Major Crimes: Rules of Engagement

‘Major Crimes’ Recap: Rules of Engagement – Season 2, Episode 7

Major Crimes: Rules of Engagement

This is the kind of “Major Crimes” episode that makes me glad I live in northern Michigan and not a big metropolitan area. I mean, bad stuff happens everywhere, but you’re less likely to die via a drive-by shooting in Traverse City than Los Angeles. For now anyway, and let’s hope it stays that way for a while.

This episode starts at a gas station, where, of course, people are getting gas … a woman coming home from work, a dad and his son… Suddenly, a car drives up and two iffy-looking guys get out. The dad knows something is up and tells his son to get in the car – right before another car drives by and unleashes a hail of bullets, killing four people, including the woman getting gas. I think the dad was ok. Hope so, anyway.

Major Crimes investigates, believes it to be gang-on-gang violence, and gets the number off the license plate of the shooter’s vehicle. They determine that the vehicle was stolen specifically for the shooting, but Capt. Raydor doesn’t want to release the video and tip off the rival gang. The crew quickly apprehends two people they believe to be involved somehow.

Raydor asks Jack if he’ll be a court-appointed attorney for the suspect, because she wants to move on this thing ASAP. Of course! He’ll do it! He immediately springs into action and starts looking for a tie.

But … turns out it’s not gang-related, after all. When DDA Rios tries to pin it on a gang, Sanchez gets all up in her face and yells at her, telling her she knows nothing about it. Did SHE grow up sleeping on the floor to avoid being hit by drive-by bullets?! And by the way, “Stop talking to me like I’m a waiter!” You go, Sanchez.

Cut to the interrogation room, and Speedy, the guy they apprehended, is all Jesus-talk and prayers, and also, his name isn’t Speedy anymore. It’s Javier. And he just got out of prison. During Raydor and Rios’ questioning, Javier perks up at the mention of Browning Security Co., but Jack jumps in and says they can’t question him about it unless it’s on the list. This scene ends with Raydor stomping out of the room and slamming the door.

Things are going to get interesting at home later. But hey, SHE’s the one who asked Jack to be Javier’s court-appointed attorney. He’s just doing his job, and apparently, he’s delivering more than she bargained for.

Rios asks Raydor if she’s sleeping with Jack. “Of course not,” says Raydor. “He’s my husband.”

At home, Rusty tries to get out of going to school because he’s supposed to go over to Kris’s house for dinner and meet her parents, and he’s super anxious about it. “All I ever wanted was just to be friends,” he tells Jack.

Later, Rusty asks Provenza and Watson if they would please call over to Kris’s house and say he can’t make it because his threat level – or something – is too high. Provenza won’t do it. “Have you ever had anyone in your life that you cared about just not show up?” he says. “And leave you hanging?” Yeah, he’s got a point.

Meanwhile, Major Crimes pieces together a connection between Browning Security Co. and Javier, who used to work there. Basically, there are too many coincidences, and as it turns out, Browning’s former fiance, Melissa, is buried under the flower bed in Javier’s grandmother’s back yard (hmmm, wonder if grandma knows about that). Javier strangled her, then cut off her finger with the engagement ring on it to give back to Browning, who paid him $10K to do it.

Only Javier replaced the diamonds with fake glass before giving the ring back to Browning. I don’t know if this is worse or better than a gang-related murder. I guess it’s all bad. Anyway, Browning is under arrest for murder, and Javier gets 17 to life.

More thoughts…

Raydor and Jack got into some good scuffles in this episode, and they have great chemistry, even when they’re fighting. Or maybe especially when they’re fighting. All the credit goes to Mary McDonnell and Tom Berenger.

“Sit. Wait. We’ll get back to you after we burn the Constitution.” – Provenza to Jack, after Jack says he won’t let them trample Javier’s civil rights

“Christ forgives us, Javier, not judges and lawyers. Do you want to get an attorney or do you want to get right with God?” – Raydor, playing the religion card whilst trying to get Javier to talk.

“I just keep thinking how in life we believe one thing and it turns out to be something different … Funny, who we really are always shows up in the end … you know, this might be your out with Kris. Her parents think you’re her boyfriend. But we both know who you really are.” – Jack to Rusty

“What’s that supposed to mean?” – Rusty

“Just that … you’re a material witness in a trial against a serial killer… you play that up with Kris’s parents, and they’ll end the relationship for you.” – Jack

So Jack still hasn’t completely broached the subject that Rusty might be gay. He certainly keeps hinting at it, though.

What was in the envelope that Jack left for Raydor, who ripped it up before even reading it?! What’s that all about?!

Your thoughts on this episode? 

Comments

7 responses to “‘Major Crimes’ Recap: Rules of Engagement – Season 2, Episode 7”

  1. synical Avatar

    With his MO, my bet that it’s a “Bye Sharon” letter 😛

  2. Jane Boursaw Avatar

    No doubt! They do have good chemistry, but he seems bad for her.

  3. Cahow Avatar
    Cahow

    Hi, Jane! Just did a *bing* search to see if ANYONE else in the World cared enough about Major Crimes to recap it and I got sent to your fine blog. 🙂

    Thanks for being one of the few to write about a show that isn’t on HBO or AMC. (LOL)

    Regarding the contents of the letter: it was thick and had substance to it. So, either Jack used a very high rag-content, heavy weight paper to write a letter, or, he had written a letter and included a check for his time spent on Sharon’s couch. I like that she tore it up; to read it would have kept her involved in Jack’s cycle of craziness and she’s smart enough to know when to “fold her cards” and leave the game. More women need that strength!

    Regarding Rusty being gay or not (he’s portrayed as a 15 y.o., right?) well, I don’t think that any boy who’s lived what Rusty has lived would know that answer. He did what he had to do to survive, but, understandably, he questions his actions, as ANY sane person would do. I feel his fear in establishing a deeper relationship with Kris is based on his terror of “OMG!, what if I AM “gay?!” So, if he keeps Kris at bay, his sexuality stays in limbo and he’s safe from his demons for one.more.day.

    I really enjoyed reading this recap and look forward to catching up with what other episodes you’ve reviewed. Many thanks for taking your life’s time to write about a poor show that doesn’t get as much press as other’s do. I mean, HOW many recaps for Game Of Thrones or The Walking Dead need to be published?

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Thank you for finding me! And apologies that I’m late on this week’s ep! I’m in film festival madness here in Traverse City, so everything will be a little late this week. 🙂

  4. Cahow Avatar
    Cahow

    Hello, Fellow Michigander!!! I’m in Sawyer, Exit 12. Also, thanks for explaining where this week’s recap is…just temporarily delayed. I wasn’t sure, when I saw that Ep. 5 was also missing, if your recaps were hit & miss or something else happened.

    Just curious: of the people who follow your postings, have you ever asked them WHO their favourite character(s) are and why? Might be fun, sometimes, to read why others are attracted to this show.

    Have fun at your festival, Jane, and I’ll keep checking back for this week’s “OMG!, that did NOT just happen!?” recap and the last 30 seconds of the show. 🙂

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Oh man, I can’t wait to watch it now! The goal is to post every week! (Except film fest madness week). Come to film fest (or T.C.) sometime so we can meet!

  5. Apu Avatar

    Great post Jane..Thanks for sharing ….keep us updated by regularly posting this kind of posts…love it .. 🙂

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