A lot has already been written about this episode, how Red John was disappointing, out of character, silly even. I disagree. Red John's identity is a bit surprising, but not altogether unwelcome. Short of Brett Partridge, Sheriff McAllister was really the only real creep in the gang of RJ suspects.
And as for being dull, I would say subtle instead. When Jane accused him of being a sad little pervert with delusions of grandeur, I liked the twinkle in RJ's eyes. It was there only for a couple of seconds, but that was enough. Why would RJ show his true self, even to Jane? Isn't he all about control, about domination? It seems fitting that he would allow his true nature to show only ever so briefly but show nonetheless.
As for RJ's phobia, I defy anyone affected by one to stand in front of the object of his/her phobia and not have an uncontrollably wimpy reaction because that's what a phobia is: debilitating fear.
Someone wrote about this episode that they were disappointed that RJ ended up being such a sad little man: I agree that it is what he is, which is precisely the way he should be portrayed. He should be such a pathetic character, because at heart that is what he is; his killing really is the only thing that set him apart, hence him doing it. Most creeps really are just that: creeps
And the begging, the calling 911 . One thing I don't like about TV shows nowadays is how unrealistic the effects of gunshot wounds are. When you are shot in the arm or the torso, you don't start running a marathon. You lie there cursing and crying and bleeding. The pain is just too much for the body to handle. Only a few exceptional people could handle that level of pain and do things like walk, let alone run ; and even so they would only manage it for a few dozen yards. RJ here runs like the wind, breaks through a window, across a park, etc That seemed a little far-fetched to me. But then again, he is Red John. And after that, to lie there and try to get help, well I can't say I did not think it was plausible: remember, most people would not have done what he just did, so it is only fitting that he should be exhausted, in shock even, and acting out of pure survival instinct rather than some cunning plan. At the end of the day, he is just a man in a massive amount of pain running out of options and much like what he tried to pull in the chapel (an old man being attacked and calling for help) it is not entirely implausible that somewhere in his tired brain he thinks that perhaps one last bit of manipulation will save his life
And of course the killing. Most superbly done. To the point of being disturbing. How often are audiences asked to root for killers? (Ok, aside from Dexter .) This is perhaps the most brilliant and yet most disturbing piece of TV ever: the expressions on Jane's face as he strangles the man he hates above everything else, followed by that sigh of relief before he gets up and starts running away. In character, superbly well-acted, fitting, yes. But also dark. And asking for a lot from the audience: how are we supposed to react to this? Am I supposed to cheer because Jane not only killed RJ but actually savored (much more so than in the Season 3 finale) killing him?
All in all, not a perfect episode, but certainly well above the 5.4 rating it got. I give it an 8, 8 and a half. :-)
And as for being dull, I would say subtle instead. When Jane accused him of being a sad little pervert with delusions of grandeur, I liked the twinkle in RJ's eyes. It was there only for a couple of seconds, but that was enough. Why would RJ show his true self, even to Jane? Isn't he all about control, about domination? It seems fitting that he would allow his true nature to show only ever so briefly but show nonetheless.
As for RJ's phobia, I defy anyone affected by one to stand in front of the object of his/her phobia and not have an uncontrollably wimpy reaction because that's what a phobia is: debilitating fear.
Someone wrote about this episode that they were disappointed that RJ ended up being such a sad little man: I agree that it is what he is, which is precisely the way he should be portrayed. He should be such a pathetic character, because at heart that is what he is; his killing really is the only thing that set him apart, hence him doing it. Most creeps really are just that: creeps
And the begging, the calling 911 . One thing I don't like about TV shows nowadays is how unrealistic the effects of gunshot wounds are. When you are shot in the arm or the torso, you don't start running a marathon. You lie there cursing and crying and bleeding. The pain is just too much for the body to handle. Only a few exceptional people could handle that level of pain and do things like walk, let alone run ; and even so they would only manage it for a few dozen yards. RJ here runs like the wind, breaks through a window, across a park, etc That seemed a little far-fetched to me. But then again, he is Red John. And after that, to lie there and try to get help, well I can't say I did not think it was plausible: remember, most people would not have done what he just did, so it is only fitting that he should be exhausted, in shock even, and acting out of pure survival instinct rather than some cunning plan. At the end of the day, he is just a man in a massive amount of pain running out of options and much like what he tried to pull in the chapel (an old man being attacked and calling for help) it is not entirely implausible that somewhere in his tired brain he thinks that perhaps one last bit of manipulation will save his life
And of course the killing. Most superbly done. To the point of being disturbing. How often are audiences asked to root for killers? (Ok, aside from Dexter .) This is perhaps the most brilliant and yet most disturbing piece of TV ever: the expressions on Jane's face as he strangles the man he hates above everything else, followed by that sigh of relief before he gets up and starts running away. In character, superbly well-acted, fitting, yes. But also dark. And asking for a lot from the audience: how are we supposed to react to this? Am I supposed to cheer because Jane not only killed RJ but actually savored (much more so than in the Season 3 finale) killing him?
All in all, not a perfect episode, but certainly well above the 5.4 rating it got. I give it an 8, 8 and a half. :-)
