The Mentalist - Byzantium

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode! The level of suspense, mystery, darkness, oh boy I was intriguingly engaged every second of it. It was creepy, eerie, fantastic! One exquisite team work from Nina, Jordan, Marisa and Jimmy. Loved how everything blend in as well as the rhythm. 

Gabriel stole the whole episode for me. I enjoyed every scene of him with everyone. That boy gave me the chills. His accent, his abnormality, I honestly don't know what to think of him other than they made an excellent casting. Amazing how sociopath could be written and directed to be so fascinating. As with Jane and Lisbon, I wasn't expecting any lovey dovey scenes as I knew it will be Jane and mental illness at it's fullest. So its all good for me. But Jane did make a significant progress, that was the most important point of the episode.

We also got a glimpse of everyone's behaviour on dealing with the aftermath of Vega's death. Cho  obviously wasn't handling it so well. As stoic as he is, he has a suppressed various emotions. And those emotional outbursts were triggered when the poacher held his gun. Poor guy damn near got his ribs busted. 

Meanwhile Abbott went for counselling, he even advised Cho to get one too as it helps. This is just two colleagues speaking with one another as a friend, giving emotional support. Love seeing Tim and Rock's wonderful chemistry! 

Wylie on the other hand, he's trying to make a difference. I feel for this guy the most. He wanted to be useful, he doesn't feel productive enough being the tech savvy guy who sit behind the computer and pick up the phones. He wanted out in the field, to help Cho as much as he can even though he's not cut out for it. Like Cho said do it because you want to, not because you miss her. I'd say: how about both? It won't do him any good sitting in the bullpen with Vega's empty desk staring at him when he can be out to be extra useful for the team. Be extra productive while keeping himself occupied at the same time? Well I truly admire his heart and courage, especially coming from a young boy like him. This is part of his character development.

I especially loved how this scene was taken by Nina. The camera was projected from left to right and right to left on each of them. There was a moment of silence at the beginning which makes the scene more suspenseful and eerie. The silence + moving camera literally screamed silence speak louder than words. And I love the quietness with no music throughout the whole interrogation, it's like there's a strong sense of analysation that felt more powerful. 

Also loved how Lisbon was all in her sass and sarcasm, acting as the Jane against all things psychic. How awesome was it that she's grown so much into Jane's skepticism about psychic? She even strongly object Abbott in this quote it's more likely than him being an actual honest-to-god psychic. 

She's also right on reading into Wylie when he insistently wanted to dig into red clay. What else, and what did he say to make you believed in him? Lisbon is so good in reading people these days. Years of experience taught her so she said. Yes, she learnt from the best.

Now Jane and Lisbon.

This scene was amazing. I loved how Lisbon's reaction to Jane was all cool, sass and sarcastic instead of behaving like a pathetic, devastated woman. It only hit her after she said The third time, I thought he's dead. Dead in a ditch on the side of the road. She gave me the reading that she's all fine if Jane was not going to come back to her. She has anticipated it. It's the guy's habit anyway. What worried her to death was his well being. That is love. When you love someone you set them free, not chasing in their tail. She's a one immensely strong woman, she has her job that is enough to keep all her sanity. Losing a man doesn't mean the world has collapsed.

Meanwhile...Jane, mental sickness kicked in is one thing, you want to leave...LEAVE. But changing your bad habit to at least return someone's call or just a simple text "I'm fine, just needed some space", that is a one bloody easy godamn task to do. It was a heartless torture to let your loved one worry for you to death. When Lisbon said Grand Canyon? I heard its big, I was hoping she adds didn't you feel tempted to jump down? it must've feel good! What can I say, Jane is a one very flawed human being and yet the luckiest man to be alive. If it weren't Lisbon's never-ending forgiveness and ability to love the worst side of him, he'd be dead by now. Either from a successful suicidal attempt or got murdered by his own partner. I just love how they make this two characters fulfilled each others' weaknesses and strength. One thing for sure, St Teresa's angelic heart would stuck with me forever. She has the biggest heart every human being can ever have. She still offered Jane what can I do for you to help you figure things out? even after being emotionally tortured. How great was this woman? I actually think she could move the whole Grand Canyon to tears. Ramble enough.

Jane got drunk, woke up in the middle of the field with a 3 legged dog, saw a rustic cabin by the lake and he suddenly figured it out. I choose to believe that it was his subconscious picturing young Teresa's graffiti that has awaken him. It's like it suddenly came to his realisation that he wanted to fulfil the dream of this little girl, the innocent happy little girl before she got tinted by her family tragedy. His eyes was opened and at that moment he found a life purpose. Through that he would found peace for himself. I may even think that him being drunk was one that triggered this subconscious. Like he said before some great minds work best with hallucinogens - similar concept, different drugs? This case is alcohol. Or maybe this is only make sense to me?

Its very telling how Lisbon sticks with Jane behind instead of marching in at the front with the rest of the team. She could if she wants to. Thats because now she's perceptive to Jane's fear and tried to accommodate to that, and that now they're in this together. I see that as a very lovely progress. 

Lastly, the remake of Red John was so BEAUTIFULLY MADE. The parallelism was spot on. It will make a full circle, only this time with a happy ending. Also another nice touch with Jane hypnotising Wylie for clues, another classic Mentalist touch! I can't wait for this Lazzie story to pan out next week as I'm deeply curious to find out the truth about Gabriel's psychic power. That truth will be revealed more next week as Jimmy said. But at the same time I so don't want 7x13 to come so soon! Cant believe we wont see them anymore after next week. I will miss Jane and Lisbon accompany so damn much.