Also, I love how Tasha's so disdainful of Rich without even interacting with him, even before seeing him from a distance, and on meeting him, that dislike just intensifies. And then by the end of the show, she's telling him that somehow, she loves him just like the rest of the team, and it's just such a journey. :D
After looking at @take2intotheshower‘s gif and @chibinoyume‘s clothes-burning pic, I’m now imagining a kind of reverse-1x09 situation, where Jane is waiting for Kurt to be ready to go, and he walks in and goes ‘I feel ridiculous in these clothes’. And Jane is just laughing at him, because he also LOOKS ridiculous.
Then again, it would be awesome to see him walk out in a smart suit or a tux and have her nearly drop dead from lust, like Allie did. :D
This episode floors me every time I watch it, so this may be a looooong post. With much squeeing, obviously. There are so many things going on, from the undeniable Jeller chemistry to the introduction of Rich and Allie, to the conclusion of David’s storyline (kinda) and the start of a horrifying ordeal for Patterson. This will always be in my top ten favourite episodes, probably also my top five.
Chronological Thoughts
Yikes, I forgot this opening sequence was so brutal! Kinda disturbing to think Rich has admiration for these people.
Patterson! And David’s cute little puzzle for her. They were the perfect couple, I will always say it. <3 It hurts my heart to see her brush him off like that, knowing how awful things get for her in season 2. And she never sees him again... *sniffle*
“You don’t say no to me.” Youch, Carter. You’re an asshole. Poor Zapata, even if she did bring it on herself.
Ohhh, the lighting in the lab is starting to look a little bit blue these days. Grrr. And poor sad Tasha, she’s just feeling so bad about what Carter’s making her do.
I love Jane’s little smile when Reade asks Patterson if she thinks what she said isn’t nonsense.
Ha! I forgot about the Ashwell Creek Kennels site. I know it’s a long time until the hiring of Jane and Kurt from the bios Patterson puts up for them, but it makes me smile just thinking about it.
Ooh, Kurt opens the door to the ‘open house’ like a badass.
Ah, Jane discovering she knows Bulgarian! :D Though how she knows it’s Bulgarian is a little bit of a mystery.
Kurt checking out his reflection in the mirror a little bit. (Okay, not really, but if I were Kurt, I’d have a crush on myself.)
Oh, hey, don’t bother using gloves at a crime scene, Kurt. :p
Ahhhh, just seeing that pin makes me happy and excited for what’s coming up!
I like how Mayfair is filling Jane in before she has to ask.
AHHHHHHH, US Marshalls! Allie Allie Allie!
Oh David, you are so in love. I’m so sorry.
Jane’s face when Allie hugs Kurt… And the chemistry between him and Allie is so strong in this scene. His smile as he’s talking about Sawyer makes me all fluttery. If Jane wasn’t so obviously meant for Kurt, I really could have shipped them hard.
Mayfair sounds so incredulous and pissed off here when she learns about the compromising of all the new identities. Chill out, Mayfair, she’s not one of your agents and she’s trying to handle it…
Oh, wow, 6 million dollar necklace. I forgot how valuable it was supposed to be. It must be weird to wear something that’s valued at more than your life.
That’s a pretty pin, too. Wonder if Rich picked them out.
“Let’s get dressed up – we’re going to a gala.” OH, YEAH, YOU ARE, and you’ll never forget it for soooooo many reasons!
Nooooo, David, don’t do it! Don’t follow her!
Allie is so completely there for round 2 with Kurt, and who can blame her? ;) And he’s tempted, but Allie picked exactly the wrong moment to ask.
“Ahhhh, I get it.” I feel kind of bad for Allie, but she does become one of their best friends as a couple, and she gets to have some fun with Kurt while he’s confused, so…not too bad.
The way he looks at Jane is just…I dunno, it’s almost pure. He’s not being lecherous, but he’s so clearly stunned by her beauty. *happy sigh* And she is so uncomfortable, but also flattered and really loving his tux. And it’s like Allie isn’t even there.
“Don’t take your eyes off each other.” And they don’t. Or their hands. :D If you figured out the percentage of the time they’re in close contact in this episode, I bet it would be like 80 percent of the Hamptons stuff.
Jane is so startled and awkward as she realises they’re wearing rings. And goddamn it, why are her flashbacks with Oscar so much hotter than we ever see with Kurt? Damn you, Blindspot!
Do we see Reade in a tux in any other episodes? I mean, we barely see him in it in this one, because Jane and Kurt get spirited away so fast. And Patterson and Zapata look so great, too. It’s a shame we didn’t get more of them all schmoozing around the gala before Kurt and Jane were approached by Rich’s people.
Hope their cell phones weren’t their real cell phones that they use every day…
“As you know, my employer is an extremely cautious man.” *snort* Yeah, you should see him nimble gazelle-ing out of a truck bed in a few years…
Aww, the little shot of Kurt and Jane holding hands with the glitzy wedding ring…
Love how Jane’s dress flaps around in the wind as she’s going from the car to the helicopter. It really is an incredible dress…
And the team are just like ‘oh, fuck’ as they’re watching the helicopter fly off.
Ahhhh, the way Kurt helps Jane out of the helicopter and the way she clutches him for balance… *sigh*
Oh, that guy is all ‘quick no-homo frisk’ with Kurt and then totally takes his time with Jane. I can see why Kurt gets all territorial (because yeah, suuuuure it’s all about maintaining your cover, Kurt!).
“I don’t like him touching you.” “And I don’t like you touching him.” That could definitely be interpreted in a couple of different ways, Jane!
“You’re my wife.” *squeeeeeeeeeees forever* First time we hear Kurt say ‘my wife’, but certainly not the last!
Jane looks so reassured by his ‘new plan’ to get the list and get out of there alive. They’re so good for each other.
The team are so worried about their missing members! Especially Patterson. It’s a shame we don’t see more of Allie working with the team to find Jeller.
Argh, looming Carter!
Hmm, is Reade perceiving an undercurrent between Carter and Tasha, or is he just wondering about the Mayfair thing? I guess we’ll never know…
Mayfair has it figured out…and it would have worked, if not for Jane the mole… :( Damn you, Sandstorm!
I wonder who Carl is, and what his real age is, if he’s not 70. :D
Ha! Jane’s like, ‘What should we do now?’ and Kurt looks around and goes, ‘The most intimate possible thing you can do while still being socially acceptable, because I want an excuse to put my arms around this incredible woman.’
His hand is curved around her side so possessively as they walk onto the dance floor, I just adore it.
Wow, Jane is so flustered. She’s like, ‘he’s right there within kissing distance and oh my god I wanna…let’s bring up Allie.’
That smile he gives her after he twirls her… *squee*
And the way Jane smiles after he says he’s too choosy to have ever been married…that’s one of my many favourite moments about this episode. *plays it back about six times*
Wow, Jane, way to ruin the moment there by mentioning being engaged. She’s obviously trying to rein in her own feelings, but did she have to do it like that?
Oh, Kurt, you’re not in your happy place anymore. I wonder what he would have said if they hadn’t been interrupted.
LOL! Rich is one of the most dangerous guys in the world. My ass, he is. :D He either is really good at making people THINK he’s dangerous, like the internet persona is way more intimidating than the real thing, or else the writers retconned him a loooooot.
Rich’s hair and beard are truly impressive in this episode. And he’s cleeeeearly already fantasising about them as he says ‘so badass’.
Jane’s expression as she’s trying to process Rich being Rich is just amazing. And Kurt is like ‘Must…not…show…WTF face…’
“My parents were big fans of the internet.” *snort*
And then Rich turns around and the WTF face comes straight out.
Rich is worth half a billion dollars? I’m assuming his assets must have been seized when he was arrested, then, since he isn’t able to give Patterson back the cash she spends on Kathy’s bribe?
Ooh, I think this is the first ‘opposite, opposite’!
What do you want to bet Rich had the guy in the chair being beaten up set up just for the assassin couple’s benefit? And the guy is actually kinky or owed Rich a favour, so he’s just playing a role? Would not surprise me in the slightest. XD
Rich hitting on Jane right after she says she slit someone’s throat with her butterfly knife…that is just so Rich.
I didn’t realise he called Kurt ‘Stubbles’ so soon! Getting in with the nicknames early, there…
*snickering* Rich the voyeur. Didn’t someone write a surprisingly awesome fanfic about Kurt and Jane having sex for exclusivity of the list while Rich watched? I need to go find that again.
And Jane just does not know what the hell to say. I don’t blame her! Especially since she hasn’t slept with Kurt but very clearly wants to, but she has to pretend she has for the sake of her cover…
Kurt just comes over and his body language is all like ‘get away from my wife, you cretin’.
All these little tests though, like with the Bulgarian - Rich really is cautious.
Kurt pressing his face against Jane’s hair as he’s taking the necklace off her, and handing it over so that his arms are around her… Such a hot moment. And Jane looks a little bit flustered, too.
Rich touching his nose as he says ‘party animal’ - oh, Rich, don’t ever change. :D Well, do change, but only so you’re not killing people and putting countless others in danger. Easing off the coke is probably a good plan, too.
“I’m kidding, or am I?”
Rich happily giving them the hospitality talk. “It’s Friday night, for crying out loud!” “It’s Tuesday.” “It’s Friday somewhere.” One of my favourite Rich lines ever!
I love how the moment Rich leaves them, Jane puts her arms around Kurt’s neck when she totally didn’t need to. They’re just taking advantage of the undercover thing for everything they can get!
NOOOOOOO, DAVID! *sniffles* He is the worst ‘undercover agent’ ever.
“I think he wants to sleep with me. Or us. It was hard to tell.” “Perfect.” And Jane’s just like ‘well, that’s NOT what I thought he was about to say…’
“Did you proposition my wife?!” Oh Kurt, he’s loving playing the jealous husband. And it’s not alllll an act.
“I’m kind of sweet on you as well.” Well, who wouldn’t be? Rich has good taste. Except when he really doesn’t, like with that old man mask…
I love Kurt’s icy assassin stare.
*snicker* Jane’s face as she asks what that was all about is just classic.
Also, I love how Kurt gets the cocktail and Jane gets the neat bourbon. Total ‘typical gender role’ subversion.
“You’re not the only one with hidden talents.” Oh, you know you want to show her some more, Kurt.
“We’re about to make some moves I don’t want them seeing.” Like a quickie with Jane? Oh, I wish they’d gone there.
“Don’t you mean Dotcom?” “Not calling him Dotcom.” :D Tasha’s disdain for Rich is already in place, and she hasn’t even met him yet.
Reade giving Mayfair a little reassuring, ‘We’ll get them back.”
Jane putting her arms around Kurt AGAIN. I swear, real married couples aren’t as cosy as these two are getting…
Oh, this guy has some great kicking moves! What style is that?
Ouch, Kurt, that guy got you in the kidney and then sent you flying! Jane is just way better at fighting with random objects than you are.
Hey, the couple that kicks ass together, stays together… I love how when the guy has Jane in a hold, Kurt completely freezes up, like he’s not going to risk a single thing if she might get hurt.
And the whole time Kurt is choking the guy out, Jane is standing there just waiting to back him up if things go wrong, like ‘you will not hurt my man, I fucking SWEAR’.
I wonder who that guy was – he had some serious moves.
“You guys said you weren’t into threesomes!” Way to make an entrance, Rich…
“Who wants to lie to me about what the hell is going on down here?” He’s so much more threatening in this episode than in the episodes to come.
“My best friend Carl” – I wonder who Carl actually is? Does he own the place in the Hamptons, or does Rich, or neither of them? I have way too many pointless questions.
Jane with her hands up and the wedding ring clearly visible in the shot. :D
Ha, when Jane realises Kurt planted the security card on the guy, she’s low-key just like ‘I love this man’.
Shit, David, you’re the worst spy ever. EVER. I just want to hug you, because all you want is the woman you love back… :(
Tasha and Reade are so worried about their team.
I love how Jeller are standing there basically wondering if they’re about to die of nasty poison, and Rich is just rambling on about alcohol.
“I’m talking to Angry over here.” Oh, Rich…
Kurt and Jane neutralising Rich’s people in like three seconds flat. They are the perfect couple.
Rich totally loving being manhandled by Kurt, totally in character!
Jane in that dress with a handgun – I don’t know why, but it totally fits.
Jane and Kurt giving each other one quick glance before they take out Rich’s guys outside. HOW DID THEY NOT HAVE SEX IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS?!
Phew, Jeller would have been screwed without their team showing up to back them up. Gotta love a timely arrival.
“We are the FBI, and you are under arrest.” And then Kurt grins over at Reade and Zapata like ‘thank god for you guys’ and they’re just like ‘yay!’
Aww, Kurt blowing Allie off kind of makes me sad. Especially since she stops by Jane to give her dating advice after being rejected. Who else would do that? Allie deserves all the good things.
And Jane is still wearing the ring! Bet she just didn’t want to take it off. It’s kind of like the whole ‘you’re still wearing your ring’ moment in 2x22/3x01.
Oscar drawing the bird tattoo! I wonder if it’s got a meaning, or if it’s just Oscar wanting to leave his mark on her.
Interesting how Remi breaks off the engagement presumably a few weeks before she went undercover, since the tattoos haven’t been finalised yet.
And even knowing the total disregard Oscar eventually shows Jane and all the things she’s been through (which sucked), it’s hard not to feel bad for him. Knowing the love of your life plans to wipe out all knowledge that you ever knew each other must be hard.
Oh god, this cover of ‘Where is my Mind?’ always makes me cry. Does anyone know who it’s by?
There are so many significant moments in this montage, it’s just fucking beautiful. Mayfair waiting with the paperwork for Guerrero. Jane wiping the makeup off her bird tattoo and looking a little bit wistful. Tasha walking to Jane’s, obviously conflicted about her . Guerrero getting brought down the prison hall. Kurt and Patterson enjoying pizza and beer and grinning, and Jane coming out of the bathroom with the tattoos all back to normal and getting welcomed over as Reade moves aside to make room. And them all toasting with beer for the first time (minus Tasha, interestingly, since she’s absent for a huge chunk later on.) David following Bitchface McRussianSpy. Patterson teasing Kurt with some kind of ‘shapely woman’ gesture (I wonder what that was all about? Anyway, he seems amused). Patterson happy with beer. Jane happily taking a bite of pizza – probably the happiest we’ve ever seen her so far. Tasha disposing of the bug because fuck you, Carter. Guerrero getting attacked. Carter happy to hear about it. Noooooooo, David, don’t go down there! Guerrero dead. Mayfair going ‘oh, fuck’. David’s FBI tail finding David on the ground. *sniffle* Mayfair getting the call about David. Kurt, Tasha and Reade drinking in unison while Patterson and Jane are giggling together about something. Patterson getting the call about David (oh my god, why do these writers do this to me?). Jane and the team being worried about Patterson. Everyone rushing to the emergency room with Patterson and Mayfair giving her the bad news. Kurt sad. Jane sad. Patterson sad.
That ending is probably one of the best executed in the entire show, I just adore it. Even though it makes me cry. :(
I’m not sure what Carter taking out Guerrero actually achieves for him, though. It just seems like he’s getting in his own way. Surely anything that creates legitimacy for Daylight is a good thing for Carter as well as Mayfair, since Guerrero doesn’t actually know anything, and wouldn’t have any specifics even if he did sign.
But Team Family is continuing to bond beautifully! Mayfair really is like their mother figure.
Timeline
Conceivably they could have had a day off...or some consecutive days off, even! I choose to believe that they had, if not a weekend, a couple of days off. Kurt says it’s Tuesday at some point, so if we say 1x05 was set on a Monday, since that was the last time the episodes don’t run into each other and Jane could have done a Sunday night dinner with Kurt and Sarah, then 1x06 would be a Tuesday, 1x07 a Wednesday, 1x08 a Thursday... So maybe they had a couple of paperwork days on either side of the weekend, before the day of the gala. That would make it four days after 1x08, so two weeks and one day after the Statue of Liberty case.
Jeller Firsts
So many great ones! First time Kurt puts a ring on Jane. First time we see Jane getting jealous over Kurt’s potential involvement with another woman - and vice versa with Kurt getting jealous that she might have been engaged, and that other men were touching/propositioning Jane (because we KNOW that even though he got to overreact to it as part of his cover, the underlying feelings were real). First time we see Kurt stunned speechless at Jane’s beauty. First time we see Jeller dancing, holding hands/holding each other like a couple, being within kissing distance, and kicking the ass of the same enemy together. And also the first time Jane gives Kurt a ring back... *sniffle*
Intense Jeller Moments Interrupted So Far
Two for Reade, two for Patterson, one for Zapata, and Rich makes his debut in the first episode he shows up in, by sending a guy to interrupt Jeller’s dancing so he can meet with them! That officially makes it every team member except for Mayfair, and it’s only the ninth episode of the show...
Team Firsts
First team social gathering all together (before, it was just the women). First appearance of Rich (I’ll stick him in with the team even though he’s just a recurring character for now). First time we learn that Rich is kinky, that he’s pansexual, that he’s a hacker, that Rich Dotcom isn’t his real name, that he has variable scruples... Do we ever see him drinking Cognac again? If so, first time for that, too. First time we see the team eating pizza/drinking beer, toasting, relaxed and happy all together... Also the first time we see the team rally around one of its members as they go through a time of emotional distress. First time we see Tasha choose the team over other obligations (by destroying Carter’s bug). First time we see the team in formalwear. First time we learn Jane/Remi was engaged to Oscar, and that Remi broke it off with Oscar... First time we see Jane understand/speak Bulgarian. First undercover mission shown for anyone on the team. First mention of Kurt’s emotional walls. First time we see a team member grieving after a death.
Recurring Character Firsts
Whoo hoo! First time we see Allie! And the first time we learn that she and Kurt had a thing, that there’s still a spark between them, that she knows about and possibly met Sarah and Sawyer, that they dated for about a year. And the first time we see a recurring character die - David. And also Guerrero, I guess, though I’m a lot less concerned with him.
