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
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