The Awakening of the Jane: a Review of Byzantium

This posts continues spoilers for the ep that just aired and may give hints to what will happen in next week's finale.  Read at your cost.

Plot: A supposed physic has sniffed out a serial killer meanwhile Jane finally breaks away from the demons inside.

Walk Into the Light:
So old Jane died at the beginning of this ep and towards the middle of it he was the real Lazarus, cursed with an infection, dead from it but given new life to rise and walk.   After Vega's death brought Jane back to the his family's murder, he was in a bad place.  He ran again because that is what Jane always does.  He and Angela ran from the carni.  He ran from the CBI and Lisbon numerous times telling himself that he didn't need them.  Lisbon is a runner too- from her Greg days to pretending for years that she was "fine".   Jane has just visited the Grand Canyon (I'll get to that in a minute) when he gets arrested for "failure to appear".  Aww, Lisbon decided to use some power to get him back.  Now the Grand Canyon is huge and known for its natural beauty but it is also a symbol for the state of being divided.  There was a movie by the same name ages ago.  The vast differences between people but if they can come together it will be beautiful.   Sounds a bit like jisbon doesn't it. 

Jane, lies to himself back at the FBI headquarters telling Abbott that he is only there temporarily.  Jane wants to run again because this level of feeling is too much.  He is too scared.  That is Jane's fear- feeling and having pain because of it.  Jane can take the physical pain of say a cattle prod but emotional pain...he can't deal with that.  So he avoids it all costs.  Trying not to forge new bonds, or date, or become attached to anything that is an unfeeling object (like his couch).  But he fell in love with Lisbon, such a powerful love that he scares him...yup and he runs. 

Jane hardly ever gets drunk but he wants to numb the pain he is feeling because he is destroying what he has with Lisbon.  The first A name he comes up with is Angela.  He said the name which he only did what twice, three times.  This time it flows off his tongue easily.  He has let her go without even realizing it.  In the morning he awakes in a field and stands up into the light.   Hmm.  Didn't Kristina Frye tell him to walk into the light towards the end of season 2?  (Which Jane did and got hit in the head but...)  This time he walks into the light...to Lisbon.


Jane and the dog:
First thing Jane sees is a dog.  A three legged dog.  He sees himself.  Dalmatians save lives.  So does Jane.  They are highly intelligent.  Check, Jane is too.  They are beautiful and unique.  That's our Jane.  They can be hard to deal with and prone to making stupid errors.  Ah, yes, Jane.  This dog also happens to have an infliction.  He isn't perfect, but he still can move on.  Jane sees the symbolization of himself in that dog- he might be crippled but he can get up and still run to someone not away.

Jane has also had epiphanies.   For all the careful planning he does for a con his major life choices come all of the sudden.  Look at Blue Bird where the guy talking about wasting time with his love makes Jane suddenly decide to stop a plane.  Jane has another moment like this.  The moment he sees the for sale land he finds his new home, his new life, his new future.  Suddenly everything makes sense.  Vega's death triggered him to go through the stages of grieving that he never did with his families. He is in denial, bargaining (come with me, but I am leaving), then by that part of the ep he accepts that they are gone and he moves on.  There are 7 steps like this seventh season.

Now yes, Lisbon seems to accept Jane back quickly but she knows her lover best of all and she can see the change.  "Someone that sees the worst side of me but still loves me." Old Jane is dead, finally.  New Jane is here the one ready to build a life of hope, faith and love with her. 

Meta my Meta:
So Byzantium isn't just a Greek city.  It could also refer to the Empire that ruled Europe for ages.  It went through many struggles, unwilling to adapt and join forces it continued to get taken over until the Empire was disbanded.  Because we all need to adapt and change.  Maybe that was the reason for the title or...maybe not.

Gabriel- the name alone is meta.  Gabriel the angel is God's messenger who tells people what God wants them to know.  Hmmm.  Jane learned some things that sparked his turn around and recovery. 

Now about Gabriel.  Was he a real physic? Or something outworldly?  We are left to ponder this.  Even Jane who doesn't have a faith system isn't sure what he is or how he knew.  He could have been another Jane or another Tom McAllister using his brains to play people. We don't know.

Gabriel was a "fake" physic who went on tv and spoke about the killer.  The killer killed his loved one and him- making a bloody statement.  If this isn't coming full circle I don't know what is.  This is Jane's do over button.  Except this time his wife survived (Lisbon) but the daughter did die (Vega).  This time Jane isn't going to go it alone.  Lisbon is in front of him, but he is still with her- watching her back.  This time he is going to face a serial killer and get him instead of playing cat and mouse for years.  This time he will have his happy ending. 

Vega Who Art in Heaven:
Vega's presence was still impacting everyone.  Cho was overly cautious with Wylie and lost it with the poacher.   Abbott didn't realize it but Cho has someone to talk- Abbott.  Abbott revealed he is going to a therapist and it is helping.  Lisbon is soldering on, as Jane terms it, because she is just a fricking amazing, strong character who 'locks it all down inside".  Jane is running away.  Wylie is trying to jump into life even if he doesn't like it because he already wasted time wanting to ask her out.  He is trying to live (and not see her empty desk at the office).

Other Things:
-Lazarus made his appearance in this ep.  He is our killer.  Start with a serial killer, end with one with happier results.

-Cho + leather hubba hubba

-The beginning was so creepy and terrifying.  Nice job J, M and N! 

Next Week:
- A double episode finds us saying goodbye to a great cast, crew and show.  Bring tissues.