"The Round File" immediately stands out from the episodes preceding and following it. Actually, it stands out from pretty much every other episode. While there is just the slightest amount of amusement in the scenes at the beginning, from there it gets bleaker and bleaker, until it is practically utterly dark. Unfortunately I have not yet had a chance to view it again, but I'm pretty sure there were no smart quips, no situation comedy or any of the laugh riots that appear in most episodes of "The Closer". As a result, this is among the most dramatic and gripping episodes in the series, an appalling look into the black hearts of humans that are likely to live among us, in the real world. And a look at the real world where there are people who are simply forgotten, people who nobody cares about. This episode has a message, but it isn't clumsily hammered home, the writers trust that the viewers get it. I certainly hope everyone does.
This all comes pretty close to a perfect episode, but Season 1's Episode 3: "The Big Picture" still reigns, with it's grim examination of the flawed justice system and one of the coldest endings I've ever seen on a TV series' episode.
This all comes pretty close to a perfect episode, but Season 1's Episode 3: "The Big Picture" still reigns, with it's grim examination of the flawed justice system and one of the coldest endings I've ever seen on a TV series' episode.
