#lt provenza

[lavoixhumaine]

me every time i try to look at what’s going on in the 9-1-1 fandom

[divinemissem13]

You Say That Like It's a Bad Thing

No True Pair 8 Character Challenge Fandom: Star Trek Voyager, The Closer/ Major Crimes Pair: Chakotay/ Sharon Raydor Word Count: 1,182 Rating: G Prompt: Too many cupcakes

Sharon Raydor never wants to see another cupcake as long as she lives.

She knows that she should appreciate the thought. It was very nice of everyone in the LAPD to bring her cupcakes to celebrate her move to Major Crimes. It's possible that Provenza had spread the word that she loves cupcakes out of the goodness of his heart and not, as she suspects, as a prank. OK, not probable. But possible.

The thing is, Sharon isn't really a dessert person (and chances are good that Provenza knows this). She loves to bake and her Christmas cookies are the stuff of legends among her children's friends, but she doesn't eat many sweets herself. So now she's stuck, staring at a veritable sea of cupcakes, trying to decide if it's even worth figuring out a way to get them all home.

A light knock on her office door pulls Sharon away from her internal debate and she looks up to find a man she's never seen before standing in the doorway, holding a small box that almost certainly contains another cupcake. Sharon could swear that she knows every officer in the LAPD after so many years running Internal Affairs, but it would seem that there's at least one that she missed. She's certain she would have remembered him, with that distinctive and unusual tattoo above his eye. The tattoo should probably be setting off alarm bells in her head — it could be a gang identifier, or maybe some new prison trend. This stranger could be dangerous, just using this dumb cupcake thing to get close enough to harm her — but her instinct tells her she can trust him. So she does.

"Captain Raydor? I'm glad I caught you… sorry to stop by so late," the man says, awkwardly tugging on his ear and avoiding eye contact.

"I'm fairly certain that regular work hours are a thing of the past," she says as she gestures for the man to enter. "And you are?" she demands, when he doesn't immediately introduce himself.

He smiles sheepishly, and an adorable dimple appears on each cheek (and when exactly did Sharon start to find tattooed, dimpled strangers adorable??). "Lt. Chakotay, just transferred up here from New Mexico which is why I didn't know about the cupcake thing until this afternoon. Normally I'd bake some myself but… on short notice this will have to do," he explains, abruptly pushing the box towards Sharon, who zoned out somewhere around learning that this man bakes. "I have it on pretty good authority that this is from the best bakery in downtown LA though."

Chakotay looks around the office and for the first time appears to notice the cupcakes covering every surface. "I guess if it's no good, you've got plenty other ones to choose from," he shrugs and pulls on his ear again. It's an endearing gesture, instantly turning this big, muscular, hunk of a man into a shy little boy and for the first time all day, Sharon finds herself genuinely smiling.

"To be honest, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all of these," she admits, her hands searching for pockets in a nervous gesture of her own. "I'm just one woman, after all."

"You don't have anyone to share them with?" Chakotay asks. "No husband or boyfriend? Uh, girlfriend? Kids?" He's back peddling and somehow Sharon finds that kind of adorable too.

"My kids are grown up and no longer live in LA. The same could almost be said for my 'husband' except I wouldn't exactly call him a grown up." The words are out of her mouth before she can truly contemplate revealing this much of her private life to a relative stranger, and now she clenches her fists in her pockets and purses her lips defensively. "And you?" she snaps, demanding an equal sacrifice.

He smiles that adorable smile again and runs a hand through his hair. "No one waiting at home except for a very pathetic excuse for a guard dog. He looks tough but wouldn't hurt a fly," he says, pulling out his phone to show her the lock screen. On it is a photo of a big fluffy golden doodle, head resting on daintily crossed paws and one eye completely obscured by a large floppy ear. It is clearly a large dog, but Sharon has to admit, he doesn't appear to have an aggressive bone in his body.

"I suppose it's true what they say about dogs and their owners," Sharon says with a smile. (Oh God, did she say that out loud? Is she flirting with this man now?)

Chakotay blushes and pockets his phone, and now he's rubbing his hand on the back of his neck and Sharon has to wonder just how many adorable tics can one man have?

"Well, anyway, I guess I'll let you get back to it. It was very nice to meet you, Captain," Chakotay says, offering a hand to Sharon.

"And you, Lieutenant," she replies with a smile, and accepts his hand. It is surprisingly soft and gentle, just like the man himself, and Sharon finds she doesn't want to let go quite yet. "Do you like cupcakes?" she blurts out before she can overthink things.

"Sure, who doesn't?" Chakotay replies, still holding on to Sharon's hand.

"Maybe you want to help me taste test these? I think this may be a triage situation," she admits, blushing a little. "Unless you have somewhere to be, of course…"

"I'd love to," Chakotay interjects, flashing her another dazzling smile. "Here? Or…?

"Oh!" Sharon hasn't thought that far ahead. "Uh, break room, I guess? Or, if you want to help me get them to the car, we can go to my place? I have milk, I think. Or at least very good coffee? Or Kahlua? Would that go well with cupcakes for dinner?" Sharon laughs nervously. She realizes that she is still holding Chakotay's hand and she drops it abruptly. "Or the break room. The break room is good," she declares, as if she might be able to erase everything else she has said in between.

"Your place sounds good," Chakotay says with a soft smile as he begins to gather up boxes and platters of cupcakes. "Just lead the way, Captain."

Somehow he has managed to fit almost all of the cupcakes into his arms in a very short period of time and so Sharon picks up the two remaining boxes from her desk — including the one that started this whole thing — and strides past him with a confidence that she doesn't really feel.

As they wait for the elevator, Sharon glances at Chakotay out of the corner of her eye. It's been a long time since a strong, kind, handsome man willingly went anywhere with her, let alone to her condo. She will have to remember to thank Lt. Provenza for his thoughtfulness, she thinks with a small smirk.

As it turns out, there really is no such thing as too many cupcakes.

[watasemasaru]

names the peacock subtitles have given lt. provenza so far -jim provenza (his name is louie but you don't learn that until i think the sister sequel, major crimes) -richard brogmanda -provenzano

[yen-s]

[aprilwearsgucci]

Major Crimes Season 6

Besides the upcoming nuptials, the next time you see us, Julio Sanchez will be deep into the issues one encounters as the (de facto) parent of a young child. Lt. Provenza will face spiritual and emotional challenges, forcing him to serve as a stabilizing force for his friends and co-workers; Sykes will no longer be the only young woman in the bullpen; Tao will have to confront the vagaries of Hollywood employment; Buzz will sometimes be on reserve duty for his commanding officer, doing light detective work inside Major Crimes; Wes Nolan will struggle to improve his own personal life as he continues to help solve homicides (in between testifying against the Aryan gang in which he was undercover for five years). And haunting the whole season: the spectral presence of Phillip Stroh. 

[peachdoxie]

Dkfjdmfkdkjdjfjshd I do like the episodes where Lts. Provenza and Flynn end up in some situation involving a weird body discovery completely by chance.

[lolcat76]

I'm hoping this is a prompt you'd consider: "Sharon and Andy accidentally reveal they are dating during Living Proof (The Closer)"

This prompt is super old, but I’m trying to catch up. Here you go. 

“Mike hates you,” he whispered.

Sharon’s fork was halfway to her mouth, Willie Rae’s green bean casserole ready to slip off and land with a splat on her plate. “He what?” she hissed.

Andy shouldn’t get such a kick out of teasing her, but he couldn’t help himself. He was well aware of how much the Chief resented Sharon’s presence, and Provenza had told him  - more than once, and in great detail - about how much he also hated the Wicked Witch of the 5th Floor.

Even Andy had his moments where he’d happily shove her off a cliff. Those moments were few and far between these days, but missing Christmas Eve dinner with his kids, even if it wasn’t exactly her fault…well, he couldn’t blame the team for being pissed. Even if he had far more satisfying post-Christmas plans that were most definitely still on. His bag was packed and nestled in the trunk of his Crown Vic, ready for a long weekend of snow and skiing and Sharon getting tipsy on her mother’s overly potent egg nog. 

No, he couldn’t blame the rest of the team for being pissed, because they wouldn’t be spending the next four days sleeping next to Sharon Raydor. But Mike Tao, of all people, announcing to the Murder Room that he hated Sharon …well, it was funny. Maybe not to her, but it sure as hell was to him. Mike didn’t hate anyone, except help desk peons who took too long to answer the phone and didn’t respond well to the words “I have a warrant.”

“Oh yeah,” he continued, trying to hide his amusement as her face fell. “Told us and everything.”

“Lieutenant Mike Tao? The same Mike Tao who came to me for help on LAPD policy and regulations before his lieutenant’s exam? That Mike Tao?”

“DId he look like that?” Andy pointed at Tao, his cheeks blushing enough to match his Hawaiian shirt. Tao never could handle more than a single glass of wine, and with Provenza pouring, he was on his third at least. “If that’s the guy, then yeah. He hates you.”

“Another glass, Captain?” Provenza interrupted, waving a bottle of the Chief’s favorite Merlot.

“No. No, thank you, Lieutenant, I believe I’ve had enough.” She pushed away from the table and disappeared from the Murder Room, the ominous sound of her heels echoing against empty hallways sending an involuntary shiver down Andy’s spine.

Dammit.

In the 20 years they’d known each other, he’d lost count of how many times he’d told her that people hated her. At first, it was a desperate attempt to rattle her. Then, as they got to know - and very grudgingly like - each other, it was just a way to tease her. And once they began sleeping together, he’d tell her that Captain West or Detective Ross hated her, then spin a lengthy, and mostly fictional, tale of how he’d defended the honor of the poor, defenseless head of FID.

Apparently it was only funny when it was people she didn’t like so much either.

“What’s her problem?” Provenza asked.

Andy shrugged. “Probably you? I dunno. I’ll go find out.”

She’d go to one of a few places - her office, the bathroom to hide out in a stall until she regained her composure, or the the third floor break room where the IT Bureau commander hid the fancy chocolates from Bottega Louie that Sharon liked so much. He took a chance and settled himself against the wall opposite the women’s restroom.

Andy was just about to give up and go on a search of the mostly deserted PAB corridors when he heard the splash of water running. He had to hand it to his girl - even when she only escaped to the bathroom to hide from his team, she still wouldn’t walk out without washing her hands.

“He doesn’t really hate you,” he said as she emerged, causing her to jump at let loose a little gasp. Normally, he’d be proud at evoking that sort of reaction from her, but normally, he got that reaction by using his tongue for far more satisfying pursuits than shooting off his mouth and hurting her feelings. “He’s just annoyed that his plans got ruined.”

“Oh, well, he has my deepest sympathies,” she snapped. “Lord knows I had nothing better to do with my Christmas than ruin Mike Tao’s vacation.”

Shit. He was gonna have to grovel for this one. “Hey, hey, babe,” he whispered as he pulled her into his arms, one hand rubbing her ramrod-straight spine, “we’re all a little on edge today. Didn’t you tell me you hoped the Chief chokes on her fried okra?”

Sharon sniffled, relaxing just enough in his embrace to bring a grin to Andy’s face. “I didn’t mean it.”

“Neither did he,” Andy reassured her. “Give it a week, and we’ll all forget what a shitty Christmas we’re having.” He kept up the pressure on her spine, pressing into the ever-present knots she carried until she relaxed fully against him.

“You’d better take it back about your shitty Christmas, or I’m not letting you on that flight with me tomorrow.”

“Bullshit. Even if you don’t want me there, your mother loves me.”

“My mother is a sucker for a pretty face,” she muttered into his neck.

Andy leaned back and tipped up her chin, waiting until her eyes met his. “That makes two of us,” he said before leaning down to brush his lips against hers.

“Captain,” Tao said, his head popping out from the doorway to Major Crimes, “Your phone was ringing so I answered….” he trailed off as he processed the scene in front of him. “Oh. You’re busy. I’ll just, uh…” He dropped the phone on one of the benches lining the hallway and disappeared back into the Murder Room.

“Great,” she muttered. “Just great.” She pulled away from Andy and retrieved her phone. “Hi, baby. Did you have a merry Christmas?”

One of her kids, Andy guessed. Emily, given that she wasn’t immediately answering the third degree about where she was, who she was with, and what she was doing. He brushed past her, stopping long enough to drop a kiss on her temple, and left her to her call with her family.

The most elite squad in the LAPD had no problems getting in Andy’s business, but it never failed to amuse him that they never, not once, noticed that he had more than a passing acquaintance with their nemesis from FID. Not a single member of the squad batted an eyelash when he said it was getting late, and he’d see the Captain home.

Except Tao. Andy didn’t think he could get redder in the face, but damn if Tao didn’t surprise him when he helped Sharon into her jacket and picked up her purse. He rested a hand on Sharon’s back, pushing her with a little more force than necessary toward the elevators.

“I’m going to get fired,” she sighed. “All these years of being careful, and I’m going to get fired because Lieutenant Tao had to miss out on his trip to Hawaii.”

“If he makes trouble, I’ll beat him up. Same as I’ve beat up anyone else who’s looked at you funny.”

She snorted. “Yes, because that’s exactly what I need. Investigating intra-department violence instigated by my own careless disregard for ethics. Andy, you do know how to make me feel better. What would I do without you?”

He didn’t even want to consider possible answers to that question. He just wanted to get her home, curl up next to her, and breathe her in until he had to wake up and drive them to the airport to catch their flight to Salt Lake City. He jabbed the button for the elevator again, impatient to get her out of this building and away from the dark cloud that he’d unwittingly brought down on her.

When the elevator dinged and the doors opened, he guided her in, pulling her close as he pushed the button for the lobby. The doors were almost closed when a hand stopped them. As they slid open, Andy sighed. Of course.

Sharon stiffened again and pulled away, but the damage was already done. He kept a firm grip on her waist. “Tao,” he said.

“I, uh, was heading home.”

“No shit,” Andy agreed. “Well, come on. We don’t have all night.”

The three of them stared at the display, watching the numbers tick down from 9 to L. Tao ignored them; Andy ignored him; Sharon shrunk further into herself as if she could disappear on the spot.

When the doors opened, Tao made a beeline for the PAB entrance. He threw open the door, but stopped and caught it before it could slam in Sharon’s face. Holding it open with one hand, he gestured with his other. “Captain.”

“Lieutenant,” she acknowledge. She swept past him with as much dignity as she could muster.

“Thanks,” Andy muttered under his breath. The three walked in silence to the parking garage. And wasn’t it just his luck that Tao had parked next to him this morning. Tao waited for Sharon to open the passenger door of Andy’s Crown Vic, but before she could shut it, he rested his hand against the frame.

“Captain, do you remember when I was taking my LT exam and I asked you for help on policy and procedure?”

She nodded, a little hesitant. “Yes, Lieutenant. I remember very well.”

“I didn’t think it mattered much at the time, but I do recall that there are specific rules about fraternization within the LAPD, and I’m pretty sure that all of them refer to officers within the same chain of command. Anything else…I don’t think that falls under the rules of unethical conduct. So it doesn’t need to be reported, or ever discussed again.”

“I believe you’re right, Lieutenant.”

“Of course I’m right,” Tao said. “I had the foremost expert on LAPD policy teaching me. You enjoy the rest of your holidays, Captain.” With that, he closed the passenger door.

Andy waited until the taillights of Tao’s car disappeared around the corner, then got into the driver’s seat. “Still mad at me?” he asked, reaching out to twine his fingers with hers.

“Always. Take me home, Andy.”

He brought her hand up, kissing it gently before letting it settle on the console between them. “Yes, ma’am.”

[amphoraeimpetus]

Raydor’s Retirement Party

So, when given the choice between Raydor dying or retiring I’m 100% in favor of the latter. I’ve heard and read what Duff has to say about this issue and have reached the point where I’m secure in my position that I will never see things the way he does. BUT can I just point out the HUGE opportunity they missed here? 

The Closer: “Necessary Evil”, 7x11

Lt Provenza to Cpt Raydor: “Apropos of nothing, really, when can Major Crimes start planning your retirement party? I wanna bring the balloon animals myself.”

We could have had this retirement party!!!!!! They could have sent the show out with Provenza’s famous balloons. This would have been satisfying, and I’d have appreciated the inside joke. It would have linked the 2 series together, shown just how much these characters have developed. But alas, we are left with god knows what I can call this show’s final whimper other than depressing... 

[majorcrimeshq-blog]

Lt. Provenza in the background accurately depicted our faces while watching this scene.

[roslinadama-sinequanon]

Major Crimes-Conspiracy Theory Pt. 2

To me, this episode was all about foreshadowing. I am not ashamed to admit that I am super nervous about tonight’s episodes. I almost don’t want to watch them live so I can be prepared for whatever trauma might be in store. 

“Okay, what happened?” Loved to see Sharon taking control of a crime scene again. 

“Yeah, I just, uh, needed to sit down."

Oh yeah, here we go. Gotta have Sharon collapsing at the crime scene. Grr…

“Nolan, call Andy to come pick her up.”“No, no. I don’t need anyone to pick me up.”

This is personal, he is Andy--not Flynn. This has to be so hard for an independent woman like Sharon--to be treated as weak and helpless. It’s so hard to watch this happen to her. 

“I am the incident commander and I will not have you collapsing in my crime scene. Now you are overdoing it. I will call paramedics….” Yes Dad. Love Provenza’s little lecture here, finger pointing included. He’s so worried about her and this runs full circle. The last time we heard Provenza remind her that he was the incident commander was in episode one when he thought he was going to be running Major Crimes and Sharon shows up at the crime scene. Remember him asking her if she understood English. In that scene he was pissed at her, but now 6 years later he is very worried about her. 

Sharon tries to ignore what happened by questioning what they are seeing at the scene. Everyone is like WTF, you just nearly collapsed and now you’re acting as if nothing happened? None respond to her except Cami, she starts to feed into Sharon’s questioning and the others all start giving her bug eyed “don’t encourage her “looks. Julio’s was especially funny.

“No shit Sherlock, she’s stiff as a board.” I’ve noticed there is a lot more swearing taking place this season and more risqué comments.  I wonder if that had to do with trying to be edgier. I always thought that maybe they weren’t allowed to use certain words but evidently, that wasn’t the case. We’ve heard shit and tits and ass and pubic hair and all kinds of things we never really heard much of over the past 6 years. It feels more real somehow. More how real cops would talk. 

“Uh, Sir, Lt. Flynn will be here in 10” Did Wes address Provenza because he gave the order or was he afraid to tell Sharon “Your husband will be here to pick you up in 10 minutes,” knowing she wouldn’t be pleased that he made that call. As it is, Provenza just gets a sidelong glance from her. 

“When your life is at stake you put up a fight.” Foreshadowing for Sharon? If so, I hope she does fight and doesn’t just give up. In the next episode, she is supposed to have a very moving scene with her priest. My big fear has been that she will be offered a heart transplant option (which would be crazy to move from this could clear up, to you already need a heart transplant)but that there is great risk involved and she talks to Father Stan about it and decides not to do the transplant and just let "Gods will" take over where her illness is concerned. I hope that isn’t the case, because Sharon Raydor is a fighter. I want to see that side of her again.

“We don’t have the newest stun guns?” Interesting that the criminals have better weapons than the cops do.

“Commander how are you feeling?”

“Much better. The extra rest helped. Thank you.”

“Yeah, you see Sharon Raydor slept in and the world didn’t implode.” As soon as Sharon enters the room Provenza immediately jumps up and holds his chair out for her. He's so happy to see her looking well. I was also surprised to hear Sharon admit that the extra rest helped her. I wonder if Provenza knows her diagnosis. Even if the rest the team doesn't know, Sharon and Andy are friends with Provenza and Patrice. Since Patrice is a nurse I could see Sharon discussing her illness with her, and let's face it, Andy needs someone to support him. He's trying so hard to be strong for Sharon. I hope he has someone who is doing the same for him.

“Safety issues, my safety.” This director guy is such a prick. He won’t allow real stun guns on his sets because he treats women so badly he’s afraid they may use one on him. Some men are just oblivious but this guy knows he's a predator.

“Hi Andrea, long time no see.” Love the glare Andrea gives Gus. She’s not letting him off the hook. Gus questions Rusty about Andrea’s attitude and gets mad, asking if Rusty told her why they broke up and if everyone hates him. I get why Gus wouldn’t want them all to know, but Rusty had every right to tell them why he and Gus broke up.  Gus did cheat, he obviously knew what he was doing was wrong, so, sorry if now he is embarrassed by it. He should have thought of that before jumping into bed with Aiden.

“What Aiden did to us is immoral.” Well Rusty, you are only half-right there. Aiden didn’t do it to them, Aiden AND Gus did this to Rusty. They both deserve blame, in fact; I think Gus deserves more blame. He was the one who was in a relationship, he was the one who hurt a person he supposedly loved. 

“I felt like I’m being bought for sex…It’s gross.” Ouch! That was below the belt Gus. Rusty is still struggling with the shame of his past and it was a big sticking point in his relationship with Gus so for Gus to say this, knowing how badly Rusty feels about himself, was really crummy.

“Well, just so you know when I was being bought for sex I never made 10 grand ever. So if that is what this is for it must have been some spectacular sex, Gus.” Great response Rusty.

“Suddenly a lot of people like you would start coming forward.” It’s almost as if they predicated the #me too phenomena going on right now. Aiden caved in to Rusty because he knew there were others out there who would come forward to corroborate Gus’s story if it went public.

“You’re stronger than you think.” I almost feel like everything that is being said in this episode is foreshadowing for the awful things that are coming Sharon’s way. Especially after seeing the preview at the end of the episode.

“You’re not my type. You’re too far over 30.” Cami can be annoying and she doesn’t have much range when it comes to facial expressions, but she is starting to grow on me.

“Your college diploma.”

“I never could have done it without you, Mom.” He’s so right. Just look at where he is right now. Thanks to Sharon, he has a life he never could have dreamed of 6-7 years ago when she took him in. Chances are he’d still be homeless, still be prostituting himself or he’d be dead if she hadn’t taken him in. Now he’s attended a private school, had tutoring and counseling, has graduated from college and been accepted to law school and is interning with a DDA. 

However, more than that he has a love and stability in his life he never had before. He has siblings, a step-father, probably grandparents we never hear about anymore and above all a mother's unconditional love.

Sharon getting so emotional, crying at the kitchen counter seemed so strange and almost scary. Until she told Andy she had cardiomyopathy we never saw Sharon with anything more than tears swimming in her eyes. It just never happened--at least on screen. I am glad we are finally getting to see the private emotional Sharon, the Sharon behind the mask she has to wear at work.

“This is everything I wanted for you; this is everything I dreamed of. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Sharon was the only one who saw something in Rusty, who knew he could be more than he was and that she would be able to reach him. She saw a future for him that even he didn’t see (remember Rusty’s ‘kids like me don’t get into college and we both know that’) She dealt with a lot of crap from him over the years but now she is seeing the fruits of her labor and it is overwhelming to her.  I think also this has a lot to do with her illness. She knows that if something happens to her Rusty is on the right path and I also think a part of her is afraid that after all her dreams for him she may not get to live to see them play out.

I thought it was great how comfortable she was passing off her used tissue to Andy and accepting his handkerchief. Andy was completely unfazed. Seems like this has happened before.These are all the little things we could have been seeing over the past two years to get a feel for Shandy as a couple. I feel like we’ve learned far more about them in five episodes this season than we ever did over the past 6 years. So much was overlooked and ignored and that makes me sad.  We could have had this all along.

“Hey, there’s a lot going on.” Andy gets it. He knows that she is over emotional because of her diagnosis. 

“Now if we can only keep him safe.”“We’ll keep him safe.” I love how easy and confidently Andy said that. And for once I hope this is foreshadowing. I hope both Andy and Sharon will be part of keeping Rusty safe during the Stroh storyline and that Sharon isn’t sidelined because of her illness.

“Oh, my son the lawyer.” Rusty is going to have the chance to be what she wanted to be.I wonder if part of why Rusty has been so focused and has not let his feelings or his relationship with Gus interfere with his plans for his future because he knows what happened to Sharon. Sharon had the same dream only she let her relationship with Jack get in the way---and eventually derail---that dream. He isn't going to let that happen to him. Sharon and Rusty are different people. Sharon leads by her heart, Rusty by his head. Sharon will always put the people she loves above professional ambition--even now (giving up the NFL job) Rusty is more like Brenda in that regard. Luckily Sharon ended up where she was supposed to be and I think she would say that she doesn't have any regrets.

“This is the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. I have three children through college and a perfect husband. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Sharon has mentioned the college thing before. She makes it a point to tell Taylor that Jack never contributed to their kid’s college funds and I think that was probably a pretty big burden that she had shoulder alone. So, it’s no wonder she got emotional about this. She was able to get all three of her children through college on her own and now she has the perfect husband with whom to share her life--not the one who was never there for her or her kids. She’s come so far. 

Also, while walking down the aisle at her wedding she told Ricky that her heart had NEVER been so full, so we have been getting a lot of confirmation that Sharon is at the happiest point in her life. She has never felt so much love and or felt so blessed. Her saying she’s the happiest she’s ever been and that Andy is the perfect husband is, I think, my second favorite scene of this season--after the I love you so so much scene. I just have to wonder why we were never allowed to see what a big impact Andy has had on Sharon’s life, how happy she is, how much she loves him. It’s like this is all new and the writers woke up and said “hey I think  they love each other, maybe it’s time to show that” There are some people who say they never got Shandy because there was such a lack of intimacy portrayed in the relationship--that it seemed more a friendship rather than romantic love. Well, those people must be feeling the love now. 

I also thought it was sweet that Sharon thanked Andy, thanked Rusty and looked up to the heavens and thanked God and how when she hugged Rusty the last time, Andy rested his hand on them. Such a sweet little family moment.

“Aiden destroyed my relationship which was very important to me.” No Rusty, again, Aiden AND Gus ruined the relationship. 

“You just let me go, without a heads up.” Okay. Gus, you are an adult human being. You have something called free will. If someone comes on to you, you can say no. You don’t need a heads up that someone might make a move on you to say no. Also, Rusty wasn’t wrong in saying that he didn’t want to make Gus feel bad. They were in a pretty bad place when Gus left and if Rusty had told Gus that Aiden only wanted him for the job because he had the hots for him, Gus would have accused him of trying to ruin his big chance and probably would have put him on a guilt trip for not believing in him. Gus needs to take responsibility for something HE did. He could have said no that first time. Aiden only threatened his job after Gus slept with him and wouldn’t continue to sleep with him.

The water bottle scene--This was a little odd. Andy surreptitiously hands Sharon a water bottle, which she promptly hides behind her back. This is odd because a few seconds later she pops a pill and drinks from the bottle in front of everyone. So, I’m not sure why she hid the bottle behind her back. Now, the question is, what do people know? They all had funny looks on their faces when she did this. Because they don’t know why she is taking pills and collapsing at crime scenes? Or because they know why and are worried about her? The previews showed her talking to Mason about what’s going on, but I can’t believe he is completely in the dark. Sharon always follows the rules and I think that would mean that she alerted her immediate supervisor about her condition, the same way Andy had to with Provenza and then her.

“Shut your mouth, you don’t know what you’re talking about bitch.”

“Sit down.”

“No it’s okay Wes, let the big man hit the girl. Go for it asshole.” This guy has serious violent anger issues against women. It reminds me back to the good old days when Sharon got to be the bad ass and got a perp to punch her in the face.

“It’s wonderful, don’t you think, working with your family.” Aww…Sharon loves working with Andy.

“We must adapt, adapt adapt.” Geez, do you think they could have hit us harder over the heads with all this foreshadowing. All that talk about how you can plan and plan for the future but you never really know what it holds for you and how all that planning is both a strength and debilitating weakness if you aren’t able to adapt. Oh Lordy, Sharon’s future just gets scarier and scarier.

The doctor’s office in Beverly Hills- The first scene after commercial breaks and after we’ve been hit over the head with all that future foreshadowing is Sharon and Andy on an elevator. Sharon is clutching onto Andy’s arm and her head is resting on his shoulder. It is such a tender, affectionate and intimate moment between the two. Why oh why is this the first we are seeing of this kind of loving gesture? 

The elevator doors open and it is interesting that it is Andy who steps out and starts to lead the way. Sharon is clutching his arm and almost hiding behind him, to the point that Andy thinks she might be feeling light headed.

BTW-Loved Sharon's long skirt two piece dress and Andy's leather jacket. I love that Sharon's personal wardrobe is so different from work, softer--though I LOVE her work wardrobe too.And Andy is so sexy in his leather jacket. I agree with everyone about Sharon’s shoes though--looks like in an earlier scene Sharon was wearing Mary's clunky Dansko clogs as I've seen Mary wearing them between takes. The shoes were not attractive and didn't seem very "Sharon".

“If anything were to happen, please look after my children.”

“Of course.” Sharon is such a mother. Like most mothers, her biggest concern is for her children and what might happen to them if she dies. She knows she can’t count on Jack to be there for them--hence one of her reasons for taking the job in FID. She had to try to be as safe as possible because she was the only parent her children had. I think that weighed heavily on her for a long time. But now she has a man she can trust and count on to take care of them if she isn’t able to.

“We’ll be two injured hearts beating as one.”

“My God that sounds like a bad country western song.” I love the way Andy can always make Sharon smile or laugh, even when she’s feeling bad. He’s always had this ability with her and I think it is one of things about him that she fell in love with early on.

“How did I get so lucky?”

“I think because you finally gave in, really.” Here Andy acknowledges what we all know. He’s been the leader in this relationship. His feelings have been clear from the start. It was Sharon who had all the baggage. But he never gave up on her. He patiently led her along until she finally realized she was in the same place as he and gave herself over to the love she had for him.

“I’ve been so happy in my life, but walking through that door to see another doctor could change everything.”

“Not everything, never everything.” Oh Andy Flynn you sweet, sweet man. I loved the way they cupped each other’s cheeks when he said that. Andy really is everything Sharon needs right now. He is there for her every step of the way. He’s her rock and she’s just clutching on to him for dear life trying to keep from drowning in her fears. Even when they had to let go of each other to go through the door, Sharon immediately reaches back for him again and he pulls her in close. While I am not a fan of this storyline (unless it ends well of course), it is nice to see this vulnerable side to Sharon. The woman who once had to handle everything on her own now has someone to share that burden. Andy is strong and reassuring. He eases her fears by promising he will be there for her children should something happen to her --even though he tells her nothing bad will happen. He brings humor to their situation and makes her laugh, and then just before she goes in to see the doctor he  reminds her that whatever the doctor says, whatever changes may happen, the one thing that will NEVER change is his love for her and the fact that he will always be by her side. SWOON.

[milquetoast-on-acid]

Do Not Disturb, A Reactionary Post

Time to fly on your own little bird

Major Crimes, S3xE5: Episode Review

What this episode is about: Framing the Story Sharon dropping the C-bomb Rivalries: LAPD vs FBI Liberation Lina & her Father Rusty & Sharon B. Coming out: Nontraditional Romances Lina & Josh Rusty's Sexuality Amy & Cooper

Framing the Story

"This is new and also kind of creepy." "Why do the dolls look dead?"

You said it Rusty. Kind of makes me think it's a murder diorama. And also most dolls look creepy.

Love how this episode is framed as Rusty is in a counselling session with Dr Joe and the whole case is Rusty just talking about it in the past. All the while Rusty recounts the tale, Dr Joe nitpicks about why all of the details in his story are relevant. And I love it because it's a nod to us fans who notice so many details. And also it explains why Rusty is so detailed in his explanation of the story. He doesn't need to be for Dr Joe, but in terms of us learning about the story we need to know the details.

"Sutton. That's a really good boarding school." How does Buzz possibly know that? Is he thinking about sending his imaginary kids to Sutton?

Morris Grand Hotel

Is the SAME hotel that Andy, Provenza and Buzz went to on Buzz's first ride along in season 4's "Turn Down"! "Concierge said it's not that kind of hotel." "I stayed there once. Well not like over night but I know it." As both Rusty and Provenza point out...it's a hotel with a bed.

"Lt Provenza finds this rich guy. Completely Murdered." haha I love that completely murdered. He's not halfway murdered or kind of murdered. He's completely murdered.

This! 

Sharon dropping the C-bomb

"Did she just say Crap?"

I love both Provenza and Andy's reactions to Sharon almost swearing. Provenza is stunned and Andy seems pretty happy about it. I rather think that this due to the...

Andy Effect

Rivalries: LAPD vs FBI

"Thing you need to understand about kissing a diplomats ass. Is that it doesn't kiss back."

It's the Squad vrs Fritz and I love how by the end of the episode this gap closes between them. Fritz is so hell bent on keeping up the political game with Ravi Madhavan. But it's after having Sharon yell at him and seeing him physically abuse Lina that he spurs him into action.

"Stay out of his way." "Agent Howard you do something or the LAPD will!"

"See what happens when your allowed to investigate crimes. You find these things called clues." An't that shit the truth! I love the squad coming up with the questionnaires as a way to get the kids to answer questions without Fritz present. Sneaky Sneaky.

Andy at learning that he's going to have to work side by side with Fritz. And how much do I love the split second change in Andy's facial expression. From irritated AF to Sarcasm eye roll to Sharon is looking at me I better give her a smile. I want to highlight that this is one continuous shot of Andy’s face but unfortunately I had to split it up because of the gif size.

Liberation!

Lina & Josh

Lina finally gets liberation from her abusive father and all of the power he had over her at the end of the episode. Thankfully is able to stay in the US.

Rusty & Sharon Rusty finds liberation from his mother in the previous episode. He had the strength to walk away from her. Both Lina and Rusty have abusive parents. I think it's interesting that Rusty walks away from his mother in the previous episode yet that theme plays a big role in this episode. 

Rusty & Lina This whole episode revolves around the two of them. And more in particular Rusty who sees himself in Lina and how much of her story effects him. So it's really great to see Rusty actually talking to Lina and comforting her. Telling her that she's safe there and that no one will hurt her. Even though Lina doesn't know just how important that is coming from someone who was in the same shoes. And how he found a family among the people right outside the cubical. "Am I that self centered that the thing I feel bad about for other people are really just about me?" "Ever hear about empathy?" I love this little bit of dialog here.

Nontraditional romance

All three romances are non traditional. All three Lina, Rusty and Amy prefer to keep their romances or their sexuality kept to themselves. For various reasons. Amy doesn't want anyone to gossip, she's very similar to Sharon in the way that she wants her personal life to be kept private. Both Lina and Rusty fear their abusive parents.

Lina & Josh

Lina makes her first appearance, actually coming out of a door. How's that for hitting you in the head with symbolism. Lena had a marriage arranged for her but since growing up and meeting her boyfriend she wanted a different life. To her abusive asshole of a father, an arranged marriage to a person of his choosing was the only life she was going to live. An arranged marriage is traditional and expected of her.

The absolutely horrible thing is that Lina's father abuses his power as a diplomat to abuse his daughter right in front of the entire squad. Fritz who's been holding his patience for the entire episode finally explodes when he sees it and punches the guy right in the face! Got to love when Fritz can't take anyone's bullshit anymore. Fritz can talk some political game but once you screw up big time he doesn't hold his shit anymore.

Rusty's Sexuality Rusty relates so much to Lena because both of them are children of abusive parents. And both parents try to put their children inside of a box that neither of them fit. Both Lena and Rusty want to be able to choose their own sexual partners. 

"You want me to tell Buzz that your gay." "No, no. I want you to tell everyone." I love how Sharon almost spills the beans that everyone already knows that Rusty is gay. But I can't blame Rusty for being chicken about his sexuality. With his shitty experience with Sharon B. Who's basically blamed her problems on his sexuality. It's got to be even harder for him to get the words out. And I love that Sharon basically tells him that it's got to come from him. Because he's got to be honest with the people that he cares about. 

I love this at the end. Sharon is basically like fly little bird. Your ready. Go fly now! Rusty  mean while is left a little confused. 

And this whole scene reminds me of one between Sharon and Brenda. When Sharon found out that Brenda hadn't told the squad that they were all being interviewed by Gavin. Sharon gently pushes Brenda towards the squad members. 

Lena's friend gives Rusty a very flirty look in the break room. Rusty looks back but he looks more stunned than interested. Andy catches both of the boys and I really love the look Mike gets on his face when Andy looks at him. To be clear, even though Rusty is out to Sharon and almost out the the squad - that doesn't mean he's ready for a relationship. 

When Rusty finally bits the bullet and throws it out there he frames his sexuality as a question. 

"Would any of you think differently of me, if I said I was gay?" Rusty, still very insecure about how anyone is going to feel about him if they knew the truth of his sexuality. I think he's finally realized that Sharon isn't going anywhere. As it was implied they had a nice long talk (or several) when he officially came out. And they the firmly believes what she told him at the end of season 2. That she loves ALL of him. He's so afraid of loosing people and he's not quite sure how the squad is going to react. Especially when they are all a part of his family. What makes it even worse for him was Sharon Beck's reaction and feelings towards his sexuality. 

Scared little baby. Don’t worry Rusty, even if Provenza doesn’t really understand he still loves you. 

"If you told us you were gay. Then we would think you trusted us more. Then we would trust you more." Provenza is the one that Rusty is worried about the most because of father-son (or grandfather-son) relationship with him. And I love how Provenza (who is not always the most tactful) gives him the best answer of all of the squad members. It really feels like it came from his heart. Even though Provenza had been (almost as) apprehensive about this conversation as Rusty had been.

When Rusty takes Provenza to the side to really ask him how he feels about it. Provenza is as honest as he can get. Provenza is pretty old school and it's not something that he understands. Nor is it something that he can guide him through. From the conversation it really sounded like a don't ask, don't tell kind of thing. But I think that Provenza gets more comfortable with Rusty's sexuality as time goes on. Just as Rusty gets more comfortable with his sexuality as time goes on. Even though (even now) he still struggles with it.

"Who are the village people?" "The Village People...hum." I love it when Provenza brings them up. And since Rusty's a millennial he's got know idea who they are. And then of course looks them up and I love his reaction.

Amy & Cooper Meanwhile, Amy is having a hard time trying to keep her romance out of the office. She wants her personal life and her work life completely separate. And it becomes even harder when her own boyfriend is super obvious about their relationship. 

Cooper has THREE guns! Holy Shit! This dude is packing some serious heat! The guy does not go undercover under prepared.  And then he throws Amy a shit eating grin. Like he's so happy he's dating her. And she can't quite even call him her boyfriend just yet.  Look at the guy here! Looks like he lost in lahla land imagining the two of them all alone in his car. I never quite realized just how out of sync the two of them have been through out their entire relationship. 

This is the look Amy gives back to him. Like YOU need to turn that shit down. It's so obvious that she doesn't want their relationship to be gossip around the office. To her, him throwing her looks like that isn't going to get him anywhere good with her. 

At the very least she finally got him to shut up. Love the look on his face. He's so disbelieving actually did that. 

I love how Amy gets Cooper to finally shut the hell up after he rambles about her being naive enough to think that the guys don't already know that the two of them are dating. He does make some very good points that she works with some great detectives. Who if you remember jumped on who is Amy dating bandwagon when she came into work dressed up to the nines and had some flowers delivered to work. 

When your boy won't shut the hell up about you not having a good game face. You pull your game face and then effectively shut him the hell up. Then you eat up this look he gives you because he did not expect that at all. 

"Your dating Cooper!" I mean to give it to Cooper the only person that didn't know she was dating him was Buzz. Of course.

What I don't like: Can't say this one of my favorite episodes. Don't really have much to nitpick about it though. Just not one of the episodes that plays heavily on my rewatch list. 

What I like: Another dark case right after the last one. This one has a sense of urgency (despite it being recounted in the future) because Lena was missing through most of it. I like how this episode was framed. How Rusty is telling Dr Joe about the case. I think that this flashback framework is the first time that MC uses it. Rusty finally coming out and I love the way it was done. I really think that Rusty's coming out story and his struggle with his sexuality has been done extremely well. Not just in this episode but through out the series as a whole.

[thoughtsthatstray]

Instead of wasting time with the fluff-fest known as  the Super Bowl pregame show I finished off “Major Crimes”. Not many times can a spin off equal if not top it’s predecessor, but I think I liked this one a bit better than “The Closer” even though I missed Ms. Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) and her Scarlett drawl and never was a huge fan of Captain Raynor, even though  Mary McDonnell played it well. 

Keeping the majority of the cast in the transformation to the new show certainly helped. I’ve loved G.W. Bailey since his days as Lt. Harris from “Police Academy”, and loved ole curmudgeon Louie Provenza even more.   

It will be missed.

[captain-coffeebean]

for the ask! Some more random numbers. 3,8, 15, 24, 29. :)

3- List your fandoms and one character from each that you identify with.Oh, I have so many lolStar Trek TNG: Deanna Troi.Star Trek Voyager: Kathryn Janeway.TWD: Carol Peletier.Major Crimes: I’m a conflicting mix between Sharon Raydor and Lt. Provenza LOL

8- What musical artists have you most felt connected to over your lifetime?Daniel Viglietti, León Gieco, Víctor Heredia, Hugo Giménez Agüero, Liliana Herrero, Sarah Brightman.

15- Five most influential books over your lifetime.What a difficult question. Um, The Conquest of Bread (Peter Kropotkin), Historias de cronopios y de famas (Julio Cortázar), Las venas abiertas de América Latina (Eduardo Galeano), anything written by Rafael Alberti, The Hours (Michael Cunningham), Love in a dark time (Colm Tóibín), these are the first that come to my mind. 

24- Have you ever felt like you had a “mind-meld” with someone?No, I can’t say I have.

29- Three songs that you connect with right now.A desalambrar by Daniel Viglietti.Arroja la bomba (anarchist song).Take me to church by Hozier.

Thank you! @drmottershead

[madamairlock]

F, G, P, and W for the Fanfic ask game. Please and thank you!

Thank you, love!

F: Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

-“Right between the eyes. How far away would you say, Lt. Tao?” Try as she might, she couldn’t keep the pride out of her voice. The lieutenant in question looked up first, his shock quickly transferring from his voice to his face. The other lieutenants looked up after a moment, both stumbling to their feet.

“O-Oh, Captain. I was retelling—“ Tao tried to answer, but Provenza quickly cut him off.

“Anyone could’ve taken that shot, Mike. Nothing to be too proud over.” Sharon’s eyebrow shot up as she regarded the older detective, her head shaking very slightly.

From Good Shot.

G: Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?

-I almost always write start to finish, unless there’s one idea I really, really want to write.

P: Are you what George R. R. Martin would call an “architect” or a “gardener”? (How much do you plan in advance, versus letting the story unfold as you go?)

-I pretty much never plan things out. I might have a vaguely general idea of where things are going, but generally I just let it go and see what happens. That’s why things are always far longer than intended.

W: Do you like more general prompts, or more specific ones?

-Both? More specific ones are great when I don’t have inspiration, but if I’m not feeling that prompt, it sucks. 

[itsmypersonalagenda]

“30-35, that could be anyone.” “Not you.”

- Lt. Provenza and Buzz, Major Crimes, 2014

[totallytonyfansite-blog]

Major Crimes - Interviews, Press Coverage & Creator's Blog

February 15 – James Duff’s Blog Post

While finding connections is a common tool in murder investigations, the word also honored what we consider to be the exceptional relationship we have with our audience. Also, we wanted to “connect” the possible conclusion of Major Crimes to what had come before.

Read the complete blog entry here > Major Crimes Facebook

February 20 – New York Post – Camryn Manheim pushes buttons as steely chief on ‘Major Crimes’

When Flynn appears and says Raydor is needed back in the interview room, Davis responds, with a smirk and an unflinching stare, “Go ahead — your boyfriend’s calling you.”

Viewers are left to wonder about Davis’ true intent.

“Does it mean, ‘You don’t have a full commitment to this department because you have so many other extracurricular activities’?” asks Manheim. “Or does she have a personal vendetta against a captain who’s very well-respected and actually has a personal life and somebody that cares about her? You wonder if that is just doubly-loaded with envy.”

Check out the complete article here > New York Post

February 21 – Troy L. Foreman interviewed James Duff for The Pop Culture Principle

Pop Culture Principle – Andy Flynn seems to suffer a heart attack in the last episode before the break. What can you tell us about his condition and why that was written into his story? James Duff – The character didn’t really take his last health scare very seriously and now he’s going to have to reconsider what is going on in his body and how he wants to move forward in life and everything he believes in he needs to reconsider. He may not be going out again and may be tied to a desk for the rest of his career and he needs to think about how he wants to handle that, if he wants to handle that. Andy has emotional stuff coming out of next season that starts in the middle of our run here of eight and plays out in the first nine episodes of next season.

Check out the complete interview here > The Pop Culture Principle

February 22 – Parade -Show Runner James Duff Shares 12 Things You Need to Know for Season 5B of Major Crimes

Also in these eight winter episodes, Sanchez (Raymond Cruz) tries once again to become a father; Flynn (Tony Denison) and Sharon move further down the path to matrimony; Provenza (G.W. Bailey) considers retirement; Rusty (Graham Patrick Martin) interns for D.D.A. Hobbs (Kathe Mazur) as he looks toward attending law school when he graduates from UCLA, and Lt. Mike Tao (Michael Paul Chan) is instrumental in solving a case dealing with plastic explosives.

Read the complete interview here > Parade

February 22 – TV Line -Major Crimes Boss Previews Andy’s Fate and the Fight for Taylor’s Job

Andy (Anthony Denison) had been KO’d by his ticker when last we tuned. in. So how is he, months later? “He’s gotten a final wake up call, and this one he is going to have to listen to,” says Duff. “He’s got to change his life, and that puts pressure on him to grab for happiness right now.” Because even with things going quite well between him and Sharon, “His life is incomplete, and he wants to make it more complete,” the EP teases.

You can find the complete article here > TV Line

February 22 – MCTV Exclusive with James Duff

MCTV:We were all thrilled and relieved by the recent renewal announcement for season 6, but it came pretty late in the game in terms of where you were in the production schedule of these episodes. Did the delay in renewal affect the storytelling and how you wrote this winter arc, not knowing if there would be another season after this?

JD: I was preparing to do the last eight episodes as if we were going to do no more, but we also planned it so the last episode could go a multitude of ways depending on what happened. The word came down [that the show was renewed] before we started shooting the last two episodes. So as things turned out, we were prepared for the renewal with an alternate script, and the renewal came, and so we had that script ready to shoot.

Read the complete interview here > MCTV.net

Major Crimes – Interviews, Press Coverage & Creator’s Blog was originally published on Totally Tony