The Mentalist Review: A Wicked Game

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As many fans suspected after last week's episode, Patrick Jane was playing a long con. A very long con, and all in the hopes of luring out Red John. But in "The Crimson Hat," who really got played?

I loved the opening sequence where Jane meets Lorelei. Even the music set the mood, as Chris Isaac's Wicked Game played in the background. 

Jane Meets Lorelei

When Oscar told Jane that the dead mother he claimed to have spoken to had actually wasn't dead - but had run off with her aerobics instructor years ago - I literally laughed out loud. Jane's response? "That explains why she was so easy to contact."

Jane loves telling people what they want to hear. Of course, this time - along with getting paid handsomely for it - he also nearly got both of his legs broken. 

Apparently Red John had a generous streak. If he had to send a messenger, he couldn't have sent one more gorgeous. Then he ordered her to pay Jane's bail, sleep with him and cook him breakfast. What more could you ask for?

Patrick finally ended up in bed with someone and it ended up being a Red John disciple. A stunningly beautiful disciple, but still. That definitely tarnished the moment.

Unfortunately, Patrick didn't share his plan to snare Red John with anyone, including Lisbon. Teresa looked worried sick sitting in that church, praying for guidance on how to help Jane. It had been six long months and for once, I think even Jane felt guilty.

Horror was the only word to describe the look on Jane's face when he realized that the price for being allowed into Red John's inner sanctum was Teresa's death. 

From the look on Lisbon's face I couldn't tell if Jane had let her in on the plan when he walked into the CBI. Then, I realized that her shocked expression was due to his words, not the gun he pulled on her. In this The Mentalist quote, Jane told Lisbon,

 Good luck Teresa. Love you. | permalink

... just before he pulled the trigger. Apparently it was the last two words that threw her.

So do you think Darcy's the mole in the FBI? Red John only said he had a friend there. Once Darcy blew the whistle lots of other agents would have had the same information and could have passed it along. But what made Darcy so suspicious that she went down to the morgue to measure a faceless corpse? Who would even think to do that?

In the end, I wondered if Jane was going to lose a finger and I was sure they'd open that limo and find it empty. Instead Darcy opened that door to find the dead but horror-filled eyes of Luther Wainwright. Oh, what a terrifying way to die. 

From the moment Wainwright came on the scene I figured he was either Red John's next victim or another disciple. I really wish I had been wrong.

When Lisbon finally found a battered Patrick Jane what struck me was that she didn't touch him. She actually sat a couple of feet away as she asked if he was okay. He's the one who reached out for her hand to hold.

Will we see Lorelei again next season? Why was Jane so sure he could make her talk?  Will the rest of the CBI team forgive Jane for his long con and how it ended?  Is Lisbon now a target nd who in Hell is Red John?

The Mentalist managed to keep the Red John saga going for another season and delivered yet another twist. A wicked game, indeed.

The Crimson Hat Review

Editor Rating: 4.7 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.6 / 5.0 (345 Votes)

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.

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The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 24 Quotes

Stuff just happens, that's all. Just one damn thing after another.

Jane

Lorelei: So you're not magician?
Patrick: No. I'm a con man. I steal from people.