James Duff was on Facebook again tonight holding his weekly chat and Detective Mike Berchem joined him. We got lots of great insight into how Detective Berchem's history of police work informs the writing of the show.
But before we getting started with the recap you should know that this week TNT renewed Major Crimes for a fourth season and Special Agent Fritz Howard (Jon Tenney) is back in tonight's episode.
As usual the recap includes James Duff's answers but not the fan questions - because of the hundreds questions asked. Duff does a good job of encapsulating the questions in his answers. I've eliminated answers that relate to what's happening in real time on the show in deference to those who haven't watched it yet.
So what did we learn this week? I have to admit, I was more interested in the insight into police work than plot news...
- Detective Berchem was sued more than 30 times during the course of his career for arresting murderers and firing his weapon. It seems like it is harder and harder to do police work.
- Helmet cams are now a regular part of crime fighting. Who knew?
- Detective Mike Berchem would be a really, really interesting dinner party guest - if he was ready to share stories like he does with the Major Crimes writing team.
And the answer to my question:
James Duff @Deborah L asks how Det. Mike and I started working together, and how we met. Mike was brought on to the pilot of The Closer to help make the crime scene work. And he never left. He joined us in the writer's room as much as possible our first three years and then retired from the LAPD and gave us full time work.
James Duff Welcome everybody, to the biggest episode of Major Crimes ever. Co-written by our resident homicide detective, Mike Berchem, from the Robbery/Homicide Division of the LAPD.
James Duff And Mike is here tonight to chat with us as we go through the most dangerous kind of investigation police officers ever face. One radio call that gives the LAPD a chill: "Shots fired.
James Duff @Bonnie LE etc. says Sharon needs to adopt Rusty. Sharon has made the offer. Rusty has two options in front of him. Maybe he will pick what he wants to do tonight!
James Duff We do not always do gory, explicit crime scenes. Though we do occasionally tip
James Duff Denise E asks if I knew how inspiring the foster parentage aspect of our Major Crimes story would be. No, but I hoped it would be so, because I'm adopted. And my parents loved me so much, and gave me so much of their hearts.
James Duff Jan L asks how far ahead my planning was. Did I bring in Sharon because I thought The Closer was ending? The answer to that is no! I had no idea Kyra was going to want to leave before the end of Season Six. We made the transition during our last season, and prepared it that way.
James Duff Julio isn't done tonight! Mike Bercehm has "deputized" lots and lots of witnesses and suspects in his time!
James Duff Mike and I wrote this episode together.
James Duff For those who are asking.
James Duff @Todd H says Mike Berchem must be a real life hero. Well, that's how all of us here feel. He also knows how to make our stories feel authentic.
James Duff For those asking when we will meet Sharon's son and daughter, tune in two weeks for now when her boy, Ricky, shows up.
James Duff Lois L mentions that we are technology high on this episode! We are, because policing in this era takes advantage of all advances. Glad that people are noticing the photography is slightly different.
James Duff Full disclosure, Lois is a great friend of mine from my days in Dallas theatre. And we did two commercials together when we were in our twenties, one of which included us riding a new roller coaster all day long!
James Duff @Terry H asks who directed this episode. My other partner, Mike Robin, who also directed the pilot of The Closer and the first episode of Major Crimes.
James Duff @Donna MW asks if we will see more of Fritz this season (Jon Tenney the answer is yes!)
James Duff Samantha R asks if Sharon will adopt the cat tonight. No, but adoption is still in the air for someone!
James Duff There is one call the LAPD hates more than ''shots fired." And we will hear that call tonight again, too.
James Duff Kelly T asks, looking at McGinnis, if our audience is encountering a spinoff tonight. The answer is: I have no idea, really. We will see how you guys respond. But we do have an interesting job offer going out tonight. And someone's life will be changed.
James Duff I know many of you miss Brenda! I miss her, too!
James Duff Mike Berchem has been sued over thirty times for arresting murderers and firing his weapon to protect himself. That's why City Attorneys hound the police.
James Duff Commander McGinnis of S.O.B. is played by Laurie Holden and Deputy City Attorney is Lindsay Price
James Duff Great actors helping us tell a big story.
James Duff Helicopters are like the cavalry for the LAPD, reconnaissance and reporting.
James Duff @Terry H asks who directed this episode. My other partner, Mike Robin, who also directed the pilot of The Closer and the first episode of Major Crimes.
James Duff @Donna McG W asks if we will see more of Fritz this season (Jone Tenney the answer is yes!
James Duff Samantha R asks if Sharon will adopt the cat tonight. No, but adoption is still in the air for someone!
James Duff @Jackie A asks how long the show will run! We hope for years!
James Duff There is one call the LAPD hates more than ''shots fired." And we will hear that call tonight again, too.
James Duff Princess the runaway cat is more than just a cat.
James Duff Helicopters are like the cavalry for the LAPD, reconnaissance and reporting.
James Duff @Terry H asks who directed this episode. My other partner, Mike Robin, who also directed the pilot of The Closer and the first episode of Major Crimes.
James Duff @Donna McG W asks if we will see more of Fritz this season (Jone Tenney the answer is yes!
James Duff Samantha R asks if Sharon will adopt the cat tonight. No, but adoption is still in the air for someone!
James Duff @Jackie A asks how long the show will run! We hope for years!
James Duff There is one call the LAPD hates more than ''shots fired." And we will hear that call tonight again, too.
James Duff Princess the runaway cat is more than just a cat.
James Duff Helicopters are like the cavalry for the LAPD, reconnaissance and reporting.
James Duff Ilona asks if we will see more character development for Sharon. Yes. And more character development from all our characters, especially over the next few episodes
James Duff The helmet cams are now part of crime fighting
James Duff Ilona asks if we will see more character development for Sharon. Yes. And more character development from all our characters, especially over the next few episodes
James Duff The helmet cams are now part of crime fighting
James Duff Serious crimes take serious measures.
James Duff Brock Harris and Hampton Fluker play our two Swat Guys on crime suppression detail. We are showing you how the LAPD responds in force to the live "shots fired" calls
James Duff Mike compares his job here to the LAPD as two completely different worlds. Criminals shoot at you face first. In Hollywood....
James Duff Jen S, thanks us on behalf of her and her teen children for the Rusty story. We can only express our gratitude for your viewership, and tell you how much it means to us, too.
James Duff Denise E asks if I knew how inspiring the foster parentage aspect of our Major Crimes story would be. No, but I hoped it would be so, because I'm adopted. And my parents loved me so much, and gave me so much of their hearts.
James Duff Brock Harris and Hampton Fluker play our two Swat Guys on crime suppression detail. We are showing you how the LAPD responds in force to the live "shots fired" calls
James Duff Mike compares his job here to the LAPD as two completely different worlds. Criminals shoot at you face first. In Hollywood....
James Duff Jen S, thanks us on behalf of her and her teen children for the Rusty story. We can only express our gratitude for your viewership, and tell you how much it means to us, too.
James Duff Denise E asks if I knew how inspiring the foster parentage aspect of our Major Crimes story would be. No, but I hoped it would be so, because I'm adopted. And my parents loved me so much, and gave me so much of their hearts.
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