#curry rambles

1. I liked that Bertram was set up to be Red John, and that Oscar who only popped up in s6, was portrayed as a lower-level member of The Blake Association. In hindsight, Oscar's sudden appearance should've been a clue that he is closer to Red John than anyone else, seeing that s6 is the endgame. In the chapel, Oscar was shown to be Bertram's sidekick, as if a lower-level member was helping someone higher up (literally with Bertram being director of CBI). THEN BOOM DOUBLE-CROSSED, OSCAR SHOOTS BERTRAM FOR RED JOHN TO FINALLY TALK TO PATRICK BECAUSE as Bertram says himself, "I'm just a humble foot-servant..." and he aint got the real power to command Oscar to kill Patrick.

2. I liked that the gun beneath the pew was hinted in the 2nd episode of the 3-parter, specifically that shot of Patrick sitting down at the chosen pew during his visit to the chapel before the reveal. It definitely was meant to set up something since it can't just be a shot of simon's ass sitting down lol

3. A gun was never meant to kill Red John, simply to wound him. A death by bullet would be too easy, too quick. It wouldn't be fair for Red John to get away so easily. Patrick knew that. 10 years of chasing only for it to be over in a second with a finger on a trigger is not a satisfactory end. I like that McAllister's fear of birds was used against him after being shown in Wedding In Red (S6E3). It was a very cleverly contrasted moment where a "triumph" Red John moment of McAllister saving Patrick from falling off the roof was quickly overturned by Patrick gaining leverage by noticing his fear of birds instead of his supposed "fear of heights". In hindsight, it also became clearer that McAllister was Red John as he planted the clue of him being afraid of heights, yet he overcomes that phobia in order to save Patrick. Patrick's life means more to him than his supposed fear? You could also see how Patrick hesistated grabbing a Red John suspect's hand because he doesn't want to feel indebted or give his family's killer any satisfaction of needing to use his help.

4. Now, talking about the extended chase scene (at least 4 mins long?). It is a very fitting metaphor for the 10 years that Patrick has spent chasing Red John, with a literal chase. Red John trying to escape with a bleeding wound, a wounded prey trying to outrun his predator. He stumbles, he's bleeding, he falls. Patrick slows down because he knows he has won. The hunter has become the hunted.

5. The chase has Red John in the running, like he has always been. Being ahead in the game with Patrick, but the bleeding wound that Patrick inflicts symbolises the moments that Red John slips up, makes mistakes and leaves clues for Patrick. Patrick gains leverage and retaliates in his own way over the years. Uptil finally, the chase is over, with Red John under Patrick's hands, about to breathe his last.

6. I think many people feel that Red John's death was disappointing. However, I would say that his end nicely wrapped up everything. His death was a more emotional than physical one. Despite all the guns that Patrick has prepared, he had to kill Red John with his bare hands. And in every shot that the camera cuts to Red John on the ground being strangled, Patrick is using his left hand to choke him, with his wedding band being in frame. It's a reminder of who he is doing this all for. It's also a way to ensure that Red John has no leeway to talk his way out of his end.

Patrick asks Red John 2 questions:

"Are you sorry that you killed my wife Angela and my daughter Charlotte?"

– Red John blinks twice for yes –

"Good. Good. " (Higher-pitched, happy that he's sorry)

"Are you afraid to die?"

– Red John blinks twice for yes –

"Good." (Deeper, solemn, colder)

7. The very last close-up we ever get of Red John is when he answers Patrick's 2nd qn. Everything after that in the scene has just the camera focusing on Patrick's facial expression as he strangles the life out of Red John. The only way we can tell what's happening to McAllister is through Patrick's breathing. It starts off with deep breathes as he chokes Red John. It's like Patrick is gathering all the emotions that he has been holding on to, everything that has him pushing on to catch his family's murderer; hopelessness, guilt, anger - all into his hand to kill Red John. Then, comes the liberation. His breathing changes from deep breaths, to short quick breaths. Patrick has released all the weight that has been dragging him down. Red John is gone, 10 years of chasing and revenge is over. He also finally comes to terms that he has killed. He has taken a man's life with his bare hands, but it is worth it. The contrast is there yet again - Red John struggles and chokes being short of air while Patrick takes deep long breaths, as if he's sucking the life out of him. The show-not-tell of this scene was really well done. I have to give acclaim to Simon's acting in this because his expression and micro-expressions in this sold everything.