The Closer

In the seventh season premiere, Brenda and the squad investigate the owner of a hip-hop record label when one of his rap artists and six innocent bystanders are gunned down. The case hits home for Gabriel who knows two of the victims from church. Meanwhile, Chief Delk prepares to announce the department's new organizational chart just as Brenda becomes the target of a civil suit against the police department.

As the LAPD undergoes a major realignment, Brenda's team investigates the murder of a young girl who was house-sitting. Captain Raydor is forced to expand her audit of Major Crimes in light of the civil suit against Brenda and the LAPD.

Flynn and Provenza hope to make easy money by serving court papers for a lawyer. But, once again, they find themselves in hot water when a man is killed minutes after being served by the pair. Things quickly go downhill from there. Guest star ADAM ARKIN (Sons of Anarchy, Chicago Hope, Northern Exposure) appears as a financier targeted by his clients after pulling off a Ponzi scheme.

The team searches for a missing boy who attends the summer camp where Lt. Tao's son works. Captain Raydor makes a troubling suggestion to Brenda as she continues with her audit.

The squad investigates the death of a minister with a scandalous secret and the family who will do anything to protect his name and their church. Meanwhile, all but one member of the Major Crimes unit receives a subpoena in the civil suit against the LAPD, raising questions about whether the one who didn't get served might throw the rest of the squad "under the bus."

A home construction site becomes a crime scene when a body turns up underneath a retainer wall. Plus, Brenda considers taking on a high-priced lawyer, Gavin Baker (recurring guest star MARK PELLEGRINO -- Lost, Supernatural, Dexter), but, unfortunately for Fritz, the retainer fee could require cutting back on several luxuries.

The squad helps out a fellow law enforcement officer by investigating the mysterious death of her daughter. And Captain Raydor continues her audit of Brenda and Major Crimes, focusing her efforts on Detective Sanchez.

Brenda receives a tip about a murder-for-hire involving a major drug cartel, but since the case doesn't fall under her jurisdiction, she solicits Captain Raydor's help in investigating the tipster's allegations of police brutality. Meanwhile, Brenda's attorney, Gavin Baker (recurring guest star MARK PELLEGRINO), starts deposing the squad about the "Shootin' Newton" case at the center of the civil lawsuit against her.

Major Crimes investigates the mysterious disappearance of a stage father just as his daughter's new single is about to hit the charts. Meanwhile, the Baylor family offers to settle with Brenda in the civil suit against her, but the deal may be too good to be true. Guest stars include KEN HOWARD (The White Shadow, Grey Gardens), DEBRAH FARENTINO (Storm of the Century, Eureka) and RICK GONZALEZ (Reaper, Coach Carter).

The squad investigates the shooting death of a deputy sheriff as the judge in the civil case against Brenda decides whether or not to drop the case against her.

When a high school principal is shot while trying to turn his school around in the midst of a scandal, Brenda and her detectives soon realize their case overlaps with an existing FBI investigation. The situation leaves Fritz and Brenda sparring over whose murder case it should be.

In the 100th episode, the holiday cheer is interrupted when Santa's entrance into a Christmas Village via a zip line goes horribly wrong. FRED WILLARD (Best in Show, Modern Family) guest stars as Santa Jack, the village's owner, whom many believe to be the real Father Christmas. LAUREN BOWLES (True Blood) guest stars as the niece and business partner of Santa Jack, and CHRISTINE WOODS (FlashForward) guest stars as Buzz's visiting sister, who helps Brenda and the Major Crimes Division solve the holiday case.

The murder of a man under FBI surveillance puts the federal agents in hot water with the LAPD. Plus, Brenda's parents (recurring guest stars FRANCES STERNHAGEN and BARRY CORBIN), who have come to town for the holidays, have surprising news that keeps Brenda's mind from her case.

The Major Crimes Division investigates a hit-and-run murder of a young girl on a bicycle, and the LAPD's police commissioner (guest star MARK MOSES -- Desperate Housewives, Mad Men) and his wife, Gail (guest star ELIZABETH PERKINS -- Weeds), may be in trouble when Brenda becomes determined to uncover a scandal one of them tried to cover up. MAGGIE WHEELER (Friends) guest stars as Gail's friend who clashes with Brenda.

In the winter finale, the federal lawsuit against Brenda comes to a head when another murder occurs that is related to Turell Baylor's death. Brenda seeks help from a businessman (guest star JASON GEORGE -- GREY'S ANATOMY) with old ties to the neighborhood for help solving the case. Meanwhile, Brenda's lawyer (recurring guest star MARK PELLEGRINO) and the Baylor family lawyer (recurring guest star CURTIS ARMSTRONG) face off in court.

Brenda thinks she has finally cornered her longtime nemesis, lawyer and suspected rapist and murderer Philip Stroh (recurring guest star BILLY BURKE -- Rizzoli & Isles, Twilight films), when his latest client shows signs of cracking under pressure. But a shocking courtroom maneuver by Brenda puts the entire case in jeopardy, which does not sit well with new D.A. Claire Baldwin (guest star AMANDA MASON WARREN -- The Adjustment Bureau).

Provenza gets trapped into helping his first ex-wife, Liz (guest star DIEDRE O'CONNELL -- You Don't Know Jack), recover her wedding ring after she is ripped off by a shady gold buyer. But he once again finds himself stuck in a professionally embarrassing situation, this time involving a robbery, a felony murder, an evidence-swallowing dog and a frantically desperate appraiser (guest star REG ROGERS -- Primal Fear).

In a case that hits too close to home for Brenda, a well-liked cancer doctor is brutally killed and his drug supply wiped clean. But the case could have a much wider reach than anyone suspects. To make matters worse, Captain Raydor has a new assignment that leaves Brenda questioning her loyalty to Pope. And Gabriel makes a significant life change.

The murder of a priest puts the squad on a collision course with the Catholic Church and drives a wedge between Brenda and Chief Pope. Meanwhile, Brenda's parents are in town while her father continues his cancer treatments.

A young couple hanging out in someone else's house find themselves in hot water when a security guard and decorated veteran wind up dead in the street outside. But Brenda finds her investigation stifled by the watchful eye of the District Attorney's office. Meanwhile, Raydor and Pope finally pinpoint the leak in the department.

A young street hustler (guest star GRAHAM PATRICK MARTIN -- Two and a Half Men) sees what appears to be a man burying a woman in Griffith Park, prompting an investigation Brenda is convinced will lead to Philip Stroh (recurring guest star BILLY BURKE). Brenda's obsession with Stroh threatens not only her career, but also her life