Last week’s promo for The Mentalist foreshadowed a heart-wrenching episode, with the death of a team member looming. I couldn’t help but wish I hadn’t seen the promo, as the impact of the character’s death would have been more powerful as an unexpected surprise.
Crime and Confrontation
The episode kicks off with an armored truck guard being kidnapped by three armed, masked gunmen. As the driver hides and reports the robbery, the thieves make off with a portion of the cash in a vintage car. The team gathers at the scene, where Vega reveals that this was the year’s biggest cash delivery, and the tracking devices hadn’t been implanted yet.
Cho suggests surveillance on the bank employees to find the inside informant, but Jane, true to form, opts for a more direct approach. He confronts the bank employees, accusing one of them of being an accomplice. The bank manager, Gil, is outraged, but Jane persists, singling out a nervous teller who eventually hands over a burner phone. It’s great to see Jane back in action after giving Lisbon her moment in the spotlight.
Wiley and Vega’s Budding Romance
I was delighted when Wiley invited Vega to a League of Legends tournament, and she accepted. Abbott’s advice to Wiley on where to take Vega for a date was a testament to his knowledge of his team. The scene where Vega spots a man’s uneven shoe heels from across a diner was a bit of a stretch, but I’ll let it slide. It was no surprise when the third man appeared and started shooting at Cho and Vega.
Cho’s horror at finding Vega bleeding out on the floor was palpable, but he maintained his composure, fighting to keep her alive. Cho’s unwavering steadiness, even in the face of tragedy, is one of his most admirable traits. Vega’s heartbreaking plea for Cho’s approval as she lay dying was a gut-wrenching moment.
Loss and Heartache
Wiley’s excitement at finally asking Vega out on a date was short-lived, as he had to trade their date for her funeral. The scene where Wiley cried at his desk upon hearing the news about Vega was incredibly moving. The team’s mourning took a back seat as they hunted for Vega’s killers.
Jane devised a plan to turn the robbers against each other, but when the safety of two hostages was at stake, the SWAT team was called in. Jane couldn’t bear to watch Lisbon put her life on the line, so he walked into the line of fire himself, securing the release of the first hostage.
Jane’s Fear and the Crossroads
As much as Lisbon thinks she understands Jane’s fear of losing her, I don’t believe she truly does. Jane’s fear of losing the woman he loves, particularly to violence, is deeply ingrained in his psyche. Every time Lisbon is in danger, he likely relives the horror of finding his dead wife with Red John’s bloody smiley face above her.
At Vega’s funeral, Jane and Lisbon reached a turning point in their relationship. Lisbon acknowledged that places like the cemetery must be difficult for Jane, and they agreed to postpone their weekend trip. The emotional dam finally broke when Jane told Lisbon he couldn’t watch her put her life on the line anymore, as it could have been her in that coffin instead of Vega.
Lisbon told Jane he couldn’t keep pulling her away from danger, so Jane decided to distance himself from it altogether. He told Lisbon he was leaving and that she could either join him or stay with the FBI. When Lisbon asked where he was going, he simply replied, “some place nice.” The scene where Jane kissed Lisbon on the cheek and walked away was incredibly emotional.
What Lies Ahead?
While Patrick Jane can no longer bear the thought of losing Teresa to violence or death, Teresa Lisbon’s identity is deeply intertwined with her career in law enforcement. So where does that leave our favorite couple? With only three episodes left in this fantastic series, I can only hope for blue skies ahead for both their sakes.
[Photo via CBS]
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