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.

Quick Shots: Silver Wings of Time

As always spoilers ahead and this is just a quick shot review of the episode.

- Terrific performances and great writing with excellent direction and fantastic editing.  This episode was brilliantly done as it gave Jane someone to match wits with while also advancing the newest arc- Lisbon's boyfriend and Jane's feelings about it.

-Time was the main theme here not only did it catch a killer but it showed the importance.  Jane had 12 years to fall in love with Lisbon.  But ten of those years he was obsessed with Red John.  Then for two years he was able to heal but he didn't make a move.  Now time has passed him by and Lisbon has found someone else.  Time is such a crucial part of life and sometimes we are apt to forget about it or think it is never ending.  But time has a beginning and an end like death.

-This is a different Lisbon.  Talking with the boyfriend while at work.  Showing up by cab at the crime scene.  Getting dressed up at work in a dress for a date.  All these things were done in front of Jane as if her subconscious was trying to force him to wake up and smell the pancakes.  Lisbon wants Jane to openly want her before she can let that wall down and be free to be with him.

-More on this in the big review tomorrow and gosh we got to go into depth about the hubby and Jane and that second to last interaction.

Loving our new characters more and more with each episode :)