Major Crimes, Season 2 DVD

Editorial Reviews
Major Crimes continues for a thrilling second season as Mary McDonnell stars as Captain Sharon Raydor, head of the LAPD’s Major Crimes division. The team dives into some of the most fascinating crimes yet, but just as the squad adjusts to last year’s leadership change, a new Deputy District Attorney (new series star Nadine Velazquez) arrives to challenge Raydor and shake up the department.

The creators of Major Crimes toy with us for a brief moment in the second to the last episode by making it look as if we¡¯ll be rid of Rusty Beck (Graham Patrick Martin). From reading other reviews I know I¡¯m not alone in my feelings that the Rusty Beck saga is a boat anchor for this otherwise entertaining procedural. Sure, we get it, Rusty is a link to ¡°The Closer¡±, he¡¯s a way to thaw out the cold Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell) persona, and he¡¯s become a mascot for the rest of the squad. But it¡¯s time to pack him off to college and move on but there¡¯s no sign that will happen. If this series enjoys the longevity of its predecessor then we¡¯ll no doubt be seeing Patrolman Beck starring in his own spinoff in just a few more seasons, yikes!

Now that our former ¡°The Closer¡± protagonist is gone and the prior antagonist is still undergoing a likeability makeover Capt Sharon Raydor needed a foil. This season brings us ADA Emma Rios (Nadine Velasquez); a more annoying and superficial character is hard to imagine. From her squeamishness at crime scenes to her abrasive manner there¡¯s not much to appeal to viewers other than the fact she¡¯s attractive. Sanchez (Raymond Cruz) likes her but she can¡¯t even remember his name.

There were a few other changes, this season Buzz (Phillip Keane) suddenly now is sporting an LAPD shield on his belt like the detectives though he¡¯s a civilian tech. Not sure how or why he¡¯s suddenly badged up now. Rusty¡¯s short lived girl pal is a dead ringer for a young Katie Holmes. Flynn (Tony Denison) becomes health conscious and Provenza (GW Bailey) gets glasses. Newcomer from last season, Detective Sykes (Kearrann Giovani) is coming into her own and is turning out to be a good replacement for the departed Sgt. Gabriel.

Major Crimes is a character driven show and overall there¡¯s great chemistry with the cast. However, what really sells the program is the consistently excellent writing and compelling stories. It¡¯s an impressive achievement and explains why it¡¯s airing its 5th season this year. My few complaints aside it¡¯s worth your time.

Product details
Actors: Mary McDonnell, G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison
Format: Color, Dolby, Widescreen, PAL
Language: English
Subtitles: English
Region: Region 4 for Australia
Number of discs: 4
Studio: WarnerBrothers
DVD Release in: 2014