Ep 5. Citizens Arrest

Major Crimes season 1 episode 5, "Citizens Arrest," starts with a teenage couple getting robbed and the boyfriend getting shot while they were on a date. Meanwhile, Captain Sharon Raydor is dealing with a personal case involving her estranged husband, Jack, who needs her help with one of his clients. As the team works on solving the robbery-homicide case, they encounter multiple suspects and have to sift through the evidence to find the right one.

The episode opens on a dark street where a teenage couple, Haley and Brian, are on a date. Suddenly, they get approached by a man who demands all their valuables. When Brian tries to stand up to the robber, he gets fatally shot. The Major Crimes Unit gets a call about the robbery-homicide case and rushes to the scene. The team finds out that Brian was an Army ROTC cadet and an overall good kid. They talk to Haley, who gives them a description of the robber as well as a possible witness, a man who scared the gunman away.

While the team is busy working on the case, Captain Raydor gets a call from her husband, Jack. He informs her that one of his clients, a woman named Laura who is going through a custody battle, was arrested for a DUI. Since Laura has a history of substance abuse, Jack fears she might lose custody of her kids. Raydor reluctantly agrees to help, but she is clearly annoyed with her husband for not seeking legal representation earlier.

Back at the station, the team is reviewing security footage from the area where the robbery took place. They notice two suspects who were following Brian and Haley before the robbery occurred. They track down one of the men, named Gabe, who used to be Brian's friend. Gabe reveals that he and his friend, Tyler, were following Brian and Haley to scare them. However, he denies any involvement in the robbery and the shooting.

The team also talks to the possible witness, a man named Colin, who scared the robber away. Colin claims he was just passing by and didn't see the actual robbery, but he saw the suspect fleeing the scene. The team is sceptical of Colin's story and puts him through a polygraph test, which he fails.

As the case progresses, they encounter a few more suspects, including a man who found Brian's wallet and a drug user who sold Haley's cell phone. However, none of them seem to be the right match for the suspect. The team is back to square one, but they notice one detail that might help them crack the case. They realize that Brian was wearing his father's military dog tags at the time of the shooting, and the killer might have taken them as a trophy.

Meanwhile, Raydor meets with Laura, who reveals that her latest relapse was caused by her estranged husband, who had been pressurizing her to get back with him. Raydor advises Laura to seek help and offers to connect her with some rehab centers. While leaving, Raydor runs into Jack, who thanks her for helping Laura. Raydor seems distant and doesn't reciprocate his gratitude, which hints at the couple's troubled relationship.

Back at the station, the team gets a break in the case when they trace the stolen cell phone to a man named Jerome, who turns out to be the killer. They find him at a local pawn shop, trying to sell off Brian's dog tags. Jerome admits to the robbery but insists he didn't mean to kill Brian. He says he got spooked when Brian tried to fight back and ended up shooting him by mistake. The team arrests Jerome and brings him to justice.

In the end, Raydor is seen visiting Brian's father to return his dog tags. She offers her condolences and shares that they have caught the killer. The father thanks her for solving the case and for being there for him during his time of grief. Raydor seems to be touched by the gesture but is still dealing with her own personal troubles.

Overall, Major Crimes season 1 episode 5, "Citizens Arrest," is an intriguing yet emotional hour of television that showcases the Major Crimes Unit's attention to detail and Raydor's compassion towards the victims' families. With a well-crafted mystery and strong character development, the episode sets the tone for what's to come in the rest of the season.