The Great 38 Rewatch-- #StrawberriesAndCream
The Great 38′s Strawberries & Cream Parts 1 & 2
This is absolutely one of my favorite episodes. In my very humble opinion, it has everything. It has great team chemistry and teamwork: Rigsby and Cho working as a well oiled machine and all of the them deciding to back Jane when they don’t believe his plan will really work.
It has a great plot that moves you from part one to part two without really being aware that you’re doing it. We went from a simple robbery to Red John’s capture in a pretty logical order. The man who blew himself up didn’t take much cash from the pay-day-loan business but did want the list of customers. That led to an investigation of the list that led to an alert regarding a person on the list that led to Hightower’s family that led to the CBI mole that led to Red John. Of course, along the way things don’t go as Jane planned them, but we had already learned to expect that at this point.
It’s also a great example of Van Pelt’s bad decision making. No, I’m not talking about her engagement to Red John henchman, O'Laughlin. It’s her selection of bridesmaids’ dresses that really points out her judgement issues. I mean, really? I have to go with Lisbon on this one– not good. Totally on a side note here, it does seem as if too many brides pick bad bridesmaids’ dresses. I’ve worn a few myself. It’s like the bride is deliberately making sure other women are unhappy. *Ahem* Sorry, I think I just strayed off course.
However, it’s the Jisbon and the hunt for Red John that truly put this episode in the highest categories for me. Like the bomber, I was on the edge of my seat wondering what Jane was going to say to Lisbon when they were supposed to be breaking into the CBI evidence locker. The whole part of that episode when Lisbon is in danger was very well done. It allowed Jane to be heroic while still maintaining Lisbon’s strength and integrity.
The ultimate conclusion leads the audience to believe that we have found Red John and I for one would have been very happy with this being so. The scene in the mall caused great anxiety, sadness, shock, and finally relief. It was only after it ended that the viewer wondered if that was truly the end of Red John.
I hope you can join us today, Dec. 20th at 5pm EST USA for the rewatch. We will be watching BOTH parts and tweeting our thoughts. It should be a fabulous time. However, if you can’t be with us, please watch this on your own and remember how much you loved so many different elements of #TheMentalist.
The Great 38 Rewatch will take a one week hiatus as yours truly takes time to enjoy the holiday season with some family and friends and I hope that you will get a chance to do the same. We will reconvene with the start of season 4, January 3, 2017.
Whatever holidays you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful time and make the most of your joys.
Take care and always choose to smile,
tivarocks!
