5 Things to Do During the Hiatus

Ah, is that time of year that is so hard on fans- hiatus time.  No new shows to get all charged about every week.  Nothing new to discus if you are not into spoilers of any kind.  While it is shorter than the summer, the middle of the year hiatus can hit one hard.  So here are some sure fire ways to put those hiatus blues away.

1.   You can do a Mentalist marathon with a theme.  Rewatch all of the Red John episodes and trace the clues Bruno Heller left to the Smile Face Killer's identity.  Or if you are a Jisbon fan, watch all their great moments as you see their ever changing relationship through the seasons.  If Rigsby and Van Pelt float your boat do a rewatch of their special episodes (especially before they leave).   All into the Cho business?  Grab your DVD copies of Crimson Casanova, Blood In, Blood Out, Ruddy Cheeks etc. 

2. We have a new mystery to solve!  Who is the CBI Stalker?  Someone is after our beloved crew.  Do you think it is tied to the Blake Association?  Could it be Knife Woman from the church that was with McAllister?  Has an old criminal reared his (handsome) head?  Come up with your best theories.  If you feel like sharing reply here.

3.  Big fans of Simon Baker and Robin Tunney but not familiar with all their works?  Now is the time to watch their old shows and movies like The Guardian, Something New, The Devil Wears Prada, (all Baker) Prison Break, Cherish, Runaway, See Girl Run (all Tunney).  See how gifted they truly are as they play these different roles.

4.  Time to watch the final chapter of Red John again?  Consult those eight episodes at the beginning of this year.  Want to make yourself cry?  See which ep had the last scene in Lisbon's office or was the last time we saw the car.  Bring tissues for when the cup breaks.

5.  Ready for some trivia?  Play your own game with friends.  Rewatch an ep and come up with five questions then try to have your friend answer those questions.  For example: What does Lisbon do to get a seat in Something's Rotten in Redmond?  Answer: she flashes her badge. 

Remember one thing- at least this hiatus doesn't last forever.  Happy viewing!

Getting Hammered: A Review of The Golden Hammer

Spoilers ahead for The Golden Hammer.  I do not own the picture below, CBS and Warner Brothers do.

Plot: A mapmaker working for the government drops dead of a drug overdose but it is actually murder as he uncovered a co-worker selling national secrets.  Meanwhile Rigsby and Van Pelt discover that they are all in danger when Osvaldo Ardiles hires them to find out who has been bugging his phone.


Jane of Old/Jane of New:
Cho tells Jane that he is nervous because Jane is acting like he use to - crazy.  Jane stops and looks seriously at him, telling him he's fine and then deciding to let it be.  Jane suggests that he can control his craziness.  In reality Jane is not the man who Cho walked past on that day over 10 years ago.  Jane had just left Sophie's care and was searching for something tangible to hold on to.  He got it through the pretext of looking at Red John case files- he found something to do.  He could use his gifts to help solve crimes, make repentance for his multiple con man sins, while also hunting the man who took his happy home away from him.  Along the way Lisbon ended up saving him and he got a new family with the CBI.

Jane was calmer when he met him in season 1, as if Lisbon's influence has been shinning through on him.  As Red John began using Jane as his favorite chew toy, Jane became more unhinged.  By season 3 he had his attic away from everyone else and his clothes were less changed with a more "dirty" air about them.  As I have remarked before- in season 6 Jane found his footing and realized he had to count on his new family to help him.  By doing so he became much less "crazy" and was able to beat his enemy at their horrid game.

The Jane we see now is further changed and I don't just mean the scruff or lack of vest.  He is smiling all the time, delight written in each smile.  He is enjoying solving the cases more because Red John isn't lurking in the back of his mind.  He has Cho and of course Lisbon, members of his old family around and actually he has built a new family with them.  Even more telling he reached utter happiness when Lisbon agreed to join the FBI. 

Now we see Jane ready to settle a bit more.  He wears a watch all the time (famously before Jane would have to check Lisbon's watch to know the time).  He wants an airstream that Kim remarked would be better for a retired couple (nice nod to the Jane and Lisbon could retire there together).  He is settling down a bit.  Even his FBI demands were calm and responsible for Jane.  The trailer is also a nice reflection of his past life in the traveling carnie circuit.  That is where he met Angela.  Jane has finally made peace with the deaths of his family.  He will never fully get over losing them but he can look at his past and be okay with that.  This was reflected in telling Kim and then Krystal details about being married and Red John.  Jane isn't hiding in himself any longer, he's more open and free.  Jane can now learn to embrace the past instead of trying to be free of it.  The past (the good and the bad) has made him who is today.  But his future is undecided.  Jane must realize what he really wants out of life and go towards the future while still holding on to the remnants of his past life.  By making Lisbon his demand number 1, it seems Jane is choosing to have Lisbon be a part of that future. 


Jane and Lisbon- Hey Jealously:
It is not just a Gin Blossums song anymore.  This whole season we have seen a major shift in the relationship that is Jane and Lisbon.  First the closeness grew, that friendship, and then soon the love.  Of course neither of them has openly admitted in front of each but sub-textually they have.    Old Lisbon would never have tried to poke the dragon in front of her boss.  But this Lisbon had two years to grow on her own without Jane.  She has become her own person and much more self confident.  She liked teasing Jane that she was going on a date.  Meanwhile Jane wasn't happy for her.  I actually don't know if I have ever seen him more disturbed around Lisbon before.  He looked sad at the end of the scene.  Usually Jane likes to push Lisbon a bit with a suitor.  Look at Mashburn "Walter's number one girl," or with her ex fiance, Greg.  This time he is jealous and upset, dismissing Ardiles, insulting him.  Jane, you can write the girl love letters but if you don't ask her out, she can go out with others. 

The first scene of the episode with Jane and Lisbon also showcases their new ever-changing relationship.  Jane is now always trying to reassure Lisbon.  Maybe he is afraid she'll leave.  He says in the opening scene that they are partners.  Then he tells her it is nice to be in the park with her and compliments her hat.  Even when he gets a slap from his dis-compliment, he tries to make up for it.  Jane didn't always worry about angering Lisbon, now he does.  Is this because his feelings for her are more pronounced?  Is he willing to do anything about it yet?  Well, not quite yet because this is tv.  But it is coming.  Lisbon, on the other hand, is enjoying being with him but also liking the new, independent her.  She must decide, though, if she wants more than grabbing his wrist and not liking sunlight pass between their bodies when confronting a suspect.  Jane isn't easy, so for Lisbon it is a choice she has to think about it.  Life would Jane would never be dull but it wouldn't be a cake walk either.   Maybe this is why Jane hasn't pushed the romantic subject, maybe he wants Lisbon to choose him because she wants him, all of him even that dark chocolate devilish layer.   Maybe he fears her rejection and what would happen to him because of it.   He wants Lisbon to want him for him.  Not because he got her the job at the FBI or that there is no one else to date.  Jane needs to feel needed all the time, but this is more important- Lisbon has to need him completly forever and always. 

The Tyger and The Lamb:
Where there is darkness there is always light and vice versa.  Never was this more clear in the ending scene.  Ardiles was right that someone was tracking him.  Invoking an almost Red John image, Ardiles was watched as he left the Rigsbys.  His murder too looked Red Johnish.  If Jane hadn't killed the man...but he did.  There is a new villain afoot.  Someone who is after our fab five.  Just when Jane and Lisbon thought they could relax!  But this is good for Jane to realize.  There will always be evil and darkness.  There will always be danger.  You can't choke to death all the bad guys.  Like cockroaches, more will appear.  But in that dark place you can have your family, your friends light that way until maybe one day you can overcome that dark.   Jane will have to realize that he must lean on his family for strength and courage.  Perhaps he must also face his fears and give his love for Lisbon a real chance.  Life is too short not to. 

Other Things:

-Jane's socks were on display in one scene.  Now Jane wears Lisbon's socks on his feet and Angela's symbol (the ring) on his finger.  His two important relationship gals with him always.

-Jane finally has backup- I liked how both Abbott and Kim supported him.

-Loved the Jane/Lisbon interaction and the Jane/Cho fun stuff. 

-So were the other names on the bugged list dead?  Or did Van Pelt just bring up the relent names to her?

-Wonderful direction by James Haymen.  A perfect script by Michael Weiss.  Seamless editing by Jimmy Gadd and Joe Butler.

-The themes in this ep- paranoia (Ardiles's tale and Charles Whitaker storyline) and jealousy (J and L).

Next Time:

-Well we have a few weeks to wait to see.  Check back in here later in the week for some hiatus busters.  

Quick Shots: Golden Hammer

This is a quick shot post of the episode The Golden Hammer, the full in depth review will be tomorrow.  If you have not seen the ep, watch it first because there are spoilers ahead.  I do not own the picture below. 

- This is without doubt one of my favorite episodes of The Mentalist ever because it combines all the elements that make this show so special.  We had classic Jane with the provoking, figuring out and solving.  There was classic Cho with his one liners and coolness.  The banter between Jane and Lisbon was back and they shared some of their best moments together.  It was hilarious!  Kim and Abbott were for Team Jane and not against it.  The case of the week was intriguing.  We had callbacks to previous episodes (like Grace being concerned for Wayne's eating, Lisbon (instead of Jane) checking Jane's watch to see the time.  There was definite intrigue and now a new mystery has taken form- who's after the former CBI members?  Once again our beloveds are in peril why Jane and Lisbon are at their happiest in life (not since Jane was married with a child, has he had the chance to be this happy).

-Shippers were understandably worried about Jane and Lisbon and their turtle slow pace.  But this ep was full of shippy moments so I hope they enjoyed.  The new side of the characters were their obvious feelings for each other.  Lisbon tries and succeeds in making Jane jealous, Jane tries buttering her up and looks very hurt that she would "date" someone.  They know they have feelings for each other but both are still so damaged they don't act on it.  Even the comment Kim made about the airstreamer looking like something for old people seemed to invoke that Jane was thinking more of the future of where he could retire to and possibly with whom could share that trailer. 

-Michael Weiss wrote an incredible episode- so many elements to be put in but golly he succeeded on every level! Bravo!

More tomorrow.

Awarding The Mentalist

As many of you know The Mentalist did not win the People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Crime Drama.  It did, however, garner over 1 million votes from fans of the show all over the world.  That's a pretty substantial thing and just goes to show how deeply cared about this television drama is to the people of the world.  It isn't just episodic tv, it is something unique that has made total strangers friends.  Strangers who live in different lands, speak different languages, have different life experiences but who came together bonding over a special show.

Now while The Mentalist didn't officially win the PCA it did win the same, exact award from TV.com - Favorite TV Crime Drama.  Sadly, although the show knows it won, it didn't involve anyone dressing up, going to an awards show, or getting an actual award.  Well, I propose we change that.

Sure, The Mentalist has already won the Golden Nymph this past year, an award given to the most watched television drama...in the world.  That was a huge honor.  But the show could stand another award or two to put on the mantle along side that Nymph and the People's Choice Award for Favorite New Drama.

So I propose gifting the show, it's cast and crew, with an award for the over 1 Million votes and a second award for the win for Favorite TV Crime Drama (from tv.com).

This website http://www.allstartrophies.com has in the acrylic section beautiful trophies. Take a look and see which you think should head out to sunny LA.

You may also write a little something that can be included in the gift.  For example: if your name was Sherry and you lived in Paris you could say- "This is Sherry from Paris just congratulating you on such an awesome season!  I have gained so many friends from being a fan of your show.  You guys deserve every award possible because you always put out a quality product!"  Any writing should be no more than 300 words so be concise.  If it were longer then they wouldn't have time to read what anyone wrote.  You can email me at jordgirl1@gmail.com or the person in charge of the writing- chizuru.chibi@gmail.com

There is also a video being worked on- check out the info here http://mentalist-fans.deviantart.com/journal/The-Mentalist-Fans-Choice-Awards-Video-Project-425831211

Any questions?  Comment here, send an email or it you know me from Twitter you can find me there.

(Slight edit- if you don't want to write anything, please still say your name and country you live in so that can be included- I think it would be nice for the TM peeps to know how many fans they have.)

The PCAs are simply an award from the fans...that is what we are doing here giving our show the awards it so richly deserves from its fans.

I will order the trophies at the beginning of February so all writing, artwork, suggestions, and votes on the award need to be in by Feb. 1.  That is our deadline.

Becareful of Women in White: White Lines Review

This has spoilers for the last episode of The Mentalist entitled White Lines.  I do not own the picture- it is the property of CBS and Warner Brothers.

Plot: Jane dates a woman he has figured out is the drug king pin of South East Texas as Lisbon settles into her new role in the FBI.  (For a much better recap of the plot please read http://www.popcitylife.com/2014/01/06/the-mentalist-6x11-white-lines-recap/ )  And if you are looking for a great review check out http://www.spoilertv.com/2014/01/the-mentalist-episode-611-white-lines_6.html#.UssrvVg_rLU.twitter


Jane's Type of...Woman:  Post the death of his wife Jane has been attacked to killers (Jennifer Sands, Lorelei Martins, Erika Flynn) and con artists (Kristina Frye, Brooke Harper).  Krystal Markham fits perfectly into these categories.  So in one way, yes, she is the type of woman that Jane has been drawn to- the anti-Angela.  During the date video with Erika, Jane described his late wife as someone that was strong, knew herself, was a good person and knew the worst of him and still loved him.  None of the women post Angela that Jane has actually tried to get with or thought about (or did) were anything like his wife.  He knew deep down as the pain was still etched in his heart that he wouldn't get over Angela, wouldn't find someone to replace her so he went for her opposite.  That way he could have his fun (that he never actually did have) without tarnishing the memory of what he had with his wonderful wife.

Lisbon, remember, saw that video and knows what Angela was like.  So when she says to Kim that Krystal isn't Jane's type she is right.  Not the type that he would kill for.  Of course Lisbon then looks like she said too much, knows Jane too well (which yes, she does).  Lisbon does fit the model of who Jane's type actually is- a semi- Angela. 

I did find it interesting that Jane acknowledges to Kim that Krystal is his type- that he finally has come to grips with the fact that he chooses these women so if something occurs it will be more meaningless because they are nothing like Angela.   Those two years away gave Jane enough time to sort out some things.  He may realize that Lisbon fits his real, Angela like type but this episode didn't explore that.

The Niceness That is Kim:  You got to hand it to Kim, instead of feeling threatened that Lisbon is there because Jane demanded it, she actually admires and likes her new friend.  She asked for Lisbon's advice a few times in the episode giving the former CBI Serious Crimes boss some respect for her past tenure.  Kim was very happy to invite Lisbon to sit with her for the shared drink.  She also allowed Cho to put some leadership in and give her an order.  Not to mention instead of being pissed at Jane because of the opening of the ep, she let him do what he wanted and even told him "Good for him" when he said he wanted to date Krystal.  I like the changes in Kim Fischer.  Emily Swallow seems like a sweetheart so maybe the writers are letting some of her own personality shine through.  Whatever it is, Kim is getting better and better as a character.

Jane Always the Same: Jane returned to his old ways (three, almost four years ago ways) in this episode.  It didn't strike me as a positive on the first viewing but by my second I became a bit more tolerant.  Jane is on his own, solving the crime, not working with his colleagues at all.  His cunning plan (which after the initial date was unnecessary especially going on the boat with her) almost gets him killed (and very wet).  Maybe because he has been on his own for two years he has forgotten how to work as a team.  But I do hope he remembers.  When Jane actually ended up being truthful first with Lisbon and then with Cho, Rigsby and Van Pelt he became calm enough to solve his greatest mystery and kill Red John.  Whether he realizes it or not he needs other people and it was plain foolish for him to not include the FBI (or at least tell Lisbon what was going to happen and let her explain to Kim etc.).  Jane decided to work with the FBI, he proclaimed he wanted to work with Lisbon so now he has to do that.  He could have stayed on his island but he put himself back with people...with a team again.  Time to act again like he is part of the team. 

The Two Moments That Could Have Been Different: Now I am not a paid writer, I do not work for any show so my suggestions here are just from my own opinion and probably could not actually fit into the episode.  Alas I am still going to type them.  I think a shift in these two moments would have made (for me) the episode even better.  The first moment is at the beginning when the new FBI team and Jane are surveying the office that the DEA agents were killed in.  Right before Jane finds the mirror he could have called Lisbon over (:Lisbon, Lisbon, come here!") and said something like "Doesn't this look odd to you that a mirror is so high?"  Lisbon's "Yeah, it does."  Then Jane could have explained it was a camera to everyone else.  A simple few seconds but it would have been the only real partner scene between Jane and Lisbon.  But by calling Lisbon over it would have reinstated that Jane wanted to work with Lisbon- that she was his top demand.

The second moment that could have been slightly altered- Jane could have called Lisbon as he is heading into Krystal's "My plan is in motion.  At her place."  Lisbon could say that she was the ring leader, he could retort "Yeah, I know."  Then put the phone in his pocket recording everything else and the end of the ep stay almost in tact.  Jane would be more the guy on the team who at the same time has enough of an ego that he wants to be the one to take the killer down.  It still serves the same purpose but takes a way some of the anti- team Janeness in the ep which can come off as being jerky. 

Other Things: 

-Cho, Lisbon, Abbott, Kim...they all showed their smarts in this ep which was great to see.

-The ep did declare that Lisbon made the move to the FBI for herself.  Yes, Jane is the cherry on the sundae but she changed her life because she decided she wanted to.  This is wonderful because Lisbon has always been strong and independent and she is even more so now.

-Even though I knew Krystal was the killer before the ep aired, Brianna Brown gave a great performance.  I saw also lots of character shades being added by Emily Swallow and Tim Kang.  Robin Tunney has done an amazing job showing all these new sides to Lisbon while still keeping her Lisbon.  I know that probably doesn't make sense but it is a trait of a gifted actor.

-Ah the return of the couch.  It was great seeing it again (I'm not sure if it is the same one but let's pretend it is).  A nice contrast to the sterile, stark whiteness of the FBI building.  Jane was happy about it for sure, but I almost wanted him even happier.  It was a huge moment but didn't have as much of a wow as I was expecting.

Next Week:

-Someone returns

- We find out what or who is the golden hammer

- Enjoy it because a long break is coming

Quick Shots: White Lines

This is my brief quick shot review of White Lines.  A more detailed review will be tomorrow.  The picture below is property of CBS and Warner Brothers.  Spoilers ahead.

-This was a good episode of The Mentalist.  Now if it were any other show having what is a deemed a "good ep" would be a mark of excellence.  But The Mentalist is not any other show, it is always a piece of classic literature come to life.  This ep wasn't exactly in that frame of episode thus it was "good" and not the usual omg, wonderful, brilliant.

-People will always claim that procedurals are always about the case and how it is solved.  This isn't true.  Viewers, fans, everyone watch for the characters.  A case can be predictable, boring but fans will still love it if it has great character moments.  The characters and what the actors bring to those roles make the episode elevated to greatness.  One of the major problems with the episode was the lack of character interactions.  Jane was mostly on his own, doing his own thing when he wasn't with Kim.  One of the hallmarks of the show, that makes it different from the rest, is that interaction between Jane and Lisbon.  There doesn't need to be any shippiness for fans to go wild over a scene between this two.  See for example Lisbon telling Jane he was driving her nuts as he runs out of earshot in Crimson Ticket or Jane and Lisbon discussing his happy memory in Red John's Rules.   Without a good amount of Jane and Lisbon working together time-something was off about the show.

Without Rigsby/Cho or Rigsby/Van Pelt (and sometimes Cho) moments to make the lack of the two main characters...the episode felt even more flat I'm afraid to say.  Now Cho and Lisbon working together was great.  Lisbon and Kim were hilarious and awesome together.  But it wasn't enough to make many memorable moments.

-Another problem with the episode was Jane being jerky.  Jane wasn't working with anyone in the FBI and was rude to Kim at the beginning of the episode.  He didn't bother any with Lisbon and wasn't kind to Cho.  Honestly, I would have liked him more happy and thankful about the return of his couch, too.  A Jane who goes it alone when it isn't about Red John (that was understandable and any father who has his child murdered can become a jerk to coworkers and have it be excusable) doesn't work.  Jane is a wonderful, complex character but he needs his crew so he doesn't fall into "jerkdom". 

-On the positive side kudos to Brianna Brown for a nicely crazy killer performance.  Another set of kudos to Emily Swallow who is doing a great job of making Kim more likable.  Tim Kang was great as usual and it was nice to see Cho solving pieces of the crime.  Of course bravo must also fall to Robin Tunney as well who made her Janeless Lisbon a real, powerful, awesome, funny, smart woman.  It was our Lisbon with new shades showing. 

-Also on another positive note I liked how the show is more serialized and each week leads to something new and the now the intelligence showing of the rest of the FBI instead of just brilliant Jane. 

This is only one episode in over a hundred that I have called good, next week we might (hopefully) have a more Green Thumb ep which was not only brilliant but combined all the best elements of the show.