Seeing Rose Colored Glasses With New Eyes

Tonight I watched the Season 2 gem, Rose Colored Glasses.  It made me realize three important things.  First of all that an ep that is mostly comedy still can give amazing insights.  Secondly that we should have known that Lisbon lied to Jane.  Lastly that Red John will always be around...just not the literal man.  So thus a review of the episode.  The photo belongs to  Spoiler TV (because I had to look for it).  Please don't sue  me, I gave you credit.

Plot: Rigsby has to pose as Derek Logan a former student of a high school whose horrible bulling leads to three deaths (his and that of Selby and Jana Vickers). Jane uncovers that the killer is no other than Miss Popular now regional tv personality, Willa Brock.

So it was the Clarinet:
In last season's Red, White and Blue, Jane says to Lisbon, "You played the clarinet."  In this episode Lisbon denies playing the instrument which is Jane's first guess after revealing the real Lisbon.  Watching this episode again I noticed more clearly how Robin Tunney had her voice go high when saying no to that instrument.  Which is always an indication with Lisbon that she's lying (see the most recent episode- Green Thumb).  Bravo to whomever (Robin, the director Dan Lerner, writer Leonard Dick or anyone else) who made sure it was evident Lisbon was lying.  Kudos also to Tony Astrino who then showed Lisbon was lying in the aforementioned episode.

Lisbon tries not to react to Jane saying that Lisbon was driven to a point of almost having an ulcer.  She gives the truthful head nod that she doesn't have time for superiors who aren't as smart as she is.   She seems surprised at the not hanging with girls apart and almost has a laugh at the not giving boys time.  He thinks he had her all figured out and almost did but was wrong on that part.  Kudos to Ashley Gable for then including Greg, the ex fiance in season 4.

It must still be shocking and thus scary how well Jane reads her.  He even knows her better than she knows herself at this time.  So Lisbon isn't going to be truthful with him and lies about playing the clarinet.  He won't know all of her, she'll keep some secrets.  Though I will venture a guess now that Jane could tell she was lying and kept up the guessing for his own amusement and to make her squirm a bit.

There Will Always Be Evil:
When Jane is telling the audience what Willa did and why, I realized how much like Red John her character was.  They both appear normal, can fit into society, no one would expect them to be a killer.  They both could have been considered weak.   They are both vain (RJ can't take someone else scrapping up his credit, Willia keeps the incriminating photos because they are of her).  Jane says that Willia enjoyed always having power over people and liked destroying them (like Derek).  She took great pleasure from it.  She used Selby like a tool...he was never her friend.  But she had built up a secret power structure where she was in charge but no one really knew it.  Golly, that does sound like Red John who used his tools (he didn't have friends), wanted power, controlled a group secretly and took pleasure from destroying people.  Neither of them felt any remorse for their murders either. 

Red John is dead.  The one who took Jane's happiness away is forever gone.  But there are more people like him out in the world.  They don't have to be serial killers but people who take pleasure in ruining another.   Jane has a purpose in the world- to get all these Red Johns in whatever form they come in to bring peace to the victims and their families.  It is quite poetic and now an idea that Jane realizes in the present episodes.

The Dance:
Of course in light of recent events the dance is more of a cute moment than the high intensity of the current hugging Jane and Lisbon do.  But it is still significant.  Yes, Jane is trying to get Lisbon's mind off of Rigsby and why he played Derek but the real motivation is happiness.  When Lisbon hears the song "More Than Words", the closed off woman who has lied to him about what instrument she played in school, suddenly opens up.  Her admission that she loved the song and her smile of happy memories it might conjure (maybe it was her song with Greg) show Jane a new side of Lisbon.  He is delighted that she isn't yelling at him, or thinking about the case and that she is being honest.  The happiness on his face shows it as well as repetitive "You love this song," as if he is telling himself this isn't a dream.   When he offers to dance with her she gets scared.  Lisbon doesn't want him to think that she likes him (even at this point she does).  He gives her an out about her pretending that he's that cold guy from school that she never talked to.  She agrees, letting her heart rule her mind for once.  At this point in the series Lisbon is still trying to bend Jane to her way and they don't have the partnership that they did in later seasons when Lisbon goes along with the schemes.  So this is a big character development moment and shift in their friendship for Jane and Lisbon.

Now here is where the cute moment turns deep.  Lisbon relaxes with Jane, closing her eyes and putting her head against his shoulder.  She's at her most open, her most free, her most peace.  Even more free than she was after her night with Mashburn.  Jane is seeing the real Teresa Lisbon as they dance to a song she loves.  For him it becomes a much freer moment than he probably expected.  He's close with someone not just physically but emotionally in that moment and it feels right.  They fit perfectly together and move in sync and nothing is weird or off (like the kiss that reunion goer gives Lisbon at the beginning of the ep, or Jane debating his ring with both Kim and Kristina).  They are safe, they are happy and it is a perfect moment.  He can still prod her and she doesn't mind.  Jane doesn't mind anyone seeing him on the dance floor with another woman that isn't Angela.  He doesn't need alcohol.  Lisbon doesn't mind anyone seeing her with a man on the dance floor.  It doesn't feel like they are doing anything wrong because they aren't.  Contrast that with Lisbon hiding from Jane in Mashburn's room and Jane feeling uneasy with the two K's.  Thus this "cute" moment has much greater depth to and demonstrates that if the show decides to elaborate on the Jane/Lisbon chemistry in a full out romantic sense it could work well.

Other Things:
-This episode also showed how Grace and Lisbon were able to use some Jane logic to get to conclusions.  I also appreciated when TM  did this.

-Owain Yeoman is so awesome at comedy- he really shined in his Derek Logan scenes.

-Cho's "You're brain's a fool."  Not only the line but Tim Kang's delivery- perfection.

-Van Pelt assures that Selby and Jana didn't need a great place or money- they loved each other and that was all that matter. 

Now you should play "More Than Words" and find at least your dog to dance with.  Thanks for reading!

Ten Eps to Rewatch During the Hiatus

The title of this post really explains it all- these are ten episodes of The Mentalist that I choose as must sees during our holiday hiatus.  I purposely excluded any season 6 episodes and Devil's Cherry which just reaired Sunday night.  I will explain why these ten are important to watch again after the end of Red John and the beginning of Jane's new life with the FBI.  I will also explain the reasons for economical dissatisfaction...okay, we'll save that for another post. ;)

Pilot- Not only is it the first episode of the series but it shows a much different Jane than we see today.  Jane, at this point, hates himself so much that he sleeps under the sign of the Devil himself.  He is making himself forever live in that nightmare.  Now at the FBI after killing the madman that changed his world, Jane has found peace and doesn't have that self hated.  He actually feels deserving of getting his demands met and bringing Lisbon back in his world.  See how much Jane's influence turned bossy, closed off Lisbon into the sweet but sassy agent we now know.   This pilot is dark while My Blue Heaven shows the sunlight on Jane's new life.

Red Hair and Silver Tape- Everyone must rewatch the episode that introduced Red John himself.  Xander Berekley does a brilliant job at playing Sheriff Tom McAllister as a man with something brimming beneath the surface.  Jane dislikes him, as does Lisbon, Cho, Van Pelt and Rigsby.  There is something off about this guy but we don't know what yet.  Rigsby gets to send McAllister on his butt which will change the course of the show (we now know).  McAllister begins to really play a game with Jane and doesn't kill the other CBI team members because they are part of his chess pieces.  Notice how McAllister looks at the dead girl with almost...hunger.  The episode also features the first image of strong Lisbon as she takes down a suspect (contrasting to Jane waiting for someone to save him).  It also shows the division between Jane and Lisbon that will continue until Jane kills Red John.  Lisbon feels horror for killing the murderers in self defense while Jane will take others' lives during the course of the series without much grief.

Red Badge- Not only is this a showcase for Robin Tunney it full explores the character of Teresa Lisbon.  Written by the great Ashley Gable, RB, awakens us to how much hell Lisbon went through as a child, what she still has to deal with as a boss and the demons she fights on a daily basis.  Unlike Jane though, she doesn't let her demons eat her away.  Instead she tries to help herself and relies on her faith.  Now at the FBI, Lisbon is finally making her own choices in life and choosing to be partnered with Jane and leave boring security behind.

His Right Red Hand- Another Ashley Gable treat as Jane discovers that Bosco's secretary, Rebecca works for Red John and has murdered the CBI agents within their own house.  This is one of the best episodes of the series and since the reveal one of the most profound.  We learned this season that Smith gave the credentials for either RJ or an associate to poison Rebecca.  This was a huge clue that anyone involved with the CBI wasn't the smile face killer.  By this time McAllister is as obsessed with Jane as Jane is with him.   He has Bosco's team killed because he only wants Jane to try to find him.  In the end it is only Jane that literally chases him down.  The episode also foreshadows what Lorelei will tell Jane- Rebecca says that RJ and Jane are so much alike.  Plus this shows that the CBI isn't a clean facility and has traitors among it.

Red Moon- This episode left us with so many questions that now can be answered.  We learned about "Tyger, Tyger", what Todd Johnson meant by "it is a lot bigger than you can imagine" and why Todd had to burn (tattoo erasure).   Bruno Heller's script and Simon Baker's direction also show how a madman can be so normal seeing.  When we first meet Todd we feel sorry for him this continues until we discover with Jane what lurks in the heart of the man.  Notable pains like Ellis Mars are not scary.  What is scary is the people who can act like everyone and lurk in the shadows.  This turned out to be further proof that Red John was just going to be "ordinary".

Strawberries and Cream- It seems like Gable and Heller are the two writers of the moment!  Here they are working together on one of the finest scripts.  There are three huge moments that need further viewing since Red John's demise.  The first one is Lisbon wearing the bomb and Jane not only standing by her but helping to take down Gupta.  Neither Jane and Lisbon at this point can put into words what they mean to each other (now they write letters and change locations).  Jane is ready to die with Lisbon and thus giving up on killing Red John.  That is a huge.  It shows their deep friendship, love, whatever you want to call it. The second big moment is Jane on the phone with Gupta as Gupta tells him that he is a religious man but it isn't something Jane can understand.  Goes to show now that not only did McAllister steal from Visualize's playbook but he treated his Tyger,Tyger group like a cult.  People will do anything for what they believe in.  The third moment is of course Jane and Tim Carter.  The whole sequence is major but it is what Jane does after he kills Carter that holds the most weight.  He sits down, offers to pay for his tea and sips.  He is happy.  Now fast forward to actually killing Red John.  He isn't happy.  He did what he had to but it is at the cost of the CBI, his friendships, his freedom and Lisbon.  Boy, Jane is a changed man.


So Long, Goodbye, Farewell and Thanks for All the Red Snapper- Two goodbye stories play out here- Cho and Summer and Lisbon and her dreams.  The Cho storyline was great for Tim Kang who showed some great sides to his character.  For Lisbon this episode has her making peace with the fact that she choose a more hectic life.  There won't be a settling down, there may not be a husband or kids and that is okay.  Lisbon is happy being the boss at CBI.  After the CBI closes, Lisbon finds herself going back to the confront of a Greg like life- quiet but nice.  As Jane told her in his ep it isn't what she wants.  So Lisbon chooses on her own to go for the crazy, the intense...to work again with Jane.  Now Lisbon's smile is at it's brightest.

The Crimson Hat- Jane fakes his breakdown to give Red John what he really wants- him.  This episode now shows that Red John/McAllister saw Lisbon as his competition for Jane's love.  Why else would he ask for her head?  Goes to show probably why Sophie had to lose her head- she had cared for Jane, there were hints that they could have been something more if it wasn't that he was her patient.  This must have threatened McAllister- how dare she "love" his Jane!  Not to mention he screwed up Kristina's head and she had gone out on a date with Patrick.  The episode also shows Jane and Lisbon apart for six months.  Jane is a shell of himself.  He might think he's winning but he looks horrible.  Lisbon is depressed.  She initiates communication which he ignores.  Their reunion in the church involves no touching, some yelling instead.  Contrast this with the present- the two years apart finds Jane trying to communicate.   Jane and Lisbon are trying to be happy.  When they see each other again they have a intense hug and huge smiles.  Their relationship has changed.  For Jane he knew as he thought he was getting RJ that he cared for Lisbon (thus the hug, love you).  He begins at this stage to literally hold on to her like a lifeline.  By doing so he will be able to be calm enough in season 6 to figure out and kill RJ.

Red, White and Blue- This episode has the murder victim parallel Lisbon and the guy that loved her parallel Jane.  Lucy liked blues, couldn't be bought, was moral, took care of her friends, cared for Pete but was scared to start something with him.  Pete is damaged, the past haunts him, he tries to save the woman he loves but can't.  The episode says that Lucy and Pete could have been happy together if they had given it a chance.  It is a cautionary tale to Jane and Lisbon- don't let fear get in the way of living.  Plus the episode has some great fun moments that resemble the new direction the series is taking.

Red John's Rules- We find out who the seven suspects are.  I'll say again that McAllister knew who they were because he had been at all his murders- he knew who had been near by or could have easily figured out.  This episode cemented Jane and Lisbon's friendship as he learns to finally trust in someone else.  They discover a connection to Jane's past which reinforces the theme that the only way to move forward is to go look or go back.  Jane has done this now in the present by working as a consultant again and partnering up with Lisbon.  He will never have Angela or Charlotte again but he can move forward with a part of his past that makes him happy- Lisbon. 

Enjoy your holidays and happy viewing!

One to Rewatch: Looking Back at Jolly Red Elf

Seeing we are on hiatus right now I thought I would look back at an episode that has profound foreshadowing, a use of the great themes of the series and also fits the holiday season.  So today I talk about Season 3's Jolly Red Elf.

Plot: 
Jane and crew investigate the death of a Santa while the man in charge of Todd Johnson's death, J.J. LaRoche, upends Jane.  

Santa and The Former Con Man Known as Jane:
Benjamin Ripple lost his parents at a young age.  It was the happiest time of his life, a time he never could quite leave.  So he became a Santa in order to keep himself in that bubble of the past.  But his obsession with being Santa, with holding on to that past led him to his addition- alcoholism.   Which led him at his worst to a support group and Mae.  Mae, who saw past the issues and helped him, fell in love with him along the way even though she wasn't suppose to. 

Patrick Jane didn't have a mother for some reason and his father used him and his skills to be their bread and butter.  He escaped that life with Angela but unable to let go of his childhood and thus turned his Wonder Boy routine to being a high paid physic.  His obsession with power, money, glory led him to angering a serial killer who took his family away from him.  Jane now had a new addiction- finding that man at any cost and killing him.  Jane was first briefly saved by his doctor and then fate brought him to his own support group- the CBI and his sponsor- Lisbon.   She was there to help him, to listen, to try to stop his addiction.  Along the way Lisbon did what she didn't want to do- fall in love with him. 

There are great parallels between these two men.  Ripple's addiction ended up bringing him to his death.  Jane was lucky and lived, finally letting go of his addiction and is now two years, 3 months sober of being addicted with revenge.  (On a side note- Jane told Minelli that he should grow a beard when he set Mae and Minelli up because she had a thing for Santa.  Parallel that with Lisbon biting her lip as she told Jane- "Nice beard.")

Secrets and Other Sins:
One theme of this episode was addiction, the price of it and the types of kinds.  I loved Mae's comment that anything that stops you from living a fulfilling life is an addiction.  Jane hasn't been truly living.  He was consumed in his chess game with Red John.  His one sexual encounter over the six years was sort of with Red John by proxy.  Or in the name of finding Red John.  The addiction was leading Jane not the other way around.  But at the beginning of this season when Jane almost lost Lisbon a part of him finally woke up.  He realized that there was someone else he carried for that wasn't buried six feet under ground.  Lisbon's capture provided the moment Jane needed to get clarity, stop being so consumed with his addiction and thus he was finally able to find Red John and kill him.  After his death, Jane left everything behind, even his addiction.

Another theme of this episode is secrets.  A drunken Jane tells LaRoche that we all have secrets and then asks him what is his.  LaRoche quickly answers he doesn't have one but from his face we can tell this is a lie.  By the end of the season we meet the Tupperware container but it isn't until season 5 we learn LaRoche's secret that made him a more cautious man.   Jane likes to pretend he's an open book but he has his own secrets too.  He tells Mae that he doesn't know what it is like to let something rule his life.  No, the truth is his.  He holds his secrets close to the vest.  Maybe that is perhaps why he doesn't wear one anymore because he is now freer with everyone (island Kim, the wife of the missing hubby, and of course Lisbon).  The only other time we have seen Jane vestless was in season 2's Redline where he talks to Lisbon about both of them wishing they could have a normal life. 

Lisbon's childhood isn't a secret but it is something that she probably wishes it was.  In season 1 she was angry when Van Pelt brought up her mother's death by a drunk driver.  She dismissed Dr. Carmen's use of bringing up that her father was an abusive alcoholic.  Eventually Lisbon learned to deal with that secret letting out to the wife of the dead chef in Red Herring and admitting her father beat her to Jane in Blood for Blood.  But that doesn't mean all of Lisbon's secrets were out.  Lisbon has always been good at pretending to herself (a mixture of truth and lies, Jane once said) that everything was fine, that she didn't care about losing her job.  But in Green Thumb Lisbon lets go of having secrets allowing first Jane to tell her she's lying, admitting it and then even telling Jane off on the plane.

These new less secretfilled Jane and Lisbon have certainly grown and shown themselves ready for more in life.  Maybe it is time to have that real, fulfilling life.

Last Thoughts:
Daniel Cerone wrote this episode in season three.  Not only was it hilarious and wonderful but now some things make more sense.  Todd Johnson was killing police officers.  Why?  Because they were either interfering with the Blake Association or were coming close to figuring out that their head one was RJ who was McAllister.  Rance, I think, was the one killed who was sleeping with Hightower.  Maybe RJ had to get rid of Hightower for fear that his secret had been told one night and Hightower would one day put two and two together.  Johnson had to burn to cover up his tattoo.  McLaughlin knew about lighting and burning (see Red Carpet Treatment).  Johnson was ready to tell Jane the truth, let him in on this thing that was much bigger than Jane thought (cough Blake Association).  Johnson gave Jane the Tyger, Tyger clue but it was too late for him to tell anymore of the secret because he died.  Ironically when Jane joined law enforcement to get closer to finding Red John he was actually entering Red John's liar.  Red John had control of the CBI and other law agencies- Jane was always in his backyard.  Bravo to Cerone for laying so much foundation in this episode. 

Grab the popcorn, watch it again and see what you think during this hiatus.

You Are on Jane Time: A Review of Green Thumb

This is my longer (which means more rambling review).  I write this here rather than annoy everyone on twitter by pushing essays in the form of tweets.  The following containers spoilers for Green Thumb and the picture below is owned by CBS and Warner Brothers.

Plot:
Jane cons the FBI into allowing him to work for them under his own terms after he solves a case of a missing government contractor.   Meanwhile Lisbon joins Jane in the crime solving and comes to a decision what she wants out of life.

Lisbon Takes Charge:
Daniel Cerone kind of stole my thunder here but seeing he rocks so much I'll let him.  As much as this episode was about Jane getting what he wants it was also about Lisbon finally deciding what she wants out of life.  Lisbon hasn't had the real chance to make many life choices on her own.  Things have been just thrust upon her.   It started when her mother was killed by a drunk driver and she was left to raise her brothers and care for her abusive father.  She didn't choose to grow up in that environment, it happened.  She took the lemons she was given and made lemonade.  Greg asked her to marry him, she said yes, got scared and ran.  That was her choice but it seemed like she wasn't ready to say yes, did so for Greg because he was a good guy.  Even Lisbon leaving being a San Fran inspector was mostly likely driven by the fact that her supervisor, Sam Bosco, was in love with her.  She took on Hannigan because no one else would.  Then Patrick Jane entered the CBI door.  She saw this sad, shell of a man and not by real decision but unable to turn him away she allowed him on her team and in her life.  From then she was stuck with him.  He closed cases, she cared a little too much, he was after Red John.  The killing of Red John, the tearing down of the CBI was not something Lisbon wanted but it happened and she moved on.  She made a whole pitcher of lemonades from that.  I'm sure that if she could have chosen any job it wouldn't be the Chief of a small town where the biggest deal is a broken stapler. 

This time though Lisbon gets to choose where she wants her destiny to be.  So she decided to work with the FBI and with of course, Jane.  For once in her life she choose to just be happy and Jane does make her happy (look at the smiles).  Lisbon has always been looking for magic (Jolly Red Elf) and nice guy Greg wasn't the right man for her,she's too intense and particular ( So Long... and Thanks for all the Red Snapper).  Whether or not Lisbon is even thinking about Jane in a romance sense right now she knows her work life will not be boring with him and that she has missed him.  Life is not the same without Patrick Jane in it (as evidenced by her night reading). 

The plane scene was great.  Lisbon finally told Jane off to his utter hurt.  (The flash cut to the slap was genius because that was what Jane felt had happened.).  Lisbon has given up her life, her chance at happiness for Jane.  She even did so, it appears, for two years when he wasn't even around.  But she states quite clearly that she is not willing to do that anymore.  With the house she had and stable career it appears Lisbon has been thinking about having what a life like that implies...with someone to come home to.  Lisbon may not want to be alone anymore.

Lisbon is growing up and I don't mean that as a slap to the character.  But she bought a house, started hanging with friends, and making life decisions that are good for her instead of just other people.  Teresa Lisbon has changed and has begun really exploring life and what it has to offer.  She knows she has feelings for Jane and she wonders if he has feelings for her (thus her lie to Kim when she started to reveal too much).  Making a change to her relationship with Jane is the scariest prospect though she has ever had.  Once they cross a line there is no going back, no making it a one night stand.  Because she knows she needs him in her life after their two years apart.  But if a relationship occurs and ends she loses him, it could devastate her.  If they stay this weird, flirty closeness then she gets to keep him in her life.  Now it is not Jane making decisions for them, it is Lisbon.  She has to choose whether or not to give Jane a romantic chance and if she is ready for the consequences.

Sock it to ya:
The last scene of this episode is very sweet.  Lisbon has never ever sat on Jane's bed before and now twice in the same ep she has.  The only person to sit near Jane while he laid down was Erika and that was before Jane pulled his con over her.  Once again this shows the change in Lisbon and the shifting change of their relationship.  There are less walls up and more comfortableness.   Lisbon has a purse too which she never had at the CBI.  Jane reveals all to Lisbon and instead of her shock and dismay she is happy that he fooled the FBI!  They are much more equal partners now.  The socks as a gift were great.  Lisbon is one that has never been seen giving gifts to her colleagues.   She's the non socializer, anti hugger.  Now she gives Jane a gift of something he really needs- socks.  It was as if she had given him the world.  The look on Jane's face was so full of joy.  He loved his socks and loved that Lisbon was the one to give them to him.  That might be the most shocked Jane has ever been.  The gift guesser had no clue and for once Lisbon fooled him.

Defiance and Abel, Jane and Angela and Jane and Lisbon:
Defiance gave up her family for love, for Abel.  Angela did this for Jane.  Lisbon has given up so much for Jane and now even relocates to Austin.  Abel is a hothead, genius, that is so smart but can make dumb mistakes.  That is mostly Jane except less violent unless it involves Red John.  Abel loves Defiance because she sees the real him.  Angela saw the real Jane and loved him for it.  Lisbon knows who Jane is but still chooses to work with him.  A lot of nice parallels going on in the episode.


Other Things:
-Austin, TX is neutral ground for both Jane and Lisbon.  They have left their pasts behind to start their futures.

-Got to give Kim credit.  Cho bashed her in front of her agents and she agreed with him and then later on asked for Cho's advice telling him her concerns.   She also was apologetic with Lisbon for getting too personal.   But it makes sense why would you give up everything for one person if you have never even been involved with them?  Kim is sort of Hightower, Sophie and Lisbon season 1 all rolled together.

-Jane always has a plan.  He didn't know at first but thanks to Franklin did figure out Kim was FBI.  Thus his calling her on the fact that she let hims see the real her in paradise.  Three months of having a prettier attic was worth it to get all his demands met.

-Just a bravo to the acting on this show.  From Matt Gossen and Joe Adler bringing the hilarity to Rockmond Dunbar's nearly not suppressed rage at Jane, we got so much from these actors.  Emily Swallow did a great job of showing a different side to Kim and her displeasure at wearing a mask at work.  Tim Kang, of course, was hilarious with Adler's Wiley.  Simon Baker showed happy Jane (golly I wondered if we would ever see him) with great scenes of hurt, excitement, total "I schooled ya".  It was nice to see new layers and even more facial expressions (Baker is a master at them and he is just a brilliant actor).  The cool delight was seeing Robin Tunney play a Lisbon that has lived for two years on her own, a Lisbon who has changed.  She took the same character and transformed her.  Tunney doesn't get enough credit for her performance because she is the master of making everything look natural.  Never once do you think she is acting which is what every actor works to achieve.  So it was wonderfully fun to see this new Lisbon blossoming in front of us.  I loved that Jane called Lisbon on the high voice (the lying voice).  For six years Tunney has used that same voice to let the audience know when Lisbon was lying (go watch old eps and you'll see).  That is amazing to know your character so well and create specific traits for them that you use for years. 


Next week there is no new show.  I may do some blogs over the holiday season though.

Quick Shots: Green Thumb

Okay everyone sing along because I'm going to say the same thing I always do- this is a quick shot review of Green Thumb so if you haven't watched it yet spoilers ahead.  My full review will be up tomorrow.  I do not own the picture below- CBS and Warner Brothers does.

- There is a reason people say Cerone in capslock on Twitter- the man is a writing genius.  He had two very difficult episodes to write so far this season.  With Wedding in Red he had to have a regular case of the week, Rigsby and Van Pelt wed and learning more about Red John suspect McAllister who of course turned out to be the killer.  That was a heavy load and he did it seamlessly.  Now with Green Thumb he has to introduce a new world, new characters, get Jane back into the fray, and have a case of the week.  Oh, please he gives us huge character revealing moments that set up the new shift of this series.  It was masterfully done.  Congratulations Daniel Cerone!  Or as they say on Twitter- CERONE!

-At first I felt sad that we were saying goodbye to the CBI set, the cup, the attic etc.  I had grown attached to those familiar places. I thought, too, gee why not have Abbott just take over the old CBI set for the FBI.  But I now I understand why we had to put the past away.  You see the show wasn't about a building, a teacup, Lisbon's office, Jane's couch.  It wasn't even about a serial killer.  It was about Jane.  Jane who just happened to inhabit a world with an attic, car etc.  But it wasn't just about Jane it was also about Lisbon.  The two characters that evolved the most over the course of this series, the ones that have had so many layers and connections to other things....it has always been about them.  They are the center of The Mentalist world.  No matter if their working relationship was mother/son, friendship, aggravated, romantic ...who they were and what they meant to each other has been the journey viewers followed.  They don't need the Pico House, they don't need the Equinox...they just need each other.  Now the show is built even more firmly around that relationship (however you view it) and those characters.  This is the new chapter of their journey they are just beginning to start.

-We need to keep Henry.  He could be Lisbon's assistant at the FBI.  Matt Gossen made the character immediately likable and hilarious.  Also we need to keep Wiley (Joe Adler). 

-The socks scene, as I'm sure it will be now be referred to, has so many different levels to it.  But at the heart it is simply someone did something nice for Jane that she didn't have to.  The last woman to buy him socks surely was his wife.  Jane's overwhelming gratitude for them...it is almost as if Lisbon gave him the world.  And maybe alas she has because they now work for the FBI together, flying around the world, a job he wouldn't have taken if not for Lisbon.  His relationship with Lisbon, as it it hinted at here, might be changing and if that occurs will that will be opening his world in all new ways.  Jane will finally reenter the world and get a true life again.

Troubles in Paradise: A Review of My Blue Heaven

There are spoilers ahead for the episode My Blue Heaven so read at your own peril.  I do not own the picture below.

Plot:
Jane is living in South America after killing Red John two years previously.  His little paradise is interrupted by members of the FBI who come calling with an intriguing offer.  Meanwhile the rest of the CBI crew has moved on with Cho in the FBI, the Rigsbys parents and head of their own company and Lisbon a small town sheriff.

The Shell Game:
I purposely used that picture of Abbott with Lisbon's seashell, a gift from Jane.  It was a nice symbol that Lisbon always has Jane with her along with her other memories from her old life.  On her desk is the baseball and her cup that was used at the CBI.   Lisbon, a proven horrible liar, actually does a great job of lying to Abbott, pretending that she doesn't care about Jane and hasn't heard from him.  She also is doing a better job at lying to herself telling everyone that life is good and she enjoys the new, quiet existence.

Lisbon has changed.  She actually owns property instead of renting.  Her house is kept neat and is large.  She has a fireplace and dinning room with a large table.  It seems all very adult from her sipping wine and actually having Rigsby and Van Pelt over as friends.  This is a stark contrast to CBI Lisbon whose apartment wasn't fully unpacked in Red Badge, wasn't neat in either that ep or in Little Red Book and had pictures up that the last tenants left.  Lisbon was never one to hang out with anyone.  She turned down drinks with the gang in Bloodstream and wasn't into hugging either (see Bloodstream, Strawberries and Cream and Ruddy Cheeks for examples).  Cho remarked in Bloodstream about her office- walls to keep her away from her team.  Now Lisbon wants to engage with Wayne and Grace.  She seemed sad that they had to leave early.  Lisbon grew up quick when her mother died but in someways she never got the chance to be the true adult- with a mortgage, family etc.  Now it seems Lisbon is ready for that.  In the two years since the CBI went bye bye and Jane left she had to redefine herself.  Lisbon has made a life for herself but still finds herself not happy.  A house, even good friends, can't always alone make someone happy.

She tells everyone that she is fine and everything is good but it is a Lisbon lie.  She is trying to make herself believe it.  Robin Tunney, who is a fantastic actress, always changes her tone when Lisbon is lying.  Watch past episodes and you shall see. Once again we hear that same tone as Lisbon talks to Abbott, the Rigsbys and even Jane.  She tells him she's not going to change her life just because he came back but she knows deep down she will.  Another change that has occurred is that Lisbon is a woman in love.

Lisbon has a history of running away from that feeling.  She left Greg shortly after their engagement.  She moved from being an inspector to being CBI because of the mutual feelings between her and Bosco.  She even made Mashburn a one night stand when he was offering a real relationship.  Even at this point Lisbon is scared of being too in love, too much with someone.  She likes to keep her distance since her mother died and protects her heart.  After the hug she pulls back a bit even from Jane.  But she won't be able to deny her feelings forever.  They were with her everyday and she likes them or else she wouldn't spend nights rereading Jane's gazillion love letters.

What's a Jane to do?:
Jane is also a changed person.  He has had time to really go through the stages of grief over losing Angela and Charlotte.  He can even mention that Angela is dead to a stranger.  He admits he is still working through some things and isn't quite ready yet to move on.  Jane is a nicer guy, friendly with the locals and trying to enjoy himself.  But he's missing something.  No, scratch that he's missing someone.

It is very telling that Jane is writing letters to Lisbon.  Not letters to the rest of the team, just to her.  He needs that communication with her even if it is just one sided.  He needs to imagine Lisbon reading them and smiling at him going native.  He simply needs Lisbon now.  She has become way too an important part of his life.  Instead of being scared of this, though, he embraces it by the end of the episode.


That is what love is all about:
Red John was Jane's addiction but now it is like he has a less bad addiction- Lisbon.  Jane's number one demand if he joins the FBI is to work with Lisbon.  Now he could have asked for the whole team to be assembled but he doesn't.  He asks just for Lisbon.  In Devil's Cherry his subconscious says that he is bored with solving crimes.  He had always planned to leave, he had only used the CBI to get Red John, in his mind.  But here he decides to give up freedom to go solve crimes for the CBI.  Yes, Lorelei, he's a little bit in love with her.  More like a lot in love.  Jane has a new goal in life- to be with Lisbon.  Now while they are not a making out couple (yet) it is definite love.  A more pure, true love.  He gets more out of hugging Lisbon (emotionally,  mentally, physically, sexuality, spirituality) than actual date like things with another woman. 

Now the question is does Jane love Lisbon romantically and does Lisbon love him back the same way?  This episode went out of its way to say yes.  In our society we equate kissing, touching, sex with love.  But those are merely functions of people (and they don't have to be in love).  What is real love?  Real love is Lisbon still wanting to be around Jane after he killed Red John and did numerous other things that go against her moral character.  She loves him warts and all.  Real love is leaving a country with no extradition policy (that is HUGE people) to go back to the United States where you risk your freedom and will have to be in servitude to the FBI just because you want to be with your girl.  (Yes, that was a run on but it needed to be.) Jane gave his life so that he could have a chance to be with Lisbon.  Now who does that for a friend?  No, you have to be crazy in love to do that.  Jane was so utterly happy to see Lisbon.  We have never seen him so happy.  Lisbon was also elated. She even bit her lip which is a sign of desire.  Their hug lasted long especially for non huggers.  It was whole bodies encased.  Jane even appeared almost ready to cry as he grabbed on to Lisbon as if she were a fleeting dream. Only together are Lisbon and Jane whole. Apart, they are people pretending to be happy and missing each other like crazy.

The Kim in the Mix:
So who is Agent Kim  Fischer?  I think she is going to be their boss, in charge of Abbott, Jane, Lisbon and Cho (I'm already calling them the Fantastic Four).   I also think she is someone who studied Patrick Jane.  Who saw what a great asset he could be to the FBI and felt bad that the man was in exile when his crime was killing his family's murderer.  After seeing so much during her career, Kim probably feels some sympathy for him.  Abbott is tasked with being the messenger to get Jane home, while Kim is suppose to provide him with the nudge.  She's like Sophie Miller and Madeline Hightower combined trying to wake up Jane to what he needs.  She knows that the key is Lisbon.  Jane has to want to be with Lisbon.  So she gives him a date which reminds him that even though he can try to move on his heart is already with someone else.  Golly Jane who can hold his liquor had to get drunk to act like a normal guy.

Jane tried to date because he is disappointed that Lisbon hasn't come looking for him.  He asks the mail lady every day if someone is looking for him.  She finds it sad.  He leaves breadcrumbs by sending the letters to his carnie friends and giving details about where he is.  He writes poetically about the paradise, telling her what she is missing and how he wishes she were there.  He wouldn't seduce her over a meal but he might with a letter. 

The date with Kim doesn't work.  Honestly she doesn't push any romance on him even when she could.  He has a look of shock and sadness of his face when he awakes.  Kim is nice and all but he can't make himself want her to be there.

The Moment of Clarity:

Kim's presence though serves as a reminder of what Jane could have but only if he returns home.  Then his world is shaken just like that shattered teacup- Hugo is killed by the drug dealer.  This becomes the straw that awakes Jane out of his paradise coma.  He devises a plan to get revenge for Hugo and makes a deal with Abbott to return home but Lisbon has got to be there.  He won't turn into Roger.  When Jane realizes what he wants he is joyful kissing the lady at the mail center, hugging Franklin, smiling- it is a fist pumping moment.  This is a sharp contrast to him finally getting his revenge on Red John.  That was a somber, not happy, moment. 

Now I don't believe for a moment that Jane doesn't have a plan up his sleeve and thus why he tells Lisbon to trust him.  This is Jane here, he figured out who RJ was from a few clues- he can come up with something.  Jane had lost his mojo at first so he probably didn't see that Kim was an agent.  But once Hugo was killed and Franklin whispered something to him...I think Jane wasn't that surprised to see Kim.  Look at his face with Kim comes out- it's the Jane con face, lose a little to gain something.  He is genuinely surprised and happy to see Cho. Look at his face in that moment- very different.

Other Things:
-Kudos to Simon Baker, the gifted actor and talented director for wonderful acting and direction, he continues to make mini masterpieces. Tom Szentgyorgyi wrote another brilliant ep that was such a change from a normal episode.  Jimmy Gadd had flawless editing that enhanced the movie quality.  Matt Gossen was hilarious as Henry and also provided the guitar tunes.  What a wonderful way to enter the new Mentalist world!

-Abbott with the hand sanitizer and the massive shipping of Jane and Lisbon...priceless.

-Chief Lisbon with the kids and then the lonely walk down the school hallway- Lisbon looked so small and not the force she once was in the FBI.  Loved the details of having reminders of her past life on her desk.

Next Week:
-Lisbon has a surprise for Jane

-I'm guessing Jane paints his own name  

-There is a mystery to solve 

-Oh and some awesome writer named Cerone takes the helm




 

Quick Shots: My Blue Heaven

Just a note I do not work for the show, nor have any affiliation.  I am just a fan who in between teaching enjoys discussing this great show. This is a quick bullet point review, the real review will be up tomorrow night.  The picture below is property of CBS and Warner Brothers and there are spoilers ahead for My Blue Heaven.

-I can honestly say I have never been so happily shocked before watching an episode of The Mentalist.  This from a show that always has twists and turns.  Tonight's episode though had things in that I thought we wouldn't see.  What a present to the fans!  From the letters to Jane's instance that he work with Lisbon to that reunion scene.  Wow. It might...no it is the shippiest episode yet.


-What beautiful scenery!  Simon Baker as director, the whole set and location department did a great job.  It appeared that it was filmed elsewhere not in California or on a back-lot. The guest actors and Hugo (poor baby) were awesome as well.  It was so nice to see Matt Gossen.  If you don't know that name yet you will someday- he's very talented.

-Emily Swallow- welcome aboard!  I will always miss Rigsby and Van Pelt (Owain Yeoman and Amanda Righetti) when they eventually leave but both Kim and Rockmond Dunbar's Abbott are cool additions.

-Lisbon has always saved Jane for all these years but now it is Jane's turn to save her (from her humdrum life) Love that!

-Jane came back alive when he found out Hugo was killed and that he could be flirty with a woman.  He could move on and he could still help people.  What Lisbon had created- this good, crime solving person was still there.  He just needed to get back to Lisbon.  I have never seen Jane show so much joy on the show- the look he had when he saw Lisbon and after.  Lisbon is still pretending that everything is fine for that is easier to do than admit how it crushes her not to have Jane around.  She is scared he'll be in jail or leave again.  But he won't.  He has clearly realized how much he cares about her.  She just has to admit to him that she cares, too.

-Mentalist 2.0 is so utterly engaging and Simon Baker really brought this new show to life through his direction and of course acting.   He keeps getting better and better. 

-The cast even looks hotter...they might melt some television screens.  Robin Tunney seriously is de-aging or getting even prettier as she grows older.

-This is a reboot that really works!