The Mentalist 5.9 "Black Cherry" Review

                                               
Lisbon (Robin Tunney) and Patrick (Simon Baker) arrive at a CS with Patrick busy writing down names of everyone he shook hands with.  He doesn't need to include Lisbon in there cos she's a friend.  He can't recall the name of the CBI agent with the red hair - which was Harken.  Recalling Lorelei said he had met Red John, but didn't become friends.  Funny Lorelei was so clumsy and inept to have given away that piece of vital info about Red John but wasn't prepared to talk about him, or to even believe he woud have a hand in her sister's rape and murder, in Red Sails In the Sunset.   Patrick back to his usual obnoxious self as he antagonizes yet another hapless, arrogant golfer in Chip (Dan Gauthier) at the golf course.  Patrick asking if he did it and then accusing him of murder, only joking.  The Vic was a former gang member who was turning his life around and took on a job in  real estate company.  He left behind a sister Juliana (Kyla Pratt) and brother, Noah (Bryce Clyde Jenkins).

Lisbon and Patrick question them and Patrick makes an impression on Noah, he likes children and you can see he's comfortable talking with Noah.  Okay not all children, Patrick asks for a cup of tea and in the kitchen has a chat with Noah.  He notices his brother in a photo with his car which wasn't found at the CS.  Lisbon takes a photo.  They then question his colleagues and find the company was into giving second chances to criminals etc.  Patrick asks the boss Nathan (Robert Curtis Brown) if he also needed a second chance. When in walks Victor (Anthony Ruivivar) with another sale to add to his name.  Patrick finds out he was a former lawyer and quite frankly any one of these lot could have done it.  They were so ugh, slimy.  No really would you buy a house from them?  Luckily I got all three killers before it was revealed.  Phew that was cutting it close, usually they're obvious from the start to me.

Patrick also makes an appointment to view a model home with Tiffany (Senta Moses).  Juliana thinks one of her brother's former gang members were behind his shooting and pulls a gun on them.  Then fires shots into the wall.  She's arrested and Lisbon has called the ADA and Social Services for Noah.  Patrick wants Lisbon to "do the right thing" and hold off calling anyone.  They should be together and she should drop the charges against Juliana.  For a second there, thought Patrick would ask to look out for Noah, but that wasn't to be.  He was playing on, appealing to Lisbon's good nature and kindness to show through and not separate the two.

Cho (Tim Kang) meanwhile has a meeting with the gang unit agent Tamsin Wade (Monique Gabriela Curnen) to see if the Vic was still into any gang activity.  Whilst there he checks out an automatic weapon which reminds him of his time in the Special Forces.  She was a Marine.  Of course Cho will have a soft spot for her but with Cho his expressionless face usually gives away what he's feeling, it does.  You have to cold read him like Patrick does sometimes, ha.  Rigsby's (Owain Yeoman) ex, Sarah (Jillian Bach) is on the case and Lisbon tries to talk her out of filing charges against Juliana since they may need her to testify against gang members.  She  knows Lisbon doesn't really want to see her in court.  Lisbon also asks how Ben is.

Cho and Tamsin raid the gang HQ and bring in the man suspected of killing the Vic.  Here they find his car which Shade (Viscellous Shannon) stole since he was inside a model home.  This means he couldn't have gotten back home without his car and this makes the place where he was killed.  Patrick takes a tour of the model homes with Bosch (Larry Poindexter) but wants to see Catalina Number 2 instead.  When Bosch is driven away by Patrick as he wants to feel the "aura" of the house alone, he quickly falls to the floor and searches under the couch to find a missing ring under one of them.  That's the actual CS.  Patrick gets an idea to drive the car to the company and leave it there with a note: stating time and place and an amount of money to be be brought there.

He and Lisbon hide out in the kitchen of Catalina 2, until the suspects arrive, all three of them.  Before they arrive, Patrick tells Lisbon the rug is missing which was used to move the DB.  Apparently whilst hunting at the company retreat, Victor shot a deer, supposedly and the hunter and the others followed suit.  It was a hunter they killed and it was an accident but none of them wanted to report it and even talked the Vic out of doing the same.  He insisted and they killed him.  Lisbon once again asks Sarah not to bring charges and that Noah and Juliana should stay together.  Sarah says she owes her one.  Lisbon gets a hug from Noah.

Patrick in his attic space again adds more names to his burgeoning list.  Some interesting ones too, a few which have crossed my mind and yours too, I'm sure, like Walter Mashburn, or Virgil Minelli.  Others include:
Brett Partridge: CBI Forensics Dept, Totally macabre, handled RJ cases.
Ellis Mars: Bumbling sort, "Psychic," Todd Johnson investigation.
Dean Harken: Agent at CDCA Biotech facility, red hair.
Jason Cooper: Second in command at Visualize, Stiles coup.
Walter Mashburn; Playboy, Unlimited $$, intrigued by murder.
Vint Molinari: CBI Missing Persons, Searched for Kristina F,  Made no progress.  (Oh she's on the list but not as a possible Red John, which it seems has been decided is definitely a man.)
Dr Linus Wagner: Early case, in prison, Copycat RJ.
Virgil Minelli: Old CBI Boss, retired.
Dr Towlen Morning: Family Doctor, Deceased?  Early RJ Victims.
Osvaldo Ardiles; DA's office, road block.

Brett partridge appeared in the Pilot episode and the season 2 finale Red Sky in the Morning.  A possible inclusion to ensure that the writers and producers will be able to say Red John has been on The Mentalist since its Pilot, we just had to endure to find out who it is, when the big reveal does happen.

Ellis Mars was in 3.9 Red Moon as the "psychic" who didn't now who Patrick was and then proceed to use Patrick's own methods of deduction and cold reading against him. Was this an act?

Dean Harken from 2.16 Code Red and he does have red hair, though that's no big clue.
Jason Cooper 4.16 His Thoughts Were Red Thoughts, second in command after Brett Stiles and he was voted to take over from Brett after he was accused of murder.

Walter Mashburn 2.13 Redline and season 3's Red Hot.  In Red Line he told Lisbon, "I have no love for danger. Nothing's dangerous if you think ahead. If you plan it right, you can get away with... well I was gonna say you can get away with murder, but you know what I mean."  

It's interesting to note Patrick's list includes an array which narrows down people in some of the more interesting settings and cases that Patrick encountered them in.  Such as Visualize, Mashburn, whom he encouraged Lisbon to get to 'know' better.  Patrick's perfect memory.  This list is either revealing Red John or was a very convincing RED herring and not one of them in there is Red John.

Others: Vint Molineri: 3.3 The Blood on his Hands.
Dr Linus Wagner from the Pilot episode and season 3 Ball of Fire.
Virgil Minelli is suspected by many fans especially since he made that deal with Alexa Shultz of the FBI.
Dr Towlen Morning in His Red Right Hand, what's odd about Patrick's inclusion is that he was a Vic of Red John and was found in a cemetery, shot and frozen.  Not sure how Patrick could have met him, yet he recalls him and suspects him.  He was also the family doctor of Red John's third and fourth Vics.
Osvaldo Ardiles was in Rhapsody in Red and Panama Red, the ADA Patrick doesn't like and the feeling is mutual.

Anyway these names were intriguing to us and particularly since we won't be getting anymore episodes until next year, and not early either, so that leaves us still mad, angry and guessing, since one of the names on the list appears in the next episode, 5.10 Panama Red.  We'll have a long wait for that.

Nice to see Patrick actually getting back to business at hand this week and helping out 100%, apart from the beginning, but then he has been working on his list so it was a good follow on from the last episode.  Also Lisbon showing she still has a heart in making sure Noah and Juliana stay together.  Proving why we like her even more.  She has to understand what it's like not having a mother and how she was there for her brothers too.  It's a sister's place, I was going to say job but that wouldn't sound right.

Wonder if Sarah and Rigsby will get back together since they didn't get any scenes together.  Cho and Tamsin will prob get together romantically, there's an attraction there. But we know Summer is set to make an appearance again in a future episode, so...Anyway, fun part Lisbon telling Patrick at the beginning as they leave the scene, that he should add her on the list.  Patrick telling her she talked in her sleep when they were in the kitchen, she just appeared to mumble or make a sound, no didn't see any drooling either!
Other great scenes from Patrick: he needs the right "aura" before he buys a house; his little bit of dancing too to check out the kitchen floor.  It's a wonder Simon didn't direct this ep! ha.

Dan Gauthier is best known for playing Lt John McKay in Tour of Duty.  Didn't get much of a part here. He also played a Chip in Friends, The One with the Cat ep.

Doctor Who "The Snowmen" Review

                                          
England 1892  A boy in the snow says he doesn't need anyone and the snowman repeats what he says, "they're silly, don't talk to them...Don't need anyone else."

50 years later  The boy becomes Dr Simeon (Richard E Grant). He bottles the snow and states.  "humanity celebrates and ends."  Simeon feeds the men to the snowmen so they will keep their secrets.

A woman works at the Rose and Crown and notices the snowmen outside.  The Doctor (Matt Smith) appears from nowhere and she asks if he made it. Grumpy Doctor acting out his Scrooge.  It's snow that can remember.  She calls him silly and there's nothing wrong with silly and then follows him.  They were just getting acquainted.  Doctor: "those were the days."  Weren't they!  She then runs after his carriage.
Vastra (Neve McIntosh) asks if he's taking an interest in her, Clara (Jenna-Louise Colman), he's not and she doesn't have his name.  He asks what two words Vastra means?  Doctor: "Doctor Who."  How how many times was that going to be said in this? Since he doesn't exist anymore.

The pond has frozen since the night the children's governess died in it.  Simeon tells Captain Latimer (Tom Ward) that the governess (Julie Cadzow) died in the pond and "ice remembers."  Giving him his card: Great Intelligence.  The pond may belong to Latimer but not what's inside.  Vastra approaches Simeon who describes her as "the veiled detective."  Dr Doyle (as in Arthur Conan) is basing his stories on her exploits.  "The Great detective in reality is a woman.""  Vastra tells him there's no impropriety involved between her and Jenny (Catrin Stewart) as they're married.  The ice can respond to the thoughts of those around it, it's "memory snow."  Simeon: "Winter is coming, the last ?? of humankind."  She knows a man who can stop it.  The Doctor.  They must pray for a miracle.

Strax (Dan Starkey) watches the Doctor collect samples of snow, which he calls "new and alien."  He asks if they should look for a grenade next.  The Doctor suggests they look for a prophet, "Victorian values."  This isn't their business and calls Strax a "psychotic potato dwarf."  Doctor: "Over one thousand years of the universe, I thing I've learnt: the universe doesn't care."  Strax calls Clara a boy.  The Doctor tells him they need the memory worm which will make her lose the last hour of her memory.  Strax forgets what he went to fetch since he didn't wear the gauntlets and does the same for a second time.  That was the comedy sketch.  If the worm bites, you could lose decades of your memory.  Clara suggests they try a "who."  Doctor: "Doctor Who."

More snowmen appear since she was thinking about them and they were feeding off her thoughts.  She needs to imagine them melted.  The Doctor wants to forget about her since the snow isn't his problem.  Wonder if he thought of using the memory worm on himself, you know forget all his troubles and woes re the Ponds.  Clara follows him to his TARDIS in the clouds.  Then knocks on the door and runs away, leaving her shawl behind.

She returns to the pub telling the man she's got her own work to do and if she told him what that was, "you'd never believe me."  She changes in the carriage into Latimer's children's governess.  Francesca (Ellie Darcey-Alden) and Digby (Joseph Darcey-Alden) missed her.  She now sports a posh voice and is known as Miss Montague.  Francesca is having nightmares about the old governess.  Clara tells Latimer if he asked Francesca properly about her nightmares, she'd tell him.  The governess is coming back to punish her.  They love her secret voice: her cockney accent and they show her the pond.  That being the operative word. Francesca's being punished for Christmas and she does return.  Digby: "I think she needs a doctor."  Clara finds his ladder to the clouds again and Jenny stops her from shouting.

Vastra asks Clara some questions and only wants single word responses, since "lies are words... Truth is singular."  "The Doctor...Doctor Who."  There it's said again.  She's looking for the Doctor.  Replying: "curiosity; snow; help; danger; kindness; man.  Vastra tells her he's not her salvation or protector.  He was different once; kind, a hero and saver of worlds.  (Whereas the Daleks referred to him as the "destroyer of worlds, at least Davros did."  He has suffered losses which hurt him.  She test her and lets her give Vastra a one word message for the Doctor about the snow in one word.  This being, "Pond!!"

The snowglobe in Simeon's office recognizes a danger, "an intelligence beyond anything else in this time and place."  The Doctor arrives dressed as Sherlock Holmes (!) complete with deerstalker.  Simeon tells him Sherlock Holmes is fictional, so is talking snow.  Doctor: "Takes one to snow one."  He's making deductions (and bad jokes!) and tells them to "shut up."  Which is what he and Amy used to say a lot.  He deduces the snow is Moriarty and has learnt what it does now.  It has to evolve and needs human DNA in ice form: hence the governess in the pond.

The Doctoe then checks out the pond saying Clara made a good point.  Strax asks if he needs grenades now and he needs help with the investigation.  The Doctor replies he's not investigating cos "some bird smiles at me."  Strax also calls him Sherlock Holmes.

Clara tells the children stories and one about a "man lives on a cloud and helps children.  He's been on holiday.  The governess appears and they should imagine her melted but it doesn't work.  The Doctor is hiding out in the puppet box as Mr Punch, "Doctor Who."  He sonics the governess with anti-freeze and it seems to work. Simeon arrives with his snow machine and blows snow over the wall.  The Doctor doesn't do this anymore, help out. Then looks at his grumpy face in the mirror, well it was, grumpy.  Then at his bow tie.  "Old habits."  Clara remarks "it's cooler" cos it's snowing outside.  Doctor: "It is very cool.  Bowties are cool."  The room's cold is what she means.  They rush out.

The Doctor refers to himself as Clara's "gentleman friend" and they were upstairs kissing.  Well they will be.  Vastra introduces herself as "the lizard woman from the dawn of time."  Latimer is upset over the 'friend' revelation.  The governess mimics Punch "that's the way to do it."  (But no one mentioned that phrase, so how can she mimic him?)  Jenny uses the forcefield to keep her at the top of the stairs.  The Doctor says they're not engaging but are under attack.  Then says his "shut up" again.  Strax objects to getting a "noogie" from the Doctor during combat.  It's the "ultimate fusion of snow and humanity."  The governess is the blueprint and Simeon will build snowmen and it "will be the last day of humanity on this planet." Didn't this line and episode kind of remind you of the one with the Timelords making their invasion of earth in a bid to wipe out humanity in the Christmas special with David Tennant.

Clara follows the Doctor and grabs him for a kiss under the mistletoe.  Doctor: "You kissed me."
Clara: "You blushed."  Shut up.  He kissed her back    He gives her an umbrella and they head for the roof.   The governess is engaging in "random mirroring."  Clara's bustle gets stuck in the window and he tells her to take her clothes off, not in that way.  He has a plan and she's got the umbrella.  He's clever and so she should tell him his plan. They're standing on the roof so the umbrella can pull down the ladder.  She's wearing a dress so he should go first, "eyes front soldier."  Hers aren't.  This was a similar scene from the season 5 episode The Eleventh Doctor where the Doctor changed his clothes and Amy couldn't keep her eyes off him.  Even when Rory wanted her to.

She looks at the TARDIS and runs all the way around it before saying, "it's smaller on the outside."  Usually it's the other way around, i.e it's bigger on the inside.  He's not sulking.  The TARDIS has a new interior, ah he's revamped after the Ponds left.  The TARDIS "is mine."   So he's not 'borrowing' it anymore.  She asks if there's a kitchen, "I like making souffles."  He didn't get that remark here.  She followed him.  He's about a foot taller than her so he wouldn't need the umbrella, it was for her.  Doctor: "I never know why.  I only know Who."  He gives her a key to the door...he's giving in.  "This is the day everything begins."  The governess takes Clara and they both fall back to earth.

Clara will live.  The Doctor knows it.  She didn't even look injured.  Clara is a machine/robot, yes? then why has she vital signs of  a human.  Strax didn't detect any irregularities, but then maybe he wasn't looking, since he couldn't tell the difference between a boy or a girl.  The Doctor adds if he saves the world then will she come with him?  He shows Simeon the tin with the ice lady inside and they'll meet at the office.

Vastra ask if he's making a bargain with the universe?  As the universe doesn't make bargains.  This was his fault. He knows who the giant snowglobe is.  The tin has the map of the London underground 1967.  He never liked a tunnel.  Stripping the disguise away, he realizes Simeon was the little boy.  The Intelligence was his snowman.  The snow is a mirror and reflects back feelings.  His darkest dreams turned into the snowman.  Doctor"...carnivorous snow meets Victorian values and something terrible is born."  Don't you just love those lines.

The tin contains the worm and when Simeon grabs sit, the worm bites him causing him to lose his memory.  Without Simeon the snow will have no voice and without the governess it won't have a form. However the snow Intelligence returns and creates more snowmen.  The "dream outlives the dreamer."  He now pulls the strings. When the Doctor removed Simeon it made room for him.  Simeon rises and attempts to freeze the Doctor.  Clara tells Latimer his children are afraid and need him.  She cries and her tears melt the snow: salty tears.  Doctor: "the snow is mirroring something so strong, it's drowning everything else...a whole family crying on Christmas Eve to melt the snow."  The only force on earth which can do that.

The Doctor says there aren't anymore clouds since it rained.  Clara: "Run, run you clever boy and remember."  The Doctor now recalls at her grave.  The Intelligence learnt to survive . Great Intelligence "rings a bell."  Clara's name was Clara Oswin Oswald: souffle girl again.  He didn't see her face when she was with the Daleks.  She died twice, the same woman.  He has "to find Clara."  Vastra thinks "the universe makes bargains after all."  Clara is in the same cemetery with a girl and tells her she doesn't "believe in ghosts."  Doctor in his TARDIS: "Clara Oswin Oswald - watch me run!"

Clara is of course Oswin from Asylum of the Daleks and it's strange why the Doctor doesn't recall her, especially since she asked him to "remember."  And when she remarks she likes cooking souffles.  Which sounded like clues for him to do just that; remember.  Appears the Doctor has closed himself off from his memories perhaps in an attempt to shield himself from the hurt Vastra says he went through.  Whilst he has been alone in his exile.  It could be seen as an exile since he no longer exists and has cut himself off from everyone, including his friends or helping humanity.  It's no longer his business so he doesn't interfere.  The Doctor did appear to be Scrooge-like and saying "bah humbug" to anyone who needed his help.  He even looks as such when he looks at himself in the mirror.

The second Doctor met the Great Intelligence in the serial, The Abominable Snowmen and The Web of Fear.  Based on the 1960's and the Doctor refers to The Web of Fear when he shows the tin with the London underground map.  In these stories, the Great Intelligence uses a yeti robot and it appears the Doctor was instrumental in instigating the future attack on London which began in the underground.

Vastra, Jenny and Strax were in A Good Man Goes to War from season 6 and Strax was brought back to life.  The Doctor says, "he gave his life for a friend once [the Doctor].  Another friend brought him back." which is all we get to learn.

Richard e Grant played the "quite handsome Doctor" in Doctor Who and the Curse of the Fatal Death.  Sherlock Holmes of course, several times, was an unashamed reference to Sherlock, also written by Steven Moffat.  Not to mention fans and viewers got to have their wish and see Matt Smith play Sherlock, albeit in the deerstalker form since Doyle based Sherlock Holmes in the Victorian period in his books.  Showing us how good a Sherlock Matt would have been if he got that role.  As good as Benedict Cumberbatch, oh don't all throw things at once!!!

There's a new TARDIS interior, a new theme tune and new credits.  Plus new costume - which Matt described as "the Artful Dodger meets the Doctor."  (What not Jammie Dodgers). His outfit is now purple (ooh my fave colour.)  Matt said, "there's a lot of purple this year which is nice.  I've always wanted something purple...it's taken three years to get a jaunty hat and a purple coat."

Matt also said of how the Doctor is attracted to his female companions.  "he's certainly taken by this striking young lady...he meets a jaunty new companion - a hot chick."  Where's his wife, River then? and what would she say to this new "hot chick?!"  New word for 2013: "jaunty."  Ha.

This was one of the best Christmas specials in a long time, on a par with A Christmas Carol special.  Frightening snowmen, lots of snow for Christmas.  We need some memory snow just to have a white Christmas every year.  We got the addition of Sherlock Holmes and a new companion who is fun-loving and intriguing enough to to get over the departure of the Ponds.  Building up our curiosity as to how the Doctor will find Clara and WHO she really is.  As he said, "It's not the why with me but the WHO."  Also we get Matt Smith as gorge as ever as the Doctor as we go into the show's fiftieth year in 2013...at least something positive to look forward to in   year ending in 13.

Dalek Intelligence in Asylum of the Daleks, where Oswin knew she had immense intelligence and called herself a genius.  Also as I said this reminded me of the 2009 Christmas Special The End of Time Part 1: where the Narrator said: "And so it came to pass, on Christmas Day, that the human race did cease to exist..."

CSI:NY 7.22 "Exit Strategy" Review

                                            
After a close call with a suspect, Mac re-evaluates his career and life at the lab doing what he does. He opens his first ever unsolved case and then solves it too; in what would have been the series finale.

Mac (Gary Sinise), Flack (Eddie Cahill) and Danny (Carmine Giovinazzo) are on a raid .   Mac crosses his crucifix, which he wears under his shirt and we didn't know that.   Danny kisses Lucy's photo and, er, couldn't come up with anything for Flack, so he just puts on his badge.   It's all about the job for Flack.   Ahh how sad, there was nothing or no one for him to kiss.  It begins to rain.   Mac chases a suspect to the roof, where a struggle ensues and Mac is overpowered.   The suspect reaches for Mac's weapon and holds it to him.   Cue opening credits.   Hey that suspect with the dope bag, was he really gonna flush that big bag down the loo, bit late for that.   The gun jams and Mac takes it back, and gets it to work, and maybe looked like he wanted to shoot him or at least he would have shot the suspect if Flack and Danny hadn't arrived.   Then again it's Mac and he wouldn't have fired, unless it was in self-defence.

The others go over cases in the conference room and Mac can only drown them out.   Hey they don't normally sit down like that, unless they're on an active case and usually not everyone is there.   The sounds from the, almost near fatality, all echo in Mac's ears, especially with Sid (Robert Joy) and his pen sounding like the trigger jamming.   Jo (Sela Ward) notices something's wrong, as usual, which is great to see.   Mac has 3 files on his desk and he wants to solve his first ever unsolved case.   He says there's no pattern to Hexton's (Michael Irby) movements, 9 years ago.   He'd move whenever they were close to him.   His girlfriend, Jackie (Allison McAtee) never ratted him out.   Jo questions Mac on why he walked out of the room.  "I know you better than you think;" and she hasn't been here that long either.   He uses the normal excuse of being Head of the crime lab so he can re-evaluate any case, anytime.   Jo refers to herself as his colleague and friend but asks why this case and why now.   (Cos the show might've been over and they wanted him to solve all his cases.   Yet there are still some more outstanding cases, like the suspects that got away.)

Mac calls this case his last one.   Jo tells him to use a computer instead of the stringing method on the map.   Mac: "Old case, old habits."  He meets Flack at the bodega where the robbery and shootings occurred.   Hexton was bleeding from his GSW and they left through the door at the back.   This was his first case as Head of the crime lab (and he didn't get anywhere with it.)  Flack asks why he's looking over it now and Mac doesn't give him an answer, just replies, "no reason."  There were blood drops where the things fell to the floor.   Flack calls him 'buddy' when he asks if he's okay.   No he's not and everyone can tell, well at least Jo and Flack.

Then we get a boring scene with Danny and Lindsay (Anna Belknap) about their future and she calls Danny's Pacino impression bad.   He tells her he took the sergeant's exam and is awaiting the results.   It will take him away from here if he passes.   Oh and he actually said, away from her too.   We wish.    Hawkes (Hill Harper) examined the blood samples from the shooting, mostly belonging to Hexton, but he found a second profile from the epithelials on the purse using a different genetic analyzer (conveniently) this new machine picked it up.  The DNA belongs to Olivia Dalton (Kayla Carlson) who was reported missing the morning after by her mtoher.   Mac ascertains Hexton took her with him, along with his accomplice, Wes (Clayne Crawford) that's why they used the back door.

Her mother, Natalie Dalton (Lisa Sheridan) bought her the purse and she went out to buy her aspirin, she was more interested in drinking than her daughter.   Mac's not here to judge her.   No, but he has judged others in the past, even if they didn't warrant this kind of treatment, like the mother in 7.2 Damned If You Do episode, where he judged the son as being guilty and that his mother identified him as being their attacker, when she didn't.   Jo talks with Jackie and says she wanted to be beaten by her boyfriend cos of what her father's put downs.   She tells her about Olivia and and she gives Jo a postcard sent to her by Wes.   The writing is practically invisible.

Boston, MA.   Again the same rituals from Danny and Mac, with the crucifix and Lucy's photo has shrunk now, this time Flack gets to check his weapon.   Said rituals will be forgotten in the next season no doubt.   Mac still thinks about that night.   Yes Flack, knew that ice bag was coming, he needed cooling down, ha.  Hexton tells Mac that Wes beat him up and took Olivia, who had her chance to escape, but didn't take it.   Was it cos she didn't want to return to her drunken mother - perhaps - or she identified Wes as a father figure she never had.   Was she exhibiting Stockholm Syndrome.

Adam (AJ Buckley) brings up the writing on the postcard using infra red.   Mac wants the writing sample put out on the billboards etc, like the face of a missing person, someone might recognize the unique style of writing.   Adam refers to Mac's "out of the box thinking," which he isn't impressed with, again.    Danny tells Flack they've got a hit from a woman named Samantha (Jeanette Sousa) in Twin City, Georgia, where they both head.   Wes, under the name of Tony, left 9 months ago, with Olivia.   He called her his daughter, Madison and 'princess'.   She needs her heart medication.   Lindsay doesn't get any hits on Dr Miller.   Mac sending Flack and Danny to Georgia where they didn't find Wes, but he goes to North Carolina himself, cos Wes would actually be there.  Mac posits normally the suspects keep the first names of the Vics and change the surname.     There's a Madison Hughes in Shelby, North Carolina.

That was a bit obvious Flack turning up in the van and no one getting out.   Wes goes for his keys and is shot and killed.   Olivia pulls a gun on Mac, that's a second time he's had a weapon trained on him this episode, not mentioning the number of times he was shot at last episode.   He talks Olivia into putting the gun down and tells her her mother looked for her and loves her.   Olivia calls Wes her father.  Mac tells Jo, Wes could have let her go at anytime, but didn't.   Jo questions Mac as to why he didn't tell anyone about the roof.   Mac was trying to work things out.   Death "was staring me right in the eyes."  Jo says she knows he must have questioned why him.   Mac reveals when it was over, he asked himself what he was doing and how long he can continue doing it.   Jo understands he needed to find closure with this case.   Mac: "I've done a lot of good, maybe I've done my part."  So now it would have been for the others to take over, like Danny with his sergeant status.

Danny passes his exam and calls himself Sgt Messer.   Flack knocking down more doors in his same outfit!  Hawkes and Sid in autopsy, where he gets a call from Camille, with a photo on his phone of her.   So Mac walks away, leaving Jo et al.   In the words of the song Holding On and Letting Go at the end, by Ross Copperman;  "one door swinging open" again next season 8, luckily!

That's how 7 years would have ended and I have to say, not very satisfactorily.  The producers and writers may have been happy with the ending, but I know many of us weren't.   Fine to see Mac walking away into the sunset, or rather the street, but everyone else hardly got a mention.   Jo watching him from the balcony, he didn't even look up to see her, let alone acknowledge her.   Flack going about doing what he does (they had a similar scene with him in the Super Men episode; appears they can't come up with anything different for him; they didn't even try.)  Same for Hawkes and Sid, at least Hawkes got Camille out of it all; and Danny passing his sergeant's exam.   That came out of the blue.   Though he always wanted promotion since season 1, even before Lindsay came along, but they had to mention the obligatory, it'd mean more money for them, line.  It all seemed so hurried and rushed, like no one could be bothered to come up with a more fitting ending.   The show wasn't and isn't just about Mac.

At least Mac actually raised a smile at Adam's antics; which will long continue, he's Adam after all.   Mac didn't even say goodbye to anyone, maybe the scene didn't warrant it, thus leaving the path clear for another season.   Only dilemma being what's gonna happen with Danny now he's a sergeant.   Hawkes still with Camille, as I said and Sid hardly getting any lines.   The last episode clearly concentrating on Mac and it's been done before, staring down the wrong end of a barrel, making people re-evaluate their lives and their choices.   There wasn't much about Jo either, she just stays.   Basically, the last episode concentrated completely (as said already) on Mac which if this was going to be the series finale, would have been rather unfair on everyone else.

Having Mac kiss his crucifix reaffirming that he's always had his faith, going back to season 1, even if he hasn't talked about it much over the past few years.   Showing he still believes in good over evil, as we know, he's mentioned evil a few times this season, so it was only fitting he had his crucifix this episode.   But showing Mac and Danny doing all that kissing this episode, was new, they've never done that before.   Oh that didn't sound right, not kissing each other of course.   They could afford to go out of state this episode, ha (though they weren't really) but to Boston, Georgia and North Carolina.

As I've said 2.19 Super Men episode had them all go on about their daily routines, which was kind of like this ending here.   Indicating life will continue for everyone else; that their work: fighting crime never ends and when they finish/leave, someone else will carry on - the next generation even.   People like Flack, Danny, Jo, Hawkes.   In their never-ending quest to seek justice - oh okay - I sound a bit repetitive here, but that was the purpose of the ending in Super Men and here too.   Just wish the ending had been more original.   So this was the Exit Strategy: for Mac to solve his first ever unsolved case, which would have been his final case ever and leave.   What would he have done.

Well at least I'll get to write about about another season and more importantly watch another season along with everyone!

Jeanette Sousa played the crossroads demon from the season 2 Cross Roads episode of Supernatural.

Downton Abbey 2012 Christmas Special Review

The action moves on one year later as the household gets ready to visit Duneagle Castle, Scotland.  Of course this was meant to be that episode, don't know how many believed the stories to be true, but it was said one of the cast would be leaving.  That would be Dan Stevens, no surprise, who plays Matthew Crawley, as he made his intentions on leaving clear earlier on.  But many will be shocked at how he was written out.  Not me though as I already said his fate was on the cards.

Anna (Joanna Froggatt) Bates (Brendan Coyle)  O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) Moseley (Kevin Doyle) all accompany the Grantham's, with the Dowager (Maggie Smith) in tow.  As well as a very pregnant Mary (Michelle Dockery) Edith (Laura Carmichael) and Matthew.  Edith breaks the news that Michael Gregson (Charles Edwards) is to be there also and Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) is eager to meet him, but not it seems Robert Hugh Bonneville).  Branson (Allen Leech) stays behind to manage the estate and to stir things up with the new maid, Edna (MyAnna Buring).  Okay it's Edna who gives chase to him.  Have to say I didn't like Edna at all and she didn't really fit the show or the episode either.  A maid with yearnings of  a higher station is not at all what the Downton staff in Carson (Jim Carr) and Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan) will tolerate.

 A new grocer, Tufton (John Henshaw) turns up who sends Mrs Patmore's (Leslie Nichol) heart racing and especially since he tastes her wares.  He brings her dried ginger instead of fresh and Thomas (Rob James-Collier) offers to go into Thirsk and change it for her, with Albert (Matt Milne) in tow.  Seems like everyone is on speaking terms now with the fiasco of last series in the past.  Which also includes Daisy (Sophie McShera) and Ivy (Cara Theobold).  Albert it seems has also given up his pursuit of Daisy and Ivy now, it seems.  Not to mention Thomas has taken to 'stalking' Jimmy/James (Ed Speleers).  Well it appears that way and with the looks that pass between them, it's a wonder Jimmy is till around, ha.

Robert tells everyone about visiting Shrimpie, the Dowager's nephew, in Scotland, that's a nickname cos they had nicknames resembling fish.  When they arrive it's obvious tensions are high between Shrimpie (Peter Egan) and his wife, Susan, parents of Rose (Lily James) who is glad to see them.  O'Brien seems to be getting on with Susan's maid as she thinks they've found a fellow kindred spirit, another maid with ideas above her station, sorry I just love that phrase.  It appears they dine early in the Highlands, whereas the Downton staff are used to eating late.

Thomas and the others decide they want to attend the Thirsk fair where Tufton will have a stand and they will need Carson's permission to attend.  Carson who aims to work everyone like a horse whilst the upstairs lot are away is adamant they shouldn't have a break whilst still being paid.  Mrs Hughes talks him round when Mrs Patmore asks her to the fair also as Tufton will be there.  Obviously tufton is a cad in terms of only wanting her for her food, he even asks her to bring sandwiches.  As Mrs Patmore buys a new pink outfit for the occasion.  It's a bit 'girly' she thinks, but as Mrs Hughes tells her, it's good to be girly now and then.

Branson left to his own devices. has dinner with Isabel (Penelope Wilton) and she tells him it's okay to be his own man in that he can mix with whomever he likes now he runs the estate.  Thus Edna kind of does the same thing in asking him if he's ashamed of his position.  Even meeting him in the pub for lunch, cos she overhears he will be there, he has to walk Robert's dog, you see.  She then invites him to come down and have dinner with them, instead of eating on his own.  Isabel also having Doctor Clarkson (David Robb) over for dinner quite a bit too and we know where that was leading, with one-sided feelings on his part.

Mrs Hughes notices Tufton being free with the women and flirting with everyone in a skirt. As he says, "I love anytime, anyplace."  The men enter into a tug of war with Jimmy betting the Downton lot will win and that doesn't go down well with the other team, seeing as the bookie is on their side.  So they win of course and Jimmy has money to burn, so he buys drinks for everyone, gives Daisy and Ivy money.  Before you know it, Jimmy ends up drunk and is cornered under the bridge by the other rope pullers.  Only to be rescued by Thomas, who gets beaten for his trouble.  Doctor Clarkson is about to propose to Isabel but is saved by her telling him she doesn't want to ruin a good friendship and Jimmy needs his help.

In the Highlands, Susan aims to get her hair like Cora and enlists Brien's help, making her own maid, Wilkins (Simone Lahbib) jealous.  Anna and Bates help out Rose, who smokes outside and is cheered up by them.  She then returns the favour by teaching Anna the Reel; for the Ghilles Ball.  Shrimpie is to go to India and Susan doesn't want Rose to go.  He also tells Robert he's lost Duneagle, which makes Robert see the light and admit to Cora that Matthew was right about his plans for Downton and without him he would have lost it too.  Matthew takes Gregson under his wing and says he objects to his intentions towards Edith, in making him his mistress, as will Robert.  However Edith is determined to not let this one get away.

Cora agrees to take Rose to Downtown whilst the two are in India, we knew she'd become an addition at the estate.  Mary was being rather snobbish, as usual making comments about Gregson and how he brought his tails with him just to fit in at the Castle.  Since Matthew and Mary were getting so close it was inevitable as to the outcome at the end.  With him saying he loves her, she's changed his life and her adding he's the only one who could love her.  At the ball, Wilkins spikes O'Brien's drink to get back at her which she doesn't drink, but Moseley does, so he engages in plenty of merrymaking and dancing at the ball, letting his hair down.

Jimmy checks up on Thomas and finds out he was following him, well he needed looking out for.  Jimmy can't give him what he wants, but Thomas just wants to be friends with him, which he can be.  So they bury the hatchet.  Mrs Hughes tells Mrs Patmore about Tufton and his flirting with other women and she's relieved.  He was only after her for the cooking.  Albert finds he has a love for cooking also.  Hey O'Brien wasn't around to relish Thomas getting beaten up.

Mary is overcome with her little dance and wants to return home early, without Matthew of course again cos we knew what was coming.  Anna also surprises Bates and Mary with her dancing.  When Mary arrives at the station she needs to be taken to hospital.  The baby being born by the time Matthew arrives.  He's pleased and she's done him proud.  As Mary says they've done their duty, a male heir for Downton, which wasn't soon enough.  She wants Matthew to get the others and bring them back, so what happened to the telephone now?  He meets with an accident in his car and lies bleeding, life gone from him.  SO will she name the baby Matthew now?

That was a bit too much for a Christmas episode, I knew it was coming throughout the episode and even managed to say how, but a year after Sybil is killed off and they decide to do the same thing.  Another death after a baby is born, that's like saying babies are jinxed in this household.  As I said, it was obvious with everyone singing Matthew's praises, not to mention Robert finally accepting his proposals were welcomed and didn't even tell him.  Matthew knew about Gregson and his loony wife too, so he had to go.  He knew too much, ha (sorry).  Leaving Mary and Branson with lots in common now.  Branson even broke down and cried over Sybil in front of Mrs Hughes, particularly when she told him Edna must go and how he'll find someone one day.  Doubtful Mary will, I mean as she said Matthew was the only one who truly knew her and loved her.

Just think, last Christmas, they got together and this Christmas episode, Matthew was killed off.  Surely there were other ways of coming up with an ending in which he could leave, that didn't involve another sorrowful death.  The family will now go through another mourning ad upheaval as another baby won't know one of their parents.  Of course they could move the story along in years in series 4, which will be disappointing if Matthew/Dan doesn't get his moment in the limelight with everyone saying goodbye to him.  He's a character who will be missed.  One who wasn't stuffy or arrogant and gave everyone a chance.

Merlin 5.13 "The Diamond of the Day" Part 2 Review

                                               
There wasn't a dry eye in the house for this series finale and what an ending it was, leaving us with lots of possibilities for the future.  The Battle at Camlann continued as Merlin (Colin Morgan) rode his damnedest to help Arthur (Bradley James). With Mordred (Alexander Vlahos) getting closer to fulfilling the prophecy.  Lots of slo-mo action scenes again with Arthur and there stood Merlin/Dragoon on the hilltop, throwing down Morgana's hoards left, right and centre with his magic staff, as Arthur and the knights looked on.  Gwen (Angel Coulby) also saw him and asked Gaius (Richard Wilson) who that was, Gaius knows him but doesn't let on it was Merlin.  Think Gwen had a pretty good idea anyway.

Morgana (Katie McGrath) even sent Aithusa into the battle but he was no match for the power of the Dragonlord.  Until finally the showdown between Arthur and Mordred, and it wasn't really much of a showdown, Arthur didn't even get to fight. Mordred just skewered the sword in and that was it, all over for our fair and princely knight, er, king.  But not before Arthur got the blade in too and twisted it with relish.  Mordred saying Arthur left him "no other choice."  Oh you had choices, you just chose to side with Morgana, on the losing side of course!

Merlin roams through the bodies in desperation searching for Arthur but alas he is too late.  For Arthur lies mortally wounded as he eventaully carries him away.  In the woods and by Arthur's side, Merlin reveals his true self and his real powers.  Confessing to Arthur he has magic and always did.  Arthur is shocked and I was about to say what a time to tell him, you know, on his last legs and everything which could hasten his departure even sooner than expected.

Arthur is shocked and wants Merlin to leave him.  He can't face him through all the lies he told.  Yet Merlin won't leave him.  He shows Arthur his magic by conjuring a dragon from the fire.  Arthur once again had to tell Merlin to not be "ridiculous."  But he wasn't.  For all the times he saved Arthur, he used magic to do it.  This is what made the show and gave the two their last moments together, so touching and poignant.  For Merlin reveals his true self to Arthur and Arthur won't be around very much longer to see Camelot or his beloved Gwen.  The bromance was to have some continuance before ending on a sad note.

Morgana is despondent but still wants Arthur.  "I want him dead" she tells her men and shows some more magical strength by dispatching one of them when they say they have searched everywhere for Arthur.  The knights too are in search of Arthur as Leon (Rupert Young) tells Gwen they haven't found him yet.  Seems Gwen is resound to the inevitable too at this point, but soldiers on to help the wounded.  She won't give up hope.  Gaius is also missing, as he seeks out Merlin.

Gaius convinces Arthur that Merlin is his best hope to save him as he must get him to Avalon and the Sidhe (shee) [Seen in Merlin episode The Changeling] who can help save him.  Gaius leaves for Camelot and Arthur gives him the seal for Gwen,  he will need it as queen to rule over Camelot.  So the one person who didn't want the throne, ends up with it.  All this time I was wondering what happened to the Dragon, why didn't Merlin just call for him in the night and get there much sooner, than calling for him in the final moments when it's too late. Of course we know Arthur wasn't going to survive but it was wishful thinking, you know just for a brief second.

Gaius also tells them about Eira and her betrayal and they get Gwaine (Eoin Macken) to set her up by telling her where Arthur is heading, she sends a message to Morgana and is caught.  Being hung for her troubles!  Another hanging at Camelot with Gwen presiding this time, showing she will be a good queen.  Morgana gets the message and rides out with her Saxons.   Gwaine after watching the hanging tells Percival (Tom Hopper) they wanted to see Morgana killed and so they know where she is now and can kill her.  Yeah with heh magic, that was a bit far fetched.  So they overcome her henchmen and Percival proceeds to drive a blade into Morgana's back.  But it's not that easy as she strikes them both down.  Then ensures Gwaine reveals the truth of Arthur's location by the use of her pet Nathair again.  Gwaine's anguish screams are heard by Percival as he breaks lose from his ropes, but it's too late.  Seems like everyone was dying and being killed off here.  That makes Mordred, Eire and Gwaine so far.

Merlin still forges ahead in a bid to save Arthur, using his magic along the way.  In one scene Arthur asks why he doesn't just use magic to light the fire?  Cos he hasn't done so in the past and it's his job.  As they almost reach their goal, the horses flee and Arthur knows he's in his final breaths.  It's futile.  Cue Morgana who is the epitome of smugness thinking she has the last laugh.  Saying she will stay by Arthur's side as he dies. Merlin won't let that happen and he stabs her with the sword, still smug, she thinks it's a mortal blade however he tells her it was forged in dragon's breath too just like hers.  So that's Morgana gone too.

                                                      
Arthur can't go any further and tells Merlin he is sorry for all he said to him and thanks him.  Merlin still won't give up and calls on the dragon, Kilgharragh (John Hurt) for one last favour as he flies them both to Avalon. Arthur didn't even know he got to ride on a dragon!  Arthur dies in Merlin's arms and he sends him on his way, a journey befitting a king on a boat.  The Dragon having already told Merlin it was too late.  Yet he must recall that Arthur is known as the "once and future king."  That Arthur will rise when he is needed. (Does that signal a film or two, please?!!)  Merlin takes Excalibur and flings it into the lake where a hand reaches out and takes it, a hand looking a bit like Arthur's, but obviously it's not.

SO it ends.  The battle scenes being cut short for the brotherly conversation between the two.  It would have been nicer I think if they had had the big reveal a few episodes ago so that Arthur could have come to terms with Merlin being a sorcerer for a bit longer and also it feels like Merlin only told him this now cos he was dying and it was inevitable.  Yet Gwen also works this out as she tells Gaius that she also knows the man they saw.  That it was Merlin and he will take good care of Arthur.  Gwen is hailed as the queen, as Leon announces, "The king is dead, long live the queen," and the knights follow suit.

Merlin however isn't shown at Camelot.  Instead we jump forward into the future as a bearded man gets off a truck, it's Merlin, or old man Merlin/Dragoon.  He walks the road with Avalon in the background.  Does this mean Arthur will rise soon, in modern times?  That would be interesting to watch.  Also the show ends on a light note with Merlin having survived for so long and we presume he was back at Camelot helping out Gwen and the others.

But for my liking Arthur's demise was truly sorrowful.  Yet there was humour.  Arthur commenting at one point that Merlin isn't an idiot so that was a lie too.  Best line from Merlin: "I am a sorcerer.  I have magic  and I use it for you Arthur.  Only for you."  That was a deep and meaningful line and if you weren't already in tears, you would have been now.

As Excalibur is returned, there were some remarkable scenes between Bradley and Colin as Arthur asks why he did all this when he was more than a servant.  Cos he wanted to, it was his job.  That he didn't tell Arthur sooner about himself cos he'd have "chopped off my head."  He didn't want to put Arthur in that position, of having to choose if he had told him earlier, or make those sorts of decisions.  They even recall how they first met with Arthur almost killing Merlin.  He reveals he used his magic to save himself.  Which Arthur calls cheating.  But the number of times he was there at Arthur's side to save him, take the brunt of his jokes, it was only fitting Merlin was the one there with him to the end and at the end.

Arthur asking at one point that Merlin isn't an idiot so that was a lie too.  That Merlin could have asked for credit for what he had done but he didn't.  Arthur rewards that with thanks and with his words; "I don't want you to change.  I want you to always be you."  Merlin came round full circle, going from light hearted nonsense in earlier seasons, especially 1-3 to realizing the true potential of the show, cast and stories and raising its game to give us real darkness, evil, action and above all, to signify the importance of friendship and loyalty in the end.

Glastonbury Tor was used as the island of Avalon here and it is alleged that Arthur and Gwen's tomb is here by certain monks.  Funny scene where Gaius and Merlin argue over what herbs Gaius has brought, this was not time for nitpicking, Merlin!  Big in the bromance stakes would have been Arthur's line of "hold me" to Merlin!  But through it all, Arthur knew he was dying and embraced his destiny just as Merlin did his.  The mark of a true and brave king; with loyal sorcerer and friend at his side.  Oh can't write this without a lump in my throat, several lumps!!

Farewell Merlin, you shall be missed!

What Katie [McGrath] Did

                                               
Katie McGrath plays kick-ass Morgana, evil sorceress and just a wronged daughter who wants nothing but Arthur's throne in Merlin and is more than just a magic wielding beauty.  Katie used to be a wardrobe assistant on BBC series The Tudors, admits she couldn't sew and so (no pun) decided to go into acting.  She hasn't gone to drama school and says it's not necessary if you have a good agent.  Of course getting an agent isn't easy, not even as a writer, speaking from my own personal experience; but she happened to have succeeded.

Growing up in a small Irish town, she didn't know or meet any actors until her time on The Tudors and found them to be "intelligent, passionate and engaging about what they were doing."  Working on Merlin for five years meant the cast got to know each really well and Katie thinks of them as family.  Filming on the fifth and final series ended in October and she believes the show's popularity extends to it being family orientated.  "Every character got to tell their story from beginning to end, which is a privilege as an actor."

She had plenty to learn from Colin Morgan who plays Merlin and describes him as being"an absolute acting genius."  He's really going places with his talent and the show has propelled him to global success.

Katie was directed by Madonna in WE and was in awe at being on set with her at first, but that wears off and you have to get the work done.  Other shows coming up with her include Labyrinth and she would "melt into a puddle" if she was offered a part in the up and coming new Star Wars films and would covet her own action figure.  She likes playing bad women as they have more to offer in terms of character and being engaging and enthralling.  Also cos she's so good, it makes a change playing the bad girl role.

Katie will be watching the final episode of Merlin with her family and watch out for Katie in the future too, cos she's another Merlin actor who is going places.

Merlin 5.12 "The Diamond of the Day" Part 1 Review

                                         
This episode opens with  Morgana (Katie McGrath) and Mordred (Alexander Vlahos) at her side up and she's up to some more treachery.  This time she demonstrates the power of the ?? a large slug looking creature which attaches onto men's faces and sucks the magic from them, having told dark sorcerer, Ari (Peter Guiness) to demonstrate his magic and then lack of, after his face has been sucked.  As a man later leaves this same creature in a box under Merlin's (Colin Morgan) bed, having hit Gaius (Richard Wilson) over the head with a rock.  Oh he knew that was Merlin's room and his bed did he.

Merlin meanwhile is at the tavern with Arthur (Bradley James) and the other knights playing a game of dice.  No wonder the tagline for this episode was The Die is Cast.  He bet on his numbers coming up using magic to win Arthur's money.  Ohh that's cheating.  No comments here about Merlin frequenting the tavern.  Later the knights engage in  battle at a garrison where Gwaine (Eoin Macken) rescues a damsel in distress, conveniently being the only survivor from the town.  Obviously that was no coincidence since she had to be another one of Morgana's spies, for all her magic, it's well known by now Morgana can't do anything for herself!

Merlin stumbles back in and doesn't even notice Gaius on the floor!  Merlin is attacked by the beast and loses his power, Gaius can't help him and he finds himself helpless in Arthur's time of need.  Merlin makes his excuses to Arthur about not being able to travel with him as he has important supplies to find for Gaius. Arthur tells him all those jokes he made about Merlin's bravery weren't jokes, but he doesn't think that now.  Merlin must go to the birthplace of magic itself and decides he has to head to the Crystal Cave, located in the Valley of the Kings.  The Crystal Cave a season 3 episode of the same name.

There's a meeting of the Round Table and Arthur suggests a strategy for ensuring Morgana and her hoards don't reach Camelot.  He'll block them off at the pass, a small pass known to Percival (Tom Hopper) where Arthur and the knights may be able to hold her off.  Merlin isn't pleased with this since the name happens to be Camlann.  Thus ensuring the prophecy of Arthur dying there at the hands of Mordred appears to be coming true.

Gwen (Angel Coulby) wants to be at Arthur's side and not wait here for him at Camelot, if this is his final moment she wants to spend it with him.  Gwaine meanwhile gets romantic with the woman, Eira (Erin Richards) he saved and blabs about accompanying Merlin to the Valley, obviously she goes straight to Morgana with this news and gets paid for it in return.  Morgana gives Mordred a sword forged in dragon's breath, with the help of Aithusa and you could see the effort the dragon had to put into it.  Mordred recalls when he was a boy the Druids told him of the place known as the Crystal Cave, the birthplace of magic.  Funnily enough Morgana gets there before Merlin, but she's incapable of anything else.

Merlin takes Gwaine with him and he fights off some bandits, you can see how naked Merlin is without his magic, he's no longer confident and is truly afraid of those bandits and for not being able to help Gwaine.  He can only shout out and warn him of the man behind.  Thought it would have been good for Merlin to have revealed his powers, well his magic cos he doesn't have his powers at the moment here to Gwaine.  As he did with Lancelot.  Especially since the two have been through a lot together and since Merlin encouraged him to become a knight.  Seems we weren't going to get any reveals until the final episode.  Only hope it lives up to the hype, well I mean hype in a good way, cos we want everything to turn out fine and have a happy ending.  We need a film!!

Morgana taunts Merlin in the cave and he takes a swipe at her with Gwaine's sword, who told him, "you know how to use the sharp end right," only moments before.  How did Gwaine make it back without a sword, carry other concealed weapons did he? Ha.  Finally she causes a rock slide, this being Merlin's speciality as he's used this on her in the past.  Merlin trapped once more, feels helpless and vulnerable.  Until he dreams of his father, Balinor (John Lynch) who tells him  he was born of magic, not only of the sea, but the sun, land etc.  He must find himself.  The magic is still within him and he never lost it.  Merlin wakes without bruises and does get his magic back as he uses it to conjure a butterfly in his hands.  After Merlin sees visions in the crystals he warns Arthur about Morgana and how she's planning to attack now and use a secret path to ambush him.  Arthur wakes and Gwen thinks he's just been dreaming.

Oh so who carried the bed all that way for the two of them?!  Arthur readies the troops and gives a heartfelt speech about this being their moment of glory, of honour and their time.  Arthur: "whatever the outcome  of this battle, my sister cannot and will not desecrate those values."  Funny how Arthur always refers to her as his sister but she doesn't really call him brother.

Merlin's father tells him to step into the light and find his true self.  As the battle ensues, "on me!" Arthur and Percival shout... we get slow motion scenes of Arthur battling the hoards.  Also of Mordred but not in slo-mo as he gets closer to Arthur and their fateful showdown.

A moment in the woods before they reach the pass where Arthur mentions to Gaius about Merlin not being here and Gaius is a little bemused but keeps up Merlin's cover.  Arthur is disappointed at not having his servant and friend his side and Gwen tells this to Gaius.  He tells her that there is something Merlin must do, but he can't reveal this to her.  Which is good enough for her and she wishes Merlin luck.  Merlin walks into the light in the cave, where we see a great explosion of light and Merlin leaves the cave as his old self, Dragoon, in full fury.

A great episode slowly unfolding into the series finale.  You can see the pain in Arthur's face and voice as he's disappointed in Merlin not being with him, he must have been mistaken as to his bravery he tells Merlin.  He thinks Merlin is using the excuse for the errand for Gaius to get away from the battle.  But Arthur forges on like a true king, at least he has Gwen at his side.  As Gwen later tells him his plan is good and she's never seen any greater "valour or wisdom."  Specifically when Arthur has his doubts and thinks Leon (Rupert Young) may have been right about them staying to protect Camelot.  Balinor last appeared in The Last Dragonlord.

Oh well at least we only have two days to wait for the thrilling finale and not an entire week, so it'll be over before Christmas.  This series of Merlin has impressed and it has been a joy to watch, as the cast and characters have grown into their roles and have become well rounded and loved.  Arthur now becomes a man as he takes up arms against Morgana who is filled with nothing but greed and tyranny, thinking her magic will win the day.  Yet she cowered everytime she heard mention of Emrys, until she realized, well was told by Mordred that he is really Merlin.  Her vanity and over-confidence was expressed in the cave when she tells Merlin he's nothing but a servant and thinks by trapping him, she can walk away and that's the end of Emrys.  I like the way Morgana's thinking, or lack of, leads her to always fail and lose when she comes up against Merlin.

Morgana has yet to see Merlin's might and let's not forget we haven't seen the impressive Dragon for the last time yet either, who told Merlin he will help him until his last breath, so let's hope he makes an appearance in the finale too.  Okay so Arthur has become a man, so has Merlin, as he tells his father he is like him and will follows in his footsteps.  This encounter with his father has given him the added courage and fuel he needs to face Morgana, defeat her and help Arthur by overcoming that dreaded prophecy.  At least we know Merlin now will stand at Arthur's side.  Magic 'n' all.  Either way it will be a sad day for dedicated fans!

Think Merlin also chose to disguise himself in this way as no one knows of his magical abilities and he is there to fight for king and country, not to show everyone that Merlin has magic at this serious time of war.  Don't think it means that Merlin is most powerful as his old self.

In The Crystal Cave episode, when Merlin can't save Arthur, he fears his magic is forsaken and he can't save Arthur from his wounds, which is the one thing he could rely on.  SO he cries for Arthur.  Here Merlin cries in the cave once again and this time it's also cos he thinks he can't save Arthur again.

The Mentalist 5.8 "Red Sails In the Sunset" Review

                                           
The episode everyone was waiting for directed by Simon Baker, who kind of took the easy way out spending most of his time behind the wheel of a car and his co-stars took a back seat, especially Cho (Tim Kang) and Rigsby (Owain Yeoman).  Not to mention poor Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti) hiding behind her desk, computer etc.  Nice touch when Lisbon (Robin Tunney) shakes her hair up with her hand before she talks with Kirkland (Kevin Corrigan) making us think she was "pretty-ing herself up" for him.

So Patrick (Simon Baker) meets Brett Stiles (Malcolm McDowell) for help with an escape plan to break Lorelei (Emmanuelle Chriqui) out of prison, which he doesn't agree to, meeting him in a cinema where he watches North By Northwest, the ultimate spy/escape/on-the-run movie, where Cary Grant is pursued by bad guys after being mistaken for George Caplan.  (Funny, mentioned that movie in something else I'm writing.)  Small part for Brett too just sitting in the theatre.  He's adamant he doesn't want to help, even if he can and tries to steer Patrick away from this plan.  a sense of genuinely caring for Patrick and not wanting to see him him arrested or some other motive.

Here, the episode's premise was described as Patrick needing help with an elaborate plan to break Lorelei out, didn't seem to be that elaborate of an escape.  Just have her in the yard, pay some people off and smuggle her out in a laundry truck, what else?  Perhaps the elaborate part was Patrick making everyone, including Lorelei believe he had been kidnapped by her.  Her motive?  Well, she is meant to be working for Red John but no one bothered to find out how she escaped and why at this point after all this time, who helped her, etc.  Patrick even taking a tyre iron to his beloved Citroen, before he abandons it.  As well as faking a text to Lisbon about someone following him.

Lisbon trust Kirkland too easily, I mean he still hasn't explained why he's there, especially since Homeland Security gets involved with the CBI out of the blue.  Patrick used the favour Brett owes him from 4.16 His Thoughts Were Red Thoughts, when he saved him from having his cult taken over when he was suspected of murder.  Even the laundry truck had the 'Visualize' logo on the back of it, incase you missed it.  being the name of Brett's cult.  Lorelei is dropped in the middle of nowhere and Patrick casually drives up in another 'inferior' car and she's shocked to see him, having thought her escape was the handiwork of criminal manipulator and mastermind, Red John.  She reluctantly gets in and the radio doesn't work, so she can't hear news reports of her escape.

She wants to see the ocean and he drives her there but she refuses to speak about Red John.  Watching the ship out in the ocean she wonders where they're heading.  Patrick builds a fire and he huddles in front of the fire. She comes up and lies next to him covering him with her blanket.  She had ample opportunity to drive away but doesn't take it.  What does that tell us about Lorelei.  She shares some sort of a connection, or attraction to Patrick and he does care about her, doesn't seem romantically though.  Especially since the scene is kind of a repeat of the season 4 episode 4.24 The Crimson Hat, when they spent the night together, however fully clothed this time. Cue romantic music in The Mentalist, never had that before.

Anyway Patrick wakes up thinking she's done a runner but she has removed her clothes and bathes in the ocean!!  He can't help but watch her.  He tells her to hide when the Park Ranger (Ron Perkins) approaches and don't tell me he didn't see her walk on the beach, he wasn't that far away.  He tells Patrick about campfires being illegal with permits and notices her shoes on the beach.  She calls out that she's naked so can't come out from behind the rock.

Patrick's car has been discovered so the team look for him, except Cho and Rigsby spend their time in the office, as does Lisbon for a while.  She and Kirkland meet Lorelei's mother, Dana (Gigi Rice) who turns out to be uncaring and quite a vain woman, it's hard to see as a mother.  Lisbon is direct with her and she hates her tone, Lisbon's not bothered with that, taking a leaf out of Patrick's book when he's blunt and direct.  She also ask if the man in the photo is Dana's father, of course it wasn't, Lisbon just being flippant.  Don't know about you, but I miss Lisbon and Patrick working together and their interactions.  Though it does make a change to see them doing their own thing, for Lisbon to go off with Kirkland and Patrick with Lorelei.

Dana comes in to talk with Lisbon and tells her she had a habit back then and couldn't raise two daughters, so she sold one to a couple in need of a child. She wasn't happy with her decision but Lorelei didn't forgive her for this.  Miranda was raped and murdered, left for dead in a building and she managed to scratch the name 'Roy' on the floor.  An alias of Red John but we knew he was involved as soon as Lisbon saw the CS photo.

Patrick buys clothes, food and a disguise for himself of a cowboy hat  and sunglasses so she can disguise herself, but they didn't change their car which has been identified by the Ranger.  Again Patrick thinks she's driven away when he comes out and finds the car still there.  Think he left the keys in there purposely as a test to see if she will run.  Anyway after getting a room with a broken TV and sitting on the bed right next to the radio, he forgets to make sure it doesn't work.  SO whilst he's out getting ice and calling Lisbon, she hears the news she's meant to have kidnapped Patrick.  Lisbon faxes Patrick the CS photo.

Patrick is beaten by Lorelei when he comes into the room, oh Patty you let  a woman get the better of you like that! Normally it's the men who hit him!  He shows her the photo in a bid to convince her Red John lied and used her, but she's not buying it.  She heads for the cabin which Miranda owned and Patrick lets her drive.  This time Lorelei leaves the keys in the ignition.  The team have narrowed down his location from his call which is what Patrick tells her and tells her to go.  He'd kill for a cup of tea though and she agrees to make him one.  No time though as he lets her escape in the 4X4.  Lorelei leaving him with the clue that he and Red John are so alike, it's a wonder they're not the best of friends since he shook his hand?  Lorelei: "I only wonder why the two of you didn't become lifelong friends the moment you shook hands."

This being a clue that Red John is someone we actually know, possible red herring with Kirkland as Patrick shook his hand, but doesn't know who he is, as he asks Lisbon when she finds him.  TO make the whole kidnapped story convincing, Patrick crashes the car and ends up with whiplash.  He tells Lisbon about this and that Red John is someone he's met and shaken hands with, but he's met so many people.  Lisbon knows he set up the entire kidnapping as she's known him for so long and knows him too well.  Again saying she would arrest him, like she when she told Patrick if he kills Red John she will bring him in.

Lorelei kisses Patrick before she leaves and he's receptive to the kiss at first but seems to push her away, normally he wouldn't have let that happen but after their one might thnag, it's like he does almost welcome it.  Lorelei is nothing but another one of Red John's brainwashed Vics and Patrick tells her as much.  He's happy to let her go on her own since she pretty much told him plenty about already meeting Red John and he hopes she will call him when she realizes the truth about Red John.  Question being will she last long on the show or will Red John make her another one of his dead brainwashed Vics?  Clearly she's not about to go to her mother and it seems she was a late addition to the story just so the writers could bring in Lorelei's sister. and Red John having his claws into Lorelei's family.  Why were Miranda and Lorelei targets for Red John?  Broken homes, broken families seem to be his mantra for Vics and killing off family members and siblings is his 'game' to recruit acolytes.

Great directing on the part of Simon as he really made the episode atmospheric and creepy in places with Kirkland showing up and then that cabin.  Who had the car battery on charge there?  Patrick's slo-mo run to the cinema like he was himself escaping (from Lisbon, ha) and then the movie playing on screen, so apt.

As was Patrick cold reading Lorelei's mother without even meeting her: that she was vain and cold, also that Lorelei must have looked out for someone, this being Miranda.  Dana telling Lisbon she doesn't have children when she asks her if she felt at all responsible for her daughter.  That must have hurt her, considering Lisbon had her brothers and would have had to be mother to them.  Lisbon has no sympathy for Dana and the effect she had on her daughter and when she tells her she lost two daughters, Lisbon asks, "want me to get you a tissue?"

Mention His Right Red Hand as there were similarities between Lorelei and Rebecca,  who he ends up killing.  The grin on Patrick's face in the attic when he realizes his Red John suspect list has been narrowed down by Lorelei, but she could be lying.
Patrick referring to Kirkland as Lisbon's "new best friend."  Jealous he's out of that loop perhaps?
Kirkland: "If he's with her, he's in a lot of danger..."  What made him say this?  Suggesting he knows more about Lorelei than he's letting on, which he probably does since he's been seen with Alexa Schultz.

Lisbon referring to Loereli as Red John's mistress though she calls him a psychopath.