Think of "Major Crimes" as a sort of step-down program, pushed on the nation by TNT to help us gradually get over the pain of losing "The Closer" and our beloved Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick).

"Major Crimes," debuting tonight at 10 after the series finale of "The Closer," actually doesn't require any lengthy explanation. It's essentially "The Closer" without Brenda Leigh and a couple other cast members (I won't spoil who's missing, though even a fleeting glance at the show's previews on television have already given that away).

It's the exact same show: Capt. Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell, right), who has appeared on "The Closer" for a few seasons now, steps into the lead position in the L.A.P.D.'s Major Crime unit after Brenda's departure in "The Closer's" series finale.

And I have to say, the transition from Deputy Chief Johnson to Capt. Raydor is much smoother -- and more enjoyable -- than I ever expected.

Tonight's series finale of "The Closer," airing at 9 on TNT, has pretty much everything you can hope for when saying goodbye to a TV show -- and characters -- you've come to love: closure and peace.

I won't dare give away any particulars of how or why Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, played for seven great seasons by Kyra Sedgwick, leaves her job as head of L.A.P.D.'s Major Crimes unit. I will tell you that it's a strong episode with a satisfying conclusion.

But it also can't help but be a little sad, too. Sedgwick, pictured here with TV husband Fritz (Jon Tenney) and cat Joel (Jax and/or Darlie), brought Brenda Leigh to life so completely that I'm still a little surprised when I hear her speak on talk shows and she doesn't have an exaggerated Southern drawl (one of my favorite scenes from "The Closer" is from Season 1, when Lt. Provenza mimics Chief Johnson's extreme southern accent at a crime scene).

Mad Men (10pm, AMC) - In case you've been living in a spider hole, we're here to tell you that tonight is the season 3 finale of AMC's stunning series, "Mad Men." Last week's episode, despite the JFK assassination storyline, was a teeny bit of a snoozer. But perhaps that's only because the previous week's episode, in which Don was forced to come clean to Betty about his true identity, was one of the most powerful we've seen. One major development last week, apart from confirmation that Duck is completely devoid of a soul, was Betty telling Don that she no longer loves him (Also interesting? That part where she made out with her new boyfriend in the car). What happens tonight? Your guess is as good as ours, but our guess isn't as good as this guy's. Don't miss it!

Dexter (9pm, Showtime) - Quinn's very interested in Dexter's nocturnal habits, which doesn't bode well for Quinn's future. Meanwhile, John Lithgow's creepy Trinity killer is still on the loose.

Bored to Death (9:30pm, HBO) - In the first season finale of this great new show, the Edition magazine gang -- George (Ted Danson), Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman), and Ray (Zach Galifianakis) -- prepare for a triple-header boxing match against Richard (Oliver Platt) and his GQ crew. It's not pretty. It's very funny, but it's not pretty. 

Brothers & Sisters (10pm, ABC) - Not only are we still getting to look at Gilles Marini guest starring (forever, please!) as Sarah's steamy French love interest, tonight Nora (Sally Fields) turns all cougary and begins an affair with a younger oncologist working at Kitty's hospital, played by none other than Jon Tenney (you may know him as Fritz Howard on "The Closer"). And even better, Tenney's Dr. Simon will have a recurring role on the show (but only a 4-episode story arc). Gilles Marini and Jon Tenney (not to mention Rob Lowe). Sigh. 

I knew there was trouble Tuesday morning when someone called to tell me that if I hadn't seen Monday night's episode of "The Closer" yet, don't watch it. 

I guessed immediately what had happened: Kitty had died.

The first two episodes of this season's "The Closer" gave us troubling glimpses of Kitty's declining health, with Brenda and Fritz fussing over her, taking her for vet visits, and even giving her IVs in Brenda's office. So we sort of knew it was coming, right? 

The Closer, Monday January 26, 9pm, TNT

The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick, returns tonight for the second half of its fourth season, and the big question involves the fate of Det. Sanchez (Raymond Cruz). In the cliffhanger at the end of the first half of the season, Sanchez took some bullets while saving the life of Lt. Provenza, and the show ended with things not looking so good for Julio. . . .