Major Crimes: The Complete Fifth Season

This spin-off of the TNT series The Closer has become one of the best and most enjoyable police procedurals on TV thanks to its portrait of teamwork in a crack squad full of interesting characters. The series follows the familiar "case of the week" format interwoven with personal stories, including the romance between Captain Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell) and Lt. Andy Flynn (Tony Denison), who is recovering from a heart attack and making major lifestyle changes. Meanwhile, Sanchez (Raymond Cruz) applies to be a foster parent to a troubled boy; Buzz (Phillip P. Keene) investigates the unsolved murders of his father and uncle; and Rusty (Graham Patrick Martin) prepares for law school and struggles through his first serious relationship. Formally adopted by Sharon last season, Rusty has been unofficially adopted by the entire squad, with the curmudgeonly Lt. Provenza (G.W. Bailey) taking an avuncular role in his life. And there is a department competition for promotion in which the leading candidate (Camryn Manheim) wants to shut down Raydor and her team. While the show is in many ways a conventional cop drama, its emphasis on teamwork, police procedure, and evidence-based investigations without the help of genius specialists is refreshing, and the individual narratives offer a solid mix of character humor and satisfying drama. Compiling all 21 episodes from the 2016-17 fifth season, extras include deleted scenes and a blooper reel. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)