David Gabriel quotes from The Closer

Gabriel

So on paper, you transfer everybody from Priority Homicide to the counter-terrorism bureau...

Pope

Whoa, whoa, whoa....you guys don't have the mandated training for that.

Gabriel

See sir, that's the best part. The federal government will actually pay you to bring us up to code; thousands of dollars per person which you could add to your budget shortfalls.

Pope

Well, that's...that's fantastic! So officially, you would all be transferred to the counter-terrorism bureau, which would satisfy the state, while in actuality I could just loan you right back to Priority Homicide.

Gabriel

Exactly, sir. Because you only need more people in counter-terrorism when the threat level goes up. I mean, if you were to transfer them there permanently, you'd just be...

Pope

...paying people to just stand around most of the time. Yeah, I hate that. You know, Sergeant, for bureaucrats, this plan of yours is the equivalent of turning water into wine. My only question is, why are you here suggesting it instead of Chief Johnson?

Gabriel

Well, uh...sir, I thought she might like this idea better if she thought it was...

Pope

...my idea. Uh-huh. Well, I see you've worked out every detail, including who she's going to blame. That's real genius.

Gabriel

This isn't the way to Lompoc.

Brenda

No, we're going to the airport.

Gabriel

We're taking the L.A.P.D. plane? I thought you were supposed to be saving money.

Brenda

No, Sergeant, we're supposed to be finding a murderer and we are not doing it in the carpool lane.

Gabriel

So on paper, you transfer everybody from Priority Homicide to the counter-terrorism bureau...

Pope

Whoa, whoa, whoa....you guys don't have the mandated training for that.

Gabriel

See sir, that's the best part. The federal government will actually pay you to bring us up to code; thousands of dollars per person which you could add to your budget shortfalls.

Pope

Well, that's...that's fantastic! So officially, you would all be transferred to the counter-terrorism bureau, which would satisfy the state, while in actuality I could just loan you right back to Priority Homicide.

Gabriel

Exactly, sir. Because you only need more people in counter-terrorism when the threat level goes up. I mean, if you were to transfer them there permanently, you'd just be...

Pope

...paying people to just stand around most of the time. Yeah, I hate that. You know, Sergeant, for bureaucrats, this plan of yours is the equivalent of turning water into wine. My only question is, why are you here suggesting it instead of Chief Johnson?

Gabriel

Well, uh...sir, I thought she might like this idea better if she thought it was...

Pope

...my idea. Uh-huh. Well, I see you've worked out every detail, including who she's going to blame. That's real genius.

Gabriel

Dont. Don't do this.

Brenda

What? Sergeant, now is not the time to discuss this.

Gabriel

Kenyon Richards devotes his life to feeding and helping people, saving lives in some of the poorest communities in this city.

Brenda

We will talk about this later. [She turns to go back in the interview room, but Gabriel intercepts her]

Gabriel

If you arrest him, you will be sending a message to every gangster in town there there is no point to change, that they're beyond forgiveness, that no matter who they become, they will always be who they were.

Brenda

I am not sending a message. I'm solving a murder. That is my job. [Brenda tries to open the interview room door, but Gabriel grabs the knob.]

Gabriel

I thought our job was to protect and serve. Who are we protecting by sending him to prison? Who are we serving? Okay, I don't know who Kenyon Richards was 15 years ago, but the man he is today, the man that he has become, does not deserve this!

Brenda

That is for a judge and jury to decide. Now, if you are ready to substitute your own personal sense of right and wrong for the law, which is what we are sworn to uphold, you should turn your badge in today. Step aside. Now. [Gabriel stares her down] I said, step aside, Sergeant! [Gabriel angrily releases the knob and Brenda goes back in the interview room]

[to Gabriel, who is alone in the room with him] You see, every one pretends kids don't want sex. But they do. You remember when you were a kid? It's all you thought about. There's nothin' wrong with it. It's biology. And besides, black girls are different.

Gabriel

Is that right?

I mean, look at her. Black girls are way more sexy and mature than white girls. It's why they have kids so young. You probably grew up swimming in black ass. It's the way they walk; shake-shake-shakin that thang...

Provenza

[watching from the video room as Gabriel heads around to the other side of the table] Kill the feed, Buzz.

Buzz

But the chief said...

Provenza

I said, kill it! [Buzz turns off the camera feed and heads for the door] Do NOT leave this room!!

Buzz

[clearly nervous] Why not?

Provenza

Because Sergeant Gabriel is about to make a break in the case.

Gabriel

For keeping the team together despite some pretty hefty pressure, and for trusting her instincts, about us too, by the way, and for how she always works so hard to get her man: I say, Hail to the Chief.

To the Chief!

Brenda

Cause of death?

Due to circumstances beyond my control, you'll have to tell me.

Maybe he choked to death on four triple burgers, extra cheese, six orders of fries and a Diet Coke.

Brenda

This receipt was made on Friday night. Oceanside?

Gabriel

That's just north of San Diego. Looks like he paid with a credit card.

Brenda

Sergeant Gabriel, you thinking what I'm thinking?

Gabriel

"Why the Diet Coke"?

We cut back where we can.

Gabriel

Mr. Stroh, I'm just curious. You defended Chris from molesting a 13 year old family member and you got the charges dismissed. And now, it looks like the same guy has murdered someone. How do you feel about that?

Well, first of all, doesn't look like Chris murdered this young lady to me. And if you're asking about his previous case, obviously the state couldn't prove its allegations. So if you have a problem with the legal system...

Brenda

No, no, no...I don't think the sergeant was talking about specifics, but about how you as a human being justify defending child molesters.

All right. Most criminals, they do their time, and when they get out of prison, they go about their lives anonymously. Sex offenders are registered until the day they die. They're branded, like animals. Now, if the state is going to punish them more harshly than other criminals, then it also assumes a special burden to prove their continuing threat to society. My job: to make sure the state demonstrates that threat. So, Sergeant, if your... charmingly phrased accusation really does have something to do with how defending suspected sex offenders makes me feel, the answer is: It gives purpose to my life.

Tao

What makes a good marriage? I think patience.

Patience. And separate bathrooms.

Provenza

Up until now, you guys had avoided all the big mistakes people make in a relationship: getting married, buying a house and having kids. I look at this wedding today as a big red flag.

Gabriel

Hi. I just wanted to say that I have really enjoyed working with both of you, truly. And this really couldn't be happening to two nicer people. Congratulations, you guys.

Flynn

Hey, you guys. Enjoy Italy. You've earned it. And make sure you "sleep in" a lot your first week out. Heh heh heh.

Daniels

I don't know much about successful relationships, but you seem to have one. And I'm happy to have been a part of your lives.

Buzz

I just wanted to say that its really nice to have been invited to the reception, and I hope this little tribute is something you will like, and keep and remember.

Sanchez

My wife died six years ago and I've never taken off her ring. Always love each other. Always.

Pope

Well, I'm...happy for you. Both. May each year bring you closer together.

Taylor

So...just say something nice?

Buzz

That's what I did.

Taylor

Okay, let me think...

Brenda

[to a suspect] Now, I want you to look at all the people put to death in Texas since February 2006; 84 in all.

Gabriel

Tommy Lin Hawkins, executed after six months of being on death row. Michael Jack Raleigh, executed one year after his conviction. Tyrone Derek Johnson -- you get the idea?

Brenda

And these are all the people put to death in California during the same time period. [opens an empty folder] Not one. But since you have a lawyer and you won't talk to me, I'm walking out of here right now and turning you over to Texas, and trust me when I tell you that they will kill you dead.