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!
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