The Mentalist - The Silver Briefcase

Holy Cannoli, there's something mesmerising about Simon Baker's directed episode - for a good 40 mins there I almost forgot the mentalist is a network show. His artistic, cinematic eyes put the mentalist to a different level, somewhat felt like a cable show or even a movie. And to top the brilliant direction, Jordan Harper's writing, Blake Neely's peculiar score, all their perfect synchronisation made the whole episode out of ordinary yet simply flawless! JH's latest styles were about lets-reveal-the-killer-at-the-beginning-and-let-the-story-pans-out and dude I so approve.

Before I ramble about anything else, can I just briefly mention how can Robin Tunney be in her 40s here:

That side bangs, goggles and ponytail make her barely looked 30. And oh, how I loved the Chisbon badass choreography in the dark. Chisbon+Gun OTP, well done Simon (although my Lisbian side wants more, things like..let her do another sexy stunt with her left hand again?). And I'm sorry Colonel, they've worked together for almost 15 years now, no badasses could win them, let alone your warriors. 

Vylie:

I'vedecided I like Vylie. I enjoyed them far more than Choga. Or should I say I liked Vega when she interacts with Wylie instead of Cho. That car scene was spot on! So much fun. Can I have a scene like this with Lisbon too for obvious reason? Sorry, again my Lisbian side is showing. Anyway, I opt for Vylie out in the field more often! Pleeease! I also liked Vega's cute interaction with Jane when Jane teased her how often Wylie steals glances on her. The only scene that did annoy me a little was when she said "curiosity killed the cat". I'm just glad that line was used to another cute moment at the end. 

To me the main point about the episode revolves around the Jane and Lisbon future + making plans. From Lisbon kept making a point to Jane that he enjoys what he does and it even foreshadowed on the case: "Let me tell you something about plans, Colonel. They get in the way of instincts" and Jane's line to Lisbon "every good plans need a little bit of luck." I wonder if this is also Jane's subconscious speaking about his relationship. 

There were so many Jane and Lisbon adorable moments that made me grin so much. I loved how Jane's strange senses about Colonel Raymond leads to a question on whether his girlfriend ever had a fling with the guy. So funny, that was a natural instinct of a man in love! And Lisbon's smiles when "my girlfriend and I are out house hunting" to how they analyse the crime scene -its just proof that they both are perfectly in sync at all condition. 

I love Baker's direction when he shot this scene:

It was as if he was reflecting how far they've come together and now they're in this big new world together. The world with infinite possibilities. 

I squealed on their brief hand touch that was literally screaming "lets do this baby, we're partners in love and crime". And bed. 

The Banter That Is Their Lifeblood

I love love love how they're still so Jane and Lisbon even as a couple. There's so much friendship in their intimacy. Instead of having an argumentative clamor like a real life couple fighting to justify one's point, they're respectful, careful and most definitely cute. This is the sensible, grown up couple, suggesting the infinite possibilities for their future in their very own adorable way! Lisbon was awkwardly doubtful when Jane brought up his thoughts about taking off, but I'm so happy to see her kept bringing back the topic so naturally in this episode. Can you see how much they've developed. I mean look at their f*cked up communication breakdown last season compared to this day, how the solely eye sex communication in the past has now articulated into words - god it was delightful to watch. Jane mentioned one strong point, he's happy for the first time in a decade. And Lisbon's right, he IS having fun..especially now when he's free from all his demons, I could totally see him genuinely enjoys the job more than ever. Plus, it was lovely to see him sharing the bits of fun part to his girl on the case. They're best friends. And my feelings are all over the place. I need to stop treating fictional characters as real people at some point though. 

Overall, this episode is perfect to me in so many ways. Simon, Jordan, Jimmy and Neely should do a cable show together. 

Although there is one thing that kind of disturbed me and that  is...

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THIS. The obsolete Blackberry. 

It's been 7 seasons, 143 episodes, 14 years of timeline. Don't you think it's time to ditch this phone as a regular? Blackberry was hot in the 2003, and I believed Lisberry's model had come to extinction sometime around 2012. Even Jane the technology crippled person has moved forward to an iPhone. I know I shipped Motoberry hard in Fire and Brimstone but I can't ship iBerry for some reason. Today is a brand new era of Apple dude so Jane please do me a favor, get your girlfriend a new phone or Abbott, give one of your best people an iPhone 6. Look at me blabbing about phones...I'm sorry!

Thanks for reading my ramble. Now read my buddy's awesome as always review here: http://imsonotmelville.blogspot.com.au/

The Mentalisbon - Black Market

Chisbon:

That was such a fun opening credit to start off with. I totally loved Blake Neely's opening score there, and when they 'biggified' Lisbon's freckles on the screen - I thought aaw it blends so well! Love the moment when they switched the camera to Cho's face after the big smile "should we do it?" - what a tease. Lisbon and Cho are such a private, non-hugger, non-physical person and I've been rooting for some sort of physical interaction between these two since season 1. And this is my second favourite Chisbon moment after the Black Hearts momental hug that gave me actual tears. The idea of them being undercover as a couple just brought a new freshness into the show, a humor gift the writers brought for loyal fans - Cho got a kiss and smiled *clap clap*. Also can I point out why must it took an undercover job for Lisbon to show her arms  (+ arms freckles) at work? Sorry, my Lisbian side might be showing.

Why don't you go back to my place, jump into bed? I'll come tuck you in as soon as we're done.

Gadd, I'd never have thought I'd hear these words from these two. Instead of asking him to go home, she asked her to go back to her place so she could look after him. She is home. Truth is: Lisbon loves taking care of Jane. Red Dawn is one proof that she's always watching after him, loves to watch him sleep from the moment they met. And then Violet, she tucked him in in the most subtle way which  was so typical Mentalist. I'm just so happy that now they can watch each other sleep until they go blind.

Abbolena, (or Delena - god, they can be named after a Vampire ship):

I enjoyed the beginning of the Abbott's arc. Abbott's character development has been great so far. He started off as the stern FBI agent tearing down my CBI aka the family home, was introduced in a bit of a villain-ish vibes but he already grew on me from the very beginning - his sass was glorious. Then we came to know about his cute fondness over Voltron. Then slowly he infiltrates himself into the shippers kingdom, became the Agent "Shipper King" himself. I wonder if his belief in true love contributes to his cupid side. Plus I just can't stand his idiotic micro expressions when he starts shipping. What can I say, Rock does ROCK. My point is, we've seen a few layers about his character and I just can't wait to unveil more layers, also how his dark past and his belief on love would somehow create an impact to Jane & Lisbon's arc. Parallelism. 

Choga:

To be very honest, Vega started off great for me but her whiny little girl attitude kind of irked me in this episode. Mate, trust is earned just like Cho said. I'm just happy that it took awhile for Cho to give in to her. She NEEDS to earn that trust over time, not over cuteness. It's pretty obvious that they're budding a new love story for these two but I hope they won't get together, not shipping them at all - for now. In fact, I liked Vega + Wylie more. The Coyote boy is cute and he genuinely likes her, so Miss why don't you give the guy a chance? I hope Vega character would developed which I'm sure she will, hope she'll grow up and transformed because this is what the mentalist is always about - dig deep into the characters and make them grow. I may have just missed Wayne and Grace while writing this, how much the two grew up in the show. Phew.

Lisychic the Mentalisbon:

Robin Tunney once said that she wanted to do a comedy one day - to me this episode fulfilled her dream. It's more than a comedy, I was flipping on the floor. From her line of "I'm gonna throw up" I was already giggling. Lisbon learnt fast! She knew how to be a mentalist, her only downside was her nature of being a bad actress. Tunney portrayed that seamlessly! I've said this for the umpteenth times but it took a god damn good actress to portray a bad actress, and to top it off with a comedy performance was perfectly gratifying! Goodness gracious, if there are some things Lisbon I could watch all day is: Lisyschic, Lisbon holding her glock with her left hand and Lisbon showing Robin's Indie side.
OR this:

This is what steals the whole episode - Mentalisbon. Its amazing how Jane and Lisbon's partnership works on all kinds of level.

The bliss in the Silver Bucket:

Feels. Lisbon tracing her pinky on Jane and the "mmmm" were so in character. Jane is obviously starting to question himself why is he still working with law enforcement. His purpose (getting RedJohn and Lisbon) has been fulfilled but I'm sure he's still confused on what's next. Figuring out a future and have "plans" is totally a new ground for this guy. But I'm impressed that he just casually utters out his thoughts in front of Lisbon, even when he's unwell! When did the guy ever do that? At the start of the season we could see him trying hard to be open and honest with her but now, he just naturally did that. Wow, the new Jane just continuously surprise me week after week. Meanwhile Lisbon's "goodnight" was very telling. It relates back to her insecurity "I don't know what's gonna happen, if he's gonna stick around or". It's very natural for her to feel that way, afterall it takes time for her to adapt to the fact that this is the new Jane she's dealing and that she has nothing to worry about. Jane knows that being a cop is who she is, and like he said, he would make future plans based on what they feels right to be their guide. Very interesting to see how this will unfold.

About the no physical: I'm not sure if they're doing this out of respect for the audience who's been too used to seeing them as friends or to build the sexual tension with the audience. If its the latter I must say, writers you've succeeded. I have sexual tension all over with my screen. Bravo! I'm not saying that I totally approve what they're doing. They could add a brief hug at the end before she left, just a simple gesture that could make the whole scene + romance a little bit more sense. But I won't complain either because I still enjoyed it very very much. We're so blessed to have this season and I just want to enjoy my show. I'm willing to let go my other cravings.

The Silver Briefcase:

I have very high expectation for next week's episode because it's Jordan Baker. And whats with the promo: its like a mixture of The Matrix (or some movies) and Red & Itchy. I wish Ghost Laroche would make a guest appearance.

Thanks for reading my ramble and if you haven't already, please read my buddy's fantastic review on the episode here http://imsonotmelville.blogspot.com.au

How do you like the episode? Comment below.

Hello from down under

Hi peeps, something triggers me to write this blog. The truth is I am grieving, not about the end of the show, not just yet, more about how the show's wrapped and no longer in production, how everyone has parted and go separate ways. How my favourite set is now left to collect dust in the dimmed light, waiting to be torn apart. How all the sentimental values will be discarded; my couch, my tea cup, my airstream, my citroen, Jane's shoes, Lisbon's cross, etc. How I wish they will left the set open permanently for WB tour viewing like the Central Perk - I can dream alright. Last but not least is the fact that Simon and Robin ain't working together/seeing each other much anymore - hits me big time. I've been actively involved in this fandom for 4 years, it has been a huge part of my life - so it's going to take awhile to adjust to this new situation.

So lets just say this is my way of dealing with grief. I would want to write stuffs about episodes. Till then, ciao.