Major Crimes - Open Line - Review: "Consequences Happen"

We’re back to a basic case of the week. Which I was good with. This case turned out to be very similar to the case in the first episode back in that it also touched on the idea that the killer may not be the person responsible.

We watch a young model, Christa, being brutally beaten to death in her apartment. The last thing she does is call 911. We don’t get a dying revelation of the killer because a broken rib punctured her lung and it filled with blood. She was unable to speak. Because of the POV of the murder, I expected to pull back and find that Major Crimes was watching the murder as they processed the scene. But that wasn’t the case. After Christa dies we re-enter the scene with Major Crimes as they work the scene. It’s quickly obvious that they haven’t seen that recording.

They find pictures from Christa’s previous relationship with a mixed martial artist named Felix. Sykes and Flynn track him down. Felix’ brother is his alibi and also guard dog. He tells his brother to shut up and does all of the talking/threatening. Which of course means the squad will look at that alibi very closely.

Provenza trying to sound up on technology was cute.

I love it when Tao freaks out. It happens so infrequently. And thank you directors for having them kill the power on the computers, not just closing laptops or turning off monitors. That kind of computer related detail is often overlooked.

Tao explains that there was a virus on the victim’s computer that allowed someone to watch her over the camera. They determine which email had the virus embedded and bring in Christa’s manager. She doesn’t need a moment to consider a suspect. A photographer she describes as a “great photographer, awful awful human being.” The police take their warrant to the photographer’s studio and pick up Malcolm, the photographer. It’s amazing how unimpressed Sykes and Flynn are with this guy’s arrogance. (not really.) He’s laughing as they march him out of his studio.

Malcolm arrogantly tap dances through the interrogation. As Raydor likes to do, she tightens the thumbscrews until Malcolm admits to being a witness to the murder. He proves that he did see the video by describing elements of the crime including having watch Tao as he found the computer and discovered the spyware. He has recordings of Tao freaking out. His lawyer (money well spent) won’t let Malcolm talk until she gets a deal to get him off on the spyware charges. (I’m with the ADA…Malcolm is scum that should be nailed to the wall for spying on 42 women.)

The squad watches the video of the murder. They can’t verify that Malcolm’s theory that Christa’s ex-boyfriend is the killer. They increase their their quest to disprove Felix’ brother’s alibi. Sykes hits pay dirt when she gets the security video from a coffee shop. The timing proves Dillon was not with his brother.

Dillon tries to play off the issue of his alibi. Raydor uses a copy of the video with a doctored audio track that shows Christa identifying Felix as her killer. Dillon folds. He explains his brother received a text that angered him enough to go to Christa’s apartment. Apparently, Felix received a text that made him so angry that he went over to his ex-girlfriend’s house to beat the crap out of her. Tao found no evidence of this text…until he finds the text.

Malcolm texted a picture of Christa, in her underwear, to Felix with the text “Look who I been banging.” Malcolm is responsible for two deaths. They were really hard on him. Which, for me, seemed a little out of proportion...for a moment. When I thought about it I realized that as benign as Malcolm looks (kind of like a peacock) his crimes were heinous. We finally see this guy terrified. He’s going to jail. His options are manslaughter or terrorism. His lawyer points out that manslaughter will look better on his release papers. Malcolm finally has to accept the consequences of his actions. He takes the deal.

While all of this is going on, Rusty and Raydor have been summoned to a meeting with the ADA. They’re both served with a subpoena. Rusty’s interview with Jane Doe #38’s alleged killer, Slider. Slider’s attorney has accused Raydor of sending Rusty to talk to the guy as a spy. A judge will have to look at Rusty’s research and that video he had to make in order to determine if Rusty has compromised the case. The judge ultimately decides that he has not.

After Rusty and the ADA leave the room the judge speaks with Raydor. I believe he really is a friend of hers, because he calls her on her reluctance to watch Rusty leave the nest. Raydor’s pride in Rusty is evident. She gushes (well, for Raydor) about Rusty’s professionalism. The Judge suggests Raydor give Rusty some room and not even look at his VLOG. He thinks she should let it be a surprise if he finds out Jane Doe #38’s name. I couldn’t help but wonder if Raydor had this much trouble letting her birth kids out of the nest. My gut answer would be “no.”

I liked the episode overall. We returned to the standard COTW. It was fun seeing Jamie Bamber speaking in his normal accent. I love Tao and, as I said, I love it when he freaks out. The case wasn’t a huge grabber but it was a comfortable hour spent with characters I like.

We didn’t get any forward motion on Rusty’s investigation but I did find it rather interesting that Raydor’s friends have noticed that she’s having trouble letting go of Rusty. I think she’s going to handle it with a considerable amount of grace.

Ah, I did have one question. There was an acronym that my brain just isn’t grabbing. PAB. The judge referred to Rusty staying close to the PAB. Can someone tell me what that stands for? I think I know it, I just can’t pull it out of the cotton in my brain.

What did you guys think of the episode?

About the Author - Prpleight

Prpleight is a screenwriter and senior software engineer with solid geek cred. When not writing code, screenplays, or watching TV (sometimes she does all three at the same time), she uses her broadsword Bessie to battle evil. She's been a frequent contributor to the SpoilerTV discussion boards for several years now. Currently, she's reviewing Stitchers.

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