries; an installment worth a look.
Well, And Merry Christmas to You, Too
max84316 June 2012
On first viewing I thought Fred Willard (who I like) was way over the top, with everyone standing around waiting for his ad libs to end.
But today, on fourth viewing, I have to say the episode stands up very well - and is very funny.
This series brought together a group of my favourites - I was so excited to see them all the opening season. I admire them all - the only actors whose work I didn't know were Phillip P. Keene as Buzz and Jon Tenney as Brenda's husband (later discovered he went to college with my sister-in-law). At first I didn't recognise Tony Denison (Flynn) but then rewatched some of his earlier work - great to see him portray a totally different character.
This is the first time I ever purchased a DVD of anything, the first three seasons of The Closer. Well worth it. About my favourite series of all time.
But today, on fourth viewing, I have to say the episode stands up very well - and is very funny.
This series brought together a group of my favourites - I was so excited to see them all the opening season. I admire them all - the only actors whose work I didn't know were Phillip P. Keene as Buzz and Jon Tenney as Brenda's husband (later discovered he went to college with my sister-in-law). At first I didn't recognise Tony Denison (Flynn) but then rewatched some of his earlier work - great to see him portray a totally different character.
This is the first time I ever purchased a DVD of anything, the first three seasons of The Closer. Well worth it. About my favourite series of all time.
Bit of over acting but Ms. Woods makes it a pleasant ep
MiketheWhistle1 August 2020
Fred Willard plays a dirty Santa, and interestingly enough there was a bit of a sexual scandal involving him about a year after this ep aired. His acting was over the top kind of like Shatner in Star Trek, but it's the overacting that made it funny.
Ms. Woods who plays Buzz's sister would have been great to bring back as she was very perky in the ep and very pleasant to watch. She was funny as well in describing the team as how her brother had shared their descriptions and her whole not liking Christmas.
Not a great ep, but definitely not the worst so worth your time.
Ms. Woods who plays Buzz's sister would have been great to bring back as she was very perky in the ep and very pleasant to watch. She was funny as well in describing the team as how her brother had shared their descriptions and her whole not liking Christmas.
Not a great ep, but definitely not the worst so worth your time.
The worst episode ever
ciffou21 April 2012
I have to say I love "The Closer". And even though Fred Willard is the guest star, I had no idea this episode was going to be as awful as it was. Starting with the fact that they include Buzz's sister into the plot for NO reason. They tend to keep people in the office (because how else could they use them for the storyline?) but usually we're talking about relevant people or people with some important connection - either to Pope or to Brenda, not to Buzz. Why the hell should the Watsons be in charge of taking care of Santa? The whole happiness thing was garbage - it forced the producers to use an awful score that made the whole episode look like a cheap sitcom. Even the use of the Title felt so awkward and I felt embarrassed for Kyra. It is the first time I have seen an episode whose ending I'm looking forward to. It was a terrible mess and it added nothing to the background story.
Not bad for 7th season shlock
peterwcohen-300-9472005 June 2020
First, Fred Willard. Yes, he's a ridiculous Christmas ham, but he's also very endearing. Far from the the most absurd character to be featured on The Closer. Then Casey Watson. Yes, yet another set of contrivances to bring a wacky character into the Murder Room. This is the episode where I made the connection between The Closer and Barney Miller. They parade a set of wacky characters in every week (except more like every 2nd or 3rd episode on The Closer) to give fresh comic cheer.
I'll say this: Any episode that doesn't include the two most annoying characters in TV history, Clay and Willie Ray, gets an extra star from me just for that.
Reality check: How did the work done already by Brenda's lawyer amount only to the original $25,000 retainer. It would have been about 10x that much in reality. Nice to see Gavin too. He's funny.
I'll say this: Any episode that doesn't include the two most annoying characters in TV history, Clay and Willie Ray, gets an extra star from me just for that.
Reality check: How did the work done already by Brenda's lawyer amount only to the original $25,000 retainer. It would have been about 10x that much in reality. Nice to see Gavin too. He's funny.
Please eeee
SlimJim3920 May 2019
This was the worst episode of the Closer I ever saw. Fred Willard REALLY got on my nerves, I mean REALLY got on my nerves. I kept saying "enough already, somebody punch this guy in the MOUTH!" Good lord talk about beating a dead horse. His drunk routine was way over done. The plot was weak. And would someone tell me why Pope is ALWAYS sticking his nose into CHIEF Brenda's cases? This show began to wear a little thin after a couple of seasons.
Needs a Warning
Moonshot_7212 April 2022
In this day and age the Male behaviour around Buzz's sister is really sick and creepy. Typical of Male behaviour in the office of the time. It's not exclusive of this episode, but throughout the series.
Not aged well at all.
Not aged well at all.
Lowest point on an otherwise amazing season
juniorrochalks23 December 2022
Almost nothing works on this episode, especially the comedy. The Closer usually makes us giggle and laugh with witty, smart and subtle humor. So subtle that many times you only get to understand a joke on rewatch. I don't know what happened on this one, but they definitely missed the mark by far. Turning all male characters into creeps over Buzz's sister was really off-putting. Maybe Flynn and Provenza could have cracked a couple of jokes at first, but then they would act normal. Not on this one. All of them act like 15 yo boys getting to meet the new hot neighbor. And it's really off-character the way most of them acted. Then there was Santa creep, sneakily touching the women's breasts all the time. When did they ever make fun of sexual harassment? That's off-character for the show itself. And even the non-creep humor was off the mark the entire time. None of the jokes ever landed. The one redeeming point here is Brenda's lawyer at the end of the episode spilling some secrets. That's the only reason I give this one 3 stars. The Closer is still my favorite procedure cop drama of all time, and season 7 is one of their best. However, this episode stains what could have been a perfect season.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
