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!
I like your list but I have to disagree on some points, especially about your thoughts on the Pilot. I don't believe that Jane's self hate was the reason he slept under the smiley face, I believe him did that as a reminder of his mission to catch RJ. We also saw him with his notebook indicating that he was studying RJ's moves. As Jane said , he lived with his guilt everyday. I love "pilot Jane" and wish we had seen more of him before he became all sunshiny and whimsical. There are traces of him throughout the series but not enough for me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think Jane has found peace but to a certain degree. I don't think that he expected to find peace at killing RJ but satisfaction and accomplishment. I think he still lives in the past (old shoes, ring) and it will take time for him to find true peace. He tried in Venezuela but realized that running away to an idyllic setting doesn't make you happy and fulfilled, as evidenced when he said he felt the need to be understood.
His return to the FBI is him returning to the part of his past that made him happy (crime solving with Lisbon). I think Jane's departure was his attempt to clear his head and realize what he really wants to do. MBH was an ideal, a fantasy, a symbol of light but in between the lines it also shows that you can't run from your demons, you must face them and that's what Jane is doing by coming back to work (under his demands, same ole Jane) but with renewed vigor and a different agenda. It'll be interesting to see where he goes from here.
You are free to disagree that's why it is an opinion piece. :)
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