#thegreat38

Curious Kitties, Shiny Cases, Future Dreams, & Murder -- Silver Briefcase

Ahhh!  It's hard to imagine two people who are enjoying falling in love more than Teresa Lisbon and Patrick Jane.  We see that clearly in #SilverBriefcase, an episode directed by Simon Baker who has mastered the art of  creating beautiful images and warmth on camera.  But there is one slight shadow in all this-- Jane is starting to talk about wanting to do something else and Lisbon isn't so keen on the idea.  This thread will continue.  

As weak as the cases were in season 7, I thought this one really stood out as a well crafted mystery in a classic Columbo style.  The audience knows at the beginning that the Colonel was in the house when his wife was killed and it's all about how Jane can catch him.  In the end, some may still think that the mistress did it, but I can't believe that.  I doubt a man like the Colonel could allow a civilian woman to be in charge of a plan that would involve him in a felony.  Nor do I believe she would have had the capability to plan everything so carefully, clear down to the clothing change, the heat settings, and abandoning the car.  No, in my mind he was definitely the instigator.  Besides, I think the wife would have fought more and would have possibly injured the mistress if the mistress came at her with a knife. 

However, let's face it.  The case was incidental to the progression of our divine duo's relationship.  They are in a perfect groove with each other professionally and they trust each completely.  They are also very happy with their personal life as shown in the looks exchanged and the small touches.  Still, they are trying to figure out what happens beyond the now and they're discovering that they each have different visions.  He wants a carefree existence and she needs a purpose.  It will be a continuing conversation.  

I hope you can join us to rewatch #SilverBriefcase, Tuesday May 9th at 5pm DST eastern time zone USA.  We will be live tweeting our thoughts and our reactions to different aspects of the case and the Jisbon.  Don't be shy; give us a try.  ;-)  If you are unable to watch with us, I hope you'll take the time to watch this Great 38 entry on your own.  You can always review our tweets by searching #SilverBriefcase on Twitter or feel free to browse around my timeline, @finewineornot.  

Thanks for sticking with this project.  

Serial Killers, Pigeons, and Running

After all those years we finally got to meet Red John.  I think Jane said it best, "I have to say I'm a little disappointed."  I wasn't expected an aging sheriff with no visible charisma to turn out to be a serial killer who could capture the imagination and devotion of a legion of followers.  Still, this is canon and thus it must be so.  Except for the fact that Red John was McAllister, I think this close to the case was riveting.  While Simon is utterly brilliant, no one else should be slighted in appreciation for his/ her work in this episode.  Everyone was amazing and I remember being barely able to blink much less turn my eyes from the screen the entire time.  

Therefore whenever I get a bit grumbly about the selection of McAllister, I remind myself how much I enjoyed so many other things about the episode.  Many fantastic moments occurred, individually and as a team.  

Lisbon defending Jane and standing toe to toe with Abbott.  (Who knew at that point that we would all grow to love him and name him the Captain of the Good Ship Jisbon?) 

The sad loneliness of Lisbon throughout the episode as she slowly realized that she may not be able to save Jane from himself or from prison

Jane and Lisbon having what would be there last moments together in the park before they would be separated for two years.  ("Oh, why didn't he kiss her?" my poor heart cried.)

The team ready to go out with guns blazing in a shooting match with the FBI just to rescue Jane

Lisbon listening to Abbott on his radio and realizing that Jane got away again.  (It reminded me of when Toto escaped the Wicked Witch of the West and Dorothy cheered through her tears, "He got away! He got away! Toto got away!"

The running-- and running-- and more running

Jane's glance to Angela's and Charlotte's graves as he walked into his meeting with Bertram

More running-- and more chest visibility

The climax between Jane and Red John-- the fact that he strangled Red John with his left hand with his wedding ring clearly seen and that we only know what's happening by watching Jane's face and hearing Red John's gurgling sounds

Lisbon unable to answer Jane's final call as he leaves the message that it's over, he's okay, and that he'll miss her

Finally, I would like to point out two things that caught my eye.  First, during the scene in the street when Jane, Lisbon, and the CBI team are standing up to Abbott and the FBI, the cameras are focusing on the three CBI agents on one side and Abbott on the other.  Standing a few feet behind Abbott are Jane and Lisbon.  They are not the focus of the scene at the time but Simon and Robin were so completely in character that they created what I’m willing to bet was a completely unscripted moment when Jane and Lisbon look to each other as Abbott argues with the three younger agents.  The look they exchanged seemed to say that they still had each other’s back and that Lisbon was still trying to get Jane out of this.  Try to catch it if you can. 

The second thing I couldn’t help but notice was that when Bertram was lying on the ground dead, he’s first seen lifeless with his eyes open.  However, perhaps Michael Gaston got tired of keeping them that way because later as Jane and Red John are talking, Bertram’s eyes are now closed.  I’m probably the only person amused by that, but I did want to share. 

I hope you can join for the rewatch today, March 21st, at 5pm Daylight Savings TIme, eastern time zone USA. This is the second and final week that this should be a headache for us.  Remember, for those of you who have not moved your clocks forward yet, the rewatch will be an hour earlier than normal.  If you need further confirmation of your calculations, google "If it's 5pm today in Ohio USA what time is it in (fill in your location)"   We will be tweeting are thoughts throughout the episode using #RedJohn.  If you don't feel comfortable tweeting, feel free to lurk.  Lurkers are welcome too.  If you can't join us, I hope you'll take the time to revisit this episode.  It definitely fascinates the senses.  

Take care and be sure to laugh once today.  You'll feel a lot better.