as to throw something across the room. Throughout the season following Sharon's diagnosis, Provenza is one of the most careful with her health and gets visibly emotional in "Conspiracy Theory, Part 3" after learning just how serious it is. Due to her worsening condition, Sharon chooses to take a leave of absence in "Conspiracy Theory, Part 4" and to leave Provenza in charge of Major Crimes while she's gone. She subsequently dies, leaving Provenza in charge more permanently. In the four-parter "By Any Means," Provenza remains in charge of Major Crimes, but retains his rank of Lieutenant and has not officially been given command. Instead, Provenza is in charge until he is either officially made commander or a new commander is chosen. While reeling from the death of Sharon, the squad has to deal with the murder of DDA Emma Rios and the realization that Phillip Stroh has returned. Provenza struggles with Assistant Chief Mason over how to manage the investigation, but gains more cooperation as Provenza is proven right more and more often. Provenza repeatedly states that he intends to bring Stroh down "by any means" and that he has no intention to take Stroh alive. At the end of "By Any Means, Part 3," Provenza states that if there is one thing he wants to accomplish in his potentially short time commanding Major Crimes it is to remove Phillip Stroh from the face of the Earth. In "By Any Means, Part 4," Provenza continues his quest to take Stroh down "by any means," resisting bringing in SOB backup so that there will be no chance of Stroh escaping. With Wes having proven that Sharon's condo is not safe, Provenza keeps Rusty and Gus at his side at all times. After realizing that Stroh might be going after his stepsister and with Rusty determined to go after her, Provenza reinstates Buzz to Reserve Detective and along with Rusty and Gus, they visit Stroh's sister, finding her murdered. Provenza finds Stroh on Jim Bechtel's yacht where Provenza manages to corner Stroh, but can't bring himself to shoot an unarmed man. As Stroh apparently goes to surrender, he is shot dead by Rusty. Provenza discovers that Stroh had a hidden gun he was presumably going for and decides to take credit for killing Stroh himself to protect Rusty. Though investigated by FID, Provenza is cleared as its determined that Stroh's death