The Best Episodes Written By James Duff

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   9.4/10(5 votes)

   #1 - Silent Partner

   S7:E1512/26/2011

   Brenda seeks help from a businessman, played by guest star Jason George (Grey's Anatomy), with old ties to the neighborhood where Turell Baylor was murdered.

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   Writer:James Duff

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2. 

   9.2/10(9 votes)

   #2 - Homewrecker

   S3:E16/18/2007

   Brenda and the team investigate the grisly slaying of a family, and the only survivor is the drug-addled teen son. Meanwhile, a financial crisis rocks the LAPD, bringing about budget cuts and possibly Provenza’s early retirement. Meanwhile, Fritz hopes to move into a new house with Brenda.

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   Writer:James Duff

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   Writer:James Duff
3. 

   9.1/10(8 votes)

   #3 - Standards and Practices

   S1:E139/5/2005

   An unnamed source files a grievance against Brenda in the midst of a high-profile investigation of a murdered L.A. filmmaker. With her career on the line, Brenda is skeptical of Chief Pope's intentions when he volunteers to help. In classic Brenda style, she spurns the accusation and the PHD team comes together to act in unison, sending shock waves through the entire department.

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   Writer:James Duff

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   Writer:James Duff
4. 

   9.1/10(7 votes)

   #4 - Overkill

   S2:E139/4/2006

   Brenda and Fritz have a hard time agreeing who is in charge when an informant's wife and and FBI agent are both murdered. When the killer's identity is uncovered, the PHD finds themselves under attack.

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   Writer:James Duff

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5. 

   9.1/10(7 votes)

   #5 - Manhunt

   S3:E88/6/2007

   It looks to be the return of a serial killer when two bodies turn up dead. With the knowledge that he kills in sets of three, Chief Pope charges Brenda and her squad to hunt down the killer before the third victim is taken.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:James Duff

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6. 

   9.0/10(7 votes)

   #6 - Tijuana Brass

   S4:E99/8/2008

   When an FBI informant is the prime suspect in the deaths of two Tijuana police officers, Pope, Taylor and Brenda must deal with a public relations mess when a newspaper prints an unflattering story about Priority Homicide.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:James Duff

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7. 

   9.0/10(6 votes)

   #7 - Home Improvement

   S7:E68/15/2011

   A body turns up on a home construction site, while Brenda and Fritz weigh the expense of a high priced attorney.

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   Writer:James Duff

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8. 

   9.0/10(8 votes)

   #8 - Critical Missing

   S2:E87/31/2006

   When the drowned bodies of a mother and daughter are found by fishermen, Brenda and the team must determine if the apparent suicides are more than that. Following a strange coil of discoveries, the most surprising revelation that surfaces is one about the killer.

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   Writer:James Duff

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9. 

   9.0/10(7 votes)

   #9 - No Good Deed

   S2:E128/28/2006

   Once again, the PHD finds themselves wading through suspects in the murder of the star witness in a capital punishment case. Meanwhile, Pope's angry ex-wife, spills the beans about Brenda to her team and Fritz begins to wonder how she really feels.

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   Writer:James Duff

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10. 

    9.0/10(5 votes)

    #10 - Serving the King (2)

    S2:E1512/4/2006

    While working with the CIA, who also wants their hands on this suspect, Brenda realizes that she was given false information, and wonders if she's been set up. To prevent herself and the PHD from falling prey to a sinister plan, Brenda must untangle a web of lies to determine who she can trust before it's too late.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:James Duff

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11. 

    9.0/10(7 votes)

    #11 - Til Death Do Us Part (2)

    S3:E139/10/2007

    Still experiencing the strain of her case, Brenda finds herself under another time crunch when she must disprove a questionable alibi within 48 hours to prevent the investigation from falling flat. As Brenda searches for the truth in her case, she discovers some inside information that may have an unfortunate effect on her relationship with Fritz.

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    Writer:James Duff

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12. 

    9.0/10(7 votes)

    #12 - Controlled Burn

    S4:E17/14/2008

    When a massive fire breaks out in Griffith Park, Priority Homicide is on hand to help. Meanwhile, Brenda and Fritz are living in a small apartment and getting on each other's nerves.

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    Writer:James Duff

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13. 

    8.9/10(7 votes)

    #13 - Identity Theft

    S5:E98/3/2009

    Brenda must reopen the case of a murdered psychiatrist when the man claiming to have committed the crime gives a statement that doesn't quite match the actual events. Based on evidence of the man's acquaintance with the doctor, Brenda believes there is a cover-up and sets out to unearth the truth. Willie Rae throws a roadblock in her path when she pops in for a visit, which actually appears to be an attempt to dump Brenda's handful of a niece onto the newlyweds during for the duration of summer break.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:James Duff

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14. 

    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #14 - All In

    S2:E1412/9/2013

    When a body turns up at a posh country club in a quiet neighborhood, the squad’s investigation leads them down a money trail full of surprises. Flynn is noticeably distracted on the job, and Emma’s actions have Rusty questioning her intentions, causing him to distrust her even more.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:James Duff

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15. 

    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #15 - You Have the Right to Remain Jolly

    S7:E1212/5/2011

    Fred Willard (Modern Family) guest stars as Santa Jack, the owner of a Christmas village who believes he could be the real Father Christmas.

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    Writer:James Duff

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16. 

    8.5/10(11 votes)

    #16 - Pilot

    S1:E16/13/2005

    A seemingly routine murder investigation by the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division is interrupted by the arrival of Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson, the new head of the LAPD’s Priority Murder Squad. An outsider from Atlanta in her first week of service, Brenda has already begun to face the resistance of long-time high-ranking officers and only her assistant, Sgt. Gabriel, seems willing to try to work with her.

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    Writer:James Duff

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17. 

    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #17 - About Face

    S1:E26/20/2005

    Brenda and the team must investigate the murder of high-profile model Heather Kingsley, who dies as a result of nicotine poisoning. As Brenda investigates, she is drawn into the world of celebrity beauty, where illusion is everything, and the standard high.

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    Writer:James Duff

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18. 

    8.2/10(8 votes)

    #18 - Blue Blood

    S2:E16/12/2006

    Brenda and her team race against the clock to get to the truth, as things don't add up when an LA cop turns up dead. Meanwhile tension increases between the Priority Homicide Division and the Robbery-Homicide Division.

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    Writer:James Duff

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19. 

    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #19 - Batter Up

    S1:E88/1/2005

    When a gay man is murdered, seemingly the latest victim of a string of hate crimes, Brenda must confront prejudices inside and out of the LAPD. Meanwhile, Flynn and Taylor step up their efforts to undermine Brenda once again, but with unexpected effects, as the team begins to rally around Brenda.

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    Writer:James Duff

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20. 

    7.8/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Reloaded

    S1:E18/13/2012

    The department is still reeling with the recent departure of Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson, creating a tough transition for the newly appointed head of Major Crimes, Captain Sharon Raydor. But there is little time for adjustment as the department rushes to reach a plea bargain when a string of grocery store robberies turns fatal. After proving to be a valuable source for the case, undercover police detective and military veteran Detective Amy Sykes is transferred to Major Crimes. Meanwhile, Raydor takes a big step to protect teenager Rusty Beck after he runs away from his foster family.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:James Duff

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21. 

    7.2/10(72 votes)

    #21 - The End Is the Beginning

    S1:E32/6/2020

    Completely unaware of her special nature, Soji continues her work and captures the attention of the Borg cube research project’s executive director. After rehashing past events with a reluctant Raffi, Picard seeks others willing to join his search for Bruce Maddox, including pilot and former Starfleet officer Cristóbal Rios.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:James Duff

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22. 

    7.1/10(7 votes)

    #22 - The Last Word

    S7:E218/13/2012

    In the series finale, we bid a final farewell to Brenda Leigh Johnson. When a young man calls 911 to report seeing someone being buried in Griffith Park, police find not only her remains, but those of several other women who were kills as far back as two years ago. Brenda immediately suspects Philip Stroh and, despite departmental restrictions, sets out to finally tie him to the murders. Meanwhile, the witness who called 911 makes Brenda look at her life and future. Stay tuned to the next show, Major Crimes, which will pick up from the moment The Closer ends. A large portion of the characters are moving to the new show. to work under the new supervisor of Major Crimes, Captain Sharon Raydor.

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    Writer:James Duff

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23. 

    7.0/10(41 votes)

    #23 - Die Trying

    S3:E511/12/2020

    After reuniting with what remains of Starfleet and the Federation, the U.S.S. Discovery and its crew must prove that a 930 year old crew and starship are exactly what this new future needs.

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    Writer:James Duff

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24. 

    6.8/10(8 votes)

    #24 - The Big Bang

    S6:E17/12/2010

    After a man is murdered while taking pictures of the stars from his balcony, the squad suspects the crime is somehow connected to the woman with whom he was having an affair. But their investigation is hindered by a missing murder weapon, as well as the difficult adjustment of moving into a new office.

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    Writer:James Duff

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25. 

    6.7/10(22 votes)

    #25 - Fortunate Son

    S1:E1011/21/2001

    The Enterprise crew is dispatched by Starfleet Command to assist Fortunate, a human freight vessel that has been attacked by Nausicaan pirates. On arriving, they are surprised to find that Fortunate's crew is resistant to Archer's efforts to help them and determined to seek revenge against their attackers, no matter the repercussions.

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    Writer:James Duff

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