The Jane, The Lisbon, The Colonel and the Briefcase: A Review of the Silver Briefcase

This is a review of The Mentalist episode The Silver Briefcase. It contains spoilers so beware if you haven't seen the ep yet.

Plot: Jane has a chance to foil what seems to be a perfect crime involving the murder of a Colonel's wife.

The Baker/Harper combo:
There are great episodes of television that provide laughs, something that makes you think, etc.  Then there are special episodes which are perfection.  The Silver Briefcase falls into that category.  Not only is it great tv but it also has a movie feel.  Not just any movie either.  This is an award winning movie that would be considered one of the greatest of its time.  Yeah, it is that good. 

Jordan Harper is one of my favorite writers.  If you haven't checked out his hard core short story writing check out Amazon btw.  He has never scribed a bad episode.  He always brings something new to the show, changing up the usual plot beats.  He also is a fantastic character writer- showing new shades for the actors to play. 

Simon Baker is such a gifted actor that has made Patrick Jane so real...I doubt any other actor could have portrayed the character as well.  Along with the acting talent, Baker is a brilliant director.  His tv episodes are always mini movies that seem to have had more time, or a higher budget or...he is just that good.  He lets scenes breathe and the actors have a chance to act.  Things are slower.  The shots aren't all quick cuts and the camera angles are always unique. 

So to have a Baker/Harper combo was mesmerizing to say the least.  Blake Neeley's music and Jimmy Gadd's editing further add to make this episode one of the best eps of The Mentalist ever.  Yes, top 10 people. 

To Plan or Not to Plan, That is the Question:
Jane tells Raymond, the Colonel, that his men's problem  (in the training exercise) is that they were going by a plan and not instinct.  The whole ep was about Raymond's seemingly perfect murder plan going array because of Jane.  Plan's can be thwarted.  Jane is a planner.  Always has been...until last season.  How many times over the years has someone said "Oh, Jane's got a plan," "Jane, what is the plan?", "I've got a plan!". Jane had several plans to catch Red John (Red John's Friends, Red John's Footsteps, Strawberries and Cream, The Crimson Hat, Fire and Brimstone) that all got messed up along the way.  He was use to the plan, the con, the trying to mentalize and make happen the ending he wanted.  At the end of season 6 he had the grand plan to seduce Lisbon over Miami and steal her away from Pike with beautiful dresses and a made up letter.  She ended up throwing water in his face, agreeing to marry the Pikester, and getting on a plane.  Yup, that plan went wrong.  But then Jane made the choice not to have a real plan to just go by instinct.  His instinct told him to hop the plane and declare his love.  Golly, it worked.

Pike was all about his plans for Teresa.  Now that Jane and Lisbon are together Jane admits he really doesn't have a plan.  He doesn't know what the future will hold but he is willing to follow that instinct that won him the girl and let them see the possibilities.

Don't Worry and Be Happy Now:
Jane telling Lisbon that is happier than he has been since she knows when was such a heart clutching moment.   The man was depressed, angry, crazed for a good 12 years after his family's death.  Finally he is free from his past (his wish in Every Rose Has a Thorn), able to live (he chooses life- Red John's Footsteps) and is happy.  Lisbon makes him happy.  Sure the mental mind games he finds stimulating still but he doesn't need them in the structure of the FBI all he needs is Lisbon.  She is what brings the smile to his lips and fake house hunting so fun. So whatever Lisbon decides to do with life, as long as Jane is with her, he seems willing to go with it.

Baker does a wonderful job directing the "jisbon" scenes that Harper wrote.  The love has grown since the first episode of the season where they were in the honeymoon stage.  They are now completely comfortable and reassured in their love for one another.  Their bantering was back from Jane's 'did you have a fling" question to his teasing her that they could be beekeepers.  He doesn't fear she'll leave him.  Lisbon seems more rest assured in their relationship as well as she brings up the future without hesitation (and tells him unlike with Pike that she wants the job in the FBI still).  The characters are so joyful together holding hands briefly or Lisbon touching his back...it is wonderful to see two lost souls find an anchor in each other. 

It was interesting to see this secret couple being soooo open with their relationship. They have nothing to hide, Baker seems to be showing.  Just like Wiley's crush needs not be hidden- nothing wrong with it.  But the murderous affair between Raymond and Denise is something to hide for it is wrong.  They don't echo the love that Jane and Lisbon have...they even end up turning on one another.  Jane and Lisbon have always risked losing everything to protect each other. 

Jane and Lisbon's current relationship is an engagement.  No one has got on a knee or anything- you didn't miss an episode.  But they are a "we", they are headed to a future together, they are in a secure ship with each other- they are heading towards a marriage conventional or otherwise.

Other Things:
-The lol of Wiley and Vega from the car change to the end opening the briefcase.

-A nice hark back to CBI feels with Cho and Lisbon doing the training together. They relied on instinct because they have great trust in each other.  Raymond and his girl did not thus his perfect plan went away.  When Jane put his faith in his CBI team he was finally able to kill Red John. Instinct/faith/trust are an important parts of any puzzle.

-It is wonderful to see a happy Jane and for Baker he got to film the character happy without a cloud of heaviness.  My Blue Heaven had the light at the end when Lisbon appears but the others Blinking Red Light, Red Sails in the Sunset, Red Moon are all very dark.  It was great to have Baker show off his talent with more light.

-Lisbon having good instinct was a nice nod to BRL where Jane encouraged her to go by instinct for the suspects.  Hailbach she didn't care for...he eventually would grow to a serial killer.  The scene in the coffee place reminded me of Blood Money, too.  Being with Jane has made Lisbon more like him in mentalist abilities.

-So who knifed the wife?  It doesn't matter, says Jane and it truly doesn't because they are both guilty of her murder.  From the opening shot though it appears Denise was waiting by the car and Raymond was doing the gutting. Did Raymond purposely come up to famous Jane and Lisbon?  A killer who committed the perfect crime may want someone of Jane's stature to know this...can you guess what I did but you can't figure any proof out.  Gives them more power and control. In the end though, just like any other monster, he was only human and he let fear of the unknown (what was hidden in the case) make him confess. Just like Red John had a fear of pigeons, everyone has a fear of something and it can be their undoing.

Next Week:
On January 7, a Wednesday at 8 there is Green Light which finds Jane and Lisbon celebrating and Abbott hoping the past doesn't catch up with him.

Sniffle in the Air- a Review of Black Market

This review is full of spoilers for the episode Black Market so avoid this if you haven't watched yet.  I do not own the show, merely my opinions.

Plot: A sick Jane orchestras from his beloved couch as his partner in crime and life, Lisbon, plays his usual role of fake medium. Meanwhile Abbott faces problems with marriage and employment as Cho and Vega learn to work together.

The Parallels and Pitfalls of Romance:
Abbott and his wife have a problem- she is up for a big DC job but his past is coming back to haunt him.  Out of great love for his wife he feels she is better off without him and urges her to pursue her work dreams in the new city.  Hmmm who does this sound like?  Jane's past haunted Lisbon...enough that she had to take a small town Sheriff position and fell for him when he hadn't completed his goal of killing Red John yet.  Out of love and waiting to protect her, Jane use to keep her in the dark about his schemes and intentions.  He pushed her away to keep her safe.  Then Pike showed up and Jane told her he wanted her to be happy even though that meant he was going to be dying inside. He pushed her to go fulfill her dreams.

Abbott's story also reminds viewers that love isn't easy it is about making hard choices sometimes.  This is echoed in the final scene with Jane and Lisbon.  Jane clearly tells Lisbon he wants to leave the FBI and take off with her.  Now he is under contract to tell those BA member names and he has to stay working for the FBI for five more years.  So if he leaves before the five years could this mean jail time for McAllister's death?  Jane doesn't want to work for the FBI- he was only there to be with Lisbon.  He joined the CBI because 1.) it would help him track RJ, 2.) he needed something to hold on to, and 3.) he eventually fell for Lisbon.  Now he has Lisbon he doesn't need to be crime fighting anymore.  Lisbon, on the other hand, has always been about the job.  Through chasing RJ with Jane though, she has been demoted.  So even though she says the job is her life still maybe that will change.  They both have hard decisions to make as they venture through this relationship so that they can both be happy.

Lisbon Says Roger Says Hi:
There were some weak areas in the episode but this part sold the whole thing.  Robin Tunney was amazingly hilarious as Lisbon pretended to be a medium as Jane coached her.  Lisbon doesn't like being on display so being in front of the audience, all the eyes on her, was hard enough.  Lisbon never cared for Jane playing fake physic so that added to her uncomfortably level.  Then on top of it, Lisbon, has always been known as a terrible liar.  She actually has been doing quite well with it lately especially in the opening scene.

Mere words cannot express how hilarious this was.  Nice little Easter eggs to fans, too.  For example Roger, the name of the dead dog, was a connection to My Blue Heaven and the character of Roger that showed Jane what his life would be if he didn't run to Lisbon.  The little dog beloved by the owner- a hat tip to LaRoche and his little dog.  How about the Red Badge feels when Jane says he will be inside her head...but his time Lisbon is glad for it?  Then there was the "Psychics don't exist" which Jane has said from the pilot.  Speaking of the pilot Lisbon was doing a Jane flashback reenactment from that ep.  Nice little treats from the show to the fans.

The Only Problem with Gifts:
The show is really trying to make this the year for the fans.  It means great things for us but also, as shown with this ep, can erect some problems.  The opening sequence is one of them.  Now I fully admit I liked the idea years ago that Lisbon and Cho may have had a one night stand before he joined CBI.  Given their personalities they could have remained friends and then back coworkers (boss/agent) without issue.  So the thought of Cho and Lisbon pretending to be a couple didn't bother me.  But if I were a long time shipper I would have been rightly pissed.  No kisses between the actual couple on the show but one between two other long time characters (and actors that are friends).  I now realize that the lack of showing actual physical romance of any kind is not because of the character's life perspective, the actors' friendship, etc.  It is because the show is trying to give all of us fans something -thus the Chisbon and the lack of kissing etc. The show is trying to make shippers happy by having jisbon happy but not showing the physicality to keep non shippers happy too. In turn this makes something lacking.  Either Jane and Lisbon are together and stand strong on that or don't put them together.

The other issue with this ep was with the Cho/Vega storyline.  The show knows fans want Cho to have a good arc so he has Vega who their might be sparks with  (and maybe tragedy, too).   It also knew some vocal fans didn't like Fischer so Kim is gone, Vega in.  Vega was made to be liked if not adored by the audience.  The only problem is in this ep Vega's strength was taken away from her and her capable performer.  Vega was pleading with Cho to forgive her and the story repeated this over and over again instead of showing something new to shed more light on the characters.  How about let Vega be strong and Cho admire that. 

Other Things:
-For people pretending they aren't in a ship, Lisbon said kinda loudly for Jane to go back to her place.  I didn't find that an error I just found it funny.


-Get Lost Fluffy was back when Lisbon said "the engagement is off" while flashing her badge.

-Joe Adler was so great in this ep- trying to lift Vega's spirits while hilariously wiping his phone after sick Jane used it.

-Jane sick was adorable.  It was nice for him he got to wallow in his sickness. He had someone he could ask to bring him soup and lay down with him while he rested.  Remember in Paint it Red when Van Pelt says Jane called in sick and Lisbon says Jane is never sick?  He wasn't then because he had a mission to catch Red John and couldn't rest and get ill.  Too much running on adrenaline.  But now with Lisbon he is at peace, calm, relaxed and can get sick.  I won't say all the sex is making him ill but maybe a bit more tired though.

Next week:
Hold on people it is the Simon Baker directed ep with a mysterious suitcase.  Simon eps are always something special and the man is a brilliant director so fun to be had! 

Mr. Jane's Very Wet Day- Review of Orange Blossom Ice Cream

The following is a review for Orange Blossom Ice Cream as such there are spoilers ahead.  I don't own, work for or even have the bathrobe used in the show.  I don't own the show either.

Plot: Erika Flynn is back with a scheme up her sleeveless dress as Jane plays courier for her water/numbers loving boyfriend, Jan.

Exing out the Exes:
Lisbon asks Jane about him and Erika.  He ends up telling her the truth (a writer revised truth though- he kissed Erika twice, once in the hotel and once before she escaped).  He even apologizes and like the plane scene is as honest as he can be.  It was neat to see "liar" Jane who so easily fubs choking back knowing that when she asked about Lorelei he was going to be forced to tell all.  Luckily he found an out by bringing up Mashburn and Lisbon didn't want to discus her one night stand with the billionaire.  Good thing; Jane didn't want to say "Well, I kissed her numerous times and slept with her to get Red John." Lisbon knew about the one kiss and believed he had slept with her given their conversation in The Crimson Ticket.  Better to let it go, it is the past and now they have the present and the future together.

Jane and the Rub a Dub Tub:
Jane was dunked for what seemed like a very long time as he was told words that he had to memorize.  Not sure why the dunking had to take place or if it was merely a gift to female fans.  Or perhaps if you felt like slapping Jane about Erika from her last ep...this was your way of achieving it.   Kudos to Simon Baker for enduring the torture.  Had to love how Jane was very concerned about drying his hair more than his clothes.

Rigsby Never Lied to Him:
Cho must have been having pangs for Rigsby when Vega went and screwed up and he found out she lied.  Partners need to depend on each other and he could always do that with Rigs.  Part of Cho's anger though was also that he cares already for the rookie.  Cho is a man of few emotions but did you see him when he thought she got shot?  Fear was scribed in his voice.   Cho can't help it.  As he once said, the heart wants what it wants.  It makes me wonder if part of the reason he told Vega off was out of fear for his feelings...if he is having them.

Your Love is Better Than Ice Cream:
At the end of the ep Jane sets up a romantic ice cream meeting on the top of the building for Lisbon.  It echos of the ice cream scene in The Red Shirt.  They once again eat from the same bowl but this time they are huggy and the love is more evident.  Jane has clearly put it together to reestablish that he loves Lisbon and wants only her.  It is obvious that she didn't need much encouragement to know that. By the end they are teasing each other- Lisbon saying the ice cream isn't too special and Jane laughing about her blue color roots.  They don't have to live in fear...their love is secure.

There comfortably with each other is easy to see in the robe/bed scene.  Jane doesn't get all "OMG, wow" as Lisbon comes out of the bathroom because we can assume he has seen her like this a multitude of times since their first kiss.  The love is right on display though it is odd even in private times we only get small gestures and not more.  Really, shouldn't Jane be in a robe on the bed to signify he left the shower just to make the phone call?  Or perhaps was going to join but she left because she is a bit pissed off?

 

The Truth is...:
The theme of this ep was truth from Cho's anger about Vega's lie to Jane telling Lisbon about Erika.   The truth is that I loved the first Erika Flynn episode but did not like the second one.  Luckily this one I was back to loving the character and the plot.  Morena is a wonderful actress.  Erika thought she had fooled Jane but nope he brought her to justice and Lisbon got the fun of being the one to bring the vixen to her knees.  In the end her appearance further solidified the relationship of jisbon.  They were tested and passed the test.

Other Things:
-Abbott was surely playing cupid when he sent Lisbon and Jane to an one hotel room on the government's budget.Even his "stay in the hotel" was him pushing for more lenny things.  If you don't know what that means...context clues people.

-The taxi ride scene where Jane grabs Lisbon hand was so nicely done- a thank you, an acknowledgment of his fear.  Since Jane has been given a reason to live he hasn't wanted to die and now finds himself fearful when put in these bad situations.  Before he would joke and probably felt he deserved whatever death was coming to him.  

-Jane loves telling others that Teresa is his.  From the "She's my girlfriend" to flatly telling Erika he loves Teresa.  That admission caused him some pain but he didn't seem to mind.  The viewer can tell he loves his freedom to admit his heart now.  Once one sets the truth free...he can fly.

Next week:
- A sick Jane forces Lisbon to become the mentalist.  I am already laughing.

Visitng time at the Greybar Hotel

This post contains spoilers for The Greybar Hotel.  I do not own the show nor make any profit from writing my thoughts down.

Plot: In order to stop a car ring Lisbon must gain the trust of a recent inmate by becoming one herself. 


Liar, Liar Orange Pants on Fire:
In Blue Bird Lisbon tells Jane that he doesn't tell the truth anymore that he is so lost in all his lies that he doesn't know to be a regular person.  In Graybar Hotel Lisbon tells the inmate that she was living a lie pretending not to be in love with Jane.  Was Lisbon projecting her own problems on to Jane?  Was she telling him off or herself?  She admits now that she was in love with Jane for a long time but wouldn't say it out loud.

So in love are we two:
The love was clearly on display between their flirty phone call to the looks they gave each other when they both thought they were going to die.  The phone covered also mentioned Jane lowering his guard.  He told the truth on the plane and he was rewarded with Lisbon stopping the lie- and getting off the plane.  She lowered thus her guard too and let him in.  That was of course scary for them both and still is as Lisbon admits.  She even still worries that he might leave.  Miami seems Lisbon's little fantasy paradise where her greatest moment happened- she mentions that Patrick is in Florida.

How to Save a Life:
Back in season two (for another Jordan Harper) episode, Jane tells Lisbon that he will always save her whether she likes it or not.  She says she doesn't need saving. Figuratively they saved each other in that plane moment and the pickle scene afterwards.  There has been many of an occasion that Lisbon has to save damsel in distress Jane but this time he had to save her.  It was a new Jane to the rescue as we have never quite seen him this scared before.  He couldn't even do his usual smirky glances at guys with guns that he usually tries.  The stakes were greater this time because he was in love again.  He lost the first woman he loved but now he was able to reverse that and save Lisbon.  The past is no longer haunting Jane.  He has even broken the cycle.

Other Things:
-Wiley/Vega/Cho

-Abbott's wife has a DC job offer.  Parallels to Lisbon and Jane perhaps? 

-Jane we have seen in prison twice so it was neat to see Lisbon instead in there.

-This ep was soooo much better than my review is saying.  I apologize, don't feel that good so brain is numb.

Next week:
The Return of Erika Flynn
 

Nothing But Blue Skies for Everyone But the Victim- a Review

Finally after months of waiting The Mentalist returned tonight to American television.  It is a bittersweet premiere- fans of Jisbon finally have their ship canon, general fans are happy about seeing their show again but it is the last season.  So many times series go on for too long so that by the time their finale airs it seems like respite relief.  Not such for The Mentalist which has continued to have high quality while taking serious chances for the last six years.  Fans could effectively have it go on for much longer but alas it would begin to lose something as well.  So the show begins its last run still fresh, still wonderful and still enjoyable for cast and crew as well as fans.  The Mentalist was always unique with it's deep storytelling and it ends unique as well.  The majority of shows are never told ahead it is their final season and don't get a chance to write the ending they desire.  The Mentalist...the people that make this show from best boy grip to Mr. Heller, gets to end it on its own terms.  I, as a devoted fan, could not ask for anything more.

Ahead you will see spoilers galore for the first episode, Nothing But Blue Skies.  I am only a fan of the show speaking my own thoughts and I sadly do not own anything involved with it.

Plot: Jane and Lisbon come back to detecting reality as they solve not one but two mysteries connected with an undercover FBI agent's murder.


Jeremy and Jane: the Old Parallels
One of the things I have always loved about The Mentalist was how the main case always could be related to Jane somehow.  Even with a happy Jane it still does.  Jeremy, the undercover FBI agent, suffered a horrible childhood trauma.  He heard his best friend get kidnapped and the act still pains him to his present.  He sleeps on the floor with a night light right beside him.  Jane saw his wife and child's dead bodies and until he killed the man responsible for it slept on the floor with the smile face above him.  Both men ended up helping others to thwart out their pain and probably their guilt.  Jeremy meets up with his devil who like Red John isn't some horned monster but a regular, older man.  The devil gets Jeremy which luckily didn't happen to Jane.  Jeremy never had the chance to reach his peace, find his heart again, let go of the past.  Jane though has been able to thanks to the death of the monster and letting himself be free to love again.

The Title Says It All
Normally the title's refer to the case at hand but this time it is all about the real major part of the episode- the love now allowed to be shown between Jane and Lisbon.  The new couple is in the midst of the everything is wonderful and happy stage of a new relationship.  Yes, they are almost sickening sweet.  No one is yelling about socks on the floor or breaking the garbage disposal.  They are both on their best behavior as well, unsure, trying to scope out the newness and how to relate to each other as more than friends.  Blue skies don't stay forever so we know as viewers this will change.  But it is fun now to watch them both have a chance to be happy.

We have seen Lisbon be sort of happy but never like this- she looks like she is her own Hallmark Valentine card.  Jane we have never seen be truly happy and his happiness is just beaming as bright as Rudolph's nose on Christmas.  The weight lifted off his shoulders has given him a new spring to his step.  What a wondrous thing- a man that died spiritually with his family has now been brought to life enjoying the beauty of a regular day because he is finally free and so is his heart. In Every Rose Has a Thorn Jane stated that he wanted to be free from his past and now he has finally achieved that.

The ambiguity of the first Jisbon scene is classic Mentalist.  Jane has his shirt untucked and Lisbon is planning on giving him a key- sounds like they are sleeping together.   But he knocks on the door and she answers "Hey" like she wasn't expecting him.  If he was doing a after sex coffee/tea run then wouldn't the comment be "That was quick" or something similar. But that is the greatness of the show- instead of telling us everything the show lets us come to our own conclusions.  By the time you are done watching the episode you realize that it doesn't matter whether or not they were just doing the horizontal tango.  The love the two share is evident and beautiful to reveal in.

We do know that Jane has been helping Lisbon move back into her house.  Lisbon who took years to fully move into her apartment during the CBI reign is quicker at establishing roots now.  Jane, who never likes to do manual work (see Blood Brothers among other eps)  is eager to help here because this is a new Jane.

Yes, I would still like to see another kiss even if it is a peck on the cheek.  We  have seen enough kissing moments for Jane (Erika, Lorelei, the girl in Fugue in Red) and Lisbon (Mashburn, guy in Rose Colored Glasses, Pike) that it couldn't hurt to have one scene or two.  These two are in love and people in love do kiss.

Getting Piked
Towards the end of the ep Marcus Pike shows up and asks Jane what he has to offer Lisbon.  Poor Jane looks lost for a moment not sure what he can.  Gee, the guy just started a relationship after 12 years give him a break.  Of course Pike still doesn't get it- he thinks that Lisbon should be happy that he offered to marry her and give her a home.  It is all about him.  He is going to "save her".  Didn't Lisbon tell Jane once she didn't need saving?  She didn't.  All she needs is to be loved by a man that says "we" and includes her in the decision making.  This is what she gets with Patrick Jane.  Jane is notoriously a liar and about what he wants.  Well, not anymore for when Jane loves a woman he tells the truth always and makes decisions with her.  Yes, Jane must have been a great husband no wonder he couldn't move on from losing his first true love.

Other Things:
- Baker and Tunney really did an amazing job because they had to play their characters that are like a second skin a whole new way.   They made their love show even without physical contact.  Talking can be hot with these two. 

-Cho smiled twice.

-The swan is a nice nod to the Save the Mentalist campaign and a harking back to the pilot.  Cho made the frog Jane gave Lisbon but now that frog got kissed and turned into a prince and she is like a swan renewed in beauty.  Swans also mate for life.

-New addiction Vega easily fit in and Josie Loren plays her with a perfect amount of composure and hesitation.  

- Lisbon's house has a white picket fence...like the old expression of what a perfect life should be.  

-The vintage car ride- a perfect ending to the episode although if they are trying to hide the romance it doesn't quite work.

- Kim's letter to Lisbon was sweet and if the character had to leave a nice way to make her goodbye impactful.  

Next Week:
-Lisbon gets to wear orange and the cuffs for once.

A Thank You

Just wanted to send a thank you out to all those who participated on August 14 in trending We Love Emily.  As you probably know 20 minutes into the hour the trend went World Wide and stayed there till end of the hour.  Emily Swallow did see it and knows.  She, as usual, was grateful and humbled.  Such a nice way for all of us to come together once again and say thank you to her for all her help and kindness.

This would not have been possible without all of you!  Special thanks to the Swallz Army who are still on Twitter and looking forward to doing more projects.

Courtesy of Amy a snapshot of the trend and the number of tweets.

Reminder trending for Emily

In less than half an hour at 2PM EST we are going to try to trend We Love Emily without a hash tag. Please retweet the SwallzArmy post.  Let us thank the great Emily Swallow for being so wonderful to us, her fans.

Trending for Emily Swallow

Rumors have been circulating that Emily Swallow will no longer be on The Mentalist.  As of tonight we have learned that Emily will appear on a new series (congrats to her) and will be leaving TM.  Emily has been so wonderful to fans- kind, considerate, answering questions showing some sass.  She took set pictures and was polite even when fans were rude.  She has been a true gem that helped the Save The Mentalist crew promote the E online poll and the trends that were established.  Those initiatives saved The Mentalist giving us fans, the cast and crew one more season.  Emily took a part in that.  She helped save the show because she wanted to be a part of it.

Now we can't save Fischer but with our collective spirit we can do the impossible again.  No matter if you liked Kim Fischer or not...how could anyone not like the lovely Ms. Swallow.  So let's show her that we do, give her our thanks for her kindness and say goodbye as well.

This Thursday, August 14 at 2 PM EST  let's trend "We Love Emily" without the quotations.  She didn't let us down when we needed her, let's not let her down now.

Trend Times:
USA: East Coast 2 PM, Central- 1 PM, Mountain- 12 PM, West- 11 AM

South America: Mexico at 1 PM, Venezuela at 2:30 PM, Brazil 3 PM

Europe: UK- 7 PM,  France 8 PM, Greece 9 PM

Australia from 1- 4 AM depending on location

Over the Rainbow Blue Birds Fly: A Review of Blue Birds

Go watch the ep on CBS.com before reading this review because you will be spoiled and this is the ep you don't want to be spoiled for.  I do not own the show or any picture.  I am not Bruno Heller so I only have my thoughts.  He only knows the truth.

Plot: As Lisbon plans to depart for D.C. and a life full of Pike, a letter reopens a cold case sending her, Jane and co to Miami to solve it.  Of course the letter is a Jane con to try to change Lisbon's mind about leaving.

"The Truth is Mine"- Patrick Jane, Pilot

Speaking the Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But:

As the above quote illustrates The Mentalist began with Jane speaking that line to the killer shrink.  The shrink noticed that Jane was a man deep in pain, and that talking about it might help him.  Jane responded that the truth was his, not for anyone else to know.  It is so fitting (and wonderfully written by Bruno Heller) that during Jane's confession he tells Lisbon that it is the truth, not once, but twice.  He finally let him see inside of him, finally dropped the mask he has been wearing for the last 12 years.  As the shrink had suggested saying the truth did indeed set Jane free.  Although it seemed he was about to lose the woman he loved he had spoken from the heart without a con or a lie.  Speaking the truth finally got him that woman in 12B. 

Parallels Like the Colors of My Mind:

This episode has the feel of a series finale not only because of the happy ending and full circle character evolvement  but also because of the parallels.  There were so many in here but I will touch on a few.  The letter supposedly written by the killer but actually by Jane (Bloodhounds).  The opening scene with the multiple young killers drowning a friend (Red Tide).  The walk on the beach (Fire and Brimstone).  Lisbon telling Jane that he is selfish and uses her (Green Thumb).  One of the most starting parallels was the lawyer telling Jane that he was so into self hatred and all that he let his love go.  (Um, many episodes). 

Lisbon's Damaged Intensity:

Lisbon had a hard growing up losing her mother at a young age, raising the three brothers and dealing with her abusive, alcoholic father.   She survived it but not without the scars.  She lived for her job, having hardly a social life.  She put up walls and did not have close friends-not even her co workers.  She was a lost soul but she didn't know it.  Then Patrick Jane who needed saving ended up at her office.  She had the perfect project as she unselfishly gave herself up to trying to fix him.  Of course you can't ever fix someone else, they have to do it themselves.  In time Jane did just that by falling for Lisbon and she loving him.  

Lisbon had almost all the qualities Jane had described in the video about his wife.  All but one we learned this year.  Until the moment on the plane Lisbon didn't truly know herself.  I thought she did but her relationship with Pike proved that she hadn't.  Making the decision to get off the plane and be with Jane was her awaking to that inner self that was lost with her mother's death.  Both Jane and Lisbon were not open to sharing their truth after tragedies they faced but together and by each others love they have now healed themselves.  

Heller, by allowing Lisbon to choose Jane by getting off the plane, showed the character growth of our Teresa.  She was strong and chose her new life, the new chapter of it instead of someone else doing it for her.  Got to give credit for Jane not pressuring her after his confession- he let her make her own choice.

Jane Chooses Life:

In the season 1 finale Lisbon told Jane that he would choose life and he told her she thought wrong.  Jane truly choose life and to live again by his confession.  The performances throughout were wonderful but the plane...hand Simon Baker an Emmy right now (and toss one in for Robin Tunney in the hotel room).   What made his romantic moment so different than anything I have ever seen in movies or on tv was because of how Baker showed the stripping of Jane's mask, those layers and the revel in the happiness of finally being "free from his past".  Jane was for once- happy, truly happy.  He was in love again.  He was willing to get hurt.  (Golly he and Baker actually did!).  Jane was going to go after Lisbon no matter what stood in his way.  Revealing his truth, opening his hear,t willing to get hurt...Patrick Jane entered the real, breathing world again.   He was no longer the shell of the man still stuck in that room with the red, bloody smile.  No, now he was human again with all the ups and downs and no con to be able to stop them.  Think of it as in Superman 2 (the 1980ish film yo) when Clark Kent became human to be with Lois Lane.  Jane saved Lisbon from repeating the cycle by ending up with Pike who like her father was not going to be good for her.  Lisbon in turn saved Jane from staying in neutral forever.  Killing Red John didn't bring him peace, kissing Lisbon did.

So Happy Together:

The last scene of the episode is a thing of beauty.  Jane is in big trouble once again but instead of the slick smile he is worried thinking he lost Lisbon.  Then to his utter relief Lisbon sits down.  She is radiating with happiness, love and self confidence.  This is a new Lisbon risen from the ashes looking at a new Jane whose heart is full of happiness.  They do their usual classic banter and then Lisbon asks the question already knowing the answer- did you mean what you said.  Jane did of course and Lisbon is pleased because she feels the same.  "Say it again" she asks and instead of saying with words he loves her he shows her with a kiss.  As Heejoo said this is"More Than Words", their song they danced to.  The kiss is tender, sweet but still full of electricity and heat.  It is love, true love that they have.  The last scene is a frozen shot of them in love.  If it had been the series finale it would have a beautiful way to say goodbye.  But thankfully it wasn't.

Other Things: 

-Jane says to Lisbon that moving to a new state with a guy means you are particularly married.  Isn't that what Lisbon did for Jane? Well they have been "sort of" married for years.

-The whole theme of the ep of hearts, love, not giving up and letting the truth speak- nice life lessons for people watching. 

-Jane in the classic car driving Lisbon around- adorable.

-Have we ever seen Jane so nervous as he was when he was waiting for Lisbon to make her entrance?

-Jane mourned Angela over those two years  thus his ring is just a symbol now.  He didn't need to look at it or feel guilty or ask Angela's permission.  He was doing the right thing and he knew it.

-Jane and Lisbon breaking all the rules (as they kiss in the TSA detention room).

-Lastly thank you to Bruno Heller, Chris Long, Simon Baker and Robin Tunney for making a classic, fantastic bit of television that gave viewers a journey of character development.  We got to see Patrick Jane go from lovable, heartbroken, lost bastard to lovable, in love, happy ...bastard.  Hey some things can't change :)

Next up...a season 7!

 

Quick Shot Review of Blue Bird

I am so thankful to CBS, Warner Brothers and the Save Crew that this was not the last episode of The Mentalist forever.  Big props to Bruno Heller and Chris Long for making what could have been the series finale such a satisfying masterpiece.  Ahead is spoilers so watch the ep first!

- Simon Baker and Robin Tunney made this whole storyline work.  They have flawlessly evolved their characters so that the audience could go on the journey with them.  The journey started back in season 1 but in the last few eps the actors had to share new layers of the characters.  They had to show how much they cared and that it wasn't just in a friendship way.  In the hands of lesser actors this transition could have been awkward.   Especially because in real life Baker and Tunney are good friends that hang out with each other's families.  But it all seems so nature, so meant to be.  The kiss scene was magical totally showing at once the chemistry, the affection, the love and the heat between them. 

-The plane scene might be one of the most beautifully written and acted moments ever.  Yes, ever in the history of tv and movies.  Baker and Tunney were so God damn good.  Even the Grinch would have been moved to tears.  Not to mention that they had to cry while also showing the love and the opening of the two characters.  Brilliant job!

-The finale was so full of heart.  Not only from the warm moments and eventual getting together.  No, this episode's theme was "opening your heart".  Jane did just that, telling Lisbon all, getting ready for the pain it could cause.  He took a giant leap to having a normal life again, to be a person that was living.  Jane woke up from the dark to see his light- Teresa.  Lisbon on the other hand had her heart closed off, not wanting to really let anyone in.  Better to be with someone you like than be head over heals in love.   Go for the safe...say yes to the Pike.  But she set herself free letting go the demons of her childhood and grasping a new future.  It was awesome that we saw Jane choose her and then have Lisbon choose him.  They both were able to shed their old skins, the scars of the past and look towards the sunrise and the new day ahead.

-Bravo to all involved in making this ep a classic!  Although I was not a shipper thanks to the writing and the performances of Baker and Tunney I found myself rooting for those two crazy kids.  I am so glad they both got their happy ending, that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

I will have a longer review tomorrow...but I am sure you'll be dead so I'll send it to heaven.

Black Be Still My Heart: a Review of Black Hearts

As always there are spoilers ahead so you should watch first then read if you choose.  Have you heard we are renewed yet?  Just checking.  I do not own the show, the picture, or any ugly shirt Jane wears. 

Plot: Jane comes up with an illegal plan to save the girls in the container and put Michael Ridley in prison.  Pike, without any pressure at all (yeah, right), decides for Lisbon her life and pops the question without a ring.

Pressurized:
Love Pedro btw detest Pike more and more with each passing ep.  In this ep his manipulation was on full display.  He was upset that Lisbon didn't jump at the job offer her got her.  He said he had been patience (a few weeks- wow).  Then when she took the job, he proposed without a ring or any words of love.  Pike was so happy he had his new favorite toy just where he wanted her- under his thumb.

As Pike continues to add the pressure, the rest of the people that care about Lisbon aren't.  Abbott tells her that it is a great opportunity (the job, he doesn't mention Pike) but adds that they will all miss her.  The decision is in her court but he will be sad.  Cho also tells her that the job is good but then goes done memory lane.  He already lost Rigsby, losing Lisbon too would hurt.  But he wants her happy.  Kim hasn't brought up the job or Pike.  She hinted though that Jane and Lisbon are always working together in a way to remind Lisbon there is a lot to stay for.   But once again there is no pressure because the choice is all Lisbon's.  Jane, who loves to control all situations, told Lisbon last week that her happiness meant the world to him.  He isn't going to interfere with her plans if that's what or who she wants.  He is not putting pressure on her, he is letting her choose her own path. 

Pike parallels Ridley in a less killing way of course.  As Ridley plays God with people's lives, Pike is doing that as well.  Lisbon is going to be in a bad situation if she follows through with his plans for her. 

For the Heart:
The theme of this ep is "what we would be for the heart".  For Daniela it is not giving up on hope that they'll find her sister, Amy.  Cho is fighting hard to find her.  Ridley doesn't have a heart and is all about money and power.  Jane and Lisbon are full of fun in that surgery scene and easy chemistry which is now riddled with sexual tension in the couch scene.  Lisbon is lying to her heart that Pike is the right decision.  Dr. Lark kills himself to protect his daughter.  For Jane his blackened dead heart is about to come back alive as he realizes he can't his love for Lisbon go...that he deserves her and she him and that it is time to put the car in drive.  A profound ep.

Other Things:
-The shots in this ep especially the container  and Jane wheeling in Ridley were perfect!

-Tim Kang gave one heck of a performance- nice to see more layers to the Cho.

-Baker and Tunney can do no wrong in their scenes together and are making the transition between on screen partners to lovers look believable.

-The car that blew up- great action scene!  Well thought out and shot.

-Now we know why Kim was all surprised Lisbon was dating Pike- want to bet she heard stories.

-The Mentalist was informative with the human trafficking/organ thief story and is also showing people that you don't want to be around a person who behaves like Pike. 

Next Week:
-The SEASON finale thank the Lord, CBS, Warner Brothers and the Save crew.

-The plane, the plane...the Jane?

-Warning- Lisbon in a dress again

Quick Shot Review of Black Hearts

You have heard the news right? The Mentalist has been renewed for a seventh season on CBS.  Truly exciting!  I do not own the show, the picture below and there are spoilers below.

-Jane and thus Simon Baker is also in top form when going after a villain.  This time he had Titus Welliver to play against and boy was it good.  Especially how Michael thought he had Jane and co beat...until Jane drugged him with pure joy.  Sometimes revenge can be good for the soul.

-Tim Kang was excellent in this ep and deserved some special praise.

-The surgery scene was hilarious and showcased one reason this show works so well- the chemistry between Simon and Robin.  They are both such gifted actors and make every scene when they are together, even better.  Lisbon seemed to enjoy smearing the fake blood on Jane.  Interesting to see them actually touching like so which they normally don't do.  Contrast this scene and the couch scene to all the kisses between Pike and Lisbon.  There is more sex with Jane and Lisbon fully clothed and not in a relationship then there is with two people who are dating.

-Pike's manipulation was at its worst in this ep.  He totally got her the job to get her to go to DC, then made her feel bad she didn't take it after all he had done.  Pike is all about his needs and wants and nothing about Lisbon.  She can't see it yet.  Because she is too focused on being heart broken that Jane hasn't showcased his love.  Of course Jane is actually trying to be good for once putting someone else's needs ahead of his own.  He is showing love.  Meanwhile Lisbon hasn't even told Pike she loves him and he is popping the question.  1 minute man for sure.  But Lisbon needed a mistake so she will be able to truly value what she will have with Jane.  Because with Jane the relationship will be good for her, they will be partners and she will be much more satisfied in all aspects.  Lisbon is getting ready to experience real love starting in next week's ep as Jane readies to break free of his past.  Finally as both are free of their demons they can unite as one to start a new chapter of their lives.

Keep the Cannolis: a Full Review of Il Tavolo Bianco

This review is full of spoilers so beware if you don't want to know what happened.  I do not work for the show nor own it nor am related to Robin Tunney.  I know, it is sad. 

Plot: Abbott arranges a sting, not a con, that makes it look like Jane is up for murder charges.  Cho and Abbott make a horrifying discovery that the girls are being used as organ donors.  As Lisbon continues her charade of happiness with Pike, Jane reaches a sad conclusion.

Jane Vs. Pike:
Pike is suppose to be seen as a good guy  but as I have stated before he is a master manipulator like Jane (use to be).  Look at how he acts in his episode.  Lisbon still hasn't decided about D.C. which  means her heart really isn't in it.  If he were Mr. Nice Guy he would realize that and tell her "Look why don't we try long distance, can you get Skype on your Blackberry?" But instead he continually asks what her decision is and then claims "no pressure, you got all the time you want."  Translation: I will keep persisting until you say yes.  Pike has Lisbon looking for an apartment for him so that she sees somewhere she wants to live.  He also can't seem to eat a meal without her anymore.  (Truly, does he ever work, he's always on their floor.)   When Pike told Jane that he hoped the case worked out that he did what any husband and father would do- he wasn't being nice.  He was reminding Jane of his lost, a lost he brought on himself, a lost that still haunts him and makes him fear getting fully involved with anyone.  Pike knows how to get to Jane.  He has his own RJ/Jane mouse game going on and this time the prize is Lisbon.  Pike chooses Casablanca, a movie where the female chooses between two men taking the boring, stable one over the bigger than life one she loves.  Pike trying to subtly make Lisbon think he is the better choice.  Pike clearly knows Jane loves Lisbon and she loves Jane thus why he is pushing for the move to D.C.  He wants to control Lisbon.  Look at how he answered her door!

Meanwhile Jane is trying to give Lisbon the space she always wanted.  He isn't conning her, manipulating her or the situation like he could.  No, he is giving her respect to make her own decision.  He is supporting her choice no matter how it effects him.  For Jane it is no longer about him anymore it is all about her.  She is the center of his world.  He loves her so much he is willing to let her go so that she can achieve "real" happiness. Jane is no longer that selfish man he once was.  Since 2.0 started he has talked to victims' families, been engaged at work, been kind in his cons, been honest with the cons, followed the boss's orders and now is saving killers' lives!    Jane was also apologetic to Lisbon in this episode, realizing that by not telling the truth even though he was under orders, he hurt her.  Lisbon can't take the lies, the con and Jane is suddenly trying to stop his very nature.  Damn, if that isn't love, I don't know what is.  Jane used his soft voice too when he realized Lisbon was upset with him.  Another little point in his corner.

Jane shows up very late at night at Lisbon's door to find Pike there.  The deflated smile on his face is heartbreaking.  He had special cannolis made for he and Lisbon to enjoy.  He wasn't just going to chat- that could have waited until the morning.  He was hoping to be brave and make a real romantic move. "I wouldn't seduce you over a meal that would be sophomoric of me." (Season 1, ep 2.)  There are tears in both their eyes at the end as Jane decides to let Lisbon choose what she wants out of life and as Lisbon watches him go.  They are both in love with each other but still not close to breaking the cons they are both in- thinking they would be better off without each other.

The Sting:
Three interesting developments with the sting.  First off Lisbon, who is Miss Goody Two Shoes tells the DA to go to hell because she will not incriminate Jane.  Lisbon showing how deep her love is for the man.  She may not agree with what he has done but she was very worried that he could go to jail. The next thing was Jane so easily speaking of McAllister.  Part of it is his bravado but I believe that the other part is that he really has let those demons go.  McAllister doesn't haunt him anymore, he's dead, the revenge gotten, the plan won.  It left him feeling more hollow than happy but his two years away enabled him to move on from it.    The third interesting development is that Jane would have been indicated.  Jane had to flee Lisbon, the country in order not to be in prison.  He risked jail to communicate with her.  Then joined the FBI and came back "home" in an effort to be with her again.  Now Jane can't leave the FBI for five years (I got a feeling since the Rigs/Van Pelt finale ep Abbott knows Jane was bluffing about the names).  He can't just up and move to D.C. to be close to, or fight for Lisbon.  He can't even visit.  He is going to completely lose her this time as if she died for he can no longer see her.

Other Things:
-Abbott is quite the shipper!  He really wants Jane and Lisbon to get together as does Kim.  It is cool to see these new characters get up to speed quickly on the situation.

-Wiley was a case breaker!  He has been a great addition to the show and Joe Adler is forming a nice chemistry with both Tim and Simon.

-Cho about to cry?!  Human organ selling will do that to the iceman.  It is nice that even though there is so much going on  there is still time to further develop Cho and give Tim Kang something meaty to do.

-The restaurant scene with Jane and Lisbon....has there ever been such a hugely sexually charged moment between them?  Shippers can correct me but there was certainly a new intensity.  The eye sex was pretty mesmerizing.  Are we to assume that they tried each others food?  Seems like it.  I loved how they were both into ordering a high price bottle.  Lisbon clearly has more sexual chemistry and more fun around Jane. You can make yourself "love someone" but you can't make yourself fall in love.

-Simon Baker and Robin Tunney had to show a new whole side to Jane and Lisbon and their relationship in this episode and they did such a remarkable job.  They are such talented actors who use their faces to express so much.  With the amazing writing they elevate their scenes to a new level.

Next Week:
-the conclusion of the poor girls story

-Lisbon makes her decision

- Jane cries.  Lisbon cries.  We all cry.
 

Quick Shot Review: Il Tavolo Bianco

There are spoilers ahead so if you don't want to know what will happen in the episode then please don't read.  I do not own the show and the picture is not mine either.

- Cerone!  Yes, this was co-written by the master of the OMG so many layers episode and the great Erika Green Swafford.  The episode was a tight masterpiece at once continuing last week's horrifying case, going back to the past with Jane and looking towards Lisbon's murky future.

- Lisbon really isn't a fan of old, romantic movies.  Meanwhile Pike loves them.  Is this significant about their relationship?  Pike wants the whole big, wow romance (and let's all move to D.C. because it is Meant2B) while Lisbon doesn't actually want the cliches.  She wants possibly the challenge.  The episode again displayed how Pike and Lisbon want different things and well spelled their doom.  Not to mention that nice guy Pike clearly knows Lisbon loves Jane and vice versa.  Might this be why he is pushing the move and trying to be oh so wonderful?

-Jane grew so much in the course of the ep- agreeing with Lisbon that he should have told her the truth, saving a killer's life, being brave.  The last scene with Lisbon he clearly was going to make his move but then thinking she is happy (she doesn't tell him otherwise) he does the "kind" thing of letting her go.  Jane cries, his voice breaking as only it has when pleading for belladonna Charlotte not to leave or mentioning Angela and C's names at the time of RJ's death.  Lisbon is that important to him, he knows it now but he is stuck.  He told her he wouldn't ever con her or push her again, so he is letting the ball be in her court although his heart is breaking.  Lisbon cries because she realizes Jane was coming over for a real reason but can't go as far to grab her away from Pike.  She has to confront her feelings, too.  Easier to always run, right Lisbon (see Greg, leaving Chicago, Bosco.)

-Kim getting shot clearly showed that Lisbon is not going to just lose Jane if she leaves but also her new, good friend.  Lisbon has a new family and for once a close female friendship.  So many reasons to stay.

-Hearts being removed literately and figuratively in this ep.   

Smokey and the Jane: A Review of Brown Eyed Girls

This review is full of spoilers so step away quickly if you have not seen it yet.  I do not own the picture or anything to do with The Mentalist.

Plot: Jane and crew search for missing girls who are being sold over the border in a horrifying case.  Meanwhile Lisbon continues to decide if she can fake happiness in DC with Pike while Jane is at a loss of words at the possibility of her going.

Two Years Does Make a Difference:
 I will admit when the show first did the "two years later" concept I wondered the purpose other than giving Van Pelt time to give birth.  Of course the purpose of those two years is now so crystal clear.  It was time needed for the characters to change and thus effect the relationship of Jane and Lisbon.  Jane needed time to process what had happened with Red John.  Revenge didn't make him happy or give him the peace he sought.  It appears he was finally able to mourn for Angela and Charlotte while he had not much to do.  The other thing he did was write to Lisbon.  Although he had left because he had to, he kept that connection alive although it wasn't easy, it was one sided and could (and did) lead to his capture.  Somewhere along the way he realized he needed Lisbon even if he had to imagine her replies.  Jane came back from the island changed.  He wears his heart move on his sleeve for everyone to see actually talking to widows, chocking back tears as someone dies, putting his life on the line for Rigsby and Van Pelt and getting involved in the dangerous undercover work.  Jane also defers more to other people, his fellow co workers, he doesn't need to be the smartest in the room with them anymore.  Since ep. 15 he has been very honest with them all, letting them in on his schemes.  Jane also has been more focused, putting forth an effort like Abbott said.  Jane is trying to change.  He is more part of the word now and involved in living instead of stuck in his own head playing a creepy game of chess with Red John. 

Those two years impacted Lisbon a lot.  She matured becoming more domesticated and owning (or renting) a house, not letting work rule her life, having actual friends.  And she did it all without Jane around.  For the decade before Jane was in every second of her life- she worried about him, cared for the jerk, felt depressed when he was away, got in trouble for him.  It was all about Jane.  Everything she did was for the betterment of him.  After he chose Red John (in her mind) by killing him, he left her- the great fear she had.  She lost her job and had to rebuild her life without her best friend to help.  Lisbon had his love letters though.  By reading them she feel harder for the "cold bastard" as she once called him and probably fantasized about the life they could have if he came back.  Then he did.  But the fantasy didn't met the reality.  It was Jane just with a beard all ready to con the FBI and play his games.  It was fun at first but she was missing the man who was in the letters pouring his heart out, the one she had fallen hard for.  Now that was all she wanted- to feel that love, to have that love, to have ....someone.  Along came Pike who happily allowed her to transfer all  those fantasies about Jane and their future to him.  She could have it all and live in that dream if she wanted.  Sure, it wasn't the right man but he didn't want her.  If he did, he wouldn't have gone out with Kim and Krystal.  He would have told her he loved her and didn't pretend he hadn't said it.   He could always read her, he must know she loves him and isn't happy.  But he is going to let her go because he never actually loved her, Lisbon thinks.

Oh, yes those two years were important because while it changed them both it also separated them further.

The Fake Happys:
Lisbon feel asleep during her movie date with Pike.  That's not a good sign.  She didn't know he was in a band once.  He didn't know if she liked butter on her popcorn.  Seriously, if you don't know the simple things about each other you shouldn't move thousand miles away to be together.  Look in contrast at Jane who knows Lisbon's footsteps, the way her face feels when she is smiling, Jeff the nail biter, her secret love for the Spice Girls.  Notice that Lisbon hasn't said that she loves Pike.  She called Jane family right away.  "There are people that care about you, that need you.  You are being selfish and I want you to stop." (Red John's Footsteps)

The last scene with Lisbon and Jane pretending that they don't care is hard to watch because of the two magnificent actors.  There are the words but it is their faces that give away how they truly feel.  Lisbon was heartbroken for those two years, actually for a long time.  She thought she was getting all of Jane when she moved to Austin.  She is a woman in pain, so much so she can't see the dark cloud that is Pike surrounding her.  She isn't thinking rationally and part of her is lashing out to hurt Jane as he hurt her with Lorelei and the other women.  Jane, the man who hides behind the smile, can't even hold the smile together.  He can't even be too mean to Pike in case Lisbon actually cares.  Lisbon's happiness is more important than his own.  At the last moment he looks like he is about to cry.

Losing someone is painful even if it isn't through death.  Jane couldn't save Angela, he could do nothing for the poor girl at the beginning of the ep and now he could lose the only other woman he has loved.  No wonder his head is swimming and his rock, his anchor, his Lisbon isn't there to steady him.  He's always had Lisbon to depend on until now.  

Other Things:
-This was an important episode, brilliantly written, edited, directed and acted .  The arc has a great actor to be its villain and the story is sadly realistic.

-2.0 has wonderful new relationships.  Lisbon has her gal pal, Kim (really she just got a best bud and she is going to ditch her for some guy).  Kim and Abbott work well together.  Kim and Cho are good partners.  Wiley and Jane adore each other.  Jane and Abbott wub each other like Rigs and Cho did.  Abbott respects Lisbon and likes her.  Cho and Jane are friends again.  Wiley and Cho are a funny match. 

-The trucker scene was hilarious- in the midst of the darkness of the ep there is always light.

-Old Lisbon returned here a bit, driving, killing the bad guy, taking charge.

Next Week:
-Karma comes back to haunt Jane

-Lisbon is still deciding.

-DrunkJane!

-Jane brings Lisbon a severed head or something
 

Quick Shot Review of Brown Eyed Girls

Spoilers ahead!  Beware!  This is just a mini review about tonight's ep of The Mentalist.  I do not own the picture or the show.

-The new revised series seems to have realized that mini arcs with a good villain can be very successful.  Probably Lisbon's own Red John, Volker, inspired this.  Get a villain that Jane can match wits with, have it be unsuccessful at first until woo hoo Jane gets that evil guy/girl.  This gives the show a more serialized status.  This ep also included the arc of Lisbon, Pike, Jane.  Two arcs at once and the show did a great job balancing them.

-I know Jane/Lisbon shippers are cringing at the pic I choose but the relationship is a main part of the episode.  I will admit I really liked Pike in Violets but his recent manipulations have soured me on him a bit.  If Lisbon is to have a super great guy who is "bettter" than Jane then he needs to be truly better. Lisbon and Jane are both in fear of losing the one thing they have always been able to count on- each other.  If Lisbon is truly happy, Jane doesn't believe suddenly showing feelings is going to change anything.  Lisbon, on the other hand, has had to deal with his interest in Kristina, Erika, Lorelei..why would she think he really cares for her.  She wants to think she just is a pawn in his game because it is easier than admitting how much she wants Jane to save her from herself.  Both fear that the other will reject them so they don't say what they truly feel.  For Jane if Lisbon denies loving him it would be like losing his wife again and this time there would be no Lisbon to save him.  For Lisbon if Jane rejects her then she will feel that he only cared about Angela and Red John and just used her.  Both would be more psychologically crushed than if they just let each other go to new lives.

-This episode also provided a timely storyline which even made stoic Cho emotional.  Well done Egohan and Michael. 

You Can See the Forest From the Trees: A review of Forest Green

As always I sadly do not own the show or work for it.  These are merely my perceptions that can't fit on Twitter.  There are huge spoilers ahead so beware.  Also try to watch the episode again by Wednesday on CBS.com

Plot: Jane and Lisbon have a few tricks up their sleeves as they look for a killer at a forest dwelling men's club where women are only hookers or waitstaff.  Meanwhile Lisbon is shocked by Pike's offer to move with him to D.C.

Mentalist Easter Eggs:
There was so many nods to the fans in this episode and then there were all these subtle foreshadowing hints.  The "no twitter" was a hey to all the Mentalists who tweet.   The scene with the helicopter seemed to be shot as a direct ode to season 2 episode Code Red.  That is the ep where Jane makes everyone think they are dying and tells Lisbon, "If I were dying, I would call you."  Later on one of the cabins appears to look like the one in Blood Brothers.  Yes, this happens when filming on a studio set but it invokes some nostalgia while also reminding the audience how far Jane and Lisbon have changed.  The sparks have been really igniting whenever they are together in season 6.  Then we have the scene with Abbott and the "camper" in trouble.  It is shot to completely resemble the lake in Fugue in Red.  Again, yes, this happens on a studio set but I think there is a deeper message from how obvious it was when it didn't need to be.  In Fugue Lisbon literary saves Jane from that same lake.  He thinks they are sleeping together.  He wants her to let him go when he can't remember the past.  She can't let him go and has him remember what happened at the house in Malibu.  Jane also dates a woman that looks like Lisbon. See how this is all playing out and in the future?

Boy Wonder and Get Lost Fluffy:
That magic scene was pure joy to watch.  Not only did the actors appear to be having fun but it was warm.  The scene also was so very deep.  Got to love a show that can make something fun also something so meaningful.  Jane was called Boy Wonder in his past carnie life.  He would do readings with his father (Throwing Fire) just like the trick with Lisbon.  In that old episode there was no joy for Jane with what he did, it was what he had to do.  Even when his brother in law, Danny, calls him Boy Wonder (Cackle- Bladder Blood)   he is not amused.  This time with Lisbon though, Jane is having pure fun even though is heart is still breaking.  The power of Lisbon.  She can take the pain away with a smile.  She can...heal him.  The last time Jane was on stage preforming a trick was with Erika but even that had less joy.  Jane calls her "irreplaceable" as he calls her on stage.  I don't think it is manipulation, to make her dump Pike.  I think Jane is just starting to let himself realize some things.  Such as that she is irreplaceable in his life and beautiful as he has told her now twice.  Jane is finally allowing himself to see Lisbon as a woman that he wants not just his trusty assistant.

A Cautionary Tale for Women:
This episode really was trying to make some points as well as being arc moving and fun.  The messages were all for the women viewers of the show.  The men's club doesn't allow women unless they are hookers or the waitstaff implying that they who founded the club only think that women are beneath them.  Lisbon is totally unamused and glad to be where she doesn't belong kicking some butt.  The murder victim allowed herself to be a victim by being an escort for these men.  An ode to not let yourself be treated like a second class citizen.  Then we have Lisbon and Pike.  Lisbon is a strong, independent woman, tough as they come.  But because of her other issues (see my quick review) she is letting herself be manipulated.  Pike is very needy but she doesn't ask for her space.  After a short time dating he told her about his great job offer.  He said he wasn't going to take it but when ate the bait and told him to go but she didn't want him to leave he suddenly wanted said job.  No worries though- he was going to fix everything by asking Lisbon to come with him to D.C.  Now is there a job offer for her, too, that he forget to mention?  Is she suppose to pick up and leave her job and apartment/house for a guy she hardly knows?  He wants her to.  Much easier for Pike to control her if she is far away from the likes of Jane.  Even Pike's romantic gesture of making her breakfast was not romantic at all.  Here is your granola bar!  Wow, has he never heard of toast and eggs? 

So here's what all women should remember- we only got the right to vote in 1920.  We are still fighting for equal pay.  There are still clubs out there like that and men like Pike who appear great but just want to control.  The Mentalist- a PSA for their viewers also thrown in.  The theme of this ep is "Be True to You".  The dead girl was gay but sleeping as an escort with men.  See the connection.  Lisbon is with Pike when she wants to be with Jane.  Love how the show has such themes. 

Other Things:
-Abbott and Jane are a chemistry filled bunch of buddies.  Abbott has really grown to love Jane which is great because Jane finally has someone as the big boss that understands him.

-Guest writer Jeffrey Hatcher is a playwright but boy did he write a brilliant television script.  I wouldn't mind him writing again for season 7.

-This episode was a nice meshing of the team again.  They really seem like a team now.

-Lisbon likes Pike but she doesn't love him yet.  It reminds me of the movie While You Were Sleeping where Sandra Bullock's character of Lucy is going to marry Peter even though she loves Jack. (Whoa L, P, J initials.) But she is tired of being lonely and he asked.  Jack, she says, had the chance and doesn't want her.  In the end of course they get together.  Lisbon is lonely, trying to finally fix a broken man (she was the only one who would take Hannigan, remember) who is going for the one who wants her because the one she wants isn't saying anything.  For someone sad that he is leaving through she certainly pauses and is shocked by his "offer" for her to move to D.C. (Check spoilers if you want to know how truly unsure she is of this, when it only took her one day to say yes to moving to Austin.)

-I give huge kudos to the writers of The Mentalist for writing one of the most unique "triangles" on television.  It really delves into the characters' past as they endure their present to find their future with each other.  Jane and Lisbon are in the deep woods right now searching for a way out but when they do there will be light, a beautiful meadow and possibly a sunrise.  

Next week:
-Another arc emerges in a human trafficking case

-Lisbon mulls over whether or not to move

-The couch will probably be Jane's only comfort

The Forest Green- a Quick Shot Review

Spoilers ahead and I don't own the pic or any cute blonde in it.

-As I was watching this episode suddenly so many things made sense.  First off everyone has been saying how different Pike is from Jane.  Actually they aren't that different.  Yes, they both have four letter last names but I mean more than that.  Pike was married so was Jane.  They both had a home, a family that ended and neither has recovered from it.  Jane stays away from real relationships, while Pike jumps in- both are in desperation.  These men are broken and need to be saved.  And here enters the ultimate savior- Lisbon.  Pike wants that family again...Jane needs Lisbon around.  Pike wants Lisbon to come to DC with him, Jane had Lisbon move to Austin to be with him.  Pike is obsessive.  Golly so is Jane. Pike is in touch with his feminine side and the finer things...hm so is Jane.  Pike is manipulative like Jane.  Look how he tells her about the job then says he isn't going to take it and when she prods him then says come with him.  Totally manipulation to get what he wants- her.  Pike is needy and needs to be wanted.  Jane loves attention and is needy, too. 

-So guess what people, Pike is Jane to Lisbon.  Lisbon is living out all her Jane fantasies- sex, love, romance, him wanting her.  Lisbon has always been someone who wanted to fix broken toys.  She has been trying for years to fix Jane while losing everything in return (including her job).  But she did it because he NEEDED her.  Now with Pike, Lisbon is again giving up everything because she is trying to fix him.  Lisbon is doing what she couldn't for her father- save him and make him happy.  Lisbon tried to save Jane but she failed and he killed Red John.  Pike is easier to save plus you get sex out of it- she just needs to be with him.  Finally Lisbon would accomplish what she always desired- saving a man from himself.

-Jane said in season 1 and then season 2 and again and again that he was going to save Lisbon.  That's coming people.  Because although we Lisbon fans don't like to admit it, Lisbon does need some saving even if she doesn't realize it.  Jane isn't taking her from Pike, he is saving her by finally setting himself free...to not need to be fixed anymore.  And then Jane can help her pick up her own pieces, fix her own self and realize that isn't her job to fix the broken. 

-This was such a brilliant episode and then all the fun with it.  I will write a longer review tomorrow.

Time Keeps Clicking Into the Future: A Review of Silver Wings of Time

As always this review contains spoilers for the last new ep, Silver Wings of Time. If you don't want to be spoiled watch it first.  I do not own the picture here, wish I did.

Plot: After a bomb kills it's one intended target Jane realizes that a man on death row is innocent and the killer is living in the victim's house.  Lisbon's relationship with Pike heats up as Jane finds himself unsettled with it.

If I Could Save Time in a Bottle:
Time is the huge theme of this episode.  Not only is Jane short on it in relation to the case but it actually helps stop the execution.  The concept of time also serves as a metaphor throughout.   The bomber checks his watch.  The time on the bomb in relation to the bus schedule.  Lisbon arrives to the crime scene late, Jane shows her his watch to indicate that.  Wiley's computer keeps telling the time.  The alarms go off at a scheduled time.  The Doctor and Mae have their watches, cell phones taken away (time passes).  Jane shoves his watch in Mae's face.  Then we have the overall theme of time in relation to Jane and Lisbon.  Is time up for Jane to make a move?  Has he lost Lisbon to Pike who has taken her time away?  Can Lisbon wait forever for Jane to be ready?  So much time has been wasted when they could have been together.  If not the 12 years than at least the last two.  Is Red John still stealing time away from Jane?  I like how the theme and the episode made me question a lot of things.

Jane and Edward:
Edward was a great character for Jane to play off of because like Jane he likes to be the smartest guy in the room.  His ego is huge.  And like Jane, Edward can't see the truth in front of him.  For Doctor Ed it is that his wife is a killer.  For Jane it is that he loves Lisbon.  Sometimes the smartest people can be the dumbest (my gram always said that). Edward let the attention he was getting from Mae cloud his judgement and it led to the death of his wife.  Jane feels guilty that the attention he gained got his wife and child killed.  Jane seems to want Edward to feel guilty, to realize that he led to Sarah's death by that ego.  Is it Jane wanting to stick it to a bad guy or is it because Jane still feels guilt?  Until Jane can learn to love himself again, and feel that he deserves happiness can he truly be with someone?  

When Jane says to the doctor that Cruz's death didn't bring back his wife it is such a telling moment.  Killing Red John was suppose to be sweet revenge but all it did was end a psycho's life.  Jane still ended up losing a lot.  He lost his CBI family, he lost his new home and various places to sleep in.  Jane had to say goodbye to his true friends and whatever was building with Lisbon.  He had to stop conning, stop being the smartest in the room, say goodbye to crime fighting for two years.  Jane continued to lose with Red John's death and he still is.  Now he realizes he is losing Lisbon, too.

Don't Let Her Go:
Lisbon is always so kind and selfless so it was interesting how blatant she was around Jane this episode.  Jane is a lonely guy so it would make sense for her to try to protect his feelings.  The first scene shows her arriving late by cab which is a non subtle "Hey, Jane, guess who I was doing last night."  Then we have her taking the phone call with Marcus in front of Jane, making plans.  She could have texted him or answered him later.  At the end of the ep, a dress wearing Lisbon loudly grabs her keys waking up the non sleeping Jane.  Now is Lisbon being cruel?  No, not at all.  But I think subconsciously she wants Jane to realize that he is losing her and if he wants to do something about it now is the time.  As she heads for her date (at Sunset,  now she is the one leaving) she looks ready to cry.  Jane doesn't tease her or provoke, his defense mechanism.  Instead he is open and honest (sort of) telling her that she looks beautiful and that Pike should treat her well.  He doesn't add that he wishes he was the one bringing her out.

Lisbon has a right to be happy as does Jane.  What they seem to have to learn yet is that it is time for them to be happy together.  For right now Jane is back on his couch, a sad man, without a life mourning the loss of his love.  The difference is this time the woman he cares for is not dead she is just mere steps away.  He couldn't do anything to save Angela but he can stop Lisbon from leaving with Pike.  But will he get over his fear in time to do so?  Yes, the suave con man with the great ego is afraid.  He doesn't want to lose the one person he most counts on, most needs.  He doesn't want to open his heart again.  He doesn't feel he's worthy of her and she will eventually tell him that.  Lisbon is also fearful of entering in something with Jane.  With Jane it would be all encompassing.  Plus Lisbon is never sure she can trust him.  With Pike she gets trust, romance, a hot guy..it makes sense she is jumping into it.  After seeing Rigsby and Van Pelt so happy together it is almost like Lisbon has changed her mind and wants that too- someone to come home to.   Lisbon has changed in those two years- buying a house, being more "grown up", doing things for herself.  Now she is ready for the next stage of life but she needs a partner willing to enter that journey with her.

Other Things:
-How awesome was the girl power take down?  Kim and Lisbon were leading the guys and being nicely bad ass and funny.

-Cho wins for best line of the night with his "my head would explode".  In a lesser actor's hands the lines wouldn't work so well.  Luckily we have Tim Kang.

-The scene with Abbott and Jane is so great.  There is the nice callback to Seeing Red and then Abbott tells Jane it was emotional giving a man his life back.  Jane has been in prison, the prison of his heart for years but now he might actually get out of that jail and live again.
-Wiley's computer saying the time- genius comedy and kudos to Joe Adler for being so funny.
-Can we just give both Robin and Simon Emmy's for that last scene?  I mean, come on, that was Oscar caliber acting there.

Next Week:
-Jane is on fire.
-Jane might not be able to hold back Lisbon for long.
-Pike is back with an offer.