Two years after he kills serial killer Red John, ex CBI consultant Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) is living a new isolated and calm existence. But, it is interrupted when he gets a surprising offer from the FBI Agent Dennis Abbott (Rockmond Dunbar) to come back to the U.S. and work with them.
Concise Verdict
My Blue Heaven was like a breath of fresh air. Like Jane, I greatly enjoy natural beauty and we got to see plenty of it here. Not only was it a refreshingly light and humorous episode, but it was also a beautifully directed, acted, edited and (most importantly) written episode. 9/10
Detailed AKA Humungous Review
My Blue Heaven takes place two years after the events of episode Red John in which Patrick Jane finally takes revenge for his family’s death. For the first time since the show started, an episode does not contain any reference to the show’s (now deceased) main antagonist (i.e. the color red or any variations of it).
Teresa Lisbon’s Fate
The episode opens up to show viewers Teresa Lisbon giving a presentation on what being a policeman means to a classroom full of elementary students. Despite the children calling her “Chief” the simple fact that she is in a uniform represents her demoted status: she is no longer an agent.
-While this may be true I would still have loved to find out how Lisbon not only managed escaping being imprisoned for aiding and abetting a wanted man, but managed to go back to working in law enforcement. My guess is, the fact that Jane was never caught (and therefore never charged) might have helped.
After Lisbon returns to her office, she is informed that an Agent Abbott wants to see her. The FBI agent greets her, tells her she has a nice place then proceeds to ask her if she had heard from Jane. She says she hadn’t and that she doesn’t really want to. Abbott then expresses surprise since they were “so close”. Lisbon says it was a long time ago.
-A few details here. Just before Abbott enters Lisbon seems to gaze at a bouquet of flowers in the corner of her office (I think they were orchids?) with a slight smile. I immediately thought that they might have been a delivery from a certain missing consultant.
The second detail is the shell she has decorating her desk. Like Abbott (who asked if he may see it) I immediately concluded that it was from Jane.
We also find out that while Lisbon hasn’t heard from Cho “in ages” she is still in touch with Grace and Wayne. In fact she has dinner with them the very next day.
The scene after said dinner takes place is interesting. Wayne tells Lisbon about how his and Grace’s company is doing well. And when Graces excuses herself to talk to the babysitter he explains “new mother, you know how it is” to Lisbon, letting viewers know that he and Grace have a baby now. I also like how Wayne isn’t as worried, reminding viewers that this is his second baby so he has more experience (and therefore less to worry about than Grace.
Then there’s Lisbon reassuring Wayne and Rigsby that she’s enjoying her new life, despite missing the CBI “at first”. It’s quiet now, which she likes. I personally got the feeling that she was putting on a show for the couple. But after they leave, and you see Lisbon happily reading Jane’s letter (one of many which she keeps in a box) you get the feeling that, as sad as the moment may seem, she genuinely is content just knowing Jane is okay.
Patrick Jane’s Blue Heaven
Turns out Abbot was right in his tacit assumption that the shell came from Jane. The next scene takes us to a beach with Jane (sans suit and avec beard!) is taking a walk. He enters his apartment and we hear via voice over the contents of a letter he’s writing to Lisbon.
While the initial contents (Jane describing dolphins in the ocean) is quite general conversation, the rest of the letter, which viewers are shown a glimpse of later is much more intimate. Jane apologizes for leaving Lisbon on the beach “that evening”- I assume the day he lured the RJ suspects to his house in episode Fire and Brimstone. And he also mentions that Lisbon not being here is the only thing that makes this new chapter in his life “strange and sad”. He ends it saying that he misses Lisbon and signs it “You know who”.
-Aww!
Also in the same montage, we get to see in Jane’s apartment that he’s trying to learn Spanish (he has an English-Spanish dictionary) and another book called “Daily Zen”. The fact that Jane tells Lisbon that he has his “daily routines” hints that he’s gotten used to his new found existence.
Image by Chizuruchibi. Copyright Reviewbrain December, 2013. Not to be used without permission.
From what we can tell, an early morning swim/walk on the beach, followed by writing a letter to Lisbon while drinking tea before breakfast in a beach restaurant is one of them.
Jane then takes a walk to the post office where he asks about the price of stamps. We found out that they are “cheaper than yesterday but still more expensive than last week”.
-This tells us that Jane sends Lisbon letters on a regular basis.
Jane then asks he woman at the counter if anyone asked for him. They reply no and after Jane leaves the women comment that he’s a “sad man” which they base on the fact that he’s always asking if someone is looking for him. Also, that he’s a very nice man but that his Spanish is terrible.
-Jane’s daily question here is no doubt to find out if the FBI have discovered his whereabouts.
Jane’s New Friend
While eating breakfast, Jane spots a woman reading an English book. He quickly strikes up a conversation and despite saying he’ll leave her to her book manages to get himself invited to sit at her table.
-This scene was both sad and sweet. Probably only those who have had the experience of living abroad where there first language isn’t spoken can emphasize with Jane’s delight here at being able to finally speak English and have someone understand him.
The woman introduces herself as Kim (Emily Swallow) and we find out she is on vacation pondering on whether to accept a new job offer.
-I was all over this line. The instant Kim mention a job I just knew she was here to check out Jane. As the end of the episode later proves, my inkling was right. But I must say, Kim played her role so perfectly she had me doubting myself for a while. In hindsight, however, you see all the small hints she left and how she (and Abbott) played Jane like a fish.
-She was so cool, reading in English in front of him, having him approach her first.
-After she has him hooked she asks if he knows a good place for dinner, fishing for a date.
-She makes him perfect tea (the woman has done her research!)
-She gives him her number just in case he ever comes back to the US.
-She meets him one last time at the beach restaurant to give him her book to read leaving Jane to ponder his fate alongside the lonely old man who has been living there alone for longer than Jane has been.
Evil Genius Abbott
You can’t help but admire FBI Agent Abbott, since he was the one who undoubtedly had Kim approach Jane to prep him for Abbott’s offer. She’s a brunette (who looks strikingly like Lisbon from behind!). He must have chosen her to remind Jane of the woman he left behind. Abbott He does so more obviously when flat out tells Jane he was able to trace him through the letters he sent Lisbon via his carnie friends. “Smart, but not smart enough”.
Then there was Abbott agreeing so readily to Jane’s “terms” scribbled on a napkin in his haste to seal the deal on returning back to the United States to work for the FBI. I love Abbott’s smile and reply of “we can work with that” to Jane. And I didn’t believe it for a second. Poor Jane was so desperate that he bought the man’s act. No doubt he was feeling mightily proud (and superior) after he used Abbott to catch (and punish) a drug dealer who had both killed a dog Jane like and assaulted Jane. But you can tell from Jane’s giddy expression that he couldn’t wait to get back to the US (and Lisbon) and that might have been what affected him from reading Abbott accurately. That, or Jane might just be rusty.
One thing I found interesting: Abbott contends that he doesn’t need to agree to Jane’s terms and gave Jane his own as soon as they were in FBI headquarters. But one thing Abbott did do was oblige Jane and have Lisbon be ready to greet him as soon as they arrived. He didn’t need to do that, but the fact that he did makes me think: a) Abbott is not as adverse to having Lisbon work with Jane as he pretends he is. Or, b) Abbott knows that as soon as Jane finds out he’s been tricked into coming back to US soil (where he can get arrested) his stubborn streak will have him refuse to sign the contract with the FBI. So Abbott is probably counting on Lisbon to talk some sense into Jane and agree to Abbott’s offer.
The Reunion
Jane arrives at FBI Austin HQ to find Cho waiting for him. He says he’s not surprised Cho did well to get into the FBI but expresses some dismay at Cho’s less than warm welcome. Cho says he is happy to see Jane, but he doesn’t think he’ll be able to fit into the FBI. After Jane enters the room where he is meeting Lisbon and Abbott, we get to see Cho smile.
-Now I took this to mean one of two things (or both, maybe): Cho, as he stated, is happy to see Jane he’s just never been big on showing emotions. Also, Cho knows Jane is about to be cornered and was amused.
Once Jane sees Lisbon, it seems like he can barely keep his eyes off of her. The phrase “a sight for sore eyes comes to mind”. He gives her a big hug telling her he’s missed her (a sentiment she reciprocates). And once she sits down asking him what’s going on he tells her gleefully “You’ll see. It’s going to be great.”
Jane’s delighted expression both at being reunited with Lisbon and at the prospect of surprising her with their going back to work together was equally sweet and amusing. It just makes Abbott’s subsequent busting of his bubble funnier.
Also amusing, Lisbon’s contention “I have a job, I can’t just leave it because you suddenly decided to come back!” And Jane shushing her in front of Abbott, telling her “we’ll talk later” . It was nice to see them argue again like an old married couple.
Icings on the Cake
The scene where Kim is preparing Jane tea in his apartment was heavily reminiscent of The Crimson Hat (where Lorelie was preparing Jane tea after their evening together). You can just see Jane thinking he was having a déjà vu. It was so funny seeing him try to recall if they slept together, finally mentioning that he was drunk last night, and his relief when she reminds him that he was beat up.
Jane took off his wedding ring! I don’t attach any special significance to the fact that Jane took it off to go out with Kim, rather I think he was just trying to get used to not having it on. And going on a date for the first time after he avenged his wife seems like as a good time as any. Also, just to keep shippers from blowing a gasket: Jane’s had several surrogates for Lisbon before in plenty of first time moments: Erica (first kiss), Lorelie (first you-know-what), and now Kim (first date sans ring).
Cho is as hard to read as ever. I’d love to find out just how much (if at all) he helped the FBI find Jane; how else would Kim have known exactly how picky Jane likes his tea?
Loved seeing Matt Gossen as part of the cast. Here’s to having CBI Karl and Ron back at some point too J.
Honorable Mentions
Simon Baker was astounding in this episode, pulling double duty as director and actor. The opening scenes were especially well done, capturing Jane’s new home from multiple vantage point (including above). His depiction of Jane as well was riveting: the sad loner, the playful detective (loved the kick he gave the perp) and the boyish lover.
Music! Blake Neely’s score is as perfect as ever. The playful new exotic intro theme was a nice and appropriate surprise for Mentalist 2.0.
The editing was perfect. Loved all the transitions between the scenes.
Really enjoyed the performances by both Rockmond Dunbar and Emily Swallow.
Best Line
“Kim!” Jane, when he sees his fellow vacationer at FBI.
“Who’s Kim?!” Lisbon, to Jane. No comment 😉
“That is a napkin.” Abbott’s dressing down of Jane’s “terms”.
Best Scenes
The winner The reunion, for obvious reasons. Also, it was nice to see someone (Abbott) play Jane for a change. Also, Tunney and Baker’s facial expressions in that scene so expressive. These two have always had awesome chemistry on screen and their acting was just superb. As was
First runner up: Jane’s first scene: such a beautifully shot scene. Also, it has to be said: very few things are as romantic as letters. And having one read in Simon Baker’s soft throaty voice is something I’m sure turned millions of fans into mush.
Second funner up: Jane setting up the drug dealer to be caught by Abbott. You can just tell that he had fun especially showing off to Abbott.
Pet Peeves
Wayne and Grace’s fate was quite realistic and easy to comprehend: they are no longer in law enforcement but own a private business which utilizes their expertise. However, we find out from Abbott that Lisbon’s been working as a chief for around a year and a half. I would have loved to find out how she was able to get that job and escape jail time so quickly. The same goes for Cho’s status at the FBI. Perhaps Abbott cut Cho a deal; he gets hired as long as he gives them information to help them find Jane (how else did they find Jane’s carnie friends). But still, the lack of explanation is annoying.
The set for Jane’s paradise home was a bit too “clean” if that makes sense. It didn’t really look like a lived in village despite all the Spanish speaking children.
This is me being crazy, but what the heck did Wayne mean by telling Lisbon “you know how it is” about Grace being a new mother? It made me want to physically raid Lisbon’s apartment just to see if she has a new baby of her own hidden somewhere XD. I blame the lyrics of the song “My Blue Heaven”
Foreshadowing, anyone?
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While Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) recovers from her altercation with serial killer Red John, CBI second in command Kimball Cho (Tim Kang) investigates the death of Titus Stone (David H. Lawrence XVII) a scientist whose car exploded while he was driving it. Meanwhile, consultant Patrick Jane investigates a possible lead into Red John with some shocking results.
Concise Verdict
A surprising interesting case, continuity, references to past episodes, some deep layers, new advances in the RJ case, great acting, what more can a fan want? To quote the victim, doomo arigato gozaimasu! 9.5/10.
Detailed AKA Humugous Review (spoilers galore)
Bertram arrives at the scene
Sacramento police tell CBI director Gale Bertram (Michael Gaston) that they got a call an hour ago from Lisbon requesting backup. Once they responded they found the body of forensics expert Brett Partridge and Lisbon down. A frantic Jane is already at the scene yelling for someone to give him a bottle of water which he immediately uses to wipe off RJ’s trademark smiley, which this time was drawn on Lisbon’s face.
-What I loved about this scene is how Bertram looked into the ambulance to see what Jane was doing. It explains how he later knew that Lisbon had been ambushed by RJ. I mean, it’s easy enough to assume that he’d hear about it from the first responding officers, but it was nice to be shown how he found out.
Also nice was the contrast of how hurriedly Jane procured the water, contrasted with how gently he used said it to clean the blood off Lisbon’s face. The reverence of his removal of the smiley recalls the reverence RJ used to draw it and might help explain the killers gentleness: perhaps, out of respect for his nemesis, RJ he was treating Lisbon the same way he knew Jane would.
Lisbon’s Dream/ Nightmare
In what viewers later find out is a dream, we see a jaunty Lisbon enter the office only to be surprised with Gale Bertram painting an RJ smiley with the blood of her dead team members. Other RJ suspects, FBI Agent Reed Smith and ex-CBI agent turned Visualize employee Ray Haffner (Reed Diamond) are also there covered in their victim’s blood.
-Perhaps this sequence shows the three people Lisbon suspects the most- why else weren’t the other suspects (like McCallister and Kirkland) on the list? Another purpose of the scene is to explain why Lisbon later tells Jane she decided to remove the wire taps off the suspects…out of fear for her beloved subordinates.
Lisbon/Jane in the Hospital
When Lisbon wakes up from her dream, horrified, Jane is right beside her assuring her she is safe and completely unharmed. At her disbelief that RJ didn’t do anything to her Jane confides that the killer left his bloody mark on her face.
-I love how well Lisbon takes Jane’s revelation . Rather than freaking out at the killers gesture cool calm Teresa is more interested in what RJ meant by it. Another thing I love is how honest Jane is with her, here, despite (based on Bakers expressive face) how difficult and painful the topic is to him. In keeping with his promise to Lisbon in Red John’s Rules of sharing more, Jane is being completely open rather than misguidedly attempting to protect Lisbon by concealing the truth. Or is he?
Jane takes a stab at guessing what RJ’s intentions were: “He was being playful, ran out of time. Maybe something spooked him and he couldn’t go with his usual routine”.
-Jane’s explanation is perfectly plausible. But it is sort of undermined by his later telling Lisbon “at least he threw you back” when she states that RJ was able to hook her like a fish due to the wire taps; meaning, at least RJ let her go after catching her. I’ll discuss this more in the conclusion…
Lisbon then tells Jane that Partridge say “Tiger Tiger” before he died, from the poem, like what RJ told Jane and asks him what that means. Jane’s reply is “I don’t know.”
-Wow. Jane’s admitted not knowing things in the past two episodes more times than in the last six seasons (especially when it comes to RJ). Loving this honesty streak.
A doctor interrupts the two and asks for “Carmen Lee”; she leaves when Lisbon tells her she’s in the wrong room.
-Jane seemed suspicious of the doctor by how long he stared at the door after she left, and so was I. But if his later leaving the hospital (and Lisbon) is anything to go by, then he must have decided that she didn’t pose any danger.
Lisbon then explores the possibility that RJ actually is psychic because he’s been ahead of them the whole time. And because when he killed Eileen Turner it was like he was erasing a happy memory from Jane’s mind.
-I love how seriously Jane listens to Lisbon’s concern here as opposed to feigning bravado and giving her false reassurances; which was many times his knee-jerk reaction. It’s just more proof of how seriously he’s taking his promise of being more honest and open with her. A good thing because Lisbon’s query leads Jane to search for an answer to her “good question” by calling Sophie Miller, whom regulars will recall was Jane’s psychiatrist after his family got killed (as revealed in Red Brick and Ivy, one of the best episodes EVER ). It’s not hard to imagine his thought process: RJ must have learned about his childhood from her, either by reading Jane’s records or by seeing her in person.
One last point about this scene: Lisbon when saying she’ll tell Grace to remove the wire taps, mentions that they’re completely illegal aside from everything else.
-Lisbon willingly breaking the law without being prompted by Jane shows that when it comes to RJ, she’s not as concerned about being by the book as she used to. Also, seeing Jane with his hands tied made her feel desperate. It’s an interesting role reversal as usually Jane’s the one acting rashly and she’s the one reigning him in.
Jane goes back to Work
At CBI, Grace asks Jane how the boss is, and he answers: “awake and cranky”
I love this response because the way Jane said “cranky” just painted a whole picture for me of Lisbon literally kicking him out of her hospital room. That could explain why he’d willingly leave her side after such a close call. And the word “awake” gave me another image of the team having already had visited Lisbon in the hospital, but that she had been asleep at the time (before she woke up from the aforementioned dream sequence) and after being assured that she was okay, they went back home.
For skeptics, this assumption isn’t just a result of my over-active imagination. First evidence to support the theory is the timeline: The scene of Lisbon being carried off by the paramedics happened right after the victim of the week left the restaurant (we’re later told was around 11:00 p.m). And when Lisbon wakes up Jane tells her it’s “morning sometime”. So there is plenty of time for the team to have come over to the hospital, made sure Lisbon was okay, and be shooed away by Jane when it didn’t seem like she was going to wake up any time soon.
More evidence? The flowers on the bedside table in Lisbon’s hospital room. I doubt Jane would have left her side, risking her waking up without him being there to comfort her, just to buy flowers. On the other hand, the gesture has Van Pelt’s name all over it. She probably got them en route to the hospital. Props are used for a reason, people, and here it’s to show that Lisbon’s had some visitors.
This off-screen visit also explains Cho’s assumption that Lisbon’s going to be released that same day; he knows she’s fine because he saw her.
Finally, we already know that the team loves Lisbon to bits (episode Little Red Book is just one example, there are many others). I’d have to be told that they hadn’t visited her in the hospital before I can believe it as opposed to the other way around.
Gale’s Relief (?)
Gale comes in and gives the team their new case. After they leave to work he asks Jane what he’s doing to which the consultant responds “I’m busy”. Bertram answers “No doubt” before commenting that Lisbon was extraordinarily lucky to have Red John spare her.
-Gale’s Bertram comment and tone here reminded me of his surprise at another one of Lisbon’s close calls: when she had a bomb strapped to her (Strawberries and Cream). In that episode’s review I stated:
Lisbon and LaRoche go to explain the resolution of the bomb case to Bertram, he tells Lisbon: “Well you seem no worse for wear. And I didn’t think it would work out that way to be candid.” Referring to Lisbon being strapped to a bomb vest.
-I am all over this line. First of all, there is no way Bertram could have known about Lisbon’s situation until after it was all over and I assume she then called LaRoche who probably would have called Bertram. But at that point it would have been clear that she was safe. So why did he say “I didn’t think” as if he knew about the situation as it was happening? I guess it could be a blooper. Or it could be that he really did know what was going on; i.e. is another RJ spy.
-Perhaps Bertram’s surprise is that RJ continues to let Lisbon live despite knowing how much she means to his archenemy Jane. Even during her bomb threat, Lisbon wasn’t intended to be killed. She was simply being used to acquire a CD which contained information RJ wanted. Bertram’s continued surprise at Lisbon’s safety hints that he doesn’t know anything about RJ’s plans (if he has any) for her (and/or Jane). This could mean that he’s not close to RJ, but is still involved with him, or that he’s completely innocent of any association with him.
Bertram then asks Jane what she was doing at the house; that when the call came in about the house there was no mention of RJ and or Partridge and wonders at Lisbon going there. Jane tells him she was probably following a hunch. Bertram doesn’t buy Jane’s explanation, iterates his willingness to let Jane’s secrecy slide but reminds him that he has to be there when they catch RJ.
-Again, Bertram’s stance here can either be taken as proof of his being both guilty or innocent. He may want to be kept in the loop to warn RJ (guilty) or he wants to be there to cash in on the good publicity the catch will bring him (innocent).
Cho and Rigsby discuss the RJ suspects
This was a fantastic scene because the two friends say out loud everything the audience must be thinking:
Rigsby: “I think it’s Bertram, we know Red John’s got major juice, he has to given what he’s pulled off. Bertram has more juice than anyone on Jane’s list.”
Cho: “No, Brett Stiles runs a world-wide cult with thousands of followers and billions of dollars of assets.”
Rigsby: “Okay, other than stiles. But Bertram’s on the inside. He can keep an eye on the investigation, hide his tracks. Okay, tell me I’m wrong, go ahead, bring it on.”
Cho: “I don’t think you’re wrong.”
Rigsby: Really?
Cho: “It could definitely about Bertram. There’s something creepy about that guy.
Rigsby: “There is something creepy about him.”
Awesome. And to add humor, we have Rigsby mimic a noise of a crowd going wild, cheering because the Cho-man agrees with him. Yeoman is adorkable in this scene while Kang’s subsequent deadpan is just hilarious. On a more serious note, how excited Rigsby is that Cho agrees with him shows how much he respects his colleagues opinion. Nice continuity.
Grace and Wayne : Hotter than Ever?
Grace calls Wayne with an update on the case but before she gets into the details the two share how much they enjoyed each other the night before.
-This isn’t exactly appropriate given the circumstances, but after being reassured that Lisbon is okay, I can imagine these two physically reaffirming their love for each other in the face of the very real danger their knowledge of the RJ suspects has placed them in. More than that, the scene serves as foreshadowing to what (if the spoilers I inadvertently ran into are to be believed) might happen in future episodes. Rigsby getting flustered when some officers walk by and his switching to professional mode also reminds viewers of the “no-dating between co-workers” policy at CBI. I wonder how the two plan on getting around it if they intend on getting more serious about each other.
Ray Haffner visits Lisbon
Ex-CBI agent Ray Haffner visits Lisbon in the hospital. He gets in her personal space by sitting on her bed and whispers conspiratorially “So what happened” trying to cajole her into talking. Lisbon laughs and tells him “Nothing. I scraped my knee.”
-Don’t you just love her?
Ray tells her “I hear you were this close with Red John. That’s some scary stuff, you okay?”
-Okay, what I assume should come across as genuine concern is just setting off my creep-o-meter on fire. I want to physically push him back and yell “Back off, she’s not interested”.
Lisbon is quite composed when she tells Haffner she’s fine, adding “turns out Red John is not so tough he barely laid a hand on me.”
-Oh, crap. I know she’s just trying to get rid of him but don’t jinx yourself Lisbon!
Haffner tells her “good for you” and when she tries to end the visit he asks if he’s making her nervous. Lisbon denies this before asking him why he is here. He responds by asking about how close she and Jane are to catching RJ. Lisbon refuses to answer and asks why he cares. When he says he doesn’t, but that his clients do, Lisbon demands to know why “Visualize” (Brett Stiles’ cult and Haffner’s client) cares. Haffner acts disappointed that he’s not able to get what he wants from Lisbon, saying that he knew she’d act this way but that he came anyway because “I like you Teresa. I really do. And one of these days you and me, we’ll have a time.”
-Again, back off Ray. She’s not interested!
Now, if we are to believe that Haffner’s interest in Lisbon is genuine as opposed to his just wanting to glean information from her, then his attachment opens up some pretty sick possibilities. After all, RJ uses people, gets them to do his bidding by giving them what they want . And some times, what they want are other people (he gave Maya to Sherriff Hardy in Red John’s footsteps).
RJ Kills Sophie Miller
Just in case viewers have forgotten who Sophie Miller is, we are treated to a flashback of Season one episode Red Brick and Ivy where Jane and her were reunited for the first time. And when Lisbon calls Jane as he’s about to go visit her, he asks: “Lisbon, you’re wondering who Sophie Miller is?” to which she responds “She was your psychiatrist after your wife died.”
-Of course Lisbon remembers who Sophie Miller is. I doubt she’d forget Jane confiding in her that he had a nervous breakdown and was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after the loss of his family. It’s one of the earliest expressions of his trust. And I seriously doubt Lisbon would forget seeing Jane kiss Sophie “on the cheek”, a goodbye after they helped exonerate Sophie from a crime she was being accused of. It was a very sweet moment that Lisbon teased him about…
Lisbon figures out Jane thinks RJ found out about Eileen Turner from Sophie. She tells him to call her after he finishes talking with her. Jane explores the woman’s empty house and finds a harmless looking note saying “dinner is in the oven” with a smile under it. Once he checks to see what’s for dinner, he finds poor Sophie’s severed head placed in her own oven.
-This was a big shock and a major bummer. I was really looking forward to meeting Sophie again. I loved the character (and the actress) and found her relationship with Jane very intriguing as it contained some really bittersweet undertones; perhaps she fell in love with her patient or vice versa during their sessions? It would have been so cool to see them together now that any romantic feelings Jane might have are apparently directed towards Lisbon (some may even argue that had always been the case). Alas, we’ll never know. Nor will Lisbon though a later scene shows that she might have had her suspicions…
Meeting Between Sheriff McCallister, Reed Smith, and Bertram
Lisbon calls Jane away from Sophie’s crime scene (one wonders why she didn’t join him, maybe she eventually did?) when she reveals that the monitors Grace had on his RJ suspects, which she had been about to remove, showed three of them convening. Jane doesn’t waste this opportunity and interrupts Gale Bertram’s “joint investigation” meeting with Sherriff McAllister (Xander Berkley) and Reed Smith (Drew Powell) to give him an “update” on the Red John case: his ex-psychiatrist was killed by RJ; his second victim in two days: proof that Jane is closing in on him. Also, RJ made a mistake which Jane found. Agent Smith asks what the mistake was, and Jane says he’d tell him but he always felt that Bertram’s office was bugged. After he leaves, McAllister asks “What the hell was that about” Reed also demands “Exactly how much does Jane know?” Bertram answers “Well that is the question” to what Smith bites “Yes, and it’s your job to know the answer.” Bertram quietly states “I’m doing my best”.
-What’s a mere agent, FBI or not, doing talking to Director Gale Bertram like that? Sorry to disappoint readers, but all I have are questions not answers. But if the scene explains one thing it is Bertram’s “I’m a lot of things to a lot of people” remark to Jane and Lisbon in the previous episode. I feel sorry for the guy. We’ve seen him answer to Homeland security’s Kirkland asking what Lisbon (and Jane?) know, is now being talked down to by Reede (perhaps acting in FBI Head Alexa Shultz stead, but still…), and on top of all that, he’s got Jane’s antics to deal with. If he’s innocent (and I hope he is, I like the guy) then he truly is a man with many headaches indeed; as many as the roles he’s being forced to play.
Jane and Lisbon Reconvene
Lisbon and Jane sit on a bench. She gives him tea, and asks him if he saw any reaction from the three aforementioned suspects that hinted towards any of them being RJ. Jane says no. Lisbon then tells him that she’s sorry about Sophie, that she knows that woman helped him. When a dazed off Jane doesn’t answer, Lisbon (gasp) asks Jane (GASP!) if wants to be alone.
-Lisbon’s awkwardness and willingness to let Jane be, to me, is evidence that she’s not sure what Sophie was to him and how deeply he is grieving for her. I find that terribly endearing.
She needn’t have worried. When she says she’s going back to her office Jane immediately stays her and shares what’s on his mind: “Red John killed Sophie because she could identify him. Now he could have stolen my records without ever seeing her. He must have wanted to meet her to talk to her.”
-So glad Jane brought this up, or it would have been a major peeve of mine.
Lisbon doesn’t drop the ball either asking “why?” to which Jane responds he might have been curious about someone who was close to him. He then adds that RJ had been planning this for weeks, for months. And that he didn’t kill Sophie before now because her death would have tipped Jane off on how RJ knew about Eilleen Turner. Instead, RJ waited until after he issued his ultimatum of “I’m going to kill more and often” to Jane so that he’d just chalk up her death to a random victim in RJ’s newest killing spree. Between the two of them, Jane and Lisbon figure out that RJ must have gone to see Sophie pretending to be a new patient. Lisbon then sends Rigsby over to investigate her files, under the cover of investigating her death.
-I wonder at Lisbon asking Rigsby to do this. My guess is that Cho is busy running the case of the week (he was talking with a witness) and that time is of the essence. Not that there is anything wrong with sending Rigsby. He’s perfectly capable and is more than worthy of Lisbon’s trust.
Sophie’s Description of RJ
Unfortunately, RJ seems to have stolen the file Sophie had on him; Rigsby doesn’t find anything. But before viewers can groan at yet another false lead, we learn that Sophie dictated her notes and Jane already has the recording with him.
Jane and Lisbon listen to the tape together. Sophie describes “J Roth” (RJ’s newest alias) as being:
-A middle aged man in good health with a fear of heights.
-He has no living family but many friends whom he relies on for company and support.
-He is well spoken with a good posture and is self-possessed.
-An excellent whistler.
-Has pleasant self presentation, but with hints of a damaged and narcissistic personality.
-He tells Sophie that he deals well with conflict and adversity easily, but she suspects he is lying.
-She also senses darkness and deception in him but suspects that he truly does suffer some type of phobia.
So we’ve gotten some hints. All I can say is that based on the above description, I doubt Reed Smith is the man in question; he doesn’t exactly fit the “self-possessed” criteria. Also Haffner and McCallister were both shown to be whistlers in this episode. What do you all think?
Best Scenes
The winner: Jane and Lisbon at the hospital
This was just such a beautifully quiet intimate scene. Baker and Tunney are both experts of understated acting; they convey great poignancy with very little effort. As well, Blake Neely’s beautifully soft unobtrusive score was, as always, quite perfect.
First runner up: Jane solves the case of the week
First, the revelation that Titus actually killed himself was unexpected, though it was set up quite well. Second, the team work between Jane and Lisbon to entrap Kris was contrasted nicely by how her “partner” abandoned her when he found out that she encouraged their employee’s death to cover up a flaw in their company’s designs. Wonderful writing, wonderful acting by all.
What was your favorite scene?
Best Lines
“I gotta get out of here”. Lisbon, after Haffner leaves, running off before more unwanted visitors ambush her in the hospital.
“How is that progress?” Bertram in response to Jane revealing RJ’s latest homicide. Love Gaston’s wry reading of this line. So funny.
Icings on the Cake
-Rigsby identifying the source of the bomb recalls that he’s an arson expert while Cho figuring out that a drone is the cause reminds viewers that he was in the military. Nice continuity.
-Was that a miniature figure of Kenshin (AKA Samurai X) on the victim’s desk? Seriously? SERIOUSLY? If so this show just reached a new level of cool.
Honorable Mentions
Writing/Acting
This was a beautifully written episode. Besides everything else I already mentioned, I also liked the message/clue subtly conveyed by the case of the week regarding the RJ plot. But to explain it I have to first talk about the players involved:
Kris Makkena, the victim’s crush and boss. When we first met her she seemed genuinely distraught at Titus’s death. The fact that she later turned out to be the cause, and how completely careless she is of that fact was a complete shock. Of course, credit also goes to the beautiful and talented Paula Marshall who skillfully depicted both the character’s fake and true personalities.
Similarly, the head of the company Elliot’s initial outrage and insistence that Titus was a victim of terrorism seemed to hint that he was a cold person more interested in protecting himself and the company than in the dead scientist. But he turned out to be the more humane of the two as he was completely horrified by the part Kris played in Elliot’s death and wanted nothing to do with her as soon as he found out.
So what’s the message? Things are not always what they seem.
Could it be that, rather than the fact that Bertram, and the men around him are all RJ followers/suspects/minions, they are all in fact working together in a covert operation attempting to capture him? Might they, like Darcy, even actually suspect Jane of working with him?
For the record, my favorite theory comes from the “RJ is mar” or “RJ is man” theory; that is the message left in blood by RJ’s friend/victim Jared Renfrew (Red John’s Friends) who presumably died before he finished writing his dying message. Guessing what he meant to write we have two options depending on if the last letter was an “r” or an incomplete “n”:
1- RJ is married: this fits in with Violet’s theory that RJ is two people. It is also supported by episodes written by Bruno Heller in which the perp was actually a homicidal couple (Red Hair and Silver Tape, Scarlett Ribbons).
2- RJ is many: this supports what we’re being shown: Bertram, Kirkland, Mcallister, and Smith all knowing each other, having private meetings and wondering if Jane (or Lisbon) know anything.
Pet Peeves
-I loved episode Red Brick and Ivy. The obvious warmth between Sophie and Jane in that episode was really touching to see and I’m sorry that she had to die this way. I’m also sorry that we didn’t get more of a reaction from Jane besides his telling Bertram that she was “a good woman”. On the other hand, Sophie’s office yielded a new clue for Jane so it’s easy to see how his pragmatism would lead him to focus on getting the killer rather than mourn the loss of an old doctor/friend (crush?)
-Despite my explaining away the limited expressions of team love/concern towards Lisbon using all the clues of it having happened off-camera, I still would have appreciated seeing something on the screen. Grace hugging Lisbon after she got out of the hospital (like she did after her bomb scare in S& C) would have been great continuity and a beautiful character moment. I was disappointed we didn’t get that here and there really isn’t any excuse for it. For god’s sake, Lisbon ran into RJ! Unless….could it be that the team doesn’t know that? I mean I assume that they do but it wasn’t mentioned by any of them. Yes Cho and Rigsby discussed Jane’s list of suspects but that was revealed last episode. What they didn’t discuss was why RJ left Lisbon alive. Isn’t that strange? Was it something else that happened off-camera or does the team simply not know? And if they don’t, did both Lisbon and Jane decide to keep this from them for their own safety?
I guess it could be possible. When Bertram talked about Lisbon’s scrape with Jane none of the other team members were in the room. And Haffner probably heard it from Bertram or his RJ knowledgeable associates (i.e. Visualize). Now for the life of me I can’t remember if an RJ smiley was drawn anywhere else in the house where Partridge was killed. If the only obvious clue that RJ killed Partridge was the smiley drawn on Lisbon’s face, which Jane immediately wiped off, then maybe the fact that RJ was the perp might actually have been kept confidential. But then that would mean that the first responding officers were asked to keep quiet about it…
Okay, I’ve managed to confuse myself. Thoughts anyone?
I really hope future episodes clear this up…
CONCLUSION
Jane told Lisbon “at least he threw you back” when she said that RJ was able to hook her like a fish.
To me this line says that, rather than RJ not having had time to finish killing Lisbon, his letting her go was an intentional choice. I think, on some level, Jane acknowledges the fact that RJ never intended to harm Lisbon; his attack was just a threat and a further display of his powers to put Jane in his place.
Now in the previous review Violet stated:
His motive for targeting Lisbon from the very start is pretty clear: she was trying to think rationally and to help her partner, thus she was bringing him small amount of comfort. She was his true “desert rose”, the blooming flower in the desert of despair, his ray of hope.
I agree and I want to add that despite Jane’s resilience, I don’t doubt losing Lisbon would be what finally sends him over the edge. I think RJ knows this and wants to keep Lisbon as his final trump card which he’ll only use as a last resort. It’s probably why he never targeted Lisbon until now. After all, a broken Jane is one that won’t be able to “play” with RJ. And since he already knows Jane would never go over to his side (The Crimson Hat) he at least wants to keep the game going as long as he can.
Whether Jane knows this consciously or subconsciously, I doubt he’ll share it with Lisbon. Doing so means admitting how attached he is to her, and further admitting how in control RJ is. And Lisbon sensing Jane’s lack of control is what spurred her into taking her own action and is what ended up endangering her in the first place. This danger is probably another reason which had Jane leave her side and take action to explore how RJ was able to act like a psychic, killing one of his fondest memories (Red John’s Rules). That, and the knowledge that, if RJ wanted to harm her, he would have already. The only question now is exactly how long is RJ willing to wait?
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Yes, you read that right. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Real life came out full force this month and doesn’t show any sign of letting up soon. As I’ll be very busy the upcoming months I’ll be relying on you, dear readers, to review this episode by offering your fantastic comments as usual. I’ve been staggered with your responses over the years, so much that I don’t think my presence is even needed much anymore (though it would be nice to be missed ^_^)
I still love this show to pieces but reviews can’t take precedence over my career. Maybe I’ll be able to free my schedule to write some more in the future. But if not, please do come here for the discussion. I know I will; your opinions on our favorite show always make me think, smile, and laugh.
Mini-verdict: With regards to this episode,all I can say now is wow. Tom S. wrote an equally funny and important episode. Oh, and I loved the direction by Allison Anders. Baker and Tunney are as talented and delightful and in tune and perfect as always, etc. etc. But so was everyone and everything else.
Image by Chizuruchibi. Copyright Reviewbrain, February 2013. Not to be used without permission.
Sweet episode. I was only able to watch it once though, so I’ll grade it after that second viewing. For now, here are some possible topics for discussion:
Visualize
I’m just going to point out that All-I-Need pointed out way back in Season three that he’s probably a member of Visualize, to which I replied that he might have been one who went rogue on them after learning all their secrets; a possible reason why Stiles knows so much about him but doesn’t like him (besides the fact that he killed all those women, I mean).
(not) Jealous Jane?
First the stripper, then Haffner. I thought Jane took the attention Lisbon was getting very well. In fact, he was downright sweet about it, going to catch the case with Cho and leaving her to enjoy her spotlight.
Ray Haffner
I don’t think Lisbon suspected he had anything to do with the crime; just wanted to ask him if he happened to notice anything. But his reaction “we’re still friends, why would you ask me that” raised a big red flag. Hence her going to talk to Jane.
Are We Partners, or What?
One word: Finally. Now excuse me while I get another box of tissues…
Chizuruchibi is selling a calender featuring her art! Check it out here.
*All material posted in this blog is the intellectual property of reviewbrain (unless otherwise stated). Readers are free to make use of the information provided they cite the source (this blog) either by name (reviewbrain’s blog) or by linking to it. Please extend the same courtesy to the authors of the comments as well (by mentioning their names) to ensure that credit is given where credit is due.
CBI Agents are called to an abandoned light bulb factory, in Sacramento’s Industrial District. A body was discovered in an enclosed box, with scratches on the cover suggesting the victim was buried alive. Meanwhile, it has been nine years since consultant Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) lost his family. Their murderer Red John commemorates the event by leaving a “Happy Anniversary” card for Jane to find on his car before he goes to work. When Jane visits his families graves, he finds another message for him from Red John, given via a little girl “Do you give up yet?”
Concise Verdict: Wow. Seriously wow. I could rave on and on about what an awesome episode this was. But as words fail me I’m going to leave that up to commenters this time and focus mainly on the analysis. 10/10 ‘Nuff said.
Detailed AKA Humungous Review (spoilers galore)
So, yeah. That was quite an episode. It raised a lot of questions but I’ll mainly be focusing on trying to answer the following one: Were Jane’s actions here part of a long con or a result of the events within? Or were they both?
There were a lot of great details here and I tried to be as inclusive as possible.
Note: I purposely skipped on analyzing the title cause it might be deemed spoiler-ish for the next episode. Will talk about it then, I promise.
Teaser-Graveyard Scene: Jane, Lisbon, and Luther
Lisbon (Robin Tunney) starts the episode impatiently wanting Jane to hurry and join her at the crime scene. RJ’s card derails him and he goes to the cemetery instead where he encounters the child Haley who gives him RJ’s message. Lisbon then arrives at the scene (obviously Jane called her) where CBI head Luther Wainwright (Micheal Rady) says that it’s the anniversary of Jane’s family’s death. Lisbon tells him “I know, nine years”.
-Lisbon obviously was the one to call Wainwright, as I doubt Jane would bother. His arrival before her is probably due to him being closer to the location (Lisbon was at a crime scene elsewhere). Now I think Lisbon’s knowledge coupled with her impatience for Jane to join her hints that she already knew about the anniversary and had been worried about Jane. It’s nice to think of her wanting to look out for him by distracting him via a case.
Unfortunately we don’t get to see Jane and CBI Head Luther Wainwright’s interaction when the latter first arrives at the scene. That would have been interesting and I suspect a revealing scene; probably why it was omitted.
Luther tells Lisbon“Apparently Red John, or someone pretending him lured the girl from a class field trip.”
-I found the fact that Luther is leaving room for the possibility that RJ wasn’t the perp here very interesting. I wonder if he truly believes that or if he’s just being open for all interpretations. And what may those other interpretations be? That there is an RJ copycat, RJ is dead (like Jane insisted)? Or that RJ is alive, but he’d sent one of his lackeys? Does Wainwright believe Jane, that RJ is dead, or does he believe FBI Agent Darcy( Cheap Burgundy), that he’s not. A later scene explains this more. But for now…
Lisbon and Luther find out that Jane brainwashed Haley (the little girl who saw RJ) into forgetting her encounter with the man. Wainwright asks Jane why he’d do that when the girl can identify the serial killer. Jane recites the description he got from the girl: “he’s white, he wore a baseball cap, he had an odd voice.”
-Unfortunately, there’s nothing new here. We already know all of this.
Luther then points out that she might remember more if she were questioned properly, that Jane cost them an important witness. Jane defends “People who can identify Red John end up dead.”
-One can only applaud Jane for fearing for the little girl’s life. I do think, however, that if RJ wanted to harm her he would have already. He could have just killed her then left her body with a note attached for Jane to find. Also, Jane truly wasted a precious opportunity here. He should have hypnotized the girl (with her mom’s permission, of course) to get more information out of her, in the presence of a sketch artist. But it seems like, for once, Jane has decided to err on the side of safety, something I’ve been wishing for since the start of the show, so I’d be a hypocrite if I complained now. Grr..
Luther starts saying that he understands why Jane would be protective, but Jane interrupts to threaten that he’ll hurt Luther badly if he questions Haley or even tries to talk to her. Luther asks Lisbon in disbelief if Jane really just threatens him. She doesn’t answer and takes off after the consultant.
-Jane’s reaction here makes his pain and terror obvious. He fears that an innocent little girl might be harmed by RJ. Again, I don’t think he needed to go to the extreme of hypnotizing her, but, again, I totally understand where he’s coming from. As to Luther, come on man, can’t you recognize an empty threat made out of anger when you see one? Jeez…
At least Lisbon does. She follows Jane and tries to talk him down. She tells him he doesn’t need to apologize to Luther (bless her, she knows a lost cause when she sees one) but adds that Wainwright is right, that they should interview the girl properly. She then tells Jane that RJ is messing with his head and warns “Don’t let him.” She then asks Jane if he’s all right. Jane tells her “I appreciate your concern,” adding “Your phone is ringing,” and takes off while she’s distracted the better to avoid her concern.
-Jane’s little avoidance tactic here is repeated throughout the entire episode. If only he’d taken one of Lisbon’s attempts then the blow up at the end probably wouldn’t have happened But more on that later…
Dazed Jane at CBI/goes to victim’s workplace with Lisbon
At CBI, Jane drinks his tea in a daze, not really listening to Lisbon and the team as they discuss the case. She notices this, and brings him out of his reverie to go talk to the victim’s boss and co-workers. There, Jane makes a mistake regarding the dynamics of the victim’s acquaintances.
-Jane’s face here when it turned out he was wrong was full of confusion (which he didn’t quite succeed in hiding). Seeing the normally confident Jane miss one so badly was quite sad and disturbing.
Lisbon feels so too as she asks Jane what’s going on when they leave. Jane says “nothing” before admitting to being a little “out of sorts” but that it’s nothing serious. Lisbon then asks if he wants something to eat. Jane declines, and says he’s taking the rest of the day off.
-Oh bittersweet irony. I never thought I’d see the day when Lisbon is the one asking about food and Jane is the one who turns it down.
Lisbon is disappointed that she didn’t get Jane to have lunch with her (where I don’t doubt she would have attempted to draw him into a healthy conversation). She gazes at his departing figure worry written all over her face.
Jane/Alone in the Restaurant
Patrick goes to a restaurant where he is greeted by name and told that his order will be up shortly. A waiter comes over to his table and serves Jane what appear to be a type of vegetable (carrot?) juice. He does this consecutively until Jane has had a little from three separate glasses.
-The waitress knowing Jane, the fact that Patrick didn’t need to place his order, and that it was brought to him almost immediately hints that his presence was expected. It might be that Jane’s visit to this place was a ritual he’d practiced for years now, possibly every year on the anniversary of his family’s death. Hear that sound? It’s not glass, but my old heart breaking.
As to the drinks, one can only guess at Jane’s choice. Personally, I think the juice was a poor substitute for Jane sharing a meal with his family. And as I doubt he can put away three meals, three drinks it is. Or he might have had three orders, but only ate some of each like how he didn’t finish the three juices.
Jane Burns his RJ Files
The next scene has him back at the CBI at night. He goes up to his perch in the CBI attic with what seems to be a bottle of whiskey and matches. Jane pulls out a box from under his makeshift bed full of files on Red John.
-In the previous review I stated that Jane hasn’t been investigating RJ based on the fact that we don’t ever see him in his attic anymore, and on the fact that it seems he is unaware of CBI official files on RJ had been handed over to the FBI Agent Susan Darcy. The fact that Jane has his own copies explains why he may be unaware that the RJ files are no longer at CBI; he doesn’t need to study them as he has his own. It also raises the possibility that Jane might have been, in fact, still investigating RJ, only off-screen.
Jane pulls a file out from the box, with the label of James Panzer. Inside the file, there is a line which states “Subject is a victim of Red John serial killer.”
-So Panzer’s death has been officially attributed to Red John. I’m assuming after Jane admitted to Darcy that RJ is alive (Cheap Burgundy) she wrapped up her investigation (into Panzer’s murder) and forwarded the results to the CBI, putting the fact that RJ is still alive on the record. This explains Luther’s lack of surprise by RJ being back at the beginning of the episode. But RJ’s known existence also has deeper implications for Jane…
Jane burns his files on RJ, hastening the process with the whiskey he brought with him, but drinking up most of it.
-….I think the sight of the little girl with a smiley on her hand pushed Jane to finally, ultimately, give up on RJ, not wanting to lose any more victims to the man. Jane says just as much in the next scene…
Lisbon’s office: Jane/Lisbon/Luther:
The next scene (the next day) shows Jane sleeping on the couch in Lisbon’s office. Wainwright and Lisbon stand outside her office where the boss tells her that security says Jane’s fire could have burned the building down.
– Could it be that the fire spread to the rest of the attic and that’s why Jane spent the night in his couch in Lisbon’s office instead of in his perch? I don’t thinks so. There would have been soot on Jane’s clothes (there isn’t any) and Luther would have probably made a bigger fuss. Most likely, the fire set off the building’s fire alarm system and had security come running. As to Jane being on Lisbon’s couch, it hints at two things: a.) he really is over RJ, otherwise he probably would have slept in the attic. b.) Jane feels safe in Lisbon’s office, or he probably would have slept in his comfy brown couch in the bullpen. It was either privacy he wanted, or being in his best friend’s comfort zone that motivated this decision.
Say it with me: aw!
Luther tells Lisbon he could suspend Jane, but that he thinks his actions are a cry for help. He just needs to know what the issue is.
-You mean, other than the 9th anniversary of his family’s death and the note RJ left him? Honestly, Luther…To be fair, Lisbon concurs, saying “me too”, meaning she’s also confused on what’s happening with him. This is where I had to remind myself that Lisbon’s probably been around Jane on more than one sad anniversary, and that he’s also been teased by RJ before, so she probably thinks that he would have gotten used to it by now. Also, that Luther and Lisbon are just tv characters, so they can’t read my reviews, otherwise, they’d know that Jane has probably long since decided to give up on RJ (Blood and Sand) and is now coming to terms with doing so officially.
Lisbon asks Wainwright to let her do the talking. They both enter her office and she wakes Jane up, asking him what’s going on, why he burnt his RJ files.
Jane tells her that he’s hung over, but at her prodding says that RJ is right, it’s time to give up. “Nothing’s working. Nothing. It’s just a game and he keeps winning. The only way to stop him is if I stop playing.”
-Jane’s conclusion here is remarkably reasonable…which makes me doubt if he’s being sincere XD. Another reason is that right before Jane talks, he glances at Wainwright. He is aware of the younger man’s presence and watchful gaze. So it could be that Jane’s words were being said for Wainwright’s benefit. But who knows why. He could have done so to save himself from getting a lecture from Luther on safety, or because he thinks Luther is an RJ agent and wants him to deliver the message that he’d given up to his boss. I think both are legit possibilities.
-Personally though, I think Jane was being completely sincere, here. He just seemed very downtrodden. He seemed to barely be able to get his words out, perhaps because of Luther’s presence; he didn’t want to admit that he’s given up, moving on because he can’t win in front of his boss. I think that’s the most likely case, especially when you factor in the little swallow, bile, Jane has to trample down right before he says that he’s moved on.
-But there’s simply no way to know for sure. Seriously, Baker was phenomenal here. You can just see the despair wafting from him. If Jane was acting, he deserves an Oscar for his performance. This reminds me of the scene where Jane kisses Erica in her hotel room, and the absolutely traumatized look he had on afterwards. Act or sincere emotions? I doubt we’ll ever find out…
Lisbon seemed to believe him anyway…
She tells him “That it’s a big change, Jane,” to which he responds “Well change is good, isn’t it?”
-Teresa’s concerned reaction at the bomb Jane dropped is very realistic. It’s also foreshadowing. The man had been practically living for revenge all these years. It doesn’t seem like he’ll be able to give that up easily…that much becomes apparent by the end of this episode…
Lisbon then demands to know if it means that Jane is leaving the CBI. Jane quickly replies “No, of course not. What will I do for amusement?”
-I love this. Lisbon is so used to Jane’s presence that she immediately needs to know if he plans on leaving. I’m willing to bet that she was freaking out internally. Just like I’m willing to bet that Jane knows she was, which is why he immediately reassured her that he’s staying put.
Jane Questions Marcy, the Victim’s Fiancée
I felt this scene to be very important because, one again, a comparison seemed to be made between the victim and Jane. See the following quotes:
“He was a great soul. He was wise and kind.” “He had a strong sense of morality. He believed in right and wrong and would tell you which was which. I loved him for that, but not everyone did.”
-Sound like anyone we know?
Jane tells Lisbon that he’s feeling woozy and so he’ll move things along. He verbally attacks Marcy, asking: “What are you guilty about? The tears, all the talk of how great he is, he’s been gone a year, and you’ve been behaving like he disappeared this morning. That’s guilt.”
– Says the man who’s still grieving for his family nine years after their deaths. Although, I guess he could be speaking from personal experience here. Jane’s guilt for his family’s death is no doubt part of the reason for his grief. His next statement reveals more…
“Were you cheating on him? Not while he was alive, but now, yes. That’s it. You’ve been sleeping around on the sainted dead fiancée.”
-Again, I suspect this might reflect Jane’s own situation. His vocabulary, the word “cheating” suggests that he equates starting a new relationship, moving on from his dead wife, as cheating on her. But then he contradicts himself…
When Marcy says, “It’s complicated.” Jane tells her “It’s simple. You’ve moved on. It happens. You just don’t want to admit it because you think it looks bad.”
-More projection? Mind you, I don’t think Jane cares much about what others think, but I do think he doesn’t want to look bad to himself; fail his own standards, as it is. The fact that he’s remained single all these years hints that he feels compelled to remain grieving until he finds his family’s killer. But if that were true, then his giving up now has serious implications. To show RJ that he’s truly moved on, Jane needs to be willing to enter in a new relationship.
Jane Loses it
Just in case Marcy’s description of her fiancée wasn’t enough to depict how similar he is to Jane, the scene where Jane catches the Marx, the perp, is.
Jane tell him that he is: “Viscous and heartless. You gave Castro the most terrifying death possible. You’re evil.”
Jane then goes on to hit the man on the head with a shovel, and keep him locked in a coffin in a graveyard, until he confesses to his crime. He keeps him overnight and next morning calls Lisbon to where he’s at and tells her what he’d done. Lisbon is understandably shocked at his actions and begs him to tell him where Marx is buried. Jane only does so after the killer confesses his crime, through the baby monitor Jane kept with him in the coffin.
When Wainwright finds out, he blows a mild gasket, telling Jane that he tortured the man and that the case will never hold up in court because the confession was obtained via torture. Jane’s answer is a bland “let the lawyers sort it out”. Lisbon tries to diffuse the situation telling Wainwright that accountants found financial evidence that Marx stole the firm’s money and that the DA will charge him with theft and security fraud, and that Lisbon will try to build a murder case from that as well to show his motive for killing the victim.
Luther doesn’t care. He tells Jane SAC PD wants to arrest him, elaborating: “You tortured the guy, for Christ sakes. Jane, you tortured him. Do you have any notion how that makes the CBI looks?”
Jane answers: “I gave an evil psychopath justice.”
Good old verbose Grace stands up for Jane but politically correct Cho and Rigsby keep their mouths shut.
Lisbon tries to get Jane to understand that what he did was wrong, no doubt, again, in an attempt to diffuse the situation. But Jane won’t have any of it: “Yes, of course I did, I crossed the line. I had to, to get Marx. It was the only way to get Marx.” He brushes off Lisbon’s comment that he’s been under a lot of stress and continues to unapologetically defend his actions. When Lisbon finally tells him that maybe he needs a break, Luther pounces on the idea and suspends Jane. He tells him he’ll have a hearing in 30 days to review whether he’ll remain at CBI. Luther goes further to tell Jane that he’ll personally ask that Jane’s services be no longer retained, adding “I understand that you are under some distress, Jane, but you shamed us today. And I’m not gonna let that happen again.”
-Boom! Remember when I said that I don’t think Jane cares much about what other people think? This is an example of an instant where he obviously does care. You can just see Luther’s words cutting him to the very core, and his breathing became increasingly shallow here.
Unfortunately, Jane’s always been vindictive (unless he feels he got what he deserved) and he retaliates at Wainwright by digging for himself an even bigger hole. Like Luther shamed Jane, Jane utterly humiliates him by calling him a baby and a momma’s boy. He doesn’t stop even when Lisbon tells him to and points to his mouth, saying Luther still has her milk on his face.
Here Luther blows a major gasket, he goes crazy and tries to attack Jane and has to be held off by Rigsby and Cho. When he calms down, Jane continues the humiliation by wiping off the corner of his mouth. Luther tells him, he’s not suspended, he’s fired and tells him to get out.
-Damn. I don’t care what anyone says. Until I see proof of a long con, Jane here was acting completely on impulse, the stress of RJ coupled with the shame he felt at Luther suspending him causing him to lose his head and cause himself to get fired.
Lisbon obviously thinks so as well. She tells Jane not do anything rash, adding “We can work this out, we’ll fix it.”
Jane tells her, “I doubt that.”
Lisbon: “I’ll come by your place tonight, we’ll talk it out, okay?” and asks him to let her help him.
Jane’s reply? “You’re sweet.”
Yes she is. Also, Jane is an idiot.
But he’s been through a lot and we can’t help but love him.
Best scene
The winner: End scene. Need I explain why? Everyone was fantastic here. Lisbon worried, trying to stop the impending explosion, Grace’s utter shock when it happens, Lisbon’s helpless expression, Rigsby and Cho watching the scene in despair, the music (god, the music!!). Baker, Tunney, Rady, Righetti, Kang, Yeoman, Blake, everyone was in top form here.
1st runner up: The team discusses Jane. Rigsby asks Cho and Grace if they know that Jane told Lisbon he was giving up on RJ. They concur and Cho says it’s hard to believe.
-I love this because it makes me imagine that mommy Lisbon talked to her kids one by one and asked them to take it easy on their older brother, he’s going through a hard time.
Then, Grace asks Cho and Rigsby if they think Jane is cracking up. They’re quick to reassure her no, their concern written all over their faces.
2nd runner up: Jane drinks his three meals alone. This was such a heartbreaking scene.
Best Quotes
“Jane seem off to you?” -Grace
“Always.”-Cho, in response to the above.
Conclusion
So, were Jane’s actions here part of a long con or a result of the events within? Or were they both?
I guess it depends on whether you believe him when he says he’s given up the chase. Also might depend on who fans think is smarter: Jane or RJ.
If we think about it from the beginning, RJ was what set this entire episode in motion. After finding the card from RJ on his car, Jane visits his family’s graves; this despite Lisbon’s call earlier to hurry and meet her at a crime scene.
-Now Red John had obviously placed the card on Jane’s car, knowing Patrick would feel compelled to visit his family graves. The question here is, had Jane, likewise, read RJ’s mind, sort to speak, and known the killer had another message to give him, hence his going to the graveyard? Or had he simply gone there to brood?
Then we have Jane’s blow-out with Luther at the end.
Here’s the thing: Jane has a pattern of acting out outrageously after RJ slips from his hand. In Season two’s premiere, Redemption, Minelli tells him “Ever since the Tanner incident, you’ve been going way too hot.” To recap, that was after he shot an important RJ lead to save Lisbon’s life. Then there was Jane insufferably acting out most of season three after his run in with RJ in the Season two finale.
In this season, however, Jane shooting Carter seemed to have lifted a huge weight off his shoulders. With the world thinking that RJ was dead, Jane seemed to be content to move on with his life. He even placed a flower in the ocean, as a message to his family. At the time I stated that it was a symbol that he wants to get over their deaths and his revenge, and that was why Jane refused to admit RJ was still alive. Another reason, undoubtedly was letting RJ retire, kept him from killing again.
But it seemed RJ’s shadow, Jane’s failure to catch him, continued to haunt him. In Blinking Red Light, Jane felt compelled to catch Panzer at all costs. It was almost as if he couldn’t bear to let another killer walk free. So he brought RJ back from the dead to kill Panzer.
But, again, Jane then tried to go back to the new status quo; public knowledge being that RJ was dead.
Darcy’s investigation made that impossible. So in this episode, Jane had to admit to himself, and the world, that he can’t catch RJ and that he’s officially moved on.
But his failure continues to haunt him. Once again, Jane runs into an evil killer whom he can’t bear to not catch, and goes to evermore needlessly extreme methods to do so.
I say needlessly because I believe the accountants would have eventually figured out what was going on, as they did here, and Lisbon and co. would have gotten a warrant to search Marx house and probably found the keychain that belonged to the victim.
Despite Jane’s statement “what’s the point if you don’t catch the bad guys” that wasn’t what he was after. What he was after was revenge, he said it himself. He wanted to give Marx a taste of his own medicine. Unfortunately, that’s not how society works.
It appears that the title of the previous episode, “Farewell and Thanks for All the Red Snapper” was actually foreshadowing for the events of this episode, Cho and Summer’s break up was just a decoy. Like their doomed relationship, Jane’s time at CBI, his friendship with Lisbon seems to be impossible. He’s a man with his own code of ethics and he’s been increasingly unable to restrain himself from them in favor of the CBI’s, and his country’s laws. And no matter how much Lisbon’s been bending the rules for him, she knows better than to out rightly flaunt them, even the ones she disagrees with. They’ve been able to work together for eight years, but seem to now be at an impasse.
As to Luther, he lacks the experience and the emotional capacity to comprehend all that Jane is going through. No one can blame him for loosing his cool, but it’s so tragic that, had Lisbon’s boss been Minelli or Hightower, this situation probably would never have occurred. Even LaRoche recognized how damaged Jane was and said just as much when Jane threatened him.
Now what? No idea. Can’t wait to see the finale. Thank god the show’s been renewed or I’d be a whole lotta worried.
Meanwhile, here’s an awesome Mentalist video that might depress you (totally worth it though).
And here’s the episode’s fantastic art by Chizuru-chibi to make up for it 😉
Image by Chizuru-chibi. Copyright Reviewbrain May, 2012. Not to be used without permission.
*All material posted in this blog is the intellectual property of reviewbrain (unless otherwise stated). Readers are free to make use of the information provided they cite the source (this blog) either by name (reviewbrain’s blog) or by linking to it. Please extend the same courtesy to the authors of the comments as well (by mentioning their names) to ensure that credit is given where credit is due.
CBI Agent Grace Van Pelt (Righetti) arrives at work where her boss Teresa Lisbon (Tunney) tells her an FBI Agent called Wexler had been trying to get in touch with her. The FBI had been keeping Grace’s necklace as evidence during their investigation into the death of FBI Agent Craig O’Laughlin (Eric Winter). Now that they have filed their report, they have returned it. Van Pelt’s first instinct is that she wants nothing to do with the reminder of her traitorous, murderous fiancée. But her decision is delayed when she and Agent Cho (Kang) are sent on a case.
The eldest son and heir of big time mobster Gabriel Prochetto (Joaquim de Almeida) was shot dead at a party he and his younger brother were throwing at their family’s vacation home in El Oro State Forest, California. The last person with him when he was killed was prostitute Janpen (Kristy Wu). While taking her in for questioning, Van Pelt is waylaid by a man shooting at her. Van Pelt crashes, leaving her and Janpen stranded in the woods with no cell phone signal.
Concise Verdict
Viewers have seen Van Pelt struggle to overcome the trauma the events of Strawberries and Cream left on her. With My Bloody Valentine, it seems that she is finally able to achieve some sort of closure. The sensitivity of the writing and the excellent direction makes this a special episode, as do some lovely character moments, poignant acting, and the star power of Joaquim de Almeida: 8.5/10.
Detailed AKA Humungous Review (spoilers galore)
One of my major peeves with this show is the as of yet untapped huge potential for interaction between Jane and the rest of the members of the Serious Crimes Unit. Yes there have been a lot of nice moments, but very few actual conversations. For example, the only memory I have of Jane/Cho talking is in episodes ‘Shooting Fire’ (on parents) and in ‘Blood In, Blood Out’ (when Jane helps Cho find his friend’s killer). As to Rigsby, he’s got plenty of moments with Jane which are nicely distributed throughout the entire show, but these are used mostly for comic relief.
Even Lisbon has only started engaging in Jane’s attempts at meaningful conversation this season due to their recent closeness. But Grace, bless her, had always been the only gifted (or plagued, depending on your view) with equal amounts of passion and strength to to ever have honest to God discussions with Jane relating topics they don’t see eye to eye to. This is a quality I have always respected in her character played gracefully by Amanda Righetti which kept her from falling into the background like so many other secondary lead females. Yet even Grace/Jane moments have practically ceased to exist. The restaurant scene in the pilot, the Séance argument in ‘Seeing Red’, the relationship advice in ‘Bloodshot’ had all taken place in season one (while Cho’s scenes with Jane were limited to Season two). Jane did help Grace out a bit in ‘Where in the World is Carmine O’Brian’ but that episode was so busy with multiple events and the scene was so brief it barely registered on my radar.
Hopefully we’ll get more Jane/team scenes as the show progresses. The stage has certainly been set for them. All the characters have their own personal arcs this season, providing a wonderful opportunity for Jane’s nosiness and/or help. In this episode, for the first time in a long time, Grace and Jane have a frank discussion. And for the first time, it ends amicably.
Best Scenes
The winner: Grace asks Jane for advice
After having Craig’s ghost haunt her, then save her life, Grace approaches Jane and gently asks him if he talks to his wife. He concurs that he does, sometimes.
-In episode Scarlett Fever Jane encourages the victim’s son to talk to his dead mothering, saying that it helps to pretend she’ll here him and that he talks to his wife all the time. Here, he uses the word sometimes. I wonder if Jane had exaggerated to the boy to make him feel better, normal about talking to his mom. Or he really did talk all the time to his wife, whereas now, it’s only sometimes, indicating he’s slowly not needing to do so as much. Or perhaps he simply doesn’t want to reveal to Grace how much he does talk to his wife, hence the ambiguous sometimes.
Grace then asks Jane if he ever sees his wife, to which he responds never. Grace then asks Jane if he’d think he was crazy if he ever saw his wife. Jane hems and haws before realizing what Grace is saying, that Craig came to see her. He then asks her what Craig wanted.
Grace: “I don’t know. This will sound really weird. But he kinda saved my life.”
Jane: “Figuratively speaking, I hope.”
-I adored Jane’s benignly concerned tone here.
Jane, seeing the necklace in Grace’s hands realizes she is conflicted: “Now you can’t decide what to do with the necklace he gave you because it reminds you of your past.” He tells her she can either forget it (her past) or learn to live with it.
-Seriously, Jane’s statement couldn’t have been a greater reference to his wedding band, to his past, if the director had zoomed in on his ring just then; so powerful was the allusion.
Grace asks Jane what he thinks she should do. He states that that should be her decision before bidding her good night. Grace first throws the necklaceinto the garbage. But then she fishes it out and hangs it on a plant on her desk.
-I love the message here. Hopefully Grace keeping the necklace means she won’t let what happened embitter her. Whether she really meant anything at all to Craig or not, she wants to believe that he did love her, even if not more than Red John.
As to Jane, I found it telling that he didn’t make fun of Grace (as he is wont to do regarding her spirituality) nor did he interfere with her decision (another rarity as Jane can be pretty pushy). Instead, he listened kindly and told Grace that she has to be the one to decide what she wants. Another thing I found telling is him not bothering to venture a “reasonable” explanation for Grace’s vision.
Considering Jane’s skepticism towards the spiritual, I wonder what respective reason Jane will conjure up for Grace seeing Craig. While Craig (i.e. Grace’s subconscious) mentioned that Grace was hallucinating him possibly out of dehydration, Jane had no way of knowing that. It’s really strange that Jane let the matter go so easily when in the past he was always happy to argue with Grace.
I wonder if the reason is due to a past conversation these two had…
In episode ‘Seeing Red’ Jane makes fun of Grace for worrying over a séance they were faking, to which she tells him:
“What if your family is looking down on you, hoping to talk to you but they can’t, because you won’t believe?”
At the time Jane seemed quietly stricken by the thought: “Well that would be very sad.”
Might Jane have remembered their past conversation, and think that the reason Grace saw Craig is because she believes, she was able to? Or is his point of view more skeptic, like the self fulfilling prophecy; Grace wanted to see Craig so her mind fulfilled that need.
As much as I’m unsure of Jane’s perception here, I am equally unsure of the conclusion we as viewers are supposed to arrive at either. Was Craig really a ghost or a figment of an emotionally and physically drained Grace’s imagination? Is it indicative of a mental/physical condition as has been used often by other shows to indicate the person is suffering from a health issue (God I hope not; been there, seen that).
I don’t know. But sometimes ambiguity is nice. It’s leaves viewers to come to their own conclusion and respects whatever they believe, or want to believe happened.
As to Jane, Grace’s strong beliefs have always annoyed him and are a cause of heated discussion between them. But he’s usually more than happy to argue with Grace over it. That is not the case here.
As to Jane telling Grace she needs to make her own decision, I can only imagine it is due to the fact that he doesn’t think he’s in the best position to give Grace advice on this particular matter. Wearing his wedding ring over eight years after his wife died, he isn’t able to let go of his past. And while he might deem it as right for him I doubt he’d wish this purgatory on anyone else.
1st runner up: Jane comforts Lisbon
Jane reassuring Lisbon that there is nothing she can do for Grace was such a profoundly sweet moment. For once, he is the one keeping her on track as to the investigation; pointing out that solving the case would be the best think she could do to help Grace.
2nd runner up: Grace’s first heart to heart with Craig
Leaning against a tree in the woods, Grace first states that she’s not talking to Craig, that he’s just a figment of her imagination. But then she asks him “Did you love me?” Craig states that of course he did, but that he had to make a choice between her and Red John. “We all have to make hard choices Grace, it doesn’t make me evil.”
Grace responds with a hint of a smile “It kinda does.”
-Craig’s statement here continues this season’s trend of making perps appear sympathetic (Ring Around the Rosie, Blood and Sand). I stated before that this could be the writers’ way of “mentalizing” us, so that we don’t hate Jane in the event of him doing something terrible (i.e. Blinking Red Light, Always Bet on Red). But there might be an even more important reason for Craig’s conversation with Grace here.
Grace says she was too stupid to see that Craig was evil. He states she did, that she knew there was something little dangerous under the nice guy stuff. That she even liked it. Then he states: “You can’t open your eyes a little bit Grace. You gotta open them all the way if you want to see the truth of things.”
Grace wonders what Craig is talking about. “Why are you doing this to me?”
Craig: “How should I know. I’m just a figment of your imagination.”
-I know! I know! But first let me just say that I love the quietness of this scene, the wind in the background, and the matter of fact tone of the conversation between these two.
As to why Craig showed up, I think there is a more long term reason than him simply humanizing him, or even saving Grace’s life in this episode; him warning her against JanPen. Read below to find out more. It’ll be the line with all the caps…
VIS: Grace and Craig talk, part two.
When Grace loses JanPen, Craig tells her that not everything is her fault. Grace goes on to blame herself for letting Craig kill two cops and shooting Lisbon.
Grace: “I was too late. I should have seen it sooner, I should have done something.”
Craig: “How? You were in love with me, don’t you remember?”
OH MY GOD!!!
Craig’s statement here had me nearly hyperventilating the second time I saw the episode.
Why? Because of the many possibilities it presents!
Could this be the writers’ way of explaining why Lisbon is doing nothing to stop Jane, because she is in love with him and therefore can’t see that she needs to? Or is it foreshadowing? Could Craig’s statement that Grace should open her eyes all the way be a hint that she will be the one to figure out Jane’s indiscretions? That she’ll be the one to give Lisbon the wake-up call she needs?
It might be possible seeing that Grace was the one who opened up RJ’s video. She might the style is similar to RJ’s. I certainly hope so. That would be so cool.
Help me out guys. Am I onto something or going crazy over nothing here?
Note: Speaking of the RJ video that Grace saw in Always Bet on Red, Commenter T has a very unique theory I thought I’d share here:
“I thought Darcy set the whole thing up with the video of herself to get Jane to confess Red John was still alive and she’s already onto Jane.”
Interesting, right? Might be Grace uncovers this about Darcy as opposed to something regarding her team mates. I wouldn’t mind being wrong if the truth were that good.
Honorable Mentions
Eric Winter and Amanda Righetti. Craig may have hated Grace, might have only pretended he loved her to get close to CBI for RJ, but it makes sense that Grace would rather believe whatever they had was real. And it may very well be true that Craig did love her, just not enough. Righetti and Winter conveyed the regard that existed between these two very well, showing Winter in the light that Grace saw him in: a handsome “good” bad boy. They had great chemistry in this episode, maybe even more so than when he was alive, and I was glad for the closure we got here. Perhaps their greatest feat is being the focus of the A plot and hitting a home run with it. With such talents as on this show, that is not easy to pull off.
Icings on the Cake
-Jane distracting the Mexican drug dealer with a card game as he questions him. I was so happy he didn’t resort to hypnotism, or worse, have Lisbon allow him to use hypnotism.
-Rigsby is going to be a daddy! Seriously, how cool is that? I did not see it coming and hope to God the writers see this plot line through. I really like Sarah and Jillian Bach, the actress playing her. Sarah is blunt, but not cruel. She’s also cute, strong, and very mature. Seeing how wonderful and understanding she was when Van Pelt was missing really underlines how much of better fit she is for Rigsby; figuratively, of course, not literally 😉 Much as I love Van Pelt she was always a bit detached and impatient with Wayne. They were a cute couple, but Sarah is more obviously enamored with Wayne than Grace ever was and he needs that, awkward, self conscious man that he is.
Religious themes: For a self-proclaimed non-believer, Jane sure does use a lot of religious references: “You’re a saint.” “It’s like an angel an angel crying on your tongue.”, and in previous episodes, Cain and Abel. I find his knowledge interesting. It makes me think that his anti-spirituality happened post his family’s death.
Best Lines
“Beautiful out here. although they could use a little more sign-age.” –not just funny, this quote sets the stage for Grace getting lost.
“She speaks English, she’s just a little shy.”-Jane, on Janpen
“Ah, the fresh air, my first mob hit. I’m thrilled.” Jane to Cho.
“I hope not. If I’m lost, I want a search and rescue team that knows the landscape and can cover the ground fast.” -Luther Wayneright in reply to Cho’s statement that they’d look for him if he was lost. What little we’ve seen of Luther so far had me ambivalent to his character. It’s nice to get more insight into his character here: he is logical and assertive.
“This is who they send to find my boy’s killer. A girl and a guy in a vest.”-Prochetto Sr. about Jane and Lisbon. I love how vain Jane is. He’s equally funny when he’s pleased on getting complimented on his sense of style as he is when peeved at having it disparaged. Here, Jane looks down at his vest, as if wondering what’s wrong with it. And it’s nice to have Lisbon’s youthful appearance in canon. So true.
“Maybe just a little true.” -Jane, in reply to Porchetto’s wife, saying that it’s not true she wants her husband dead.
“Like a big murderous baby.”-Jane, in reply to Porchetto when he asked if the trick he taught him will help him sleep.
“Oh, you’re very good grasshopper.”-Jane to Lisbon.
“You’re gonna get a Mexican drug dealer to talk?”-Jane to Lisbon
“I’ll think of something.”-What Lisbon does is have Jane talk to the man. Love.
“You can swindle people before you behead them or whatever it is you do to them.”-Jane after teaching drug dealer Ozario (Luis Moncada) a card trick.
“I never beheaded nobody. Slit a few throats, maybe.”- Moncada’s reading of this line was fabulous. So serious it was funny.
“Okay, so you won’t be headings.” -Jane, in response to the above.
“Why did I think I could stay awake?” Grace’s self-reproach here lessens amount of incredulity viewers might have on an Agent being so careless. Not much, mind you, but the effort is appreciated.
“Great. Lost in the woods with a crazy cop.” –JanPen on Grace.
“Hey I got it worst. I’m lost in the woods with a grumpy hooker.” Grace’s sense of humor here is awesome.
“How long have you two been carrying on this affair? Your protectiveness of Iris is more than legal. And she keeps touching your elbow. Hard to misinterpret.”-Jane? If we are to follow this logic, then you and Lisbon have been carrying out a secret affair since episode Red Tide. Before all the J/L shippers go crazy with excitement, don’t forget that Jane is very touchy feely with everyone…
“Crap!” Jane ‘swearing’ just sounds so wrong it’s funny.
“The silent intimidation act is quite effective. I’ll admit I’m intimidated.” Jane to the Prochetto family’s enforcer.
“It wasn’t personal. Come on. I kinda liked you.” –JanPen to Grace.
Pet Peeves
-Grace, Grace, I’m not a cop but even I know better than to fall asleep and leave a suspect at large. I can forgive this though as it was a necessary plot device (same thing with the car crash). The one below, however, is inexcusable..
-I wish Jane’s Mentalist abilities were put to better use in this episode. Mainly, instead of getting the mobster drunk and risking, oh I don’t know KILLING AN OLD MAN (his wife mentioned alcohol has a bad interaction with his meds), Jane could have hypnotized him so that he’d look passed out then used the ball to stop his pulse
Note: It’s a sad day when I’m advocating for Jane to hypnotize someone, not to mention hypocritical when I was so glad he didn’t in an earlier scene. What can I say, when it comes to choosing between Jane hypnotizing a man and POSSIBLY KILLING HIM I choose the lesser of two evils.
Better yet, Jane simply could have told Prochetto to play dead (and explained the ball trick) with the promise of finding out who killed his son. This would have been easy to pull off and very believable considering the rapport Jane had already established with Prochetto Sr. It would also have made a lot more sense than RISK KILLING THE MAN. And yes, I know that Jane’s sense of justice means he couldn’t care less about getting an evil mobster killed, but Jane would care if it ruined his plan. Jane needed the man alive to threaten the killer into revealing himself and Grace’s location. By getting Prochetto drunk, Jane took a terrible and unnecessary risk which would have rendered his plan usellss. On the other hand, Prochetto is bound to find out who killed his son sooner or later. It wouldn’t have mattered if Jane uses that knowledge as leverage to earn Prochetto’s cooperation. And by the time he tells Prochetto of the killer (s) identity, they’d be behind bars and relatively safe away from Prochettos murderous rage. So yeah, not so pet, pet peeve and the main reason this episode didn’t get a higher grade.
Conclusion
Craig’s statement that he loved Grace but that Red John mattered more to him gave me a depressing thought that this might be exactly how Jane feels about Lisbon…and they’re not even romantically involved.
Let’s face it. If Jane really believes that when people die, then they cease to exist, to feel, listen or hear then it shouldn’t matter to his family whether Jane catches Red John or not. He’s doing this purely for himself, as Lisbon once stated, to ease his wounded pride. But by doing so, he’s making Red John the most important thing in his life; more than his freedom, friendships, or even sanity.
Or, here’s another possibility: Jane does believe in an afterlife, he just pretends he doesn’t out of fear of what that might mean for him, and so feels that he needs to repent for getting his family killed. And the only way he knows how is to kill the person who killed them.
Either way, the end result is the same; Jane is making Red John the most important entity in his life. Until Jane realizes this, even if he catches/kills Red John, then RJ will always be the winner in their game.
And even more extreme interpretation could be that, Jane, by devoting so much time and energy to Red John, is being as loyal a servant to RJ as any of his other followers. That in a weird and twisted way, Jane might as well be worshipping RJ…
I believe that when RJ disappeared, Jane went through a breather, a time where he felt safe in knowing that RJ thought the game was over. Leaving him free to take the time to decide whether he wants to forget revenge and move on with his life, or if he wants to continue (secretively) hunting RJ. Perhaps this is why Jane was so desperate to keep the truth from resurfacing; because RJ might then be compelled to restart his career.
RJ, as much as he is obsessed with Jane, might allow him to continue with this reprieve. Or, delighted that he and Jane are now in cahoots, Jane revealing that he knows RJ is still alive and using him, the serial killer might want to take their bond to a higher level, whatever that might entail.
Image by Chizuru-chibi. Copyright Reviewbrain January, 2012. Not to be used without permission.
*All material posted in this blog is the intellectual property of reviewbrain (unless otherwise stated). Readers are free to make use of the information provided they cite the source (this blog) either by name (reviewbrain’s blog) or by linking to it. Please extend the same courtesy to the authors of the comments as well (by mentioning their names) to ensure that credit is given where credit is due.
Hello People! As I’ve been hit by the flu and new obligations in addition to pre-existing ones, I asked my good friend and fellow Mentalist fan @CJDavey to write this week’s review. He did an excellent job and on such short notice! I can say I agree exactly with 99.5% with everything he wrote. The other 5% I’ll express in the comments 😉 Thanks Connor!
-Reviewbrain
Synopsis
Following his acquittal of all charges in last week’s season 4 premiere, Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) is reinstated as a consultant for the CBI once again. CBI Director Gale Bertram (Michael Gaston) informs Jane that whilst Lisbon (Robin Tunney) is suspended and the rest of the team reassigned, he must work with a new team of agents lead by Agent Ray Haffner (guest star Reed Diamond.) Annoyed at Bertram’s punishment of Lisbon, Jane sets out to divide his new team and bring together his old one, all whilst getting Lisbon her job back and solving the case of a murdered gym instructor.
Concise Verdict
After a brilliant season premiere (given an 8.5 on this very blog) I am happy to say that Little Red Book improves on such quality, and does so in a way that is able to move the story and characters forward whilst remaining one of the most entertaining shows currently on the air. It involves some refreshingly fun Jane moments (nice to see him retain this side, after everything that has happened), several cases of excellent character development, very welcome continuity in the shape of returning characters and one thing we ALL like to see – team love. Last week’s premiere and this episode even more so, work together as a good wrap up to the fallout from the events of 3.23/24 Strawberries and Cream Parts I and II and in part ables the story to move forward from here without leaving the finale to feel like a waste. As for the emotional fallout, that’s not over by a long shot – but would we have it any other way? Massive thanks to @mentalistwriter for a truly brilliant episode. A perfect score of 10/10
Detailed AKA Humongous Analysis (spoilers galore)
Very Important Scene (VIS) #1 – Opening – Jane and Bertram
– Jane seems calm, but a bit on edge. This is supported by his body language, as he taps his finger repeatedly on his lips. After Bertram presents Jane with his Identification, bringing Jane back into the fold, Jane queries:
“What about Lisbon?”
Jane’s whole demeanour here suggests he is uninterested in his own reinstatement, something backed up by his persistence in asking Bertram just why he is punishing Lisbon. He goes on to state that Bertram is “dumping” her, that re-hiring him and firing Lisbon is “perverse” and even going as far as taking the blame for the Red John operation himself claiming “My operation. It was my operation.” Jane’s tone as he says this is clearly one of annoyance, though he knows his place still and doesn’t become too irate at the risk of ticking Bertram off more than he already is. Instead, as Bertram tells Jane to go out into the field with Haffner and his new team ASAP, he says calmly “no, I don’t think so.” Whilst he does then leave and join Haffner’s team, with the way things turn out in the end it is fair to say that Jane is true to his word. It is clear he has a plan.
The main aspect of this scene I would like to point out is just how much Jane clearly wanted Lisbon back, and how visibly unhappy he is that she is being made an example of. Whilst Jane is my favourite character on the show I have felt that he should’ve backed Lisbon up more in the past, especially when it comes to her being reprimanded for his actions. An example of this would be in 2.19 Blood Money after Lisbon was suspended for failing to keep Jane under control. Whilst Jane was by no means happy with this and though he did hatch a plan to get her back (similar to this episode’s plan in fact, in that it involved him helping her solve a case to take to the powers that be) his entire attitude here, particularly in this scene, was different. It was more determined and in turn more caring. The fact that Jane openly admits to the divisions head honcho that it was his fault further amplifies this point. This was refreshing to see, and was only the first of many moments in the episode where the team’s solidarity as a family unit shone through. This was something I openly called for leading up to the start of this season, so it’s fair to say this made me very happy. Anyway, Jane doesn’t push the boat out with Bertram as he knows he stands a much better chance at getting Lisbon’s job back through a carefully thought out plan.
Very Important Scene (VIS) #2 – Jane visits Lisbon at her apartment
Jane visits Lisbon, which results in us getting to see inside her apartment for the first time since 2.03 Red Badge. I know I was excited by this too. Jane immediately shows his concern for Lisbon, asking how her arm is. Lisbon replies, stating that it is better due to physical therapy. Now, I am no body language expert but Lisbon’s here is coming across as adorably awkward, possibly due to having Jane in her apartment (she wasn’t exactly in the state of mind to care about this in Red Badge.) As for why she’d feel this way? I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve already seen another reviewer point out exactly the same thing so I know I’m not alone in this line of thought. Just look at her face when she sighs, before biting her lip and looking to the side. I think the best and most likely reason for this is that Lisbon, being the ‘lone wolf’ that she is, simply isn’t used to having people visit her outside work – especially a colleague. But of course, Jane is more than a colleague – he’s a close friend, something which becomes more apparent as the conversation progresses. Jane asks about Haffner, leading to a surprised “you’re back at work?” from Lisbon. Her surprised response along with Jane’s subsequently stilted answer suggests that whilst Lisbon claims to be unperturbed by her suspension, she does in fact care and Jane realises this. Lisbon goes on to state a few titbits on Haffner, including his use of “creative surveillance techniques”, something which becomes important in Jane’s plan and solving the case. One thing that does seem sincere on Lisbon’s part is when she claims that losing her job is “worth it” because they got Red John. Seriously, this is the biggest indication yet of just how much Lisbon has come to care for Jane. Can you imagine Lisbon saying this at all in the first two seasons? The fact that she seems willing to sacrifice her job in order to have caught and killed Red John as Jane had always wanted, in spite of always condemning this herself, shows for me anyway just how close these two have become. As for those Lisbon fans out there wondering why Lisbon isn’t angry at Jane for shooting Timothy Carter, the complete opposite in fact – she’s happy for him, I tell you this: The main bulk of the Jane/Lisbon journey in season 3 was made up of Jane’s attempts to bring Lisbon around to the idea of him killing Red John and to, in a way, make her more like him. This was brought up numerous times in @brainyreviewer’s reviews last season, and it does not surprise me at all that Lisbon has adopted this approach so far this season. Do I think that Lisbon would’ve let Jane go ahead with it had she been there at the mall? Not at all. But with it all said and done, Lisbon seems to be happy for Jane – she just wants her friend to move on and find some peace. This proves Jane’s actions in S3 to have been at least partially effective. The best example of this was in 3.14 Blood for Blood, in which Jane convinced Lisbon to let a girl off the hook, a girl who had been abused by her Father and who in turn shot him dead. Jane was essentially attempting to get Lisbon to ignore her cop instincts and to do what may be considered ‘right’ in the long run, rather than what her duty as a cop entails. Was Jane’s shooting of Timothy Carter right whether he was Red John or not? As a rather left wing person, I say not, but the important thing about this show is that – so far anyway – it has not preached to the audience on whether Jane’s actions were right or wrong, it has simply been faithful to the characters and what their actions or reactions would likely be to the given situations.
Another question I’m seeing a lot of fans ask is why Jane doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of guilt for killing the wrong man. I don’t know what to think about this really. I hate to politicise again, but I’ve always considered Jane’s views towards criminals more right wing in nature. This could be a result of what happened with Red John or he may have always been this way, but it was particularly apparent on 3.04 Red Carpet Treatment in which Jane expresses his displeasure at being woken up in order to investigate the dead body of a convicted rapist and murderer. Whilst there’s no proof as to whether Timothy Carter was a murderer or not, Jane knows he worked for a killer and certainly did some very ‘evil’ things. I’m not suggesting for a moment that Jane would’ve still gone through with the shooting had he known Carter wasn’t Red John, he wouldn’t have. What I am saying is that the point mentioned above, along with the fact that Jane believed Carter to be Red John at the time (Jane doing what he felt was right in the moment) allow Jane’s conscience to be clear. Well, on this matter anyway.
Now, where was I? Jane goes on to say that they “didn’t get Red John”, before Lisbon hits back with the opposite opinion. As Jane goes off on his explanation as to why Red John is still alive, Lisbon interrupts with a hint of worry in both her face and voice “Jane…” Robin Tunney did an excellent job as always here. It may have only lasted a split second, but that subtle look on her face expresses perfectly Lisbon’s worry for Jane’s state of mind. Now, I hate to blow my own trumpet (ok, I don’t hate it) but Jane goes on to confirm my theory from the premiere as to when he realised Timothy Carter wasn’t Red John, in that it must’ve been Red John who got the gun taken from the crime scene and the phone swapped. I said in the comments for last week’s reviews that when the two detectives tell Jane that this is the case, he then realises that he shot the wrong man.
Lisbon then poses a very interesting possibility. What if Timothy Carter was Red John, and he went to the mall knowing that Jane may take extreme action and planned the gun and phone extraction beforehand as a result of this – messing with Jane’s head in the aftermath, making him believe that Red John is still out there when in fact he is long gone. Thinking about it, it’s a real possibility and one that would be very effective. Red John would’ve condemned Jane to a life of torment chasing, as Lisbon says, a man he’s already killed. This reminded me of something series creator Bruno Heller said in an interview soon after the Season 3 finale, something which in fact makes a lot of sense if you actually consider Lisbon’s theory to have any element of truth to it. Heller says “Thing is, Red John is a master of the mind game. If Red John wanted to die, maybe this is how he wanted to die.” Whilst I still choose to believe that Red John is still out there, this theory cannot be completely ignored. Yes, even with what happens in the last scene.
Very Important Scene (VIS) #3 – Grace in therapy
This was a short, but very effective and important scene. After summarizing the situation with O’Laughlin, Van Pelt begins to wonder if talking about will help at all. Her therapist tries to explain why it needs to be talked about. Van Pelt responds by letting out an embittered laugh, before darkly jesting “could’ve been worse…I could have married him.” This response and Graces generally dismissive attitude towards her therapy sessions in this episode are a good continuation of what we saw the character heading towards in last week’s premiere, and I hope is indicative of what’s to come as a whole for the season. Seeing her being this angry isn’t nice, but it’s endearing in a way and it’s very exciting to see a less naive Grace coming out this season and I know I’m not alone in this opinion. Once again, Amanda Righetti played this perfectly so praise must go to her for bringing out what could be considered a ‘darker’ Grace for season 4.
Very Important Scene (VIS) #4 – The ‘secret meeting’
The team (minus Lisbon) meet secretly to discuss the situation. Jane tells them that they have one chance to get Lisbon her job back. The plan is to crack the Kuzmenko case before Haffner does, using their success as leverage with Bertram to get him to re hire her. As Jane hatches the plan to set up Haffner with his ‘book of lovers’, Rigsby shows reluctance to go along with the plan:
“I don’t like it. It’s insubordination we’re already on the edge here.”
Grace: “It’s for the boss.”
Rigsby: “This goes wrong and we’re out, they’re not gonna give us another chance.”
I’ve seen many people criticising Rigsby for his hesitation to help Lisbon, one reviewer even called him a “weasel.” Whilst I certainly wouldn’t go that far (who doesn’t love Rigsby?) it does worry me slightly that whilst Van Pelt and Cho are so up for helping, Rigsby doesn’t seem to share the same ‘do what it takes’ attitude when it comes to helping out someone who is not just a colleague, but a friend. The worst thing is this isn’t the first time Rigsby has adopted this approach. In 2.03 Red Badge when Lisbon is being accused of murdering a convicted paedophile, the rest of the team seems to support her pleas of ‘not guilty’ whilst Rigsby doesn’t seem so sure. I believe he said something along the lines of “if Lisbon had the guts to kill him, she has the guts to serve her time.” Or something to that effect. It’s surprising to see this issue raising its ugly head again, especially when I consider Lisbon and Rigsby’s relationship to be one of the healthiest on the show (who else remembers their scene together in 3.21 Like a Redheaded Stepchild?) On this occasion it could just be a coincidence that they chose Rigsby to show hesitation, feeling they needed at least one reluctant party considering the high risk factor involved in the plan. Either way, I do hope they revisit this in some capacity. Maybe next time Lisbon needs help he’ll be the first to step up to the plate rather than the tentative last.
Overall though, this was another example of the team showing their strength and yes, their love for each other. Jane’s planning and Cho/Van Pelt’s pretty immediate ‘yes’ to said plan was moving. More than ever our team is coming across as a family. This is of course something you’d expect after 4 seasons, but it’s great to see it working so well regardless.
Very Important Scene (VIS) #5 – Lisbon visits Sally Carter
There’s so much to say about this scene, that I’ll try my best to keep it down to a short couple of paragraphs to avoid this review becoming even more long winded than it already is. LaRoche is a truly complex and interesting character. He quite happily helps Lisbon in her request to visit Sally Carter (wife of the late Timothy Carter) in prison. He says:
“I don’t mind Teresa, Bertram has treated you poorly.”
LaRoche being so nice here didn’t exactly surprise me, but it was nice to see. I (and Reviewbrain) have said on numerous occasions that we believe LaRoche to be a genuinely nice man at Heart, and it became increasingly obvious that he actually likes Lisbon. I for one never considered him ‘evil’ or ‘mean.’ Sure, he was creepy at times but consider the context. For all of his appearances last season he was often interrogating people, people he suspected of murdering Todd Johnson. In this situation, of course he was going to use his darker side, likely in an attempt to unnerve and intimidate each suspect. The same goes for 3.17 Bloodstream onwards as Hightower’s duties are signed over to him. As the temporary boss of the unit, any alleged intimidation on his part was likely an attempt to assert his authority rather than coming from some sort of malicious intent. This is apparent in said episode when he puts Cho in charge before reinstating Lisbon at the episodes end. It was to show that he will not tolerate any disrespect on the part of his agents, and to be honest he was completely justified in doing this. None of this ever made LaRoche a bad man. I mean c’mon, he owns a fluffy white dog. Regardless of all this however, I was not expecting what happened next. As he says his goodbyes, he hugs Lisbon – and quite lovingly, might I add. What is it with Lisbon and getting hugs from her bosses? That’s Minelli, Hightower and LaRoche now who have all ended up squeezing her tiny frame. She needn’t worry about new boss Luther Wainwright joining in 4.04 Ring around the Rosie as I’m sure he’ll be under her spell in no time. Anyway, don’t get me wrong LaRoche certainly does have a dark side (what the hell is in that Tupperware box?!) but this last scene of his all but confirms my suspicion that he is a big cuddly teddy bear deep down in that complicated, layered Heart of his. Goodbye J.J., we hardly knew ye.
As they enter Sally Carters cell, they discover her face down in the bunk with blood gushing from her wrist and onto the floor where Lisbon discovers a note. As Jane arrives, she tells him she came to ask if her husband was Red John before reading a note that confirms her suspicions. Jane then takes the note and reads it intently. Jane’s focus as he reads said note suggests that he himself is starting to become unsure as to whether Timothy Carter was or was not Red John. This is backed up by the final scene…
Very Important Scene (VIS) #6 – Jane and Rosalind visit the morgue
After Jane’s plan succeeds, Haffner is reprimanded by Bertram and Lisbon reinstated to her post, Jane goes to the morgue with Rosalind Harker. To recap, she is the blind former lover of Red John who we met in 1.23 Red Johns Footsteps. When we saw her last, she was adamant that her man Roy Tagliaferro was a good man and couldn’t have been Red John. This time, Jane assures her that Roy and Red John were in fact the same man. As she feels Timothy Carters cold, dead face she seems to get quite emotional before saying:
“I never met this man. I have no idea who he is.”
The fact that Jane went out of his way to contact Rosalind and get her to ID Carters body shows, for me anyway, that a seed of doubt had been planted in his mind both by Lisbon and by the note that Sally Carter had left, if indeed it was her that left it. That possibility raises another question; does Red John want Jane to think he’s dead so that he can then strike again unsuspectingly on those he loves? I’ll get into that another time, but I’m sure we’ll see soon. Either way, it doesn’t seem to have worked. As Rosalind confirms that this man is not Roy Tagliaferro (an alias), Jane’s face tells the whole story – whilst he was sure before that his family’s killer is still out there, now he is certain. It was brilliant acting by Simon in this case, as his facial expression at this revelation oozed fear and realisation, two things I’m sure Jane was ridden with in those last few seconds. As the door closes on Carters body – and Jane – Blake Neely’s chilling music kicks in, the screen goes black and we too are hit with the harsh reality: Red John is still out there and he will be back one way or another.
This episode has so many excellent character moments that I missed out a few others, and there were also many other highlights I couldn’t quite fit into the VIS’s. As a result, here is a short list of other moments from the episode that I particularly liked:
– Jane climbing over the body before claiming “this man is dead, I’m all but certain of it.”
– The whole sequence of events in which Jane messed with Haffners team, particularly the Tork/Niskin plot.
– The fact that Jane liked Lisbon’s tea, at first approving with an “mmm” and then even asking if he could take it away with him. She clearly knows the man well.
– The whole plan with Cho being an informant on Jane’s actions with Haffner was very well played. Of course I knew that it was part of Jane’s plan, but Tim Kang played it brilliantly – enough to plant the tiniest seed of doubt in my mind. Even if it was only for a second.
– Jane using some of the gym equipment. Hilarious. “Ooooh feelin that, yeahhh.”
– Jane reading up on his baseball facts before reading one to Haffner.
– Jane hypnotizing Agent Masterson.
– The team in Lisbon’s apartment and Grace saying “we want to work for you.” Genuinely touching and another indication of their solidarity as a team.
– Jane asking Lisbon for “the glowy spray stuff.”
– Jane stating that he is “about 68.2% sure” the plan will work.
– Jane telling Bertram that he “will continue to have a problem” if he doesn’t re hire Lisbon.
– The penultimate scene in Lisbon’s office with her and Jane. It had a feeling of everything being back to normal and ‘all is right with the world’ to it.
Best Scene: Jane and Rosalind visit the morgue
For the reasons I have already mentioned above, really. Some may see it as re heated servings of the ending from the premiere, but to me this served as the ultimate confirmation that Red John is still out there and it was played out very well. It was genuinely chilling and included some brilliant acting from both Simon Baker and Alicia Witt.
Thoughts on Red John (Particularly the ‘He is many’ theory…)
The way I see it, the ‘he is many’ theory is becoming more and more likely. Now, I must stress exactly what I mean when I say ‘many’ because many fans seem to get this confused. I do not simply mean that the Red John network has many people in it, because we already know this to be true. The question is: Does ‘Red John’ have one head mastermind behind it, one man who leads his people and who killed Jane’s family personally or has there in fact always been more than one Red John? If the ‘many’ theory turns out to be true I see it coming out this way; Red John is an organisation/cult/church whatever you want to call it, that has gained countless followers over the years but started with a small group of founding members. These founding members could include people such as Orville Tanner, Brett Stiles, Timothy Carter and possibly even Kristina Frye among others. The fact is Red John HAS to have either been started by one man, the one they call Red John or by a small group of people who killed in the name of Red John. It can’t simply be “Red John is a large number of people all over the state and it always has been” because Jane and the audience need a villain to go after, not to mention the fact that such a group has to be started by either an individual or a small collection of people. It’s impossible to see it any other way. Too many fans respond to the ‘many’ theory with the claim of “yeah, he has people everywhere.” Of course he does, but that is not what the ‘He is many’ possibility refers to at all. Not for me anyway. This is all just conjecture of course, but I had to get it off my chest and I’m sure whichever way the writers lead us that it’ll be a thrilling, rewarding journey and ultimate conclusion.
Icing on the Cake
As a certain someone often points out, continuity is a very important thing and this episode was rife with it. The show could’ve easily just gone back to normal after the premiere and put the team back together. Instead, we have the much more likely and believable scenario of the team being reassigned and Lisbon suspended. Kudos to the writers for not taking the easy way out with that one. There is also some good continuity in the form of returning characters. We knew LaRoche was only temporary, so they could’ve just let him disappear from the show – but instead we get one final (for now) appearance that is not only significant, but adds another layer to an already complex character. I think we must thank Pruitt Taylor Vince for his brilliant performance; he’s welcome back any time. Last, but certainly not least we have the return of Rosalind Harker. She is the only one (that Jane knows of) to have been intimate with the man we know as Red John, so it makes perfect sense that Jane would contact her for help in identifying Carter’s body. Props to the writers once again for bringing this sense of continuity in the show. The recent news that Karen Cross (Missi Pyle), Erica Flynn (Morena Baccarin) and Brett Stiles (Malcolm McDowell) will all be returning this season shows that this trend will long continue into the shows future.
Pet Peeves:
– My only real pet peeve with this episode is the aforementioned issue with Rigsby and his reluctance to help Lisbon. Don’t forget he also very nearly cost Cho his job last season in 3.12 Bloodsport by bringing him into his Daddy issues and forcing him to lie for him, something Cho had quite proudly never done to a fellow cop before. Looking back on other similar cases, maybe this is in fact completely in character and therefore shouldn’t count as a ‘pet peeve’ but something about it just didn’t sit right with me. For the record, I DO like Rigsby a lot. What do you think? Am I being too harsh on Rigsby? Please let me know what you think by voting in the poll below and sounding off in the comments!
– LaRoche has left. Booo! Hopefully he returns in the future.
Conclusion
My expectations for Season 4 have so far been met, and in this episode exceeded. The development of Jane/Lisbon in the premiere was very good under the circumstances, and that rich vein of character development carried on into this episode – particularly with the team as a whole, and how they need each other more than ever. When an episode manages to have excellent character interaction whist balancing it with other entertaining highlights and a pretty solid case, then you know you’ve done something right. A big thank you to all involved and particularly writer Tom Szentgyorgyi for a truly fantastic episode.
This was my first review, and is much less in depth than what you are likely accustomed to reading on this wonderful blog. I apologise for this, but I did my best! J I only included a single favourite scene and fused some of my favourite lines into the ‘other moments I liked’ section in order to shorten it down, not that it worked. Also, I realise I tend to go off on a tangent a lot – this is due to my passion for the show, I hope this shines through. I’d like to thank @brainyreviewer for giving me the opportunity to write this review. I’m looking forward to reading your comments.
Here are two promos for the upcoming episode 4.03 ‘Pretty Red Balloon’ airing October 6th. I can’t wait! 😀
An agitated man named Dinkler robs his place of employment (a ‘Cash in Motion’ establishment) then pulls over at a gas station where two officers attempt to apprehend him. His trench coat falls open to reveal a bomb attached to a vest he’s wearing. He tells the officers to leave and when they don’t his phone rings triggering the bomb killing him. To CBI Agent Teresa Lisbon (Tunney) the case seems an open and shut robbery gone bad. Consultant Patrick Jane (Baker) shows up on the scene to reveal that the man was actually coerced into robbing the Cash in Motion store. Jane reveals that the amount of money Dinkler took is very little and figures out that whoever put him in the vest was after the Cash in Motion’s CD’s found in Dinkler’s car. The CD’s contain the Cash in Motion client list- a list of all their customers and the addresses they were delivering money too. Dinkler’s killer tries to once again obtain the client list. He plants false evidence and lures Lisbon to an abandoned high school where he puts a bomb vest on her; threatening to blow her up if she doesn’t give him the CD’s that are now stored at CBI as evidence. Jane (who had followed her) figures out who the perp is: Gupta (Ravi Kapoor) an employee at the gas station where Dinkler was killed. He and Lisbon go to the gas station instead of CBI. Lisbon and Jane take Gupta by surprise and manage to detain him without Lisbon getting blown Lisbon up. CBI Head Agent LaRoche (Pruitt Taylor Vince) joins them at the scene to take Gupta into custody. But when LaRoche gets in the car, he shoots Gupta telling Jane and Lisbon that the perp had a gun and tried to escape.
Later, Agent Cho (Tim Kang) tells Lisbon that one of the clients listed on the Cash in Motion CD’s, a Max James, has just been reported dead by an anonymous caller to Sacramento PD. Lisbon, Cho and Jane go to the scene where they discover that the man was tortured before he died of a heart attack about four days ago. A bullet wound in James’s leg is traced back to Gupta’s gun. When Lisbon finds a ‘Cash in Motion’ receipt in James’s home she realizes that Gupta first tried to torture James’s into giving him information and when the man died Gupta concocted the bomb scheme as another way to try to obtain the info he wanted. Cho finds a picture at the crime scene of the victim Max James and Madeline Hightower (Aunjanue Ellis), former CBI head turned fugitive after being accused of killing two people.
Lisbon tells Cho that they’re leaving the scene and letting Sacramento PD handle the case. Cho is startled and exposits that Hightower is a wanted person and wonders at Lisbon walking away from the case. She states that she can’t explain and asks him to trust her.
Jane and Lisbon now know that the information Gupta wanted from James, from the Cash in Motion client CD’s, was Hightower’s location. Jane surmises that Max James is a friend or a relative who was sending her money and therefore must have known where she is. Gupta was a Red John operative and he was looking for Hightower to kill her; to silence her because although Red John successfully framed her for murder she is still a loose end. If she can get someone to believe her then Red John’s operative might be discovered. Lisbon tells Jane they have to warn Hightower but he says that he doesn’t know where she is. Lisbon adds that if Red John can’t get to Hightower then he might come after Jane.
Hightower later visits Jane at his motel telling him that James was her cousin, that he was sending her and her children money to help her out. She states that she’s tired of running and that she’ll turn herself in adding that this way at least her kids will be taken care of and that she’ll fight out her innocence in court.
Jane asks her to give him 48 hours to find RJ’s operative before she does this. He wants to use the advantage he has that RJ doesn’t know that Jane knows Hightower is innocent and that Todd Johnson (one of RJ’s men) was killed by Red John’s real operative in CBI.
What follows is a hunt for Red John’s man with shocking results.
Concise verdict: It’s impossible to be concise with this one so I won’t even try. Below are the main elements I found which made this the heart-stopping satisfying episode it was (at least script-wise; I know there are a lot of different emotions regarding how it all turned out). Ms. Gable and Mr. Heller wrote an epic episode and I’d just like to congratulate every single person that had even the smallest role in making this finale one of the best I’ve ever seen. If any of them are reading this: Mentalist cast and crew, you rock 10/10.
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YOU’VE BEEN WARNED
LAST WARNING
I WARNED YOU
Detailed AKA Humungous Analysis (spoilers galore)
Jane killed Red John. Jane killed Red John. Jane killed Red John in Season 3!
This was inconceivable, unprecedented and plain unbelievable; mainly because of the timing. It didn’t happen the way I expected but I’m glad of it. I love surprises (especially good surprises) when they are logical. And while I was very disappointed with Jane’s choice here, I can’t say that it came out of left field or that it was an unfair shock to viewers. The writers have been slyly setting the stage for it all season through several reoccurring themes and issues. It was like hiding something in plain sight:
Jane’s character jading
In the Red Mile I protested against the writers desensitizing Jane by letting him watch Steiner (and therefore assist) Steiner’s suicide. I said that since it is canon that Jane does not handle the macabre very well there better be a good reason for what I saw was an ill-timed character death (Steiner) and unnecessary character jading (Jane). I also objected to what I saw at the time as putting Jane through needless angst so early on in the series especially since the show wasn’t ending any time soon (i.e. Jane wasn’t going to catch Red John any time soon which is when it was rumored that the show would end).
See the irony?
The Speeding Season 3
I’ve repeatedly hoped the writers would SLOW THE SEASON DOWN ALREADY and continuously wondered at the reason behind their rush to A: put Jane through angst hell this season (he’s been kidnapped, tortured, placed in a hostage situation, helped a man die) and B: wrap up plots that seemed quite promising. Namely, Lisbon and Mashburn’s consummation of their attraction seemed premature and like it ultimately killed any possibility for a real relationship. Another was Rigsby’s inability to move on from Van Pelt despite meeting a couple of lovely women.
I also stated:
Perhaps (and I think this is too good to be true) the reason everything is moving too fast is because Mr. Heller wants the Red John arc to be wrapped up so the show (and Jane) can move on without him.
I’m still in shock that this actually happened and am reminded of the old adage be careful what you wish for. Notwithstanding the shocking manner in which it all went down, I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop as no doubt is what will happen in Season four.
And yet, there is every reason to be hopeful and look forward to what will undoubtedly be a fabulous new season.
Before going into the review, a recap of some important issues needs to be made:
Jane vs. Lisbon: on Revenge
In the‘Red Moon’ review I stated that Jane and Lisbon’s revenge conversation will play an important role in the season, if not the entire series. I also pointed out that Jane didn’t mention cutting Red John and said that this could mean he now plans on shooting him with the gun he got from Max Winter.
Jane vs. Lisbon: on the law, rules, etc.
Jane’s annoyance with what he sees as Lisbon’s blind following of the law was a running theme this season. But I only started noticing it in ‘Red Alert’ when Jane got angry with Lisbon for making him pay a speeding ticket. Below are the possible reasons for his umbrage and the results of the relevant poll as voted on by readers at the time:
This issue was discussed in subsequent reviews as well (Blood for Blood, Red Gold, Red Queen, Every Rose Has its Thorn) and I reflected that Jane pushing Lisbon to change seems to stem from be for non-sinister reasons; (i.e. not because he wants to use her in his revenge ploy) but because he likes her and therefore wants her to be more like him; to convert her to his “religion” (as later coined by Violet) out of love and affection for her.
Jane’s Closeted Insecurity
In ‘Bloodhounds’ Jane feeling so threatened by Montague’s presence had commenters and I discussing his insecurity. Then in the Red Queen review I raised the issue that perhaps one of the reason’s Jane doesn’t tell Lisbon things; won’t let her in (figuratively), is that he’s afraid of her reaction once she knows him.
While this was an unpopular possibility in the relevant poll, it became practically canon in ‘Every Rose has its Thorn’ when Jane says in his interview that he’s looking for someone who knows the worst side of him but still loves him . But Jane not wanting to endanger Lisbon is also true because he said so in ‘Redacted’.
Jane: Life after Revenge
Jane going undercover to an AA meeting in ‘Jolly Red Elf’ raised the question of whether he was considering moving on from his Red John addiction. Then ‘Red Alert’ had me wondering if he was staring to see life after Red John. Later episodes ( Blood for Blood, and Every Rose Has its Thorn) supported this theory to be true.
The finale gives further evidence to show exactly where Jane stands regarding most of these issues. There are other themes as well but will be addressed as they come up in the discussion below.
Very Important Scene #1: the teaser
Before Dinkler is blown up, there is a shot of a medallion hanging on the visor in his car.
-This reminds viewers of the St Sebastian medallion Jane was given in ‘Bloodstream’ (it helps people in pain) and serves as foreshadowing for upcoming religiousthemes, redemption, etc.
When Jane shows up on the crime scene, Lisbon is surprised and states that she didn’t call him.
-A major pet peeve has been addressed here: what Jane’s capacity is exactly at CBI. The fact that he only comes when Lisbon calls him means he’s probably an outsourced consultant rather than an ‘in house’. But then, what’s the explanation for all the times he is at CBI even when there’s no case? Perhaps he’s bored and/or is required to clock in a minimum number of hours even if there is no case.
Jane asks Lisbon why she’s at the scene if the case is so cut and dry. She responds that because of the media Director Bertram wanted CBI presence. Jane asks: “If Director Bertram wanted CBI presence to jump off a cliff, would you and your CBI presence jump off that cliff?” Lisbon replies: “If there’s overtime, sure.” Jane then replies that “That’s very sad.”
-Once more Jane seems genuinely disappointed with what he no doubt perceives as Lisbon’s Lemming complex. I’d just like to point out that while Jane perceives Lisbon’s refusal to stand up to her superiors as weak, the fact that she refuses to bow down to him actually shows strength. It’s a delicious irony. Jane is just as controlling and strong willed as Lisbon and perhaps on a subconscious level this is what truly irks him: not that she won’t stand up to Bertram, but that by not doing so she’s standing up to Jane. Taking into account another aspect of Jane’s personality, his huge ego and conversely his closeted insecurity, maybe what Jane really finds so grating is how completely unaffected Lisbon is by his disapproval of this aspect of her personality. Taking this theory even further, Jane might deem Lisbon’s refusal to follow his ways as a refusal of him.
VIS #2: Jane, Lisbon, and ‘ghost’ LaRoche at CBI
Jane is drinking tea in the bullpen when Lisbon walks up to him to ask if he has any revelations on the case. Jane states that he can’t put his finger on it and has a hard time describing the case when Lisbon quips that it’s “baroque, mysterious even” citing Jane’s earlier comment on it. Lisbon then adds that she thought Jane likes this sort of thing. Jane concurs but before the two can continue their banter they are interrupted. LaRoche’s surprises them with his presence when he asks Lisbon for an update on the case. After he leaves Lisbon states that she misses Hightower adding (for Rigsby’s benefit) “aside from the murder stuff obviously”. But then annoyed, she negates her comment: “Screw it even with the murder stuff, how does he just appear out of nowhere like that!” Jane replies that LaRoche is a ghost from the fifth dimension.
-This scene is continuity to how disturbing Lisbon finds LaRoche’s showing up out of nowhere (in Bloodstream she told him that they need to get him a bell.)
The whole time Lisbon was talking to LaRoche, Jane was peering at the man from behind her. He also called out “Bye” to LaRoche when the man left.
-Notwithstanding how adorable Jane was here, his attention to LaRoche here plays into my pet theory that, for whatever reason, Jane wants to befriend the man.
Lisbon then asks Jane if he wants to join her in checking out locations that are possibly relevant to the case. He replies, to her dismay, “Come along on a methodical grinding search through Sacramento County or rearrange my sock drawer. I’ll go with the or, thanks.”
-It is no secret that Jane thinks very little of the police’s procedures to solving crime; that they are tedious and a waste of time. But more recently Jane’s been known to follow procedure despite his low personal opinion towards it. Specifically, Jane’s been on his best behavior after Lisbon did something which pleased him (‘Red Gold’ after ‘Blood for Blood’ ‘Rhapsody in Red’ after ‘Redacted’). On the other hand, Jane has acted out when he’s upset or unimpressed with Lisbon (‘Red Alert’).
It’s safe to assume that Jane’s refusal to go along with Lisbon on her search here (especially when coupled with his derisive tone and obnoxious excuse) was done in retaliation to when she disappointed him earlier by saying that she’d do anything Bertram asks.
Lisbon probably knows this as she doesn’t even try to convince him to change his mind. In fact, she doesn’t say anything when she leaves other than a “thank you” when Jane blandly tells her to “have fun with it.”
Jane can be such a brat. But at least he knows it as he’s said before that he’s not a professional (‘Red Sky at Night”). But this only makes his following Lisbon later more effective and endearing.
VIS # 3: Lisbon searching possible relevant locations
While searching Lisbon gets two phone calls.
The first is from Van Pelt who tells her that she, Cho and Rigsby didn’t find anything useful at the locations they searched. She then tells Lisbon that her bridesmaid’s dress is ready and that “the satin bow looks gorgeous”. Lisbon thanks her politely despite her dismay at the reminder.
-Notwithstanding Lisbon’s humorous reaction, the reference to the satin bow of the dress is very important. But more on that later…
The second call Lisbon gets is from Jane. He’s checking up on her and she tells him that she has one more location to check out; an old shut down High School. Jane tells her it’s an “iffy” area and asks her if she has plenty of “harpoons”. Lisbon replies she has a few 9 millimeter ones (guns) and that she’ll call for back up if she needs it. She then bids Jane goodnight and hangs up. Despite her assurance Jane gets up from his couch and follows Lisbon to the high school. He enters and calls out for her, saying that he was “in the neighborhood”.
– Jane following Lisbon is the first of many examples of regard viewers were given in this episode. Now Jane probably called Lisbon because he was bored and/or felt guilty for refusing to go along with her. But his subsequent joining her at the scene was because he was worried about her. This was very satisfying to see. Jane’s distant behavior all season makes it crucial that viewers be reminded that he does care about Lisbon, and not just for what she may or may not do for him when the time to get his revenge comes. Also, if Jane joined Lisbon out of guilt then it could also be a sign of Jane maturing a bit; always a good thing.
VIS #4: Jane finds Lisbon at Windsor High School
Jane finds Lisbon on the floor with a bomb vest strapped to her, just like Dinkler. He tells a frightened Lisbon to let him help her and reassures her that it will be okay. Lisbon shakily tells him to look for a lock on the vest and to check if there are wires attached to it. He affirms that they are and guesses that that’s bad news. Lisbon warns him against trying to pick the lock. Jane agrees that he won’t.
-I’ve been missing caring Jane all season so I just about melted here at his soft voice and obvious concern. The scene also recalls another profoundly intimate moment between these two friends where Jane tried to help Lisbon (when he hypnotizes her in Red Badge; also by Ashley Gable). Seeing explicit proof of worry (Jane) and trust (Lisbon) between these two is a rare and precious treat to viewers. It could be argued that (at least outwardly) it is usually the other way around. Lisbon is usually the one who worries about Jane and he’s usually the one running with her trust. The role reversal is extremely enjoyable. Also, the moment when Lisbon tells Jane not to pick the lock was darkly funny. And his agreeing that he won’t is a nice affirmation of Jane’s care towards Lisbon. Despite his skills Jane is not taking unnecessary chances with Lisbon’s life.
VIS #5: Jane and Lisbon (praying) in the car
A phone in the bomb vest rings and the culprit (who turns out to be Gupta) instructs Lisbon to head to CBI and obtain the cash in motion disks and to keep the line open or he will detonate the bomb vest. Lisbon refuses saying she doesn’t want to endanger people’s lives but Jane states that they will do as asked. Jane drives Lisbon to CBI and she whispers prayers along the way holding her cross. Gupta tells her that her whispering is annoying him and to stop. Jane tells him “She’s just praying, She’s scared and so am I. If I could find someone to pray to then I’d probably do the same”.
-The fact that guarded Lisbon is praying in front of skeptic Jane really underlines the gravity of the situation. As does the fact that Jane doesn’t mock her for doing so. He even goes as far as saying he’d do the same if he could. This statement simply blew me away; as I’m sure it did Lisbon if the shock on her face is any indication. It is not clear at this point whether Jane is starting to believe in a higher power or whether Lisbon’s been rubbing off on him. But that is not the point. What does matter is that he’s gotten close enough to Lisbon to respect her beliefs in spite of his own apparent lack of faith. For a control freak like Jane, this is huge. Unless the reason for his tolerance is that he himself is starting to wantto believe. And then we have another chicken-egg scenario. Don’t you love when writers give us those?
Speaking of religion, Gupta tells Jane that he’s deeply religious, but not in a way he would understand. This explains how Red John was able to recruit so many people; they probably consider him their messiah…or something.
VIS #6: Jane and Lisbon capture Gupta
Instead of going to the CBI as Gupta instructs, Jane and Lisbon head to the gas station. As Jane picks the lock to Gupta’s room (which he exposits to the man is the CBI storage facility) he tells Lisbon the following: “Listen uh, if this doesn’t turn out well uh, I, I just, well there’s been something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time and you know the moment just hasn’t presented itself.” “Lisbon begins “Are you sure this is really..” but is interrupted by Jane who asks rhetorically “If not now, when?” before he and Lisbon barge into a room taking Gupta (who was intently listening in on their conversation) by surprise. Gupta tells them he’ll trigger the bomb unless they let him go. Jane points out to Gupta that if he does, he’ll die with them. Lisbon then demands Jane leave. Jane refuses, saying that he would if he could. Lisbon insists on her order. Jane tells her she’s not the boss of him while simultaneously talking to Gupta. Jane finally gets close enough to snatch the trigger from the perp after which Lisbon takes him down and demands he release her from the vest.
– Now Jane and Lisbon have both used ruses in the past to vent out emotions they never would otherwise (Red John’s Footsteps, Red Badge, Jolly Red Elf). Jane in particular is great at multitasking. Why not confess his feelings towards Lisbon while simultaneously distracting a killer so they can surprise him when they barge in? And despite Jane not saying anything outright, anyone with ears can connect the dots. What a shocker. To have Jane practically tell Lisbon he loves her is so unexpected, and yet totally fitting considering how close they’ve become. There’s been a lot of emphasis on their friendship this season: how long they’ve known each other, Jane’s statement that he’s looking for someone who loves him despite knowing the worst side of him, Lisbon’s rescuing him from himself, his thanking her, etc. But, again, perhaps due to the timing, or perhaps due to how distant Jane’s been all season, it was a huge surprise.
Now despite my misgivings and fear that a romantic relationship between these two is dangerous territory for the show, here’s my confession: this scene made me deliriously happy. Not just because of the almost confession, but because Jane (who isn’t exactly known for his bravery) not only stuck around with Lisbon this whole time, but ended up saving her. Of course he later chalks it up to his ego and vanity saying that he didn’t want to appear a coward. And yes, Jane is egotistical and vain but as far as I can remember neither trait ever got him to risk his life for anyone in the course of the series.
In ‘Red Gold’ I stated that Jane’s flirting with Lisbon at the end of the episode made him seem like a schoolboy with a crush. I’m going further here. With Jane, actions always speak louder than words and I think his actions here are speaking loud and clear as to just how important Lisbon’s become to him. Be it friendship or romance, Jane having someone to love is a beautiful thing.
VIS #7: LaRoche shoots Gupta
Jane and Lisbon apprehend Gupta. LaRoche joins them at the scene, compliments them on a job well done, and orders Gupta to be taken in his car. But then LaRoche dawdles and waits for Jane and Lisbon (who are arguing) to walk away. Only then does LaRoche get in the car. Jane and Lisbon turn around when they hear shots. LaRoche exits the car and tells them he had to shoot Gupta because he tried to escape and had a gun.
-This scene was very cleverly written. Having LaRoche act strangely kept him under suspicion with viewers. Because what explanation could there be for him lingering behind, only to have him happen to kill Gupta and have the reason not be sinister?
There has to be one now that it’s clear LaRoche is innocent of any wrongdoing. The most likely possibility is that he was sticking around to observe Jane and Lisbon (like his showing up at places unannounced) because he likes knowing what makes people tick (not unlike Jane). But then there’s a more fun reason which takes my pet theory into consideration. I’ve previously stated that I think LaRoche likes Lisbon (‘Bloodstream’); that he respects her. Also, we know Jane’s been trying to befriend LaRoche (for his own purposes no doubt). When Jane offered LaRoche a bottle of scotch (Red Queen) LaRoche was visibly moved.
I contend that LaRoche now likes both Jane and Lisbon and wants to befriend them but doesn’t know how. He just seems like such a misunderstood and awkward character that has a hard time having normal interactions with people. His hanging around could be because he simply enjoys being in their presence. Who can blame him? Their banter is always fun.
A more serious possibility is that LaRoche was more interested in what they were saying. Lisbon was admonishing Jane for disobeying her order to leave, saying that it is her responsibility to keep him alive. I have a feeling that Lisbon’s sense of responsibility for Jane will be a huge theme in season four. And the fact that LaRoche heard her struggle with Jane’s insubordination will probably tie into that as well. It might lesson the repercussions Lisbon may or may not face in the aftermath of Jane’s killing Red John.
The simplest explanation could be that LaRoche was merely being nosy (again, not unlike Jan). It’s hard to tell. But what is undeniable is the look of pure interest made obvious because of the forced disinterest on LaRoche’s face as he listens to Jane and Lisbon’s banter. Pruitt Taylor Vince was remarkable in this scene. Initially he makes LaRoche suspicious and then endearing in retrospect. He truly is a joy to watch.
VIS # 8: Lisbon and Grace in the hall (AKA the Bride and the Bridesmaid)
At CBI Lisbon is gently accosted by Grace who gives her a hug, telling her she’s so glad she’s okay.
-I loved the almost panicked look on Lisbon’s face here as she awkwardly returns the hug. Ever since the girls worked a case as equals in episode Bloodstream (when Lisbon was temporarily demoted) I’ve been rooting for them to become friends. Grace asking Lisbon to be a bridesmaid and her hug here shows that she certainly has no problem befriending her boss. I look forward to seeing whether Grace’s hug here will be as effective in breaking the ice as Hightower’s in Red Gold was.
Grace then tells Lisbon that she picked up her dress since it was probably the last thing on her mind. Lisbon says that it’s very thoughtful and thanks her.
-Lisbon’s politeness here is the surest sign of her discomfort. It’s like she’s relying on established social norms to dictate her replies and visible reactions to Grace’s intimacy and kindness. It’s adorable to see; Lisbon is simply not used to getting close to people (continuity from Bloodstream).
VIS # 9: Jane and Lisbon in her office (AKA the angry princess)
Jane opens the door to Lisbon’s to ask her if they gotten any information regarding the cash in motion client list. He is greeted by the sight of Lisbon in a very pink, shiny and somewhat poofy strapless bridesmaid’s dress.
-First of all, kudos to the director for the first shot of Lisbon in said dress being shot only from the back and the top; only her bare shoulders were visible. That and the look of shock on Jane’s face titillated viewers into thinking he was getting an eyeful of Lisbon as she tried on the dress. The next shot clarifies that Lisbon is in fact fully dressed.
Jane proceeds to unabashedly stare at Lisbon with a “Woah. Oh my.”
-It is interesting to see how Jane’s appreciation of Lisbon’s attire has evolved in the course of the series. In season one, there was none whatsoever. Granted her wardrobe at the time wasn’t very conductive to attracting stylistic appreciation. It was (intentionally) very professional, almost manly at times. Then in season two viewers and Jane were privy to Lisbon’s choice of sleepwear AKA “the jersey” (‘Red Badge’). But the situation at the time didn’t allow for much thought or attention to it (she was being accused of murder). Then in ‘A Price above Rubies’ Lisbon was absolutely stunning in a low cut strapless black dress, perfect hair, and gorgeous dark eyebrows which set off her eyes. Interestingly, while the victim’s nephew in that episode could barely keep his eyes off her, Jane seemed unaffected. I posit that his apparent disinterest was actually a cover; his barely looking at Lisbon the entire event was unnatural. This was likely the first time Jane was confronted with the fact that Lisbon is a very desirable female. He was either being a gentleman about it or was uncomfortable with it. What he wasn’t doing, was looking.
Now this season Jane’s gotten a few more reminders that Lisbon is in fact a woman behind her badge. In ‘Red Hot’ she met up and slept with playboy billionaire Walter Mashburn. Then in ‘Red Moon’, when Jane woke Lisbon at her motel room during an investigation, she was wearing another jersey. Unlike in previous instances, Jane had a harder time keeping himself from staring at her and later even tried to peak at her.
Here, Jane is very obviously and unconcernedly staring at Lisbon in her bridesmaid’s dress. Now it could be because despite how pretty she looks, her dress isn’t seductive at all so Jane had no reason to feel uncomfortable (or like a wolf) when he was looking at her. Or, it could be that Jane now wants Lisbon to know he appreciates her beauty as opposed to doing so without her knowledge.
Personally, I think more than whether Lisbon looks alluring or not in said dress, Jane was more taken with how absolutely adorable and ironic she was in this situation. Her stance, her demeanor, that fact that it’s Lisbon wearing pink, how angry she is about it; it all makes her simply irresistible. It’s like, we’ve seen sexy Lisbon (rocking the black dress) now we get to see her all girly and huggable and adorable like a little girl even as she’s saying threatening things like “Van Pelt must die!”
Speaking of death, I’m sure a lot of viewers almost died at how perfect Tunney was in this scene.
Jane says it best. He replies “No, no, no you look good, this is…beautiful. Like a princess, an angry little princess. Someone stole your tiara.”
-Best quote ever. So true! I don’t know how Jane restrained himself from pinching her face. She’s that cute. Probably the knowledge that she would have killed him helped. She was already annoyed at him for telling Van Pelt that Lisbon wanted to be a bridesmaid. Now it’s anyone’s guess whether this was true or not. No doubt Jane also did it to mess with her. But I think Jane was also trying to get Lisbon to open up more to people. We’ve gotten some hints in Bloodstream.
But more important than heartbreaker Lisbon, the dress is very significant. It’s pink with a white bow and is an indirect reference to the episode’s title “Strawberries and Cream”. More on this later.
VIS #10: Lisbon asks Cho to trust her
When Lisbon and Jane realize that Max James died while being tortured for information on Hightower, they decide to let Sacramento PD handle the case. Cho is shocked when Lisbon stops him from calling LaRoche since it was his case. He’s also surprised that she’s handing off the case and asking him to keep quiet about Hightower’s link to it without telling him why: “Hightower’s a fugitive. She killed two people, she nearly killed Jane, what can’t you tell me?
-Cho’s disbelief is in character. He’s Lisbon’s right hand man; her most advanced agent and someone she frequently relies on to crack tough suspects and witnesses. Like he was in’ Bloodstream’, Cho is upset that she won’t confide in him. But unlike in that episode Lisbon here understands Cho’s sentiments. This is evidenced by how she softens the blow when he starts to argue:
“Kimball, I need you to trust me, please.”
Nicely played, Teresa. Not only did she take Cho’s feelings into account but she also left no room for argument. If Cho won’t obey her because he should, he will because it would be just rude not to after she asked him so nicely, appealing to him as a friend. This was smart considering how Cho’s record when it comes to following orders he disagrees with is less than stellar (‘Blood in Blood Out’ and ‘Rhapsody in Red’). Some viewers have even interpreted this behavior as being disrespectful towards Lisbon.
This makes him standing down here somewhat reassuring.
VIS # 11: Jane and Lisbon talk about Red John
Jane and Lisbon discuss how Red John is hunting Hightower. Lisbon tells Jane that they have to warn Hightower. He states they have no way of doing so, that he doesn’t know where she is. Lisbon replies that since Red John failed to get Hightower he might go after Jane, that if she doesn’t believe Jane when he tells her he doesn’t know where Madeline is then RJ won’t either.
-This scene confirms that Jane and Lisbon did in fact have a long talk after the events of ‘Redacted’ in which Jane told Lisbon about his suspicions about a mole in CBI and of Hightower’s innocence. What is interesting is that he doesn’t comment on Lisbon’s statement that she doesn’t totally believe him, nor does her try to assuage her suspicions. Perhaps he doesn’t think anything he says will make a difference to Lisbon. Jane’s apathy also extends to his outlook on John’s threat to himself. He tells Lisbon “If Red John wants me he knows where to find me. I can’t worry about that.”
This resigned statement is perhaps the first insight we’ve ever gotten on Jane copes with Red John’s continued existence. It’s not exactly a bad position to take. Why should he worry about something that is out of his control? It would be nice to think this attitude extends to include his guilt over his family’s death. But viewers know Jane better than that. Besides, his sad demeanor afterwards makes it seem as if he’s not as detached from his grim reality as he’d like to be…or perhaps, he’s too detached…unhealthily so…
VIS# 12: Jane and Hightower at Jane’s ‘home’
Jane leaves Lisbon and his car is next seen driving into Parkway Extended Stay Motel.
-VIEWERS REJOICE! We finally learn where Jane lives! Or at least, where he sleeps when he’s not in the CBI attic.
He finds Hightower waiting for him in his apartment. She asks him if this is where he lives, Jane says “sometimes”. She points out that it’s “nice” but could use some personal touches.
-Hightower has a point. There is not even a book on his nightstand. Jane’s has more stuff in his desk at CBI. He probably only uses his motel room to store his suits and to brood.
Jane says just as much when Hightower first reveals herself, brandishing her gun, asking him if he’s alone. Jane replies “Yes, just me and my demons and they’re not going to hurt you”.
-I find the “you” in Jane’s statement to be very telling. As in Jane knows that they are a danger to him. And yet hasn’t provided himself with any distractions from them.
Jane asks Madeleine to put her gun away adding reproachfully “You people and your guns!”
-This is another reference to Jane’s established dislike of guns (the most recent one was in Red Gold). It had me once more wondering what Jane ever did with the gun Max Winter gave him. Undoubtedly that was the writer’s intention, as well as making viewers think it unlikely that Jane would ever use it. I’d just like to point out that Jane’s use of a gun at the end of this episode does not negate his dislike of guns; it just shows how desperate he was.
VIS #13: Jane asks for the team’s help
After Jane gets Hightower to agree to giving him two days before surrendering herself, Jane tells Lisbon to follow him. He also asks Cho, Rigsby and Van Pelt to join him at O’Malley’s in half an hour.
– The small detail of Jane and Lisbon going off together first before being joined by the others is intriguing. I wonder what they talked about before the others joined them. He wasn’t telling her about Hightower’s deal because later at O’Malley’s we get a shot of her nodding in comprehension when Jane elaborates, as if hearing about it for the first time. So maybe he wanted to ask her first if she was willing to help him before the others. Maybe he took her to ask her permission to involve the others? Perhaps he was giving her a last chance to back out? Jane’s concern for Lisbon along with growing respect and regard make any of these a possibility.
Random note: I love that the team convened at the same bar there were at in the season two finale. Simple details like a regular hangout please me.
At O’Malley’s Jane fills the team in on the situation: that he has 48 hours to find Red John’s friend in CBI and have him lead them to Red John. He adds that in the meantime the team has to protect Hightower before she surrenders to the authorities. Lisbon tells Jane “we are the authorities.” Jane replies “yeah, well, you’re not the man” to which Lisbon states that, in fact, they are; that they are required to arrest Hightower if they see her. Jane tells Lisbon “So arrest her, just don’t tell anybody”.
-Lisbon’s insistence on following protocol, whether she did, and to what extent during this case will likely play a huge role in saving Jane and her team from the plan’s expected ramifications in season four.
Needless to say, the whole team readily agrees to help. Jane’s simple thank you shows how much he’s come to rely on (and expect from) his team; his friends.
VIS #14: Jane asks J.J LaRoche for his suspect list
This scene had me riveted. Did I mention how much I love LaRoche and Pruitt Taylor Vince’s portrayal of him? This was where my defense of the character was put to the test…
Jane stands at LaRoche’s door. LaRoche asks if he can help Jane. Jane confirms, closes the door and sits across of LaRoche, silently for a while.
LaRoche: “Yes?”
Jane: “I need the names of the four other suspects you identified in the Todd Johnson murder.”
– Talk about not beating around the bush. Either Jane was playing it by ear or he knew the direct approach would be unexpected considering how both he and LaRoche are master manipulators. Whatever it was, Jane straight out tells LaRoche that Hightower contacted him, that she claims she’s innocent and that this means someone else killed Todd Johnson. LaRoche asks where Hightower is. Jane says it’s not important as she’ll turn herself in soon. LaRoche then asks why Jane cares about this; that LaRoche will investigate the other suspects if the case is reopened. Jane falls back on one of his established character traits (flaws): “You know me. I’m inquisitive; nosy.” LaRoche refuses to give Jane the list. He cites policy and rules as his deterrents when Jane demands to know why. Jane then states “that’s a shame” before adding “How about I make sure Hightower surrenders to you personally; I tell you where she’s hiding out”. LaRoche doesn’t go for it and says “You should do that anyway. It’s your duty as a citizen.”
Jane is amused at LaRoche appealing to his (questionable at best) sense of responsibility. He laughs and says “I love you.”
-BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was right! Jane likes LaRoche!
Ahem. Never mind Jane probably just appreciates how simple LaRoche’s black and white ethics are (no doubt they make him easier to read) I genuinely believe he likes the guy. LaRoche’s reaction to Jane’s statement that he loves him is priceless. Like he doesn’t know whether to be pleased or scared; if Jane’s mocking him or if he’s being sincere. Welcome to Lisbon’s world LaRoche. Like with most things Jane, it’s probably a combination of both.
Jane, seeing that he can’t manipulate LaRoche using ambition, goes for something else: fear. Jane tells LaRoche that if he gives him the list, Jane will not only tell him where Hightower is, but will also keep LaRoche’s secret. He tells LaRoche that he’s the one who hired Culpepper to break into his home a few weeks ago; to steal the list. Jane adds that while the thief failed in his mission he did get a look at what LaRoche kept in his safe; in a Tupperware box. LaRoche tells Jane he could arrest him. But Jane says he won’t or he’ll reveal what’s in the box. LaRoche seems shaken and tells Jane “That is private” Jane responds that “it” should be, bluffing since he doesn’t really know what’s inside, adding that he’d love to help LaRoche keep his secret. The man finally yields under the threat and writes down the name of the suspects. But before he gives it to Jane he tells him, not unkindly, “You’re a fascinating man, Patrick. Who knows what you might have achieved in this world were you not quite so damaged.”
-J.J’s statement here can only reflect positively on his character. There he is being blackmailed by Jane into doing something against his moral character and work ethic. And instead of being furious with Jane he only seems to feel sympathy, maybe even pity for him.
Jane later tells the team that for his bluff to have worked so well, LaRoche must be hiding something horrible.
-I think, given how melancholy LaRoche’s demeanor and his statement to Jane, what LaRoche is hiding is something very sad. And that his statement that Jane is “damaged” means that he can’t believe Jane would threaten him with something so sad. Because while LaRoche may not know Jane very well, he should know Jane has no problem using people’s faults (mistakes) against them. I think he’d only be so affected (almost disappointed?) if what Jane threatened him with was something he thought Jane could understand. A keepsake maybe, of a lover or a family member?
VIS # 15: Jane shares the suspects with the team
Bureau director Gale Bertram (Michael Gaston), FBI Agent Craig O’Laughlin (Eric Winter), CBI Media Relations Brenda Shettrick (Rebecca Wisocky), and ADA Osvaldo Ardiles (David Norana) were the four other people LaRoche suspected of killing Todd Johnson. Jane reminds the team that if those four are innocent then LaRoche himself is the culprit and therefore RJ’s mole. Grace understandably balks at the idea of her fiancée Craig being a killer. Lisbon consoles her that Craig is just a suspect but that she should avoid him. She instructs Grace to guard Hightower until Red John’s man is identified. Seeing Van Pelt’s sad face Jane tells her: “Grace, it’s a good thing. A little coolness keeps men on their toes.”
– Jane giving Van Pelt advice isn’t anything new, but I found the kindness behind his words in this situation to be very telling. Given that it’s Red John’s capture and Hightower’s safety at stake, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he’d taken a more combative stance. So it was a nice surprise to see him be understanding and try to help Grace find a silver lining in her dilemma. It shows that Jane is truly thankful for the team’s help and what they are putting on the line for him. Having Jane act appreciative instead of entitled is serious character growth on his part. It’s also further proof that Jane really does care for the team, they are not (or are no longer) just a means to an end.
Jane then tells his plan to the others; that each of the suspects will be told where Hightower is but each suspect will be given a different room in a single hotel. That way when an assassin comes in to kill Hightower Jane the team will be able to tell which suspect sent him based on the room he enters.
VIS # 16: The suspects are set up
-I must say that as much as I adore both Heller’s and Gable’s episodes sometimes it feels like I’m playing ‘find the missing scene’ when I’m watching them (Red Hot, Red Moon). There’s a lot of mystery in them. This is great as it gives viewers a chance to exercise their own detecting skills. But sometimes it’s nice to just be shown how and when Jane figured things out rather than be told after the culprit is caught. I was so happy that in this episode, like the rest of the team, we were privy to Jane’s thought process. I’ve recapped the set up because some important details (and a couple of amusing ones) were given during these scenes.
LaRoche
Jane tells LaRoche that Hightower is in Pacific Palms hotel room 705. LaRoche thanks him sincerely.
-LaRoche seemed relieved here, as if he was worried that Jane lied to him and wouldn’t tell him where Hightower is. It’s not an unreasonable assumption on his part since Jane threatened him to get the list.
Jane reiterates his request that LaRoche give Hightower a few days to make arrangements for her kids. LaRoche states “that was our deal”.
-LaRoche’s emphasis here entails that he’s telling Jane that he’s a man of his word. This will be discussed in more detail later…
Brenda Shettrick
Lisbon goes to Shettrick’s office and to the woman’s pleasure gives her file with ideas for community outreach. When Brenda opens the file she instead finds an expense requisition form for the cost of a hotel room for witness Hightower with the room number 405. Brenda shuts the file quickly and places it away.
-It will be very interesting to see whether Lisbon will actually file a requisition form for Jane’s plan or not. I expect that if she does it will make the operation more legit and its results more forgivable by the higher-ups.
Later Lisbon comes back to retrieve the file telling Brenda that she gave it to her by mistake. Lisbon nervously asks Brenda if she read the file to which Brenda assures her she didn’t. Lisbon then asks her to not tell anyone about this, that she’d feel like a fool if anyone knew about her mistake. Brenda reassures her she won’t.
-Lisbon acted her role perfectly. The only thing that gave her away was when Brenda later asks her “what about the community outreach?”. Here, Lisbon gets adorably flustered and tells Brenda she’ll get back to her on that. I can just imagine Lisbon later grousing over having to come up with ideas to give to Brenda.
Gale Bertram
Lisbon tells Bertram that Jane’s in contact with Hightower and that he’s trying to make her give herself up. Gale asks if Lisbon thinks Hightower will and Lisbon says that she does.
Bertram complains: “Hell, just what we need that damn situation back in the news.” Lisbon tells him Hightower insists that she’s innocent, that she was framed to which Bertram replies “if that’s true that’s even worse.”
Lisbon adds that they have Hightower’s exact location, room 605 at Pacific palms hotel but that she’s giving Jane 48 hours to get Madeleine to give herself up adding “God forbid someone get hurt” playing on Bertram’s fear of public recoil.
Bertram says as long as Lisbon has control of the situation then its her call adding: “I wish Hightower and this whole mess would just vanish, frankly.”
-The importance Bertram places on politics and the media was another running theme this season. Again, this will be discussed in more detail later…
Osvaldo Ardiles
Cho and Rigsby go for coffee where ADA Osvaldo Ardiles is getting his coffee as well. There Rigsby intentionally lets it slip that Hightower is in room 305 Pacific Palms hotel, making sure that Ardiles overhears him.
-Ardiles reaction was that of mild curiosity but I was actually more interested watching Cho’s expression at Rigsby’s bad acting. At one I could swear Cho’s face had a “you’ve got to be kidding me” look on it as he looked firmly away from Rigsby as if embarrassed by his performance. I would have loved to hear their conversation after Osvaldo leaves. I imagine it would have been similar to an exchange they had after a similar bad act in episode ‘Red Hair, Silver Tape’ in which Cho hilariously deadpan’s “smooth work” to Rigsby to which Rigsby responds with a firm “Don’t.”
But here Cho must have told him to up his game because Rigsby fared much better when he set the trap for Craig O’Laughlin…
Craig O’Laughlin
Craig comes to CBI looking for Van Pelt whom he tells Rigsby is not answering her phone. Rigsby explains that she’s “super busy”. When O’Laughlin asks what’s up Rigsby confides that Hightower showed up and that Grace is guarding her. Craig surmises that Grace will then be busy for a while then adding “that’s too bad.” Rigsby teases him about not being able to live without her. O’Laughlin replies he’s man enough to admit that he misses her. Rigsby then tells him where the women are hiding out in room 505. O’Laughlin thanks him but adds “I’ll probably tough it out. I don’t want to be too clingy, women hate that.”
-Both Owain Yeoman and Eric Winter were great in this scene. Rigsby was effortless when he laid the trap for his beloved’s fiancé. Winter was very believable as well. The scene truly did seem like two guys joking around and confiding in each other rather than two adversaries sizing each other up.
The team then convenes to the hotel to wait for the assassin to show up. Like Jane says the plan is “simple, elegant foolproof.”
VIS #17: The assassin arrives/dies/revelation of Bertram as the spy
The assassin shows up and goes into the room Bertram was told Hightwower was at after trying taking the precaution of stopping at another floor first. Cho and Rigsby storm inside room just as she opens the window. They tell her to stop, that they won’t hurt her but she commences to jump over the balcony effectively killing herself and taking any information she might have with her.
-The fact that the spy killed herself hints that this is what is expected of Red John’s recruits once they are caught. They either off themselves or someone will do it for them. Perhaps this is why Todd Johnson seemed scared and like he wanted to confide in Jane; he knew he’d be killed.
Jane and Lisbon join Rigsby and Cho and see that the spy is dead. Undeterred, Jane tells Lisbon to call in the body if she must but that he and she must leave before the hotel security arrives or they’ll be stuck answering questions. He adds that they have a lot to do. Lisbon demands to know what.
Jane: “We have to find a good spot for a trap to lure Bertram, a trap that Red John will follow him into.
Lisbon sarcastically replies that that’s simple before adding “You’re getting that crazy look in your eye, calm down.”
-Lisbon can’t be blamed for being nervous over Jane’s demeanor. He’s always seems over-eager whenever Red John is involved.
Jane contends that he’s perfectly calm but his supplemental gesturing shows that he’s trying too hard to convince Lisbon of his rational state. Plus, his voice is barely steady when he emphatically states: “Red John is one step behind me but he thinks he’s one step ahead so in effect he’s two steps behind and he doesn’t know it. He’s going to be overconfident when he walks into my trap.”
-It doesn’t help Jane’s cause that his argument, while making logical sense, sounds like the ravings of a desperate man.
Another aspect which makes this scene so great is Rigsby and Cho’s reactions to the argument taking place. I cannot stress how much I enjoy watching how characters handle what is going on around them. I find their facial expressions to be very interesting when done by such good actors. In this scene, for example, the anxious look on Rigsby’s face and Cho’s impassiveness at Lisbon and Jane’s arguments is really in character. As per usual, Rigsby’s emotions are on par with the viewers while Cho’s serves as the proverbial immovable rock. It’s almost like siblings watching their parents fight where the more sensitive one is worrying about the outcome while the other takes it in stride.
VIS # 18: Grace/Craig
Once Bertram has been identified as RJ’s mole, Grace catches up with Craig and explains to him what’s been going on. She then tells him that she’s on her way to where Hightower is to relieve Lisbon and asks Craig to join her as it’s a long drive. Craig tells her it’s all kind of sketchy but Van Pelt insists and he agrees.
-Van Pelt probably didn’t think twice before inviting Craig along because he’s worked with their team before. But it will be interesting to see whether she will be reprimanded for this decision as its consequences are dire indeed.
Now regular readers will know that O’Laughlin has been # 1 on my personal suspect list of people involved with RJ since episode Blood for Blood. But him playing hard to get with Grace in this scene had me doubting myself . Very clever writing here.
VIS # 19: Bertram/Jane in his office
Jane tells Bertram that someone tried to kill Hightower which proves that she’s innocent. Bertram begins to say “maybe” when Jane interrupts him, saying that Hightower will still come in peacefully but only if she talks to Bertram first because she trusts him. Bertram plays right into Jane’s trap telling him that Hightower “should” trust him (implied since he’s the director) but that he’s not ready to promise a deal. Jane ups the ante. He goes for Bertram’s Achilles heel saying that unless Bertram agrees to meet Hightower she’ll go to the media. As expected, this gets Bertram to agree to meeting the woman. As soon as Jane leaves Bertram makes a call.
-This was obviously done to further establish Bertram’s guilt and deceive viewers (clever!) but I’m very interested to know who Bertram called. My guess is it was probably Lisbon as I doubt Bertram would have went along with Jane’s plan without confirming that someone else sanctioned it. He could have called LaRoche but unless LaRoche pretended that he knew what was going on, I doubt Bertram would have gone onto the mall with Jane. I guess it could just be that Bertram was just telling his secretary to cancel a previous engagement that would have taken place at the same time.
VIS # 20: Lisbon & company at Hightower’s Ranch/ Jane & company at Pinewood Shopping Mall.
Lisbon parks outside Canyon Ranch where Hightower is staying. She’s presumably been there for a while (as Grace is coming to relieve her) but left for pizza for Hightower’s kids. She’s carrying two boxes and gives one of them to two officers from the sheriff’s department who are guarding the ranch from the outside.
-The presence of other police officers could turn out to be a double edged sword. I’m inclined to think that the fact Lisbon made an official request of assistance from the local police might play in her favor; making Jane’s plan more legit. Or, the fact that two members of the local police were killed while working with her in a clandestine operation could place her in even more hot water with the higher ups.
Meanwhile Jane takes Bertram to a coffee place inside Pinewood shopping mall. When Bertram asks about the location Jane tells him that Hightower figured she wouldn’t get killed in a public place.
-If Jane is to be believed then we can assume that he chose the location thinking that it will put Red John at ease; that Red John will think it easy to blend in with all the people there without being spotted. But why did Jane think Red John will show up? I sincerely have no idea. I guess it was just a Jane hunch. That the similarities between him and Red John somehow made it possible for him to know that Red John wouldn’t be able to help not coming. A gut instinct maybe?
Here’s the reasoning as best as I was able to make of it:
Jane thinks Bertram is RJ’s mole but that RJ doesn’t know he knows.
Jane tells Bertram that Hightower will meet him at the mall thinking that Bertram will deliver this information to RJ.
Then what?
Does Jane thinks RJ will come to see Jane’s reaction when Hightower shows up and Bertram kills her? But why would that happen? According to Jane’s, RJ’s spy is a valuable ally; he wouldn’t risk Jane finding out who he is. So maybe Jane thought RJ will come to ensure Hightower gets killed by another operative in Bertram’s presence to ensure Bertram remains unsuspicious?
Or, RJ comes because he’s fascinated with Jane and therefore just wants to see him?
It’s not like Bertram (if he had been RJ’s mole) could have done anything or killed Hightower in that location. Therefore I contend that rather than use Bertram as bait, Jane, in fact, was using himself as bait; like he did in Red John’s footsteps. Jane’s just using Bertram to keep Red John interested in what Jane is thinking; a second bait if you will. Red John might’ve gotten worried over what his inside man (as Jane thinks Bertram is) may or may not tell Jane.
But if this is true then I seriously doubt that Jane shared this part of the plan with Lisbon. It seems strange that Lisbon would have condoned it without being present. And this, Lisbon’s non-presence at the mall is what I am seriously staggered at Jane being able to pull off.
Lisbon has been practically stuck to him like glue all season. And we’ve had several moments where she almost visibly had to force herself to stay away from him (‘Blood on His Hands’ when she asks him about Red John’s plan concerning Kristina, ‘Red Moon’ when she leaves him at Todd Johnson’s bedside).
So why wasn’t Lisbon standing guard at the ledge overlooking Jane instead of Cho? Why was she guarding Hightower instead?
The answer is in the short and sweet scene of Lisbon having dinner with Hightower and her kids.
Hightower says grace before they start to eat: “Dear lord we thank you for this great food we are about to eat. We thank you for our friends (looking at Lisbon) We thank you for our many blessings. Amen.”
-Like the church bells at the beginning of episode ‘Redacted’, this scene sets the stage for the storm that’s about to hit. It’s also further continuity to the spiritual theme of this season. But more than that, it serves as a platform for Lisbon to have the following exchange with Hightower:
Lisbon: They should be at the mall now.
Hightower: Think it’ll work?
Lisbon: Frankly, no. Trying to be hopeful.
This tiny conversation explains why Lisbon wasn’t at the mall. She didn’t think that Jane’s plan would work, that Red John would come. She therefore prioritized guarding Hightower over being present at the Mall.
This is where Jane would say “Woman, will you ever stop doubting me?” The answer is obviously, no.
Now while Cho also seemed a bit doubtful that Jane’s plan would work, one could argue it’s because he’s a natural cynic. Lisbon however, seems to be the only person who doubts Jane because she knows him enough to know that he’s not infallible. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Jane needs someone to keep him grounded.
But I am reminded once more of episode Red Hair and Silver tape. In that episode Lisbon was with Jane during a stakeout but left after it seemed that Jane’s plan failed. The perps then came and almost killed Jane before Lisbon arrived to save him (Jane had called her phone). Lisbon then stares at Jane for quite a while with a look of horror on her face. Later, just before the episode ends, Jane places a comforting hand on a disturbed Lisbon’s shoulder as they walk away from the victim’s funeral.
Now based on how sad the victim’s family was, the first conclusion is that Lisbon was affected by their grief and that’s why Jane was comforting her. But I thought she was just as likely to be disturbed by the fact that Jane was almost killed because she hadn’t believed him. As boss, as Lisbon, it just seems like she’d be quick to blame herself for that situation. Now it was never specified if that in fact was the case. However in this finale Lisbon telling Jane “It’s my job to keep you alive” during her bomb threat makes it seem a very likely possibility. I’m really looking forward to the ramifications Lisbon’s conscience may or may not present her with. The fact that her doubting Jane is what led to him being alone with Red John, to him killing Red John, will most likely have an effect on Lisbon.
But there is another possibility for Lisbon’s absence at the mall. In ‘Red Sky in the Morning’ when Jane insists on staying with Kristina Frye, Lisbon tries to talk him out of it. She tells him that if Red John is coming for Kristina there are officers to guard her. When Jane refuses Lisbon tells him “Fine, go wait for Red John. It’s not a good idea though” before she walks off.
I can see a similar scenario playing out here as well. Lisbon, for whatever reason doesn’t think Jane’s plan is “a good idea” and prefers staying out of it. I’m not saying that she’s running away, just that she prefers not being part of something she disagrees with and has no control over the results. And we know control is a huge issue for Lisbon.
Something which may back up this theory is a deleted scene in season one. Jane asks Lisbon to drop him at the airport during a case. Lisbon is at first angry then realizes Jane just said that because he wants her to ask him to stay. She proceeds to go off on him and says “One day you’re going to create one mother of a tragedy for yourself and everyone around you. I don’t want to be there when that happens. So we’ll drive you to the airport, it’s fine.”
I know it’s a deleted scene but I never thought it was axed because it wasn’t good. It was very powerful and perfectly written. No, I always thought it was deleted because it gave away too much too early about the characters.
So if we consider this scene to be canon (for the sake of argument) then it would be safe to say that Lisbon’s fight vs. flight response was kicking in and in this instance she went with flight; that she didn’t want to be caught in a situation which might turn ugly.
Or maybe it was the crazy look in Jane’s eyes. It is not easy being around someone hell bent on doing something you truly disapprove of. Most people tend to distance themselves. It’s a natural response.
So, what do you think happened here?
Back to Jane and Gale Bertram. It’s fifteen minutes passed the time Hightower was supposed to show up. Gale is getting impatient for her while Jane is on the watch out for Red John. He tells Gale that “She’ll” be here when in fact it’s Red John Jane’s waiting for. When Bertram asks who exactly Hightower thinks is trying to kill her Jane tries to draw him into guessing. Bertram states that he doesn’t read case files. Jane tells him he thinks Red John want to kill Hightower, watching Bertram’s reaction closely the whole time. Bertram is flustered at the revelation, even more so when Jane states that he thinks RJ has powerful friends both in the CBI and all over the state. Bertram scoffs. Jane insists that he’s serious. Bertram then begs Patrick to seek help. Jane smiles and tells Bertram “I sound crazy don’t I? Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not.”
-I think Jane’s musings over his sanity here are actually quite serious. Perhaps Lisbon’s earlier remark that he has a crazy look in his eye coupled with her disbelief that his plan will work has him doubting himself. It’s almost like he wants Bertram’s assurance that he’s not crazy; the assurance coming in the form of Bertram reacting to Jane’s statement in such a way that Jane can be positive he was right about suspecting the man, that his plan was working.
As it is, Bertram does assure Jane that he’s not crazy, but literally, not in a way that implicates him as RJ’s man. He states: “No, you don’t sound crazy, you sound like a man whose pushed himself too hard; whose reached the end of his rope.” He continues adding that Jane should take a break, and consult a therapist but his advice falls on deaf ears as Jane has suddenly realized something. The assassin that was going to kill Hightower had brought rope with her in the room. At the time Jane and the team thought it was to tie up Hightower, but at Bertram’s mentioning of the rope (and perhaps his innocent demeanor) Jane realizes that the rope was to be used to climb into the room below via the hotel balcony. Jane asks Bertram in a rush if he killed Todd Johnson. Bertram is outraged and says no and demands to know what is wrong with Jane. Panicked Jane tells Cho and Rigsby that the assassin was not targeting the room number given to Bertram, but the room below; room 505 which was the number given to Craig O’Laughlin. Cho and Rigsby speed off to the Ranch where Hightower is being guarded. Bertram is understandably outraged and confused but Jane is too busy trying to salvage the situation at hand and calls Lisbon. Bertram demands an explanation or he’s walking away. Jane tells Bertram to do so. The latter leaves but not before telling Jane that there will be consequences to his actions. Jane hardly hears him as he’s waits for Lisbon to pick up saying “answer you damn phone.”
-Jane swearing and the way he simply dismisses Bertram’s threat was very indicative of his panicked state. But more than that, Bertram’s comments that Jane should seek help could be setting the stage for an insanity plea. There have been several other references to Jane’s mental state this season: Hightower asking Lisbon if he’s in danger of cracking up (Red Sky at Night), Minelli telling him he sounds crazy (‘Jolly Red Elf’). Perhaps all that Jane’s been through since last season’s finale was purposely set up for this reason too (i.e. maybe this is why the writers have been torturing him all season).
Meanwhile Craig and Grace have arrived at the Ranch where Hightower is being kept. Grace introduces Craig to the cops guarding out front. Craig then tells Grace that he forgot his phone in the car, goes back and takes them out swiftly. He quickly joins Van Pelt and proceeds to kiss her when they’re interrupted by a call on her phone. It’ s Rigsby, no doubt calling to warn her but he never gets the chance as O’Laughlin presses decline on her phone so that he and Grace can continue kissing.
-Now I know many fans were furious with Grace over a later event in this episode but I was actually angrier at her here. Her team is working on a very important secret mission. She damn well should have answered that call. But I can’t complain because it’s a plot device and was done as smoothly as possible. Let’s chalk it up to pre-wedding bliss clouding her judgment.
Lisbon picks up her phone but tells Jane to wait while she opens the door for Grace and Craig.
-The fact that Lisbon takes in Craig’s presence without much of reaction shows how well he’s insinuated himself into their unit as Grace’s fiancé.
The phone frequency isn’t best and Jane has to yell so that Lisbon can hear him say O’Laughlin is RJ’s man. Unfortunately Craig hears as well and shoots Lisbon as soon as she rounds on him before she can reach for her gun. He gets her somewhere below her left shoulder and she goes down.
Hightower cries out Lisbon’s name while Grace exclaims in shock. Jane presumably overhears them starts calling out Lisbon’s name in a panic. Meanwhile Craig is about to shoot Grace and Hightower when Lisbon hauls herself up and throws something at him, giving Grace and Hightower enough time to take him out. Hightower’s daughter comes out of her room to see what’s going on and Hightower goes to her. Meanwhile Grace goes to her fallen fiancé in distress. He proceeds to remove a necklace he’d given her before he dies.
Jane’s panicked voice continues to be heard through Lisbon’s phone and she drags herself back up again to answer him and to quickly catch him up on the situation: “O’Laughlin’s dead. I’m wounded, but I’m okay.” Lisbon then orders Grace to call the paramedics from the landline. Jane asks Lisbon if she’s going to be all right. And she answers that she thinks she will be.
-A lot of fans commented on Hightower and Grace’s seemingly being unconcerned with Lisbon’s injury. Be that as it may, their absence was a necessary plot device and was justified as a somewhat natural response. Hightower’s motherly instincts compelled her to leave when her daughter showed up to protect her from seeing a dead man and an injured friend. Grace was in shock over her fiancé being a killer and over her having shot him. I’d actually go as far as saying that Grace running to Craig endeared her to me. She was in shock and her being unable to register the event quickly shows that she’s not as cold as she sometimes appears to be. But most importantly, having the two women be preoccupied gives the moment between Lisbon and Jane the privacy it deserved (at least mentally; not physically since Jane’s in a mall surrounded by people). It makes the fact that Jane and Lisbon are hanging on each others’ every breath (Jane assuring himself that Lisbon’s okay while she takes comfort from his presence) an even more sacred moment.
But like all good things it had to end. Once Jane knows Lisbon is safe he goes back to business and asks her to get to O’Laughlin’s phone, press redial, and to tell whoever answers that O’Laughlin is dead. Lisbon, always a trooper, complies but with difficulty. Jane then notices that a phone belonging to one of the patrons at the coffee place rings and watches to see what he says. Lisbon introduces herself and tells him that O’Laughlin is dead. The man answers “That’s too bad. Oh well, you win some you lose some” then hangs up. Lisbon tells Jane what the man said and Jane is able to ID the man as Red John. He hangs up telling Lisbon he’ll call her back.
-Jane’s panic over Lisbon’s safety, his continuously calling out her name, the time he needed to take to listen to her breathe to assure himself that she’s okay, and the fact that he only continued with his plan after he was assured that Lisbon was safe makes his behavior (until this point at least) reasonable.
VIS # 21: Jane and Red John
Hand’s firmly in his pockets, Jane approaches the man he suspects is Red John (Bradley Whitford) and stares at him until the man asks him what he needs. Jane demands to know whom he was speaking to. RJ feigns innocence and disturbance, threatening Jane that he’ll call security before he laughs and tells Jane “I’m just messing with you. You know who I am.”
Jane asks him to tell him anyway. The man says that he has many names but that some people call him Red John. He then gestures to Jane to join him at his table. Jane does so sitting at the edge of the seat, hands still in his pockets.
Red John proceeds to show Jane a gun’s he has hidden in a newspaper with his hand firmly on it, finger ready at the trigger. But he tells Jane that he won’t hurt him unless he has to, adding “It’s great to meet you, face to face so to speak. I mean the last time I saw you everything was hyper, so un-relaxed. It’s hard to talk in that type of environment.”
-Here RJ is referring to when Jane was kidnapped by RJ fans Dylan and Ruth and was almost killed in a snuff film they were making as a tribute to Red John (Red Sky in the Morning). Red John showed up and killed the two saving Jane.
Jane asks Red John: “How do I know you are who you say you are.” RJ replies “That’s a deep question. How does anyone know who anyone is, who’re you?”
-This actor is phenomenal. He just exudes such carelessness, such lack of remorse and glibness that I for one was not left with a single doubt as to who he is.
Jane then asks RJ what he wants. RJ tells him that when he heard about Jane’s plan from O’Laughlin he was happy, that it was the perfect opportunity to teach Jane one last lesson in humility.
-Based on this it’s safe to say that RJ was at the mall because he wanted to see Jane’s face when he realized that Bertram was in fact innocent and that Hightower was being killed by the real mole. Worse, at that point, Jane would probably have no way of ever finding out whom the real mole is; Craig wouldn’t have left any witnesses.
RJ then tells Jane that for once he prevailed. He congratulates Jane then tells him that it’s a good thing because it confirms what RJ’s been thinking, that it’s time to quit. That he’s tired of killing “been there, done that” and that he’s getting a new face, new identity. He adds that he has skills and resources to make positive changes for others “for children”. Also: “I’ve been pursuing my own dreams for so long that I just lost sense of what’s truly important in this world. I think that happens to a lot of people, don’t’ you?”
-Uh, yes Red John. Many people waste years away before deciding on what they want from life. But most people don’t spend those years killing other people.
Jane isn’t amused either. The two have the following exchange:
Jane: “Am I supposed to laugh? Why are you telling me all this?”
RJ: “Well, I think we have a connection that needs to be honored, I want to say goodbye, I want to apologize for any pain I might have caused you and I want to release you from this curse you’ve been under.”
Jane: “I’m not under a curse.”
-Jane almost defensive denial that he’s cursed is intriguing. It’s like he’s tacitly denying the hold RJ has on him.
RJ: “Doomed to an endless angry search for a vengeance you will never have. I would call that a curse, wouldn’t you?”
Jane: “I look at it as more of a hobby and I will have that vengeance.”
RJ: “Vengeance, on what? Look me! I’m just a regular guy! You thought I’d have horns, right? I’m not a monster. I’m not a devil. I’m just another human being with flaws and vices and problems just like anybody else.”
-Yes, Red John. All humans have flaws, vices, and problems. That doesn’t make it okay for them to kill people.
But perhaps what is most galling about RJ is the caring tone he uses when he offers Jane the following piece of advice: “Forget about me. I’m not worth ruining your life over.”
Jane is understandably unappreciative: “Wherever you go, You delusional freak, I will find you and I will kill you. And then, then I will forget about you”.
RJ then tells Jane to do his worst. Jane replies that he would if RJ puts his gun away. RJ laughs and tells Jane:
“See how we sound? We’re like kids on the playground. Don’t you see that I’m, I’m trying to do you a favor. Seeking revenge is a waste of your precious time. Your life is precious Patrick. Get on with that precious life. Find yourself a woman to love, start a family.”
Red John’s use of semantics is eerily similar to Jane’s. In ‘Red Queen’ Jane tells LaRoche after a short banter “Are we kids or what?” to which LaRoche agrees “We are kids.”
RJ’s advice to Jane here is also very similar to the advice Jane gave to his brother in law Danny in this season’s second episode.
In ‘Cackle Bladder Blood’ when Danny Ruskin (Kevin Rankin) tells Jane that it’s his fault his sister is dead, Jane concurs and adds “I hope one day you’ll forgive me. Maybe one day I’ll forgive myself.” When Danny replies incredulously “Forgive you?” Jane clarifies: “Not for my sake for yours. Because hating me is just a waste of your energy, it’s pointless. Just move on, drop it, find something to love.”
The wording can’t be a coincidence. Perhaps this was done to show the similarities between Red John and Jane. Or maybe it’s also been done to illustrate the similarity between Jane and Danny’s situations; being told by someone they deem responsible for the deaths of their loved ones to move on. The obvious difference is Jane’s culpability is only perceived by him and Danny, while Red John’s is unquestionable. Also, while Jane’s intentions towards Danny were pure, there is no way of knowing what Red John’s intentions towards Patrick are.
Jane must feel as much. He tells Red John that he will move on “When you’re dead.”
It seems to me that this statement means Jane will not risk loving anyone and/or moving on until he is assured that Red John won’t take everything away from him again. Now Jane is far from naive. Accidents happen, people get sick and die. It’s a fact of life. But he’s not about to risk moving on with a serial killer fixated on him on the loose.
Red John sighs at Jane’s stubbornness and says “I tried”, then gets up to walk away, taking his gun with him. Jane gets up as well and tells him that he can’t just walk away. Red John points out that Jane’s colleagues are gone. He asks Jane what he can do to stop him. Jane once more states he doesn’t in fact know this man is Red John.
-The implication here is that if Jane has proof he’ll then act. Jane was setting RJ up, knowing he wouldn’t be able to resist humiliating him one more time.
RJ rises to the occasion, giving Jane the proof he wants: “Fair enough. Your wife was very clean. She smelled like coal tar soap and lavender. You daughter smelled like sweat, and strawberries and cream. I expect it was some kind of kid’s shampoo.”
-Jane is visibly shaken at Red John’s words. Faced with the undeniable proof that this man is indeed the person who killed his wife and child, his breathing gets ragged. It is striking how young Simon Baker looks in this scene. I don’t know if this was done intentionally or not, but it makes Jane seem so vulnerable, so broken in comparison with Red John’s older, superior, smug, pitying smile.
Red John walks away once more. Jane calls out in a broken voice “Please, wait.” Red John turns around Jane walks up to him. They stand face to face then three gunshots go off and Red John falls dead to the ground. Jane continues to breathe heavily as he removes the gun he used to shoot Red John from his jacket pocket and places is on the table. He sits down to finish his tea and asks the waitress in a less than steady voice if he can get the check. She bolts in fear. Jane calms his breathing down and lets out a deep sigh as he finishes his tea. He then puts the cup down and raises his arms over his head when the mall security arrive pointing their guns at him.
The Aftermath and Expectations for Season Four
In the ‘Redacted’ review, commentors had me wondering:
What are Jane’s instincts? Is he the opportunistic deceitful psychic or the boy who cried when his dad pressured him into lying to a dying girl for money? T also pointed out that Jane is not a violent man by nature, so if that is also his instinct, does that mean he won’t be able to go against it even for revenge? For Jane’s sake (and the show’s) I know what I *want* the answers to be so I’ll be sending all my positive energy towards them.
This finale also reminded me of what Jane told Todd Johnson in ‘Red Moon’: “If you truly want revenge you have to be hard, you have to be dishonest, and devious and cold. You can’t let people see what’s in your heart.”
At the time I thought Jane was drawing from his own experience as a cold person. But later I wondered if Jane was simply describing what he knows he has to become to be able to carry out his vengeance.
Now viewers may think that the fact that Jane killed Red John practically in cold blood means that he is in fact a cold person; the deceitful psychic. I disagree. While I’m in no way happy over what happened, I do see a silver lining.
Yes, Jane killed Red John. But I very much doubt it was easy for him to carry out the murder.
Jane knew he’d found Red John the instant he hung up from his call with Lisbon. Jane is hardly a man who ever worries about proof once he’s positive about something. It’s what he and Lisbon are always arguing about in their cases: his decisiveness over whom the perp is without concrete evidence. He knew that the man sitting a few tables away was Red John. He knew!
So why did he ask him to prove he killed his family?
Now there’s the obvious reason that Jane didn’t want to kill the wrong man and had to be sure to satisfy himself that his family’s killer really is gone. But it seems to me that the reason Jane wanted proof, needed details, is because he wanted Red John to goad him into doing what he’d already set out on doing, to give him that final nudge, because otherwise, Jane might not have been able to kill him.
Because, again, Jane does not handle the macabre well! He is not a violent man, and that is why he watched Steiner kill himself in ‘The Red Mile’. Jane felt that he was getting close to catching Red John; that the time for revenge was approaching. If he couldn’t handle watching a man die, then how was he to kill Red John?
I had stated that if Jane watching Steiner die proved to be an important plot device then I would humbly beg Mr. Szentgyorgyi’s forgiveness for me mistakenly assuming he just used the event simply to shock viewers. And while I doubt Mr. S ever read any of these posts, this is me, humbling begging for his forgiveness.
Now I suspect another reason Jane asked for proof is because he knows it will be important in his trial (as is rumored one will take place). The fact that Jane surrenders so easily, coupled with his previously telling Ronald Crosswhite in ‘Red Alert’ that taking people hostage (and therefore ending up in jail) was a stupid thing to do, suggests that Jane does not plan on going to jail. I think he fully intends on fighting out his sentence in court and I dare say he has a very good chance of getting an acquittal as he’s already set a couple of people free from that fate (Eric Winter and Sean Meyers in Red Carpet Treatment).
More support to this theory is Jane telling Red John that he’ll move on with his life (find love, start a family) after Red John is dead. After this episode, there is no doubt in my mind as to who exactly Jane had in mind when he said that.
But life is not that simple. While RJ’s death might give Jane relief, I doubt it will give him peace. Just because RJ is dead, doesn’t mean that Jane’s guilt over killing his family will disappear. I really, really hope we get to see some sort of personal fall out after this. I don’t expect Jane to feel guilty for killing RJ, but I do want some serious reflection to be going on in his head. This event has to show some character growth for Jane. The fact that there are still a few years before the series ends (I think Baker renegotiated his contact to last four more seasons) hints that maybe, Jane’s quest for redemption has only just started.
I so hope this is true. We’ve had some hints, mostly spiritual symbolism which suggests it may be.
The writers have a fantastic set up for a season four. The only question is what they will do with it.
Now there are a few characters I suspect which will play a vital role next season, particularly when it comes to Jane’s fate. I’ve discussed them and their respective important scenes below:
J.J. LaRoche (Pruitt Taylor Vince)
LaRoche’s last scene in the finale is very critical:
Jane is walking the CBI hall, on route to setting up Bertram when LaRoche calls him from his office. Jane asks him what he wants, that he’s busy. Laroche: “Oh I can imagine. Busy boy.” He proceeds to ask about Hightower and if she’s still at the hotel room. Jane says yes and asks why LaRoche is asking. He says no reason but stares at Jane for a while after he’s left.
-LaRoche’s suspicious demeanor suggests that he somehow knows Hightower is not in the room. Now he either checked himself and didn’t find her, or he’s been talking to Bertram about the topic and realized that the room numbers he and Bertram were given are different. Either way, LaRoche knows at this point that Jane is up to something but is waiting to see how it will all play out. I wonder why he’d do that. Either he’s waiting for Jane to hang himself, or he’s curious to see what Jane will do with the information (suspects) he has. Or, J.J. wants more information before he decides on how to act. Whatever the case is, I think LaRoche will prove to be wild card in Jane’s trial. Before Jane threatened him, I would have been able to say that I believe he’ll end up helping Jane get an acquittal. Now, I’m not so sure.
Gale Bertram (Michael Gaston)
Bertram’s obsession with everything appearing publicly acceptable is a far cry from LaRoche’s hardnosed desire for the truth. I think Jane’s acquittal lies somewhere between a balance between their two extremes.
Bertram’s first important scene in the finale is when he’s looking at footage of Dinkler being blown up. J.J. Laroche (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and Lisbon apprise Director Bertram (Michael Gaston) of the crime and let him know that Dinkler was the victim; forced into the bomb vest. Bertram is more concerned with how the media will react to the incident and the public relations officer Brenda Shettrick (Rebecca Wisosky) concurs that the reporters are waiting for a statement.
-The purpose of this scene was two-fold: to introduce some of the main players (suspects) in this episode.
But a more implicit reason is to reinforce the idea that Bertram’s main concern (as always) is how the media will react to a situation, not necessarily the truth behind a given situation.
Later, Lisbon and LaRoche go to explain the resolution of the bomb case to Bertram, he tells Lisbon: “Well you seem no worse for wear. And I didn’t think it would work out that way to be candid.” Referring to Lisbon being strapped to a bomb vest.
-I am all over this line. First of all, there is no way Bertram could have known about Lisbon’s situation until after it was all over and I assume she then called LaRoche who probably would have called Bertram. But at that point it would have been clear that she was safe. So why did he say “I didn’t think” as if he knew about the situation as it was happening? I guess it could be a blooper. Or it could be that he really did know what was going on; i.e. is another RJ spy. But I don’t think so; the finale seems to have cleared him from suspicion. Most probably the tense discrepancy was done intentionally to keep Bertram under suspicion for the rest of the episode; since he is later a strong Red Herring.
Bertram then asks what was so important the Cash in Motion client lists. When Lisbon answers they’re still trying to figure it out he says never mind and that the case is closed.
Again Bertram’s careless stance here is probably another method to throw suspicion on his character. But now that we know he’s in the clear it’s continuity to his lack of attention to details. All-i-need once asked why LaRoche didn’t follow up on the other leads to Todd Johnson’s murderer once Hightower was suspected. It was a valid question since LaRoche seems very detail oriented. Probably, Bertram told him not to. He seems like he only acts when it’s absolutely necessary and doesn’t like wasting resources (or worrying) over details.
Considering Jane’s current situation, Bertram’s pragmatism could very well work in his favor.
But, again, now that Jane’s managed to insult Bertram into stating that he will be facing consequences, viewers are far less assured as to the role he will play.
On the other hand, in Red Alert, Bertram didn’t fire or suspend Lisbon after she forced him into giving her authority over a hostage situation. In that episode’s review I pointed out that it was nice to have Hightower’s claim in the premier that “Bertram’s all bottom line, he won’t let personal issues intrude” be reinforced. I also stated that his stance made me appreciate the character because it shows that he’s not vindictive.
Let’s hope, for Jane’s sake, that this will remain true in season four. If the cards are played right, then Bertram will perhaps be all too happy to help Jane out of jail depending on how good he can spin the circumstances of Red John’s death to work in his favor with the media.
Other characters I expect/hope to see in season four include Osvaldo Ardiles, Walter Mashburn, Brett Stiles, and Dr. Linus Wagner.
The fact that Assistant District Attorney Ardiles was introduced at the end of season three makes me wonder if he will be the prosecuting attorney at Jane’s trial. I hope so. For some reason, and despite his telling Cho in Rhapsody in Red (RIR) that the team won’t be getting any more help from him at the DA’s office, I really like this character. I have no concrete explanation for why other than the fact that when he, Lisbon and Cho were talking together in RIR, he didn’t lose his patience with Cho’s attitude as quickly as other people might have. He also seems to be (or at least was) on good terms both with Lisbon and with Jane. When he first came to talk to Lisbon, Jane was in her office and gestured for him to wait. After Jane was finished he tells Ardiles “she’s all yours”. Lisbon also calls him by his first name. It all just seems to hint that he’s a good guy. Plus there’s the fact that David Norona manages to makes him likable in spite of going head to head with Cho (a very popular main character). I think he’d be a worthy adversary and I hope he’ll be able to take Jane to task on his actions as well as knock him down a peg or two.
Walter Mashburn is an obvious pick simply because of how awesome Currie Graham played him and how quickly he became a favorite among fans. Mashburn and Jane hit it off ever since their first case together in Season 2 ‘Redline’. Walter’s playfulness and admiration for Jane (and Lisbon) only increased in season three’s ‘Red Hot’. The friendship coupled with Mashburn’s status as a powerful billionaire with ties and friends in the “Sherriff’s department and Mayor’s office” (as stated by him in Redline”) makes him the most likely ally Jane can have.
As to Brett Stiles (Malcolm McDowell) I previously raised the question on why episode ‘Blood on his Hands’ had him saying that he liked Jane when their previous meeting was anything but friendly. I also objected to his coming off so powerful and omnipresent that he seemed 2D and that we already have Red John as Jane’s archenemy and wondered if he would become important to the story. I think the finale gave me my answer. Stiles will play an important role in season four; either as Jane’s ally (which writers have set up when he told Jane he liked him) or as a new antagonist who actually likes sparring with Jane (not unlike Red John).
Stiles’s knowledge of Red John also raised the possibility that RJ was an ex-visualize member who went rogue and started his own cult. I stated that if that were the case then having FBI member Craig O’Laughlin simultaneously investigate Visualize and get closer to Jane’s team made a lot of sense.
It makes even more sense now. If RJ truly was ex-visualize, then it’s no surprise that he’d like to bring them down. It also explains why Stiles doesn’t like him and helped Jane find Kristina Frye.
Whatever the case is, the situation makes for very interesting possibilities. I look forward to seeing more of Stiles and what part he will take in season four.
As to Dr. Linus Wagner (Zeljko Ivanek), I’ve been dying to see him psychoanalyze Patrick Jane ever since he mentioned having written an article on trauma and its affect on the psyche in which he mentioned Jane (‘Ball of Fire’). Lisbon had also promised to testify on Wagner’s behalf at his sentencing if he helped her locate Jane alive. Wagner’s information did end up saving Jane so we can assume he’s been sentenced to life in prison as opposed to death row. Is it too much to hope for that Jane is placed in the same prison as Wagner pending his trial? I so enjoyed Wagner convincing Lisbon to testify for him and would love to see him and Jane converse. Zeljko Ivanek and Simon Baker would rock it.
Conclusion
I, like Lisbon, wanted Jane to see that violence is not the answer. But somehow I don’t think he could have lived with not killing Red John, not when he blames himself for his family’s murder and certainly not when it’s been his only reason for living for so long. I don’t like it. I hate it. But I understand it.
BUT. Now that he did it, I really, really hope he realizes that it doesn’t make anything better. He didn’t bring them back, and now that their killer is presumably dead, Jane may or may not be able to get over his guilt for causing their deaths, but he’s left with the fact that they are still dead. As to Lisbon. I can’t even imagine what her reaction would be.
But maybe all the religious aspects were foreshadowing the role she will play in all this. Just like the title was indirectly. I’ve stated several times this year that I think Lisbon will prove to be Jane’s salvation and I’m only more sure of it now…the episode’s title is not only a reference to the smell of Jane’s daughter. It’s also an indirect reference to Lisbon. Strawberries and cream: Lisbon’s pink dress with a white ribbon vs. the smell of Jane’s daughter. Present vs. past. Salvation versus destruction…
One thing I know for sure: all the references to Jane and Lisbon’s friendship, and all the evidence we’ve seen in this episode has me assured that Jane and Lisbon will somehow overcome this. I just don’t know how.
Finally, the timing of the finale happened to coincide with a major event this year; the death of what many consider a real life super villain Osama bin Ladin. I was going to write an entire essay titled “Life imitates Art” regarding this coincidence but Liv Einziger e-mailed me with her thoughts before-hand and summed up what would have been my exact musings had I been coherent enough to put them in writing. A good thing too as they would probably constituted pages of nonsensical drivel. Instead, readers get a few paragraphs of artfully expressed and concise thoughts:
I was just asking myself, what side is the show on?
Concerning The Mentalist’s main theme – Jane’s quest to find revenge against Red John – we were always presented with a battle between two points of view: Jane’s, that revenge is in a way fair and he has a right to it, considering what RJ did to his family and to him; and Lisbon’s, that he should be arrested and tried and that Jane shouldn’t become a murderer.
Well, I think both are valid points of view (on Jane’s side, maybe RJ could get away or walk away and he might continue harming people if he isn’t killed; on Lisbon’s, they represent the law and if Jane kills RJ, he’s no less a murderer than he is). Still, I think there is a matter of right and wrong here.
Well, my opinion now: I have always agreed with Lisbon and with the fact that, if Jane kills someone, he is just bringing more blood into his life, and more darkness, and I always thought that the idea of the show was to have him find redemption and give up the idea of murdering a man; that he needed to find a way to go on living his life even after what happened to him. But I always considered the possibility – which I’m not really okay with – that the show’s idea was the opposite; that the show was about him finding RJ and killing RJ, yes, and that’s it.
And now that the show has decided to have Jane kill Red John (assuming, of course, that that was RJ – but for all intents and purposes then, he was), I think it’s possibly some kind of alternative way to those two choices, black and white; maybe the show chose grey. And if that’s the case, I hope this is interesting and satisfying and that Jane can still find redemption somehow.
But I still think that maybe the show (and maybe even a part or most of the audience) considers it right that Jane killed RJ. And then I can’t avoid thinking of Bin Laden’s story. The American Government and many, many people from other countries considered it right that he was chased and murdered, after all, look at all the horrible things that he did. So that gives the US the right to take revenge by killing him.
Do you think that this might be the point of view of the show and of most of the audience? That Jane does have the right to kill RJ because of all the horrible things he did? Did you agree with Jane or Lisbon before all this?
Talk about food for thought.
I’m going to sum up by stating that I agree that Heller chose the road less travelled. Life is neither black nor white. Not being with something doesn’t necessarily mean you’re against it. Likewise the fallout from Jane’s choice should not be simply his going to jail (unlikely, or they’d be no show) or getting away scott free (if literally then not figuratively). Every good story has a moral. And I’m very much interested in seeing what the moral of the Mentalist is.
September 22 cannot come fast enough for me.
Best Scenes
I went crazy trying to decide which were the best scenes. So I’m letting the readers decide. Have at it in the comments.
Honorable Mentions
Ashley Gable, Bruno Heller, Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Bradley Whitford, Pruitt Taylor Vince.
Best Lines
“Frankly, this is less thrilling than you advertised and possibly wrong.”-Lisbon to Jane.
“Maybe he just needed to go the bathroom. Stress will do that to you.” Jane to Lisbon on why Dinkler would come to the bathroom.
“Please don’t say that, nothing is foolproof.” Lisbon to Jane about his plan being foolproof.
“Who has the key to the minibar?” Jane to Lisbon during the stake-out.
“I do and I’m keeping it, we’re on the job.”-Lisbon in response to the above.
“You’re on the job, I’m an amateur. Besides all I want is those expensive peanuts.”-Jane to Lisbon.
“Madeleine says hey.” Grace to Lisbon over the phone. LOVE the fact that Grace called Hightower by her first name. Makes me all warm and fuzzy.
“Stop being so confident, it makes me nervous.” Lisbon to Jane after he asks her to tell Hightower she’ll soon be exonerated. It’s interesting that while Jane’s over-confidence makes Lisbon nervous, his demeanor is probably a result of his own nervousness.
“Whenever you say that success is just around the corner.” –Jane to Lisbon on their stake out being a huge waste of time. This was fabulous because Jane’s statement is backed up by a previous similar stake-out Jane set up in episode “Crimson Casanova”.
“Can we move, please, because I can answer all your questions in motion. I’m clever like that. Thank you.”- Jane to Lisbon. Love how Baker read this line, softening Jane’s impatience with Lisbon with a joke and a thank you at the end. Small things make me happy.
Pet Peeves
-How did Gupta get a gun? Is it possible that Lisbon didn’t search him properly when she cuffed him? I doubt it. Could it be that one of the officers on the scene is another RJ mole and gave him the gun? Hmm. Interesting trivia: the officer who led Gupta into the car is played by Karl Sonnenberg; technical advisor to the show. If he is an RJ mole it could mean that we’ll be seeing more of him on screen. I’d ask if I thought he’d be allowed to answer. There was another officer too; the one who shut the door once Gupta was inside the vehicle and was sitting in the driver’s seat. I don’t know who that actor is.
Of course I completely understand if the gun was just a plot device to necessitate the shooting of Gupta and throw suspicion on LaRoche, but it would still be cool to see it addressed.
*Note: There are of course, more topics to be discussed. But frankly, I need to recover from this novel first. Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to comment and rate the post.
And for those who like fanfiction, I found a few excellent ones. They’re not all complete, but the ones that aren’t are being updated regularly. Enjoy.
Consultant Patrick Jane (Baker) arrives at a crime scene outside Auburn, California where he learns that Dr. Steiner ( recurring guest star George Wyner- Season 2’s ‘The Scarlett Letter’ and ‘Red Herring’) is the coroner handling the case. Agent Lisbon (Tunney) warns him to not tease the doctor which he always enjoys doing. The warning of course falls on deaf ears. The victim is Timothy Hartley (Ian Vogt) whose married to Peregrine Cook (Heather McComb), a member of wealthy family. When the body is stolen en route to the coroner’s office, Dr. Steiner (who feels responsible for its theft) asks Jane to tag along the case to help in any way he can. Grace’s fiancé FBI Agent Craig O’ Laughlin (Eric Winter) also joins the investigation stating that his agency has been investigating similar cases of stolen bodies. They think they are being sold to tissue banks for profit. Later, an alien possibility presents itself when Lisbon and the team learn that the victim believed he was abducted by extraterrestrials a few months prior.
Concise verdict
I had such a hard time with this one. It was written by Tom Szentgyorgyi who brought us one of the most thrilling episodes “Ball of Fire” which was also one of my favorites this season. Here, Mr. S gave us an episode with such great character moments. The Lisbon/Jane camaraderie is back in beautiful full effect (they haven’t been so in sync since season two). It also had lots of continuity, and a few very important scenes (VIS).
But the tone at the beginning and the end were in such extreme contrast it’s like they belong to two completely different episodes; a phenomenon that affected me so much it left me having to judge the episode based on its individual components to ensure objectivity. My conclusion: there was just way too much going on. You try to do too much and something is bound to end up lacking.
Here it is the Alien “mystery” that suffered the most. The case simply wasn’t very interesting; the concept of aliens has been done before but better (in House). It was also obvious from the very beginning who the killer was. The money jargon went over my head, and even Cho’s (Tim Kang) scenes which were supposed to provide comic relief weren’t as funny as they should have been. I actually found them awkward though I can’t put my finger on why I felt that way.
The Grace/Craig/Wayne plot line didn’t fare very well either; most of the scenes felt very rushed, especially in comparison to how nicely paced Jane’s scenes were with Dr. Steiner.
Of course it could be argued that Jane and Steiner’s scenes were so captivating that it was inevitable for the other scenes to be rendered not as interesting by comparison. But I contend that they didn’t have a fair shot to begin with. Since I rate episodes holistically not based on individual parts, I’m sorry to say that I can’t give this one higher than 8.5. It really is such a shame. This would have been a straight up 10/10 if the script had been a bit more focused.
That’s all I can say here without going into spoilers.
Read below for details, and be prepared for some tough love (emphasis on love).
Detailed AKA humongous review (spoilers galore)
As I already mentioned the beginning and the ending of the episode are so completely different it’s like being told the movie you’re watching is a romantic comedy only to have it end like a psychological drama. And while both genres are arguably enjoyable, it is very hard to pull them off in a single movie, much less in a single TV episode without something feeling very off.
In “The Red Mile”, not only is the combination awkward, it is also unsatisfactory. I’ve discussed the episode with a number of people now and know that I am not the only one who felt betrayed by the bait and switch. This isn’t like Red Moon where the cute opening deer scene was used at the beginning to contrast with the immediately following morbid crime scene. Here, viewers were intentionally misled into thinking that the episode was a lighter one, from the upbeat promo to its fantastically fun beginning. Even the title (referring to The Green Mile) wasn’t enough to indicate what would happen at the end. Such underhanded methods are not ones viewers expect from “The Mentalist”, which is usually the epitome of class. Nor I dare say, is such a method needed for this show; it’s The Mentalist for crying out loud.
Little Mender was kind enough to share her opinion on this aspect which elucidated my censure in a nutshell:
We’ve seen this pattern in several episodes this season, light-heartedness ending or bisected with a dark, sometimes troubling and often unsatisfying scene. I don’t know if it’s intentional, or just the sometimes seemingly unthought-out writing we’ve seen before. OR, are they just setting us up for a very dramatic season finale and trying to draw together as many story cords as possible (What WAS that with O’Laughlin, anyway?)? If the latter is the case, more clarity of thought needs to go into the writing. What I mean is, the writer(s) need(s) to establish EXACTLY what they’re trying to get across (the direction the want to take, the points they want to make, where they want to take the characters, how they want to affect the characters, etc.) and then write to that end.
Amen to that. And speaking of writing and story cords: the other reason I was so frustrated with this episode (enough to make me want to bang my head against the wall repeatedly) was the gem of an opportunity wasted here.
For some reason a few of the Mentalist writers this season are in such a hurry to tell their stories that they are giving untimely ends to their own highly promising plot lines. This has already happened twice before.
In ‘Red Hot’ we didn’t need for Lisbon and Mashburn to sleep together to know that they like each other. Simple drinks at the end of the episode would have been the perfect nightcap for that episode and it would have left more mystery regarding the relationship (an example of where this method was used effectively was in CSI’s highly intriguing Lady Heather/Grissom dynamic). This would have also given the Teresa/Walter pairing more possibility in the future. But it doesn’t seem like the writers intend to bring Mashburn back now and why would they? The attraction between him and Lisbon has already been (prematurely) consummated. Essentially, by letting that happen it seems that any hope for the pairing has been effectively destroyed.
Another example of a needlessly wasted opportunity was in episode ‘Bloodsport’ when the amusing Dr. Montague (Linda Park) told Rigsby a relationship between them wouldn’t work.
In this episode, there was no need for Dr. Steiner’s to commit suicide in the same episode he tells Jane that he’s dying of a fatal disease.
But more on that later.
First I’m going to discuss one of the subplots which was fighting for attention in the episode: The Rigsby-Van Pelt- O’Laughlin Drama (RVOD).
RVOD Scene # 1: The Trio at the Bullpen
Grace Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti) tells Wayne Rigsby (Owain Yeoman) that other occurrences where a dead body was hijacked had occurred in the past and the FBI was in charge of the cases. Because of that her fiancé FBI Agent Craig O’Laughlin (Eric Winter) joins the investigation. Out of Grace’s earshot, Craig approaches Rigsby to tell him that his boss sent him to work the case since he’s worked with CBI before and that “I’m not trying to get in your face.” Rigsby replies “didn’t think you were.”
Why is it that whenever Craig does something ‘nice’ he just seems more of a jerk? I’m starting to think the writers want us to suspect him. I would say they are being gracious and giving us inside knowledge so that we know the crash is coming even though the characters don’t. But this episode was so deliberately misleading that it’s more likely the writers are just using him as a red herring.
RVOD # 2: The Trio During the Shoot Out
Van Pelt’s gun is jammed (I guess. No proper explanation was ever given, due to the time constraint no doubt) and Craig who was in a better position to help her (i.e. take out the shooter) doesn’t. Instead Rigsby breaks his cover to come to her rescue.
Notwithstanding how expected that was (that Rigsby, not Craig would end up saving Grace), this scene could have used some more emphasis, maybe even a thank you from Grace and/or Craig to Rigsby for saving her. Plus, at this point it wasn’t really clear (to me at least) if Craig was or wasn’t in a position to help Grace. At least that’s cleared up later.
(RVOD) #3 Rigsby and Cho
In the CBI kitchen, Rigsby tells Cho that he thinks O’Laughlin “flaked on Van Pelt.” When Cho asks him what he means Wayne elaborates: “Well he saw she was in trouble and didn’t do anything. Guess he was scared.” Cho’s answer is a very short “It happens” followed by “Van Pelt doesn’t known this?” Rigsby answers that he doesn’t think so then gets to the crux of his problem: should he tell Grace. Cho replies that it’s a tough decision and that it’s Rigsby’s call.
I would have appreciated a lengthier conversation, but more than that I think that the fact that Rigsby wasn’t shown to be talking to O’Laughliln about this was a mistake. Rigsby had told him before to not hurt Grace or Craig will have to deal with him. In that vein, shouldn’t Wayne have confronted Craig for not rescuing the woman he’s about to marry? It just seems so out of character for the fiercely protective Rigsby to not do so. I think it would have given Rigsby’s eventual decision on whether to tell Grace or not more significance if he had talked to Craig about it first. It would have also given viewers a chance to see the latter defend himself.
Either it didn’t occur to the writers to include such a scene or they decided to drop it because there wasn’t enough time for it. If the latter is the case, then that problem could have easily been remedied (I’ll be discussing that in VIS #4).
(RVOD) # 4 Rigsby and Grace .
Rigsby decides to tell Grace about how Craig didn’t help her when he could have. She smiles at him waiting for him to speak, then frowns worried when he hesitates. Viewers can practically see Rigsby’s heart melt here and rather than risk upsetting her, Wayne instead tells her that he knows a ranger who works at the state park where she wanted to have her wedding, and says he’ll ask him if they’ll allow it.
Obviously, this scene was meant to show how much Grace means to Rigsby that he doesn’t want to sadden her by bad mouthing her fiancé. It’s also continuity to show that Rigsby is an angel, and that when it comes to Grace, his judgment isn’t very sound: he should have at least talked to Craig about not helping Grace even if he didn’t want to tell her about it.
Now that the love triangle’s been dealt with, let’s move onto the Very Important Scene’s (VIS’s) of the episode. I’ll start at the beginning.
VIS # 1: the episode opener
The opening scene was so good. So good! It was very funny but more importantly it served to further establish previously raised issues.
1- Jane joins Lisbon at the crime scene and when she asks him where he’s been he answers “hunting and gathering.”
Now this provides excellent continuity considering how Jane’s been continuously tardy to crime scenes this season. There has been many speculation as to why, but his statement here leads me to conclude that he’s pursuing his own investigation with regards to Red John’s mole and that’s what’s been keeping him busy (for more theories, see the comments of “Red Alert” review).
2- Both Jane (and regular viewers) are then delighted to hear that Dr. Steiner is the coroner on the scene, and Lisbon exposits for newcomers to the show about how much Jane loves to tease the coroner. She then asks him not to but of course her request falls on deaf ears. Jane gleefully heads over to where Steiner and the body are. There he learns that Steiner has enlisted the help of a deputy to keep him away from the body, saying that the mentalist has led him to desperate measures. But to the doctor’s dismay, Jane manages to pull a seemingly impossible trick. Later, Lisbon is trying to guess how Jane did it when she gets a call that the coroner’s truck had been hijacked and that the body was stolen. Both she and Steiner ask Jane if he had a hand in this which he denies. Lisbon asks him if he swears on his life, to which he responds: “on your life even.”
I love how Baker read that line. We have it in canon that Jane values Lisbon’s life more than his own (when he shot sheriff Hardy saving her life, in the season 1 finale) and this was such a beautiful humorous reference to that fact.
Again, this was a lovely, gorgeous, and beautiful opening scene. It gave me such high hopes for the rest of the episode; specifically that it will be just as “feel-good”. Ah the irony.
VIS #2 Lisbon and Jane regarding Steiner’s presence in the investigation.
1- Steiner asks Jane if he can help on the case. Jane welcomes him with open arms (he had previously invited the doctor for a cup of tea which the latter had refused). Jane tells rather than asks Lisbon of the arrangement and she agrees despite her confusion.
Lisbon’s passiveness here is more evidence that she’s starting to trust Jane. Or is she…?
2-Later, Lisbon asks Jane what the “game” with Steiner is. He says there is none. She asks “what’s he doing here then?” Jane evades replying “what are any of us doing here?” Lisbon pushes the matter, and starts to tell Jane that if this is one of his “gags” but doesn’t get a chance to finish. Jane, annoyed, interrupts her and stops mid-stride to say: “It’s not, he asked if he could come along and I said he could, alright? That’s it.” Lisbon is a bit taken aback at Jane’s terseness which he immediately covers up by continuing “We’re building bridges, mending fences, planting seeds…” and goes on until Lisbon repeatedly tells him that she gets it.
This is another scene I loved, and it’s such an overdue one too. It addresses the fact that Jane, whom we have it in canon wants Lisbon to trust him (Season 2 ‘Carnelian Inc.’), is getting annoyed that she’s starting to doubt everything he does. He can’t really blame her; she’s been duped too often by him to take him seriously anymore.
Another reason for Jane’s ire could be how well Lisbon knows him: she knew he had a reason for allowing the doctor to tag along and she was right: Jane was being amiable to the man because he suspected he was sick.
It’ll be interesting to see whether either fact will give Jane more incentive to be honest or more incentive to be furtive. If he thinks that Lisbon won’t believe him even if he tells the truth then he might think that there’s no point in being honest with her. Likewise, if he thinks Lisbon is starting to read him more easily, it might make him hold his cards even closer to his chest.
It should be noted that Jane not telling Lisbon that he’s letting Steiner tag along as a favor also fits with Jane’s MO of wanting to hide any “good” he does (Season 1,’ Red Handed’, Season 3 ‘Bloodstream’, among others. ) Jane doesn’t like receiving praise (regarding his heart, not his brains) most likely because he thinks he is undeserving of it.
Another possibility could be that Jane just wanted to protect Steiner’s privacy.
VIS#3 Jane and Dr. Steiner at the Cook Mansion
When the victim’s wife and her mother start arguing over whether he was crazy to say he’s seen aliens Jane leads Steiner to a lavish room in the mansion and offers him a scotch from a liquor table. They sit to share a drink and Steiner calls Jane out on his niceness:
“You know that I’m sick. Why would Patrick Jane of all people invite me to a fancy house and put a first-rate scotch in my hand if he didn’t know.”
Jane answers that the doctor has lost weight and that his pallor suggests he’s being heavily medicated. Steiner admits that he’s dying, that he has a month or so left. Jane is appropriately disturbed and expresses his sorrow. Steiner thanks Jane for the distraction. Jane then suggests Steiner take a cigar from the room while he snoops around. Steiner muses that the only time he recalls being in such a fancy place was examining a body who died accidentally during an autoerotic ritual. Jane answers that he bets the man died with a smile on his face and the two share a laugh.
This was such a beautiful and profound scene. In fact, this scene would have served as the perfect ending to this episode. After the case is solved, Steiner confronts Jane on allowing him to help and the exact same conversation takes place as the two are sharing drinks (perhaps from a bottle Jane stole from the mansion) with a fade out to the sound of the two laughing at Jane’s remark on Steiner’s story.
That way, the episode would have not have ended on an entirely different tone than the one it started out with. It would have been made serious due to the fact that Steiner was dying but would have still retained some lightness due to the new friendship between the two men.
Alas it was not to be…
VIS #4 Jane and Steiner at his house – AKA the beautifully acted and profound but frustratingly premature and conflicting (with the rest of the episode’s tone) scene.
Jane arrives at Steiner’s home after the case is solved. The latter thanks him once more for letting him tag along on the case then tells Jane why he invited him over: Steiner states that he has no intention of waiting for his disease to kill him painfully; he wants to commit suicide via pill overdose, and wants Jane “a law enforcement officer” to witness his death so that no autopsy will be needed to investigate his death. Jane is appropriately taken aback at the revelation and is very quick to point out that he’s not a law enforcement official. Steiner answers that Jane’s close enough. Troubled, Jane states honestly that he doesn’t think he can do it and that “I’m not sure killing yourself is the best idea”. Steiner states firmly that he’s going to do it and Jane responds that it’s his choice but it’s clear that he doesn’t agree. He doesn’t say anything further and Steiner accepts Jane’s refusal. He walks him to the door, apologizing but Jane stops with his hand at the doorknob and asks Steiner if he has tea. Steiner says that he does and shows Jane to the kitchen where he proceeds to make himself a cup. The doctor says he’s going to the other room (to take the pills which will kill him) to which Jane responds “take your time”. The next scene has Jane pouring them tea, and they drink together. Steiner whose breathing is getting shallower ventures a guess as to how Jane pulled off the trick with the victim’s body at the beginning of episode, saying that he had a previous arrangement with the deputy. Jane smiles and admits it, saying that it’s an “old carnie magic trick”. Seeing Steiner’s interest, Jane elaborates that he started with coins and cards and proceeds to show Steiner how he can make a coin disappear in his hand. He does this repeatedly to distract Steiner saying “it’s there, then it’s gone.” After a couple of times of this Steiner, whose breathing is getting heavier says: “Patrick, thank you.”
Jane, knowing that the end is near, tells the doctor “Just watch the coin.” It’s almost like Jane wants to pretend that they’re just having a normal conversation. Either that or once more he’s avoiding having to hear someone thank him.
Jane finally stops after Steiner passes on to remove his teacup from his hands.
Distressed, Jane then quietly resumes drinking his tea.
Firstly I’d like to say that this was one of the most powerful scenes in the Mentalist ever. It was very well written and beautifully acted. I love how Jane’s initial reaction was refuse the doctor’s request. It is very in character as we have it in canon that Jane does not handle the macabre very well. It also gives his changing his mind later much more significance: to have the often self-serving and seemingly selfish at times Jane do such an altruistic favor for a man he didn’t really like (at least at first, other than to amuse himself with) truly speaks to his compassion and reminds us of his generous side which has been painfully absent this season.
That being said, I have major issues here:
– Story wise, such a moving scene deserved a more gradual set up. It would have been more effective if in a few episodes (or even the start of next season) Steiner shows up to ask Jane (whom he knows is ill) for the same favor he asked him here. All that was needed to achieve this is to change the script from Steiner having only one month to live to a few more. This would have solved the problem of the awkward genre combination in this episode and allowed for more gradual character growth and development (Jane’s). Also, holding this powerful scene for later would have allowed for more attention to be given to the other plots in the episode, thus solving the problem of them being glossed over. But more importantly….
– While I appreciate what Jane agreeing to stick around as Steiner dies says about his humanity, I don’t appreciate the writer’s need to turn the show into a “torture Jane” angst fest. I know firsthand that watching someone die is not easy. You’re never the same afterwards no matter what the circumstances are. There really better be a very good point to this because the Mentalist is not about shocking people. I know that because I’ve seen the first two seasons and have read early Heller interviews.
– While Jane here doesn’t encourage Steiner to do his deed, having a character commit suicide on-screen hardly sends a positive message to viewers. God knows the point of TV is not to provide morals; and yet, that’s exactly what the Mentalist used to do indirectly, once upon a time. I was recently re-watching one of my favorite mentalist episodes, ‘Flame Red’ by Ashley Gable. The killer in that episode committed his crimes out of vengeance, but we didn’t see Jane applauding him or lauding his actions despite being able to emphasize with him. Jane was, at the very least, ambivalent towards the killer and at the most hiding his disgust with him. Although he does tell him good luck at the end. The difference between that Jane and the one in this season was striking. This is understandable as Jane has been through a lot. His run in with Red John in particular (Season 2, ‘Red Sky in the Morning’) has changed him, made him edgier and subsequent events only served to make him more motivated than ever to catch the killer. But this is exactly why Patrick didn’t need the additional stress of witnessing a man commit suicide. Unless the writers are purposely trying to desensitize him. If that is the case, I must object. Jane is already jaded enough as it is. While he is bound to get used to death seeing as he deals with it on a daily basis I see no reason why that process needs to be expedited. An unaffected character does not make for an interesting character. Speaking of which…
– Any psychologist will tell you that de-sensitizing an audience is not the wisest move because then you’re left with needing to continuously raising the “shock” factor and before you know it you end up in Tarantino land. Obviously I’m exaggerating (no offense to Mr. Quentin, I like his movies) but I’m trying to make a point here. The show has already renewed Baker’s contract so, again, why the hurry to subject Jane (and viewers) to such emotionally draining situations? And this wasn’t even a Red John episode. It’s not like the series will end any time soon (God willing).
I’m not going to discuss the “A plot” (the case) as it was only as a backdrop for the rest of the episode (another reason why this episode didn’t get a higher rating is how obvious this was). In that sense, ‘The Red Mile’ reminded me a lot of ‘Jolly Red Elf‘ in that I wasn’t particular interested in the case. But what’s different is that in that episode, the case was woven so intricately with Jane’s personal growth. Yes, we didn’t care about Santa’s death but the fact that the victim was an addict allowed Jane to ponder his own addiction.
I guess therein lies the million dollar question: how will this episode’s ending affect Jane? There also lies the nub of the problem with a few of the episodes this season: continuity is always a good thing, but a viewer shouldn’t have to wait to watch the next episode to decide if they like the direction the current one facing.
To conclude…
The Red Mile has some of the best scenes written for the show, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to a cohesive episode. Also, the balance has officially been tipped this season. While we used to get a few dark episodes per season, it now seems that gloom is becoming the new norm of the show. I am starting to fear that The Mentalist is very quickly losing what made it special: its good storytelling and its delicately subtle positive outlook which tempers the shows dark premise.
Just like living is much harder than dying (Jane chose life, even if only for vengeance) writing profound episodes without resorting to extreme plot devices is much more impressive. I respectfully and sincerely beg the writers to show more restraint in the future.
Best Scenes
The winner: VIS #4 Jane and Steiner at his house – AKA the beautifully acted and profound but frustratingly premature and conflicting (with the rest of the episode’s tone) scene. Another name could be “The one the rendered the rest of the episode forgettable and of very little consequence”. Despite my many qualms with the scene it was excellently written; very moving and gently haunting. Myner was very good depicting his character’s fear at the inevitable pain and distress at being “the body at the table.” Baker was even better. He exuded such warmth despite Jane’s inner conflict over what was going on. How is it that this man does not yet have an Emmy or a Golden Globe?
1st runner up: Steiner telling Jane he’s dying. See VIS # 3 for details.
2nd runner up: Opening scene. See VIS #1 for details.
Honorable mentions
Simon Baker and George Myner
Frances Conroy: the mother in law Elspeth (cool name). Her great acting kept me somewhat interested in the A plot
Heather McComb as Peregrine (another cool name) Hartley. She was very convincing as the utterly devoted wife, ready to believe her husband was abducted).
Best Lines
“Dammit, who steals a body.” I love petulant Lisbon.
“On your life even.” Jane to Lisbon when she asks him if he swears on his life he had nothing to do with the body’s disappearance.
“Steiner loves the attention.” Jane to Lisbon, excusing his teasing of Steiner.
“You have driven me to desperate measures.” Steiner to Jane, on having a deputy protect the body from him.
“It’s the butler! The butler! I’ve always wanted to say that!” -Jane.
“When the aliens do come, I hope they eat you.”-Lisbon to Jane.
Okay, here’s a poll for readers, but please share your opinions in the comments as well.
Finally, a couple of stories based on this episode have been written over at fanfiction.net and I thought I’d share them here:
*All material posted in this blog is the intellectual property of reviewbrain (unless otherwise stated). Readers are free to make use of the information provided they cite the source (this blog) either by name (reviewbrain’s blog) or by linking to it. Please extend the same courtesy to the authors of the comments as well (by mentioning their names) to ensure that credit is given where credit is due.
Lisbon and company are called to a crime scene where a young woman’s body had washed up on the Sacramento River shore. While at the scene, Jane gets a call from Agent Vint Molinari (guest star Eric Pierpoint) from CBI‘s Missing Person’s department saying that he got a new lead on Kristina Frye’s case. Jane joins Molinari at an empty house where they find a small Red John smiley drawn in Kristina’s blood over a cot and a rag doll in a room with multiple locks on the door. Lisbon suggests taking the case from Missing Person’s but Molinari declines saying he suspects Kristina faked her own disappearance. Jane agrees that the case shouldn’t change hands without elaborating on his reasons. Meanwhile, the river victim is identified as Celia Jovanovich who was a member of the religious cult Visualize. Once more Jane crosses paths with their enigmatic leader Brett Stiles (Malcolm McDowell). This time, Stiles informs Jane he has information regarding Frye and Red John.
Concise Verdict
With “The Blood on His Hands” Executive producer Tom Szentgyorgyi brings us mystery, intrigue, a car crash, and a shooting. Most importantly, the fate of Kristina Frye, Jane’s short lived romantic interest is finally shown. On the other hand, it left many questions unanswered and was quite a downer. But for what it lays to rest I’m giving it an 9/10.
Detailed, AKA humungous review (spoilers galore)
First I’d like to discuss the fact that ex-lovers Rigsby and Van Pelt’s feelings were addressed in this episode.
This wasn’t the first time. In season two’s “Blood Money” Wayne asks Grace if they’re ok; he had started dating immediately after the break-up. She answers (with some surprise) that he’s moved on then states that she has too.
They may have had each other fooled, but I doubt viewers were. Rigsby’s pined for Grace for so long before they got together. And if the devastated look on his face when she broke off the relationship (season two “Aangivite Baa”) was anything to go by, then we can assume that he was dating on the rebound, trying to ease his pain. As to Grace, her statement that she’d moved on as well was hardly convincing. So I am happy that the issue was revisited in this episode’s first Very Important Scene (VIS). And it was set up so nicely too.
First VIS: At the start of the episode Rigsby comes in late to work and Grace notes that he has lipstick on his cheek. She later overhears him making dinner plans and makes some snarky remarks about his love life, warning him to not let it affect his job. Finally, Grace admits to Rigsby that she isn’t quite over him, that seeing him with someone else hurts her. But she adds that she’ll get over it and that she wants them to be friends.
This was such a nice, well written and well acted scene. It’s nice to see television characters actually act like mature adults. It’s one of the show’s strong points (notwithstanding Baker’s character of course J)
As it is, Grace will have the opportunity to get over Rigsby sooner rather than later. “The Blood on His Hands” introduces FBI Agent Craig O’Loughlin played by Eric Winters whom most know has been brought in to play the role of a romantic interest for Grace. He hasn’t made much of an impression here yet but it’s still early days.
The second VIP has to do with the more serious aspects of the episode. During the course of their investigation in Celia Jovanovich’s death, Jane interviews Brett Stiles. The latter reveals that he has information regarding Red John and Kristina Frye, but in fact shares nothing significant. Instead he seems to relish pointing out Red John’s obsession with Jane and determination to take away those close to him. He adds that it’s a form of love. Later on, Stiles does help Jane. He gives him the address of where Kristina is being held. I’m assuming it’s his extending the proverbial olive branch; both CBI and FBI had been gunning for Stiles but failed to charge him. However, despite Stiles saying that he likes Jane; his motives remain unclear. So how does Stiles know so much about Red John? Is Red John (or one of his accomplices) a member of visualize? Was he in fact, a creation of Stiles that went rogue? I’m not sure we’ll ever find out.
The third VIP occurs after Kristina is found. Viewers are told earlier in the episode that it’s been 4 months since Frye’s disappearance. Kristina is found physically safe; albeit in a catatonic state, and viewers are no doubt just as off put by her demeanor as Jane is. Her silence does, however, make for a rather chilling conclusion; the scene when does speak is that much more effective.
Lisbon, unable to draw Kristina out of her stupor, leaves Jane to take over the interview. He is at first gentle with the woman. “Kristina listen it’s Jane. You remember me. I know you do,” he says, his voice as tender as could be. He then attempts light humor, by asking her what was the worst date she ever had, referring to their dinner together shortly before her disappearance. When she remains unresponsive his coaxing turns desperate: “Krisitina, please. Please stop this just speak to me,” Jane pleads, placing his hands on hers.
It is a heartbreaking moment and to further underline the emotions involved, Director David M. Barret shifts the camera to Lisbon and the team looking on from the two way mirror; their faces clearly concerned at Jane’s distress.
In a bittersweet gesture, Jane leaves the room to make Kristina and himself some tea. Jane’s love for tea is well established and he’s obviously hoping it will make the woman feel better. As it is, Rigsby’s kind comment “I guess tea is always worth a try,” gives Jane a better idea.
He conducts a séance requesting the presence of Kristina’s departed soul. It works. “I can hear you Patrick,” she finally responds. “Well thank you. Thank you for speaking to me,” Jane answers. It is interesting that Jane’s tone here is almost sarcastic. Kristina claims that she is dead, but is happy in the afterlife. Jane tells her she’s alive, to which she responds that he’s in denial. When he asks her about Red John she says she doesn’t understand what he’s talking about.
It is quite the anti-climax and Jane seems equal parts disappointed and disgusted. At least part of his aggravation seems to be directed at Kristina, understandably so. He had to resort to using the very tricks he despises in psychics to communicate with her. And yet, he got nothing to show for his trouble. Also, Kristina’s insistence that she’s dead can only be frustrating to Jane whose family really has passed away. It is no wonder that Jane rather abruptly puts out the candle, ending his séance with Kristina, without trying harder to glean more information from her, or even to hypnotize her.
Thankfully, the episode’s fourth and final VIS makes up for it a bit.
Jane mentioned once (ironically, to Kristina in her debut episode) that he likes the bullpen couch because the noise soothes him. But so far this season; Jane had neglected his beloved couch for the CBI attic. This ties into the theme set in the season three premiere that Jane is distancing himself from Lisbon and the team. In fact at the beginning of this very episode when Jane and Lisbon first hear about the break in Kristina’s case, Jane escapes Lisbon’s worry and questions by going to the attic. For her part, Lisbon seemed both annoyed and disturbed by this. And yet, she makes no move to follow him. I’m assuming it’s because she wants to give him space as well as maintain a professional distance in their relationship.
But Jane, after his upsetting interview with Kristina, opts to sit on his couch rather than go to the attic. I found it a very telling gesture. His presence there could mean that he doesn’t want to be alone. It is probably as far as Jane would actually go to reaching out to someone. And Lisbon coming up to him, asking him if she can sit down, is probably as far as she can go, as his boss, to telling him she’s there for him. He gestures to her, tells her that it’s okay and she joins him on the couch, leaving plenty of space between them. The symbolism is actually quite clever. Both have reasons to pull away but are meeting each other halfway; the bullpen couch is safe territory.
As to why they feel such a distance is necessary; well, I’ll leave that to readers to speculate on in the comments 🙂
Honorable mentions:
It really goes without saying that Baker is an amazing actor. But in this episode; especially in his interview with Kristina, he got to show off his wide range of acting prowess. Viewers will be hard pressed to take their eyes off him.
I enjoyed Eric Pierpont who plays Vint Molinari of the missing person’s division in CBI. Though he had very little screen time he made a serious impression on me and I hope to see him again.
Last but not least, Leslie Hope has made Kristina into a truly compelling, haunting character. I’d be hard pressed to decide if she’s a deluded person, a hoax, a true psychic, or even one of Red John’s minions.
Best Scenes
The winner: Jane’s questioning of Kristina. See third VIS above for details.
1st runner up: Jane and Lisbon on the couch. See fourth VIS above for details.
2nd runner up: Cho and Lisbon’s questioning of the Visualize staff. Hilarious.
Best Lines
“Why don’t we just skip the part where you lie to me and get right to the part where you tell me what you’re going to do?”- Lisbon to Jane.
“It’s been about half an hour. This is outrageous. I’m getting bored.” – Jane
“Mr. Stiles is calling in every important person he knows to try and get us fired. It’s takes time.”- Lisbon
“That’s a neat trick.”- Cho, in response to Lisbon saying that Stiles seems to get to Jane.
“Yeah, I wish he’d teach it to me.”- Lisbon, in response to the above.
“Yeah, it’s creepy.”- Cho in response to Grace’s comment on how truly happy the visualize people look.
Pet Peeves
I don’t like the idea of Brett Stiles acting like an all-knowing omnipresent presence in the series. He was a character I used to love to hate, someone I enjoyed watching spar verbally with Jane. But here, well, I just plain hate him. It doesn’t help that he seems to have undergone a personality change since we’ve last seen him:
“Patrick. I like you. I like your vim.”
Huh? Since when? His condescending words don’t make him very likable either.
“And Red John, he seems to be a perfectly unpleasant sort of fellow. If I knew how to get you even half a step closer to him, I would cross desert waste to tell you. But I don’t know.”
Now, Malcolm McDowell read the above line perfectly. The obvious lie to Jane was utterly despicable, as was intended I’m sure. But even McDowell couldn’t save this next line:
“My dear chap, I know so much more than you or Red John could ever imagine.”
Please. How banal. Are the viewers supposed to be impressed? This is character assassination. Brett Stiles went from being an intriguing, worthy antagonist I enjoyed to a 2-dimensional clichéd super villain. We already have Red John for that, thank you very much.
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