The Mentalist 5x12 Little Red Corvette
Just like last time, I left my review to do some time when I felt healthier and thus more able to do it justice. Just like last time, I've ended up far sicker than I have been in some considerable time and am having to do this anyway. Note to self: stop procrastinating with reviewership? Yeah, like that's going to happen. Anyhow. I'm doing this tonight so that tomorrow morning I can watch straight away and be all yay 'new episode; I love this show, oh heck, I need to post a loong multiparter today. Why do I write so much for Big Bangs'.
But anyway. Waffling does not equal reviewing. So I'm going to get on now:
General view:
I'm surprised that Lisbon vs. Volker came to a head so quickly after 5x11. Not necessarily a bad thing, but given the space between the previous two Volker episodes, I was expecting it would take longer. But again, I'm not complaining because it's all giving Lisbon centre stage and anything which does that is a good thing. What I found most interesting about this episode is the practical role reversal it gave Jane and Lisbon (which is ironic/amusing given the Big Bang fic I'm currently writing. It's 50k already and no end in sight - another story, literally.) I liked the quiet supportive Jane, who nudges Lisbon in the right direction and lets her take the glory - as she rightly deserves. Volker was her man, and her case, and I was so scared that he was going to swoop in and steal it away from her. There's some decisions Lisbon made which made me feel slightly uncomfortable, but for the most part, she stayed on the right side of the law. And that makes me content with how the storyline was carried out. I also hope this isn't the last we hear of Volker; I mostly want to make sure that he rots in jail, just like he deserves to.
The rest of the team were, naturally, sidelined. But this was the conclusion of one of Lisbon's most important storylines to date. I liked the role Cho and Rigsby played in it, and Van Pelt being increasingly sidelined is getting increasingly easier to understand. Amanda Righetti's pregnancy is becoming more obvious with each epiosde. But, more importantly on that note, it's good to hear that her son has arrived safe, and well.
But for now... the episode in question:
Opening:
Volker has a man killed whilst a kid watches. This is a really unusual opening for a really unusual episode as a whole. Usually, the Mentalist is a 'whodunnit' but this episode is played as a 'how is Lisbon (and not Jane, this time) going to catch the bad guy?' The change in focus of the member of the team solving the case is welcome 5 seasons in; it shows that Lisbon is a good cop and can do her job. And the change in tone overall suits that change in focus too. This scene is unpleasant to watch - just how emotionally scarring must it be for a kid?
The segue from past to present is quite abrupt, but I do like how the developments are handled: the finding of the body, the realisation that Volker is behind it, and most importantly, the realisation that there was a child witness. This kid (Marvin Pettigrew - Harry Potter reference?) is the key to unravelling Volker's empire: Jane knows it and while Lisbon is more skeptical, she eventually realises that he's right too. Of course, my favourite part of this is that it's Lisbon making the connection between the victim and Volker, and having the Jane-hunch before Jane did. She's learned well from him, and, to paraphrase her, 'she's a detective too.'
Volker vs. Lisbon I:
I like how Volker is still insistent on trying to flirt with Lisbon (they still have amazing chemistry, for what it's worth), but she just cuts straight to the chase. Then, he gets a little more malevolent, but being as over-confident as he is, he gives her what he wants: a DNA sample. Why? Because he knows that he didn't leave any of his DNA on the body. He doesn't like to get his hands dirty; that's why he pays other men to kill whilst he watches. And, it's all about the power play with him. That is why he so clearly enjoys himself whenever Lisbon drops by to visit him. He likes belittling her, because she's a strong woman (far stronger than Amanda Shaw, his deceased PA) and it makes him feel all the more powerful.
The music as he takes the swab is beautifully ominous again - and yet, he does the action in an almost sexualised manner. It's wonderfully played out and toes the line between sensuality and sheer creepiness perfectly.
Also, for Red John/Volker comparisons (why not?), both seem to have an appreciation for art. Both have an appreciation for the piano, as seen in his office. Both have strings of murders to their name - one is connected to a pseudonym, and for the other, difficult to tie down to anyone specifically. Both are drawn to specific members of the CBI team. I would like for Volker to be connected to Red John in some way, maybe. But equally, it does set up the parallels for 'Volker is Lisbon's Red John' very nicely.
Jane chases up Marvin Pettigrew
Although Marvin is clearly the 'sideline' storyline of this episode (albeit one that ties in at the end), it's also something to give Jane to do whilst Lisbon 'anatagonises' Volker. Van Pelt gets stuck behind a desk, but it's nice to see her still being 'involved' despite Amanda Righetti's limitations based on the fact Van Pelt is not pregnant when Amanda clearly is. I always enjoy Jane & Van Pelt scenes because those two have a real brother/sister relationship.
When Jane is with Marvin's mother, it's such a sad scene. These are two broken parents, one who knows their child is dead and the other who is presuming the worst. Even Jane can't offer her false platitudes - because at that moment in time, he cannot be sure either way if Marvin is dead or not. The worst moment for Marvin's mom is obviously, when Jane drags out his toy Corvette. That's the moment when she loses all hope and they become two parents, united in grief. And it's utterly heartbreaking.
Jane encourages Lisbon to break the law... and she does so.
This is the bit I don't like about Lisbon's action. Jane encourages Lisbon to break the law - and she ends up doing it. I wish she'd found a way around it, but in the end, she doesn't. I'm intrigued by what the she dirt she used (from Brenda) to get Ardilies to comply is. But I also liked the scene where she actually played Ardilies. Ardilies clearly knew she was playing him, but he went along with it anyway and gave Lisbon the sealed case files she needed. Lisbon looks almost surprised at the power she had over him and almost proud too. I think there were some real mixed emotions - relief because the case is moving forwards, pride because she got what she wanted over a very clever lawyer, and a tiny hint of disgust because she normally holds the utmost respect for the law. But, that is something she's clearly willing to shelve if it means she can pin something on Volker.
Brenda Shettrick is as slippery as an eel.
On previous encounters, Brenda hasn't bothered me too much. I've always seen her as a woman who's good at her job, but that doesn't necessarily mean people will like her for it. She gets in the way to present the CBI in a positive light to the media, when the cops are only trying to do their job. As she hadn't bothered me either way, I found her actions in this episode very unsettling. She assists Lisbon in breaking the law, knowing full well what Lisbon has planned - or so it's played out, anyway. Then, she sells Marvin Pettigrew back to Volker himself. This is absolutely abhorrent in my opinion. Yes, she looked incredibly pained, considering she knew what Volker intended to do the kid, BUT she still did it. Volker's hitman chose to die over killing a child. So, this makes Brenda Shettrick even more amoral than people who kill for a living. This is the kind of woman who works with the CBI? No wonder moles have got in so easily.
Lisbon and Jane are burning the midnight oil.
Yes, I did get a bit over excited at the use of that phrase due to my fic Burning the Midnight Oil. But anyway. These scenes, firstly, show Lisbon's dedication to her job. I can imagine her spending many hours like this on other cases. This one is a special one, to her, at any rate, but it doesn't mean there won't be other regular occasions when she works that hard. Rigsby's presence show that the team are just as willing to support her through difficult cases too. He even brings in a witness in the early hours of the evening just to push the case along. Go Rigs. And yay for Cho doing his interrogation thing too! I always like seeing him in that role as he really is the one who does it best.
Of course, the best part of this is when Jane joins Lisbon to work through the depositions. They just have a quick catch up on each of their lines of enquiry, Lisbon reminds Jane of why this is so important to her. He just sits down without another word and they work late into the night, together. This quiet supportive Jane is one we haven't seen in such a long while (if at all) and it really is greatly appreciated. Sometimes, it's hard to see that humane side of Jane, so this really is a timely reminder of that.
VNX Headquarters
They don't spend long there, because Lisbon's being observant. She knows that Volker will know they've been there. Unfortunately, they don't leave quick enough because by the time they get the warrant and do it the 'legal' way, the place has been cleared out. I have to admit, I love Lisbon's moment of frustration by throwing the vase. It's always fun to see her temper flare up, like in Red Badge. That action is very reminiscent of that.
Jane vs. Volker (and Lisbon vs. Volker II)
Had it not been for the fact that Lorelei had said that Jane had already met Red John, that handshake would be incredibly ominous. I love the powerplay between the two men - it's similar to the Lisbon/Volker dynamic, but minus the slight frisson of sexual tension. Also, Jane's hatred of Volker is slightly more altruistic - he hates him because of what he's doing to Lisbon and it's as simple as that. That's enough to get Jane all defensive, and running to save her like a proverbial knight in shining armour. Or at least, he's running to save her reputation because he doesn't really have the physicality to do anything else.
The scene in CBI headquarters is more intriguing. Because this time, Jane is even more obviously defending Lisbon (and the rest of the CBI to a lesser extent). He's bluntly antagonising Volker, reminding him that he's human and giving Lisbon the hope that she needs to bring him down. It's clear that Lisbon felt far more comfortable dealing with Volker on his territory, than having him in hers. Probably something to do with the last time he cornered her in her office. I think her hostility is also understandable, At this point, she's getting a clearer and clearer picture of who this man is and what he does. It's almost nice to see Jane playing the 'Lisbon' role, calming down the situation and reminding the guilty party of who they are and what they can do. A perfectly played scene, really.
Lisbon meets ineffectual Judge Davis again.
I don't especially like Judge Davis since I still blame her for Milk's death (and the death of those two innocent bystanders). Therefore, when Lisbon plays a Jane trick on her, to convince her that she has evidence to get the warrant for VNX Headquarters signed, I feel a little less torn than when Lisbon plays Ardiles. Only a little because it is still Lisbon playing at being Jane, and that's very dangerous waters for her to be in. It does make me question what would have happened had she not got Volker after all of this? Not only would he still be loose, but any integrity that Lisbon had would have been damaged beyond repair.
That being said, I have appreciated the consistency by having Lisbon visit Judge Davis in each of the Volker cases. It is nice to have a point of familiarity for each one.
How do you solve a problem like Don Clyde?
Faking leverage to bring him in? Yep, they really go down a slippery slope with this one. The Don Clyde strand of this episode only really gets interesting once he gets cut loose again. Then, you can see the power Volker has over him. First, we're treated to a light hearted Rigsby&Cho scene, something we haven't had for a depressingly long while. It only serves as a counterpoint for the sudden shock of Clyde committing suicide in front of their very eyes. Clyde chooses suicide over Volker having him killed. Why? Because Clyde knows Volker's methods. He doesn't want to give Volker what he wants, so he does the only thing he thinks he can do: take control of his own death.
But: Clyde does also have another important role to play. He interlinks Marvin Pettigrew back to the main case. He confirms that Marvin (a young child!) is a living witness to Volker and what he does. This means Volker knows he's still alive (with no thanks to Brenda Shettrick) and is therefore at risk. This is also one life that Lisbon and Jane couldn't really let through their fingers. Lisbon's already rattled by the number of deaths she thinks she can attribute to Volker since she started investigating his case. One of a child would be a step too far. And Jane plus child deaths? That's an obvious mix that just wouldn't work. It's the kind of thing that's enough to push him over the edge.
Marvin Pettigrew (includes Volker vs. Lisbon III)
1, The Team doing proper cop!work to find out who Marvin Pettigrew is staying with, while Jane lounges on the couch. I loved seeing this simple, methodical work - which is also proven to work! It means that Jane's methodology isn't always needed and again... it's another piece of evidence to show that the team can do their jobs and they're not just foils for Jane. Also, nice to give Van Pelt the lead considering she doesn't have much to do these days.
2. Volker asks his hitman to kill Marvin. He says no, because he doesn't 'do kids'. This is the moment I think, when Volker is tipped over the edge and into panic mode. He gets sloppy and ultimately, that's what means he gets caught. He knows the CBI won't be far behind them because they're getting too close, so he needs to deal with him and fast. Plus, he doesn't like getting his hands dirty but he's being forced into a corner.
3. Rigsby and Cho get to the house where Marvin is staying just after Volker. Rigsby, with his more highly attuned 'dad' senses is the one to notice that Marvin is on a schoo trip.
(3.ii: anthropologist asked me on twitter how a missing child could have been ingratiated into a new school and on a school trip without anyone noticing. A valid point, because it is a plot hole. However, I justified it -just about- by saying that the hitman could easily have paid the teacher to keep quiet, if she knew that the kid was a missing child at all. He would have been paid enough to afford such things. Also, as Jane said earlier in the episode, looking for a missing person is like 'looking for a needle in a pile of needles'. This means that people might not have noticed at all because the advertising for missing persons is poor anyway, and people aren't always that observant.)
4. To Redlands Zoo: Redlands, hah! I didn't notice that on the first watch. Volker is there, randomly approaching kids to get to Marvin. When he finds him, he tries to drag him away, This draws attention and ultimately gets Lisbon to where she needs to be...
5. ...Marvin just about escapes Volker, Lisbon gets to shoot him and she gets the closure she needs. I don't normally like to see unnecessary violence from the cops on the show... but seeing her floor him and punch him, even after shooting him, is vindicated. This man has driven her to hell and back. He's got into her mind and put her in some very uncomfortable situations. I think she's earned it!
6. Lisbon is far more visibly shaken by the shooting than she usually is. That's intriguing and again, testament to the case I think. Also she's probably hyper aware of what a public place she's in, is running an adrenalin and the case is coming to a close. Jane's sudden sympathetic 'you okay?' is one of the sweetest things in this whole season, probably.
7 Jane takes Marvin home. I liked this because he got to see that at least his mom got the happy ending, where he did not. I think, for Jane, him getting to see the positives their job can do is a good thing. And he was the one who really investigated Marvin, so he earned that right.
Screencaps courtesy of justlook3 @ Paint It Red
But anyway. Waffling does not equal reviewing. So I'm going to get on now:
General view:
I'm surprised that Lisbon vs. Volker came to a head so quickly after 5x11. Not necessarily a bad thing, but given the space between the previous two Volker episodes, I was expecting it would take longer. But again, I'm not complaining because it's all giving Lisbon centre stage and anything which does that is a good thing. What I found most interesting about this episode is the practical role reversal it gave Jane and Lisbon (which is ironic/amusing given the Big Bang fic I'm currently writing. It's 50k already and no end in sight - another story, literally.) I liked the quiet supportive Jane, who nudges Lisbon in the right direction and lets her take the glory - as she rightly deserves. Volker was her man, and her case, and I was so scared that he was going to swoop in and steal it away from her. There's some decisions Lisbon made which made me feel slightly uncomfortable, but for the most part, she stayed on the right side of the law. And that makes me content with how the storyline was carried out. I also hope this isn't the last we hear of Volker; I mostly want to make sure that he rots in jail, just like he deserves to.
The rest of the team were, naturally, sidelined. But this was the conclusion of one of Lisbon's most important storylines to date. I liked the role Cho and Rigsby played in it, and Van Pelt being increasingly sidelined is getting increasingly easier to understand. Amanda Righetti's pregnancy is becoming more obvious with each epiosde. But, more importantly on that note, it's good to hear that her son has arrived safe, and well.
But for now... the episode in question:
Opening:
Volker has a man killed whilst a kid watches. This is a really unusual opening for a really unusual episode as a whole. Usually, the Mentalist is a 'whodunnit' but this episode is played as a 'how is Lisbon (and not Jane, this time) going to catch the bad guy?' The change in focus of the member of the team solving the case is welcome 5 seasons in; it shows that Lisbon is a good cop and can do her job. And the change in tone overall suits that change in focus too. This scene is unpleasant to watch - just how emotionally scarring must it be for a kid?
The segue from past to present is quite abrupt, but I do like how the developments are handled: the finding of the body, the realisation that Volker is behind it, and most importantly, the realisation that there was a child witness. This kid (Marvin Pettigrew - Harry Potter reference?) is the key to unravelling Volker's empire: Jane knows it and while Lisbon is more skeptical, she eventually realises that he's right too. Of course, my favourite part of this is that it's Lisbon making the connection between the victim and Volker, and having the Jane-hunch before Jane did. She's learned well from him, and, to paraphrase her, 'she's a detective too.'
Volker vs. Lisbon I:
I like how Volker is still insistent on trying to flirt with Lisbon (they still have amazing chemistry, for what it's worth), but she just cuts straight to the chase. Then, he gets a little more malevolent, but being as over-confident as he is, he gives her what he wants: a DNA sample. Why? Because he knows that he didn't leave any of his DNA on the body. He doesn't like to get his hands dirty; that's why he pays other men to kill whilst he watches. And, it's all about the power play with him. That is why he so clearly enjoys himself whenever Lisbon drops by to visit him. He likes belittling her, because she's a strong woman (far stronger than Amanda Shaw, his deceased PA) and it makes him feel all the more powerful.
The music as he takes the swab is beautifully ominous again - and yet, he does the action in an almost sexualised manner. It's wonderfully played out and toes the line between sensuality and sheer creepiness perfectly.
Also, for Red John/Volker comparisons (why not?), both seem to have an appreciation for art. Both have an appreciation for the piano, as seen in his office. Both have strings of murders to their name - one is connected to a pseudonym, and for the other, difficult to tie down to anyone specifically. Both are drawn to specific members of the CBI team. I would like for Volker to be connected to Red John in some way, maybe. But equally, it does set up the parallels for 'Volker is Lisbon's Red John' very nicely.
Jane chases up Marvin Pettigrew
Although Marvin is clearly the 'sideline' storyline of this episode (albeit one that ties in at the end), it's also something to give Jane to do whilst Lisbon 'anatagonises' Volker. Van Pelt gets stuck behind a desk, but it's nice to see her still being 'involved' despite Amanda Righetti's limitations based on the fact Van Pelt is not pregnant when Amanda clearly is. I always enjoy Jane & Van Pelt scenes because those two have a real brother/sister relationship.
When Jane is with Marvin's mother, it's such a sad scene. These are two broken parents, one who knows their child is dead and the other who is presuming the worst. Even Jane can't offer her false platitudes - because at that moment in time, he cannot be sure either way if Marvin is dead or not. The worst moment for Marvin's mom is obviously, when Jane drags out his toy Corvette. That's the moment when she loses all hope and they become two parents, united in grief. And it's utterly heartbreaking.
Jane encourages Lisbon to break the law... and she does so.
This is the bit I don't like about Lisbon's action. Jane encourages Lisbon to break the law - and she ends up doing it. I wish she'd found a way around it, but in the end, she doesn't. I'm intrigued by what the she dirt she used (from Brenda) to get Ardilies to comply is. But I also liked the scene where she actually played Ardilies. Ardilies clearly knew she was playing him, but he went along with it anyway and gave Lisbon the sealed case files she needed. Lisbon looks almost surprised at the power she had over him and almost proud too. I think there were some real mixed emotions - relief because the case is moving forwards, pride because she got what she wanted over a very clever lawyer, and a tiny hint of disgust because she normally holds the utmost respect for the law. But, that is something she's clearly willing to shelve if it means she can pin something on Volker.
Brenda Shettrick is as slippery as an eel.
On previous encounters, Brenda hasn't bothered me too much. I've always seen her as a woman who's good at her job, but that doesn't necessarily mean people will like her for it. She gets in the way to present the CBI in a positive light to the media, when the cops are only trying to do their job. As she hadn't bothered me either way, I found her actions in this episode very unsettling. She assists Lisbon in breaking the law, knowing full well what Lisbon has planned - or so it's played out, anyway. Then, she sells Marvin Pettigrew back to Volker himself. This is absolutely abhorrent in my opinion. Yes, she looked incredibly pained, considering she knew what Volker intended to do the kid, BUT she still did it. Volker's hitman chose to die over killing a child. So, this makes Brenda Shettrick even more amoral than people who kill for a living. This is the kind of woman who works with the CBI? No wonder moles have got in so easily.
Lisbon and Jane are burning the midnight oil.
Yes, I did get a bit over excited at the use of that phrase due to my fic Burning the Midnight Oil. But anyway. These scenes, firstly, show Lisbon's dedication to her job. I can imagine her spending many hours like this on other cases. This one is a special one, to her, at any rate, but it doesn't mean there won't be other regular occasions when she works that hard. Rigsby's presence show that the team are just as willing to support her through difficult cases too. He even brings in a witness in the early hours of the evening just to push the case along. Go Rigs. And yay for Cho doing his interrogation thing too! I always like seeing him in that role as he really is the one who does it best.
Of course, the best part of this is when Jane joins Lisbon to work through the depositions. They just have a quick catch up on each of their lines of enquiry, Lisbon reminds Jane of why this is so important to her. He just sits down without another word and they work late into the night, together. This quiet supportive Jane is one we haven't seen in such a long while (if at all) and it really is greatly appreciated. Sometimes, it's hard to see that humane side of Jane, so this really is a timely reminder of that.
VNX Headquarters
They don't spend long there, because Lisbon's being observant. She knows that Volker will know they've been there. Unfortunately, they don't leave quick enough because by the time they get the warrant and do it the 'legal' way, the place has been cleared out. I have to admit, I love Lisbon's moment of frustration by throwing the vase. It's always fun to see her temper flare up, like in Red Badge. That action is very reminiscent of that.
Jane vs. Volker (and Lisbon vs. Volker II)
Had it not been for the fact that Lorelei had said that Jane had already met Red John, that handshake would be incredibly ominous. I love the powerplay between the two men - it's similar to the Lisbon/Volker dynamic, but minus the slight frisson of sexual tension. Also, Jane's hatred of Volker is slightly more altruistic - he hates him because of what he's doing to Lisbon and it's as simple as that. That's enough to get Jane all defensive, and running to save her like a proverbial knight in shining armour. Or at least, he's running to save her reputation because he doesn't really have the physicality to do anything else.
The scene in CBI headquarters is more intriguing. Because this time, Jane is even more obviously defending Lisbon (and the rest of the CBI to a lesser extent). He's bluntly antagonising Volker, reminding him that he's human and giving Lisbon the hope that she needs to bring him down. It's clear that Lisbon felt far more comfortable dealing with Volker on his territory, than having him in hers. Probably something to do with the last time he cornered her in her office. I think her hostility is also understandable, At this point, she's getting a clearer and clearer picture of who this man is and what he does. It's almost nice to see Jane playing the 'Lisbon' role, calming down the situation and reminding the guilty party of who they are and what they can do. A perfectly played scene, really.
Lisbon meets ineffectual Judge Davis again.
I don't especially like Judge Davis since I still blame her for Milk's death (and the death of those two innocent bystanders). Therefore, when Lisbon plays a Jane trick on her, to convince her that she has evidence to get the warrant for VNX Headquarters signed, I feel a little less torn than when Lisbon plays Ardiles. Only a little because it is still Lisbon playing at being Jane, and that's very dangerous waters for her to be in. It does make me question what would have happened had she not got Volker after all of this? Not only would he still be loose, but any integrity that Lisbon had would have been damaged beyond repair.
That being said, I have appreciated the consistency by having Lisbon visit Judge Davis in each of the Volker cases. It is nice to have a point of familiarity for each one.
How do you solve a problem like Don Clyde?
Faking leverage to bring him in? Yep, they really go down a slippery slope with this one. The Don Clyde strand of this episode only really gets interesting once he gets cut loose again. Then, you can see the power Volker has over him. First, we're treated to a light hearted Rigsby&Cho scene, something we haven't had for a depressingly long while. It only serves as a counterpoint for the sudden shock of Clyde committing suicide in front of their very eyes. Clyde chooses suicide over Volker having him killed. Why? Because Clyde knows Volker's methods. He doesn't want to give Volker what he wants, so he does the only thing he thinks he can do: take control of his own death.
But: Clyde does also have another important role to play. He interlinks Marvin Pettigrew back to the main case. He confirms that Marvin (a young child!) is a living witness to Volker and what he does. This means Volker knows he's still alive (with no thanks to Brenda Shettrick) and is therefore at risk. This is also one life that Lisbon and Jane couldn't really let through their fingers. Lisbon's already rattled by the number of deaths she thinks she can attribute to Volker since she started investigating his case. One of a child would be a step too far. And Jane plus child deaths? That's an obvious mix that just wouldn't work. It's the kind of thing that's enough to push him over the edge.
Marvin Pettigrew (includes Volker vs. Lisbon III)
1, The Team doing proper cop!work to find out who Marvin Pettigrew is staying with, while Jane lounges on the couch. I loved seeing this simple, methodical work - which is also proven to work! It means that Jane's methodology isn't always needed and again... it's another piece of evidence to show that the team can do their jobs and they're not just foils for Jane. Also, nice to give Van Pelt the lead considering she doesn't have much to do these days.
2. Volker asks his hitman to kill Marvin. He says no, because he doesn't 'do kids'. This is the moment I think, when Volker is tipped over the edge and into panic mode. He gets sloppy and ultimately, that's what means he gets caught. He knows the CBI won't be far behind them because they're getting too close, so he needs to deal with him and fast. Plus, he doesn't like getting his hands dirty but he's being forced into a corner.
3. Rigsby and Cho get to the house where Marvin is staying just after Volker. Rigsby, with his more highly attuned 'dad' senses is the one to notice that Marvin is on a schoo trip.
(3.ii: anthropologist asked me on twitter how a missing child could have been ingratiated into a new school and on a school trip without anyone noticing. A valid point, because it is a plot hole. However, I justified it -just about- by saying that the hitman could easily have paid the teacher to keep quiet, if she knew that the kid was a missing child at all. He would have been paid enough to afford such things. Also, as Jane said earlier in the episode, looking for a missing person is like 'looking for a needle in a pile of needles'. This means that people might not have noticed at all because the advertising for missing persons is poor anyway, and people aren't always that observant.)
4. To Redlands Zoo: Redlands, hah! I didn't notice that on the first watch. Volker is there, randomly approaching kids to get to Marvin. When he finds him, he tries to drag him away, This draws attention and ultimately gets Lisbon to where she needs to be...
5. ...Marvin just about escapes Volker, Lisbon gets to shoot him and she gets the closure she needs. I don't normally like to see unnecessary violence from the cops on the show... but seeing her floor him and punch him, even after shooting him, is vindicated. This man has driven her to hell and back. He's got into her mind and put her in some very uncomfortable situations. I think she's earned it!
6. Lisbon is far more visibly shaken by the shooting than she usually is. That's intriguing and again, testament to the case I think. Also she's probably hyper aware of what a public place she's in, is running an adrenalin and the case is coming to a close. Jane's sudden sympathetic 'you okay?' is one of the sweetest things in this whole season, probably.
7 Jane takes Marvin home. I liked this because he got to see that at least his mom got the happy ending, where he did not. I think, for Jane, him getting to see the positives their job can do is a good thing. And he was the one who really investigated Marvin, so he earned that right.
Screencaps courtesy of justlook3 @ Paint It Red