One Funeral and Lots of Crying: A Review of Nothing Gold Lasts Forever

There are major spoilers ahead so read at your own risk.

Plot: Robbers take lives and one life lost in particular sends our favorite team all to the edge.

Having a Character with a Vowel at the End Isn't Good:
First there was Bosco who's death propelled Jane off his tether.  Jane, during season 1, had more pressed suits, was holding on to the world more.  But after he watched Bosco die he was back to Jane who just lost his family.  The Jane that ended up with Dr. Miller (when she had a head).  He began lying to the team to Lisbon, taking wild chances, killing who he thought was Red John, giving up six months of his life all after Bosco died.  Jane just began living after killing the actual smile face killer and admitting his love for Lisbon. He was finally free of his past (or so he thought); he was finally happy.  He had everything again: a place he enjoyed living, a lover, a family at work, fun at work.  Once again that was all stripped away.  This time it was Vega who caught the bullet.  Vega, who was just a bit older than Charlotte would have been.  Vega who was brunette, short and all about the rules...just like Lisbon.  Vega was a version of his daughter and Lisbon wrapped in one.  Now as quickly as her life was just beginning it was gone.  Vega's death will propel Jane into a new place.  At first it may seem dark as it was after Bosco but alas his love for Lisbon will bring light to that darkness and he will find his way out.

After finding his family sliced up, we know Jane lost it.  Tried to commit suicide in the psych ward, was in a transfixed state for a while, he needed help.  He got the help he needed but he must suffer from PTSD.  Vega's death brings this up to the forefront.  Mental issues are not something that one can just get over and traumatic events will bring them back up.  Jane has never had so much to lose now that he loves Lisbon.  Hurting, in pain and wishing he could be numb again, Jane is running away.  He doesn't want to feel any more because it is too much.  It hurts too much.  Would he live if Lisbon had died? Probably not.  As he said he can't go through it again (which means he loves Lisbon like he did his wife).  Of course he isn't thinking straight because it is illogical.  No matter if he is in Utah or a desert he will still worry about Lisbon.  Running away will not take the pain away.  What he must do is learn to accept that he might lose her, enjoy the time they have together and let go of fear.  Jane brought down Red John using his fear against him.  Jane could ruin his life if he lets fear overtake him now.  He really needs someone to talk to.


Enjoy the Ice Cream:
The theme of the end was started in last week's ep and goes back to Jordan Harper's line from The Redshirt:  "When you're dead, you're dead. Until then there is ice cream."  Simply put enjoy life because no one knows what will happen next.  Vega and Wylie were headed for a date.  Abbott and Cho were having a peaceful transition to switching roles.  Jane and Lisbon were planning a romantic weekend.  Life was perfect.  It took only one person to squash all that perfection.  Sadly, that is usually how life works.  Things are going great and then suddenly the other shoe drops.  Thus we must all remember to enjoy the ice cream.

Jane is spending all his time worried about losing Lisbon that he actually IS losing her (by planning to leave).  Wylie could have been in a ship with Vega already if he had made a move sooner.  Sure, it would have been even more painful when he lost her but he also lost the chance of loving her even for a brief time.  Nothing gold lasts forever so enjoy each day, each moment.  Jane said it once before as Bosco was dying: Pain makes you know you are alive.  So the question for the characters and thus the viewers is: will you choose to live (oh season 1 flashbacks) or will you choose to not live and instead have fear rule your life?


Death Never Was So Good:
The writing was top notch by Alex Berger and afforded surprises.  I knew Vega was going to die but I didn't know how and after seeing so many tv character deaths I found it new, refreshing and beautiful.  The directing, the music...gah they drove right through your heart.  It was wonderful to see Tim Kang get a chance to do something else.   To see the Iceman lift his mask (which he does out of fear of feeling too much since the gang days) was memorizing.  Josie Loren did a brilliant job of doing an underrated death scene (no scene chewing here which is a biiiig compliment).  Joe Adler, Rockmond Dunbar, Robin Tunney and Simon Baker wore their hearts on their sleeves in touching performances.  The episode was by far one of the best character death eps that tv has had.

Other Things:
-Jane has been trying to concede to Lisbon lately.  He puts the suit back on.  When he talks about leaving the FBI before he lets her kill the plans.  The lack of openness and then the openness (the dance last ep) of the relationship is up to Lisbon.  In this ep he even gives in and books the getaway she desires.  All he wants is to make her happy and he is willing to concede to do that.  Patrick Jane is unselfish with Lisbon...until he fears losing her.  Jane has to learn not to concede but also to not let fear win.  Their relationship must give them both equal power to last.

-Guilt. Cho wearing the blood on his hands.  Abbott regretted not saying good morning to Vega.  Jane unable to save someone else. 

-Jane cares more about losing Lisbon to death than he does about dying himself.  It makes sense after you have experienced a trauma like he has.

-Lisbon hugging Wylie...always the mother to all her "kids".

Next Week:
-A supposed physic is playing games with Jane