The MentalistFlame Red
Original Air Date: 2 Dec 2008
Liz - TwoCents Reviewer
liz@thetwocentscorp.com
Oh, finally. Another episode where the theme was the most interesting part of the show. We had a case, and Patrick was up to some of his normal tricks (if scarecrow didn't have you in stitches, have your funnybone checked), but we got a real taste of how intense Patrick Jane can be. Using Moby Dick as a parallel, the question of justice versus vengeance comes up, and redemption to be found in revenge a la Captain Ahab. I know, it's some pretty deep shit, but stay with me on this one.
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Oh, finally. Another episode where the theme was the most interesting part of the show. We had a case, and Patrick was up to some of his normal tricks (if scarecrow didn't have you in stitches, have your funnybone checked), but we got a real taste of how intense Patrick Jane can be. Using Moby Dick as a parallel, the question of justice versus vengeance comes up, and redemption to be found in revenge a la Captain Ahab. I know, it's some pretty deep shit, but stay with me on this one.
ReplyDeleteTo all appearances, the case is pretty straight forward: three friends and business partners killed their fourth for reasons of greed, except we are made to believe that he survived the fire and is now looking for his revenge on Rich Garcia, Trey Piller, and Ben Michado. Rich is the first victim, killed in his garage in what Rigsby says is the work of an arsonist. (That's right, we found Rigsby's mojo!) Piller is later drugged in his home and wakes up just in time to find himself on fire. Ben is the last victim, and is lured into an empty barn with Patrick Jane, who impersonates Dave Martin to extract a confession. In an unusual show of poor foresight, he does not see the very large knife but is still able to force a stalemate without resorting to the cellphone gun. He soaked Ben and the barn in ethyl alcohol, the accelerant that had been used in all the crimes so far, and still have the lighter.
Unfortunately, at that point, the real killer lights the barn on fire.
When caught, they see that it is Tommy, the not-so mentally challenged young man who lives on Dave's former property with the aquifer. Turns out "Tommy" was an act that would allow him to get away with murder, because they had killed his friend Dave. It was revenge.
Earlier in the episode, when they still think that Ben is responsible for the crime, Jane and Lisbon have a talk. When discussing the difference between justice and vengeance, Patrick makes it personal. As if to illustrate either exactly how serious he takes this subject or how crazy he can be when it comes to Red John, he says that if (or maybe it was when) he catches Red John, he is going to tear him open and watch him die a slow and painful death. Or something to the effect, I was too busy being gobsmacked. Although in retrospect, I probably should not have been so surprised. Lisbon says if Jane would try to harm Red John, she would arrest him. The law must be upheld. Jane becomes flippant and calls Lisbon bourgeois, much to my amusement.
When Jane sits across from "Tommy," and breaks through his shell. Jane points out that Ahab died in his search for revenge, and Tommy is quick to point out that so does the whale. Revenge has his price, but it was also redemptive. He adds a shake of his head and a "You wouldn't understand," for good measure. The statement is great dramatic irony, we all know that Patrick has more or less said that whatever price he would have to pay for getting his revenge on Red John would be well worth it.
On the lighter side of things, more development has occurred between Rigsby and Grace. Rigsby, Big Damn Hero that he is, went rushing into Piller's house for him and when he jumped out the window, his arm was on fire. Grace put it out with her jacket, it must be true love. Rigsby even told Grace that he loved her, and she had the extremely mature and hilarious reaction of sticking her hands over her ears and humming. Of course, Rigsby was high as a kite on what was undoubtedly some fantastic pain medication, so I would put my money on him not even remembering saying anything.
Thematically, this episode cemented the tone for the Red John arc, and set Patrick's motive for working for CBI. I said earlier that his work felt like penance, and while there may still be a hint of that, we've seen the nasty side of it; the side of Patrick that wants Red John's blood on his hands and won't mind it at all. I say game on, let's do this thing. Are you all as ready for this as I am?
Um...YES!!! I love this show so much! Patrick Jane is amazing (well, Simon Baker)! Lisbon and Jane are a great team, but when they address the Red John case more, I think there will be some serious tension. :P
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