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.
Thank you for a great review. You summed Jane's and Lisbon's relationship up perfectly. I believe Jane needs Lisbon to need him and want him knowing the worst of him and still loving him. I hope it happens. I hope they get a season 7 to explore it a bit more. Once they have committed to a relationship the play could be on each of them being wired so differently. The exploring of their differences at how they look at things and how they reconcile these without making it soppy. Jane already has opened Lisbon's eyes to fun and enjoying the little things in life. Lisbon has shown her mettle and back-bone by remaining honest. I'd like them to explore those differences more.
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