Rizzoli & Isles 4x09 No one Mourns the Wicked review

They should have just called this episode “Pilot: Redux”

And three cheers for all of the continuity we were afforded in this episode. (I’ll get more into that later.)

Serial Killers:

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the comment, “America loves a serial killer.”

That statement should have been amended to say “America loves a serial killer when the story is done correctly.” In the case of Charles Hoyt, I think this series has really done it the right way. Maybe it’s because of the way Tess Gerritsen wrote it in the books and we didn’t actually see the initial ‘hunt’ on the show. We came in during the second go-round with Jane & Hoyt. Other serial killer storylines have been hit or miss. Even the Dennis Rockmond storyline fell flat last season.

CSI’s Paul Millander is in the ‘hit’ category. It was done randomly over a few different seasons, and having Millander match wits with Grissom and then the rest of the CSI team was enjoyable to watch. The mini crime scene killer (aka Natalie Davis) was interesting for the first two cases, and then became annoying thereafter. The Nate Haskell case was just plain annoying from the start. Then again, that may have been just because I couldn’t stand Ray Langston, with whom Haskell was fixated.

Then there’s the “kiss me not” killer from Women’s Murder Club. I still can’t decide if that’s in the ‘hit’ or ‘miss’ category. The case seemed to go on (or at least was mentioned) for most of the season until the finale when Lindsay finally got him.

Another great storied serial killer is Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, etc). It may have to do with the actors who portrayed the characters (Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster) as well.  However, I think the thing that makes an interesting serial killer story is one where the killer is highly intelligent, and matches wits with his counterpart. It makes it easier to realize why he’s harder to catch. That seems to be what my three favorites - Hoyt, Millander and Lecter - all have in common.

The Pilot: Redux

This episode made me realize just how far this show has come in nearly four full seasons.

Where do I even start with the comparisons of this episode to the pilot? All of the same players were in the picture, the situations were very similar, we even got a flashback from a Hoyt/Jane scene, and the outcome remained the same. Oh, and there was no Gabriel Dean sighting. Thank God for small favors.

Let’s see if I can break the similarities/continuity down even more.

1. Frankie & Mama R coming to Jane’s apartment. – if you remember, Frankie & Frost camped out in the car in front of Jane’s apartment when Hoyt escaped from prison. I loved Jane’s comment to Frankie “I’m not sleeping WITH you.” ROFL also in the pilot, Mama R came barging into the apartment when Jane was talking with Marisa. That prompted Jane to go over to Maura’s place.  I was waiting for that to happen this time, but sadly, it didn’t. It just occurred to me – did Hoyt really kill Marisa in the pilot or was that just a ploy to get Jane to go into the ambulance to “identify the body” so Hoyt could grab her? I guess I never knew if she actually was killed. Considering we’ve never seen her since, and Riley had been in that apartment later, it would seem Marisa was either killed or moved. She was a law student, so maybe she just moved on.

2. the flashbacks of Jane in the basement and Korsak rescuing her by shooting Hoyt. I loved Vince’s comment to Dr Nolan, “wish I’d killed the son of a bitch.” Me too, Vince. Me too.

3. flashback of Jane visiting Hoyt in prison. An important scene from the pilot where Jane is telling Hoyt how she’d like to kill him. Of course, it wasn’t a gun to his mouth, but the ever-present scalpel that led to his demise.

4. the scalpel. Yes, the scalpel. It’s always about the scalpel with Hoyt. And how appropriate that Maura constantly wields one every day for her job.

5. the rescue. Of course, in the pilot, we saw the flashback of Jane being rescued by Korsak, when he came into the basement and shot Hoyt. So it’s only fitting that the tables are turned this time around. Korsak was cut on the lower neck with the scalpel. It would have been more fitting if it had been more to the side of his neck so he, Jane and Maura would all have matching scars in the same place. Oh well, guess that’s close enough in the continuity department. I guess this way, Jane & Maura still have their own special marks. Actually, come to think of it, doesn’t Korsak already have the scar there? If you remember, Hoyt cut Korsak in the woods when Jane was tackling Dean (thinking he was Hoyt). I loved Jane’s line after she rescued Vince – “I always did want to rescue you.” Awwwww All debts paid, I guess. Although, I was actually hoping for a hug between the two (like after Korsak rescued them from Hoyt in the prison) instead of a handshake.

6.  the opening scene with the couple being tortured Hoyt-style.  One may have initially thought that it was a re-enactment of one of the previous Hoyt killings (I know I did) but it was actually those two CSRU techs really being tortured and killed by Miss Serial and Brainwashed Son. That was a nice way to twist things.

7. new houses. It was interesting to hear Jane mention that this was the first time she’s been at Korsak’s house. (I love the house too! It seems like something Korsak would have.) It reminded me of the pilot where it seemed to be the first time that Jane had been at Maura’s house as well– and was subsequently introduced to Bass.

8. continuing that thought – the scene where Maura mentions to Jane that she could come stay at her house since she figures Jane would have nightmares at having all of the Hoyt memories being brought up again – it’s a nod to the pilot where Jane takes refuge in Maura’s guest room and they have their first (of many) sleepover.

9. Jo Friday. It’s also fitting that Jo Friday was featured a bit here as well, since it was in the pilot where Korsak acquires the puppy, and Jane is introduced to Jo in the car as they’re waiting for Hoyt. I loved Jane’s comment about Jo being a guard dog.

10. see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.  I’m guessing that’s a play on the title of the pilot “See one, do one, teach one.”

Puppy Love:

Speaking of Jo Friday – what’s with all of the talk of killing puppies in this episode? Just the thought of hurting one of those cute little critters makes me heartbroken. The puppy that Hoyt’s “kid” was holding was just adorable. And don’t forget about the house full of dogs at Korsak’s. It was kind of heartbreaking how they would threaten to kill the dogs in front of him when he was tied up. I loved his line “I’d have shot him through the nuts if he’d have hurt my dogs.” Oh Vince, that’s why I love you!

I also found it heartwarming (or is it heart breaking?) that during Jane’s Hoyt nightmare, she also whimpered at the thought of Hoyt hurting the innocent pup. That part of the scene reminded me of when Hoyt had captured Jane & Maura in the prison and Hoyt was going after Maura, while Jane was begging him to stop. This time around, it was a puppy instead of Maura as Jane’s kryptonite. I’m guessing Jane’s mind conjured up a puppy in her nightmare because Jo Friday was actually barking/whimpering in her lap. Also, if you remember at the beginning when they were eating with Dr Nolan, she mentioned about the case with the 5-yr old boy who strangled his puppy. I’m guessing that’s where Jane’s mind conjured it all up. Sheesh. All of this talk of puppy torture is extremely disturbing. 

Imagery rehearsal Therapy:

You replay the dream, but change the way it ends.

Hmmmmm

I really wish we could do the same thing with some of these previous episodes – like when Jane shot Paddy and the whole Jane/Maura fight, or go erase the entire Dennis Rockmond storyline, or erase Gabriel Dean from existence. Oh wait, he was in the original books, so I guess that wouldn’t be possible. Damn. I’d also add appearances by Constance during the whole Maura-meets-bio-mom Hope storyline.

Rizzles moments:

Why in the world did Jane knock on Maura’s door? Seriously. Maura obviously knew she was coming since she mentioned that Jane had just called. Jane usually just barges in otherwise, so why is this time different?  Very weird.

The entire conversation with Jane asking Maura if she had PTSD was just… so Rizzles. Even with Mama R lurking in the background and hanging on every word, Jane still opens up to Maura. I loved it. “Maura, I just want your opinion, it doesn’t have to be peer reviewed.” It’s cute how Jane still asked Maura about it even with Mama right there and they didn’t go into another room to talk about it. And the Jane/Mama hug. Awwwwww.

M: I think it’s healthy that you begin to process your trauma.
J:  I knew I opened a can of PTSD worms today, can we just not talk about it, please?

Maura has regressed in her detection of Jane’s sarcasm. She didn’t get the fact that Jane was being sarcastic when they were talking about the difference between the caduceus and the rod of Asclepius. Although, it’s good that Maura explained it, because I totally had NO clue on either. Haha.

It’s kind of cute the way that a Hoyt case brings out the eye-sex between the two. I love how Maura offered to listen to the Hoyt interviews and spare Jane that horror. Their eye-sex was in full force in that scene. And of course, Maura mouthing ‘you okay’ to Jane. So adorable.

Guests:

It was great to see Jessica Tuck again. I think one of the first times I saw her was in an episode of NYPD Blue back in the mid-90s, also the tv movie, Billoard Dad, and a few others.

Other notes:

What is it with Maura always dining/meeting with serial killers these days? This time she was alone with Dr Nolan at the Robber. At least the lady went after Korsak instead of Maura. Interesting how she picked him because he was easy to figure out with his daily routine. It also seemed that she picked him because he was the one to actually shoot Hoyt the first time when he was saving Jane in the basement, and she believes he interrupted Hoyt’s work.

And Jane allowed a hug from Mama R – without complaining. Wow, she really must be feeling awful & sleep deprived from that nightmare to allow that. I love those small mother/daughter moments. Even the one here where Frankie & Mama R come over, and Jane grabs the chocolate, yelling at Frankie that he always gets it first. I’ve really missed the fun banter of the Rizzolis lately. And you can’t forget the little kiss that Mama R gave Frankie after she came into the condo.

I’m still not liking the change in the Dirty Robber. Each time I see the container of lavender on the table I want to yell “bring back the peanuts and milk shakes”.

I noticed that Jane has gotten rid of her ankle boot. And also there was no mention (or sight) of Cailin at Maura’s house. Didn’t they say Hope was going to be in Europe for three weeks? That was just a week ago. I guess they were more concerned with the continuity from the pilot episode than with the previous episode. Close, but no cigar. I guess it’s a work in progress.

I loved listening to Hoyt talking about Jane in that video interview with Dr Nolan.

H: I love to talk about Detective Rizzoli. Don’t be jealous. We have our special relationship too, Victoria.

N: tell me why you like her so much.

(Flashback) H: I love your neck, it’s so beautiful. And your breasts, very firm. Tell me, Jane, what would you like to do to me?

J: I’d like to get my gun and put it in your mouth and pull the trigger.

J: It’s nice to finally see your house, Vince.

K: it’s nice having you. Next time bring some food.

J: Yes, we were rushing over this time.

K: yeah, okay. that was good thinking.

Awwww I loved seeing them all together like that.

It wasn’t until that scene with them all together (and the subsequent on screen memorial) that I would allow myself to even think about Lee and the events from Monday’s tragedy. It made me realize we probably won’t see that type of scene again with that group of people – even though we still have a few episodes to go this season.