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Season guide

Major Crimes: Season 1

10 episodes Premiered Aug 13, 2012 Updated Jul 20, 2026

Major Crimes is an American police‑procedural series that continues the narrative of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes division introduced in the earlier series The Closer. The first season introduces Captain Sharon Raydor, portrayed by two‑time Oscar‑nominee Mary McDonnell, as the new head of the unit. Raydor assumes leadership with a stated intention to run the squad in a more collaborative, team‑ori

Season overview

Major Crimes is an American police‑procedural series that continues the narrative of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes division introduced in the earlier series The Closer. The first season introduces Captain Sharon Raydor, portrayed by two‑time Oscar‑nominee Mary McDonnell, as the new head of the unit. Raydor assumes leadership with a stated intention to run the squad in a more collaborative, team‑oriented fashion, emphasizing shared credit among the detectives and staff who work under her command. The series follows the detectives as they investigate high‑profile or particularly sensitive crimes, while also depicting the interaction between law‑enforcement officers and prosecutors. Central to the season’s premise is an exploration of how the American justice system negotiates “the art of the deal,” showing the processes through which officers and legal officials cooperate to secure convictions. The show’s focus on procedural collaboration and the dynamics of a special LAPD squad frames the narrative arc of the inaugural season.

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Episodes

S1·E1

Reloaded

Aug 13, 2012 · 43 min

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 Shar

S1·E2

Before and After

Aug 20, 2012 · 43 min

Growing pains within Major Crimes become apparent as the division works to obtain justice in a brutal homicide that turns out to be more complicated than expected. Raydor struggles

S1·E3

Medical Causes

Aug 27, 2012 · 43 min

The facts become blurry in a case involving a fatal car crash at a nightclub. Meanwhile, Rusty can finally look forward to his mother's return.

S1·E4

The Ecstasy and the Agony

Sep 3, 2012 · 43 min

The unit joins forces with the FBI when a homicide case spins around the Israeli mob and an "intuitive life strategist." Elsewhere, Provenza displays his vulnerable side, and Rusty

S1·E5

Citizen's Arrest

Sep 10, 2012 · 43 min

When a kidnapping turns deadly, the squad scrambles to crack the case and turns to a district attorney for help. Meanwhile, DNA evidence shows that Rusty has connections to the jus

S1·E6

Out of Bounds

Sep 17, 2012 · 43 min

The aftermath of a deadly shooting on gang turf finds Raydor making a daring maneuver that could threaten her career and jeopardize Det. Sykes' life. Elsewhere, Rusty makes it quit

S1·E7

The Shame Game

Sep 24, 2012 · 43 min

When an activist to end human trafficking is murdered, the investigation leads to a possible eyewitness, a young prostitute wanting to get out of the business, and the pimp she wor

S1·E8

Dismissed with Prejudice

Oct 1, 2012 · 43 min

When a murder conviction is overturned after eight years, Tao is forced to question his past actions. And Rusty struggles to be himself during his first outing with his father, Dan

S1·E9

Cheaters Never Prosper

Oct 8, 2012 · 43 min

A man from Las Vegas is found dead after an apparent overdose, but the facts become unclear as gritty details begin to unfold. Meanwhile, a series of strange events leave Rusty and

S1·E10

Long Shot

Oct 15, 2012 · 43 min

Season Finale. When a peaceful ceremony turns deadly, Major Crimes and the FBI team up to track down a dangerous sniper. And Raydor negotiates a deal that even Provenza can get beh