The Mentalist Review: Who's Playing Who?

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Will Jane's search for Red John bring about his redemption or his descent into madness? 

"The Crimson Ticket" had me wondering who was playing who and would anyone survive the consequences of this Mentalist game.

The murder of the week was barely worth mentioning, but I will say the show planted enough subliminal clues to the killer's ultimate motive to be worthy of Patrick Jane himself. There were advertisements for the California Lottery planted in several shots. On buses, newspapers, etc. It was hardly surprising to find out that Callie was offed for her winning lottery ticket.

CBI vs. FBI

But the crux of this story was the aftermath of the season ending debacle that let Red John go free, leaving the CBI and FBI at one another's throats, literally. Agent Darcy had a nervous breakdown after the horrifying accidental killing of Wainwright and her fellow FBI agents believed Lisbon's team should be behind bars for their part in it.

Tensions were running so high that it didn't take much for Jane to make it worse. You'd think that watching Jane poke the bear would grow tiring after a while, but in the adept hands of Simon Baker it's simply fun to watch, even when we know what's coming. 

When Jane walks away after telling an irate FBI agent in this The Mentalist quote

 Your temples are pulsing like some weird undersea creature. If that's not anger, you should see a doctor. | permalink

... it's no surprise that Patrick was safely in his little blue Citron by the time the inevitable brawl broke out.

But Lorelei was the center of this episode and Jane couln't take his eyes off of her. A fact that didn't go unnoticed by Lisbon.

Lisbon seemed determined not to believe Jane when it came to Lorelei. Why was it so farfetched that Red John had a mole in the FBI? Wasn't Grace's ex-fiance an agent of Red John? Wasn't there a season long investigation trying to find a Red John mole in the CBI?

Yet Lisbon appeared convinced that Red John and Lorelei were playing Jane. Was the knowledge that Jane slept with her bothering Teresa more than she let on? Did she believe that one night in bed could cloud his judgment that badly?

I found it interesting that when Lorelei accused Patrick of being in love with Teresa, he didn't react. I don't believe that Lorelei's wrong. I just think that Jane was in such control of his emotions while he was playing this game of cat and mouse that there was no reason to respond. Or did he realize that any further reaction from him would only paint a bigger target on Lisbon?

Honestly, I love Lorelei. Her voice is downright hypnotic and the way she and Jane play off of one another is mesmerizing. Perhaps it's that odd connection that has Lisbon so on edge.

Jane's tactic of offering to be Lorelei's savior seemed plausible to me. She knows that Red John will most likely kill her and perhaps Jane can grab onto some innate sense of survival in the girl. For it to work Lorelei must believe Jane has some feelings for her. In that context, the kiss made sense.

But once Lorelei became the hot potato nobody could hold onto for long, her days were numbered. Is she dead?Is she alive and back in the clutches of Red John? Has a rogue FBI team secured her away for their own investigation?

Only time will tell but I hope we get to see her again soon. Either way I'm looking forward to another wickedly fun season of The Mentalist

The Crimson Ticket Review

Editor Rating: 4.6 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.7 / 5.0 (170 Votes)

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

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The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 1 Quotes

Your temples are pulsing like some weird undersea creature. If that's not anger, you should see a doctor.

Jane

She believes, poor soul, in a benevolent universe.

Jane