Rizzoli and Isles 3x11 Class Action Satisfaction review

Sometimes it hits you that you don’t realize how much you’ve missed something until it comes back to you.

That’s what happened when Rizzoli and Isles returned for the ‘winter episodes’ this week with 3x11 “Class Action Satisfaction.”

It even made it more apparent how much I missed the show when I noticed how many of my favorite things ended up in this episode:

- Mama R in a prominent role

- Korsak/ex-wife (always great to get some back story for Vince)

- the lovably annoying Stanley

-Lydia & Mama Sparks

- Tommy, the ‘grown up’

- the closeness of the Rizzoli family

- Frostie (Frost/Frankie)

And need I even mention the #1 reason to always adore this show?

-  Rizzles (Jane/Maura – DUH!!)

Just a few things were missing, which would have made this the ultimate R&I episode:

- where are the ‘kids’? (Jo Friday & Bass)

- Riley’s already MIA (at least there was a mention)

- No Rondo (but I think there needs to be an episode where he gets to babysit TJ.

Let’s run down the details:

- - Mama Rizzoli - -

The character has come a very long way from the annoying, over-meddling mother/wife that we were introduced to at the beginning of this series. Actually, she’s come a very long way even from the beginning of this season, where she’s had to almost reinvent herself and become the ‘rock’ of the family again (reclaiming the role that Jane seemed to have taken for a while) and not dwell on the struggles she’s gone through (divorce, losing her home, getting a job, accepting a baby that might have been her ex’s, etc.)

It’s a tribute to Lorraine Bracco for bringing out the strengths in this character.  Angela could have still been considered a ‘minor’ or ‘background’ character (as she was in season 1) but because of Lorraine’s great acting, the writers have been able to open up the character and bring great storylines for her that show Angela in a various lights – like keeping her family together during tough times, helping Jane & Maura ‘make up’ after their rift, getting a job that suits her to a “T,” and even allowing herself to show great strength in her vulnerability.

In this episode, she even got to be ‘Detective Mama Rizzoli” – informing Jane what the dead guy had to eat at the café before he died, as well as finding a crucial piece of evidence (the coffee cup) in the trash (and even bagging it to preserve evidence.) She also devises a ‘plan’ to allow all of her ‘family’ (i.e. TJ) to be able to stay together, and allowing the family to expand as well, by accepting Lydia & Rene Sparks into the ever-expanding Rizzoli clan.

- - Vince & Dana Korsak - -

It was funny to see that Vince recognized the woman as someone he knew, but couldn’t place her as to how he knew her.  I do find it odd, though, how if they hadn’t seen each other for 40 years, how would Dana know Vince’s phone number to give to Phil before he died? I’m guessing cops’ phone numbers (especially cell phone numbers) usually aren’t listed in a phone book. (who’s cell numbers ARE actually listed in a phone book these days anyway?) It was endearing that he obviously talked to Jane about his ex while they were in the car on the way to the coffee house. I also loved the Frost/Korsak banter asking if Vince remembered Dana the 2^nd time they spoke, and Vince responded with a sexual reference, which became TMI for Frost. That’s the wonderful interaction that I love so much between all of these characters.

So, that’s two exes down and one to go for Vince. We met Melody and her son, Josh, last season. I still have high hopes that ex #3 would appear in the form of Marg Helgenberger. It would be great to have a Marg/Bruce reunion, and even better if they’d have her as a recurring character.

- - Stan the man - -

It’s always fun to have Stanley around – even if he is quite annoying. Maybe now with Vince’s ‘conditions’ to Stanley about giving Angela a raise and not yelling “Rizzoli” at her all the time, he’ll be a bit less curmudgeonly. (one could hope) I couldn’t help but think that when Jane & Vince were “interrogating” Stanley that Jane was getting a bit of vengeance for that time when she was undercover as a hooker and didn’t have money to pay for her food (during Jane & Maura’s first meeting.)

- - Lydia & Rene Sparks - -

I’m glad to see they decided to have Lydia come back to keep TJ. I knew when we first saw Lydia’s mother, half stoned at her front door, that we’d be seeing her again at some point. It looks like the best thing to come from Lydia’s pregnancy & TJ’s birth may be that it gave Rene Sparks a reason to get herself ‘clean.’ In the end, we see that Lydia’s ‘plan’ of having her baby be part of the Rizzoli family turned out like she hoped. I only hope that they keep her as a recurring character and we see her as a bit less ‘ditzy’ now that she’s not so pregnant & hormonal.

- - Tommy ‘the screw up’ is finally growing up - -

Having TJ, Lydia & Mama Sparks become part of the Rizzoli family is also (blessedly) allowing us to see the more ‘grown up’ side to Tommy. I can only hope that they keep showing us the improvement and maturity in his character as the series continues. It was always so hard to envision Tommy being so totally different compared to Jane & Frankie. In this episode especially, we got to see a glimpse of an over-grown teenager finally growing up. It reminded me a bit of the struggle Angela had in going from where she was at the beginning of season 2 to the confident & strong person she is today. We’ve seen Tommy go from prison inmate (and staying in longer for fighting) and parolee to earning back the respect from the rest of his family, a setback with getting a girl pregnant, then ‘manning up’ and taking responsibility.

I do have to say that I totally felt Tommy’s horror at being left with the baby all by himself. His reaction to them leaving him alone with the baby is the same way I react in that situation. Like Tommy, babies frighten me to no end.

- - The (ever-expanding) Rizzoli family - -

So, now we can add Lydia and Rene Sparks, along with TJ, to the ever-growing list of the extended Rizzoli family. That’s what I love about this show. We know that even Rondo is considered ‘family’ as well. The part that warmed my heart the most is when they were defending Tommy to Rene. “Tommy’s a good guy.” That’s why I love them all – including Korsak & Frost – because they’ll stick up for any one of the other ‘family’ members at any point in time, no matter what. And of course, “which one of you’s a doctor?” – yep. If there had ever been any doubt (I know there wasn’t), Maura IS part of the Rizzoli family – and it’s not just because she’s got the biggest house!!

- - Rizzles - -

Both losing sleep in order to take care of the newest family member; BOTH of them changing clothes in the car this time (why do we NEVER get to see that?); discussing ‘creative child-rearing solutions; casually discussing (or testing Jane) and identifying stomach contents; googlemouthing portmanteaus; the discussion on raising TJ; flirting with Alex (sort of); discussion of nudist retreats; discussing Alice’s death; Def. Con. One.; the ‘family’ dinner; and…do I even have to say it? “THAT scene”… yes, you know the one I mean.  All of them, both individually and combined, are the reason this show is as great as it is.

Was there really a case in this episode? Does anyone really care? Right, I didn’t think so, because in the end, it’s all about Rizzles (Jane & Maura) and the ever-expanding (and increasingly very dysfunctional) Rizzoli family and how they interact with whatever life has to throw at them.

- - scene recap - -

Let’s check out some of the scenes from the episode:

- - no coffee porn this time around - -

A very sleep-drived Maura walks into the kitchen where an equally sleep-deprived Jane is drinking a cup of coffee. Jane slides another cup towards Maura.

J: Drink

M: thank you

Maura takes a drink, only to spit it back into the cup.

M: instant? You served me instant?

J: I’m so tired, you’re lucky I didn’t serve you Drano.

M: Ugh. God. (looks around) where’s the baby?

J: Tommy took the last shift.

Tommy comes walking in the back door carrying the baby in the carrier.

T: why would people have more than one of these?

J: how’d you get him to stop crying?

T: (swings his arms back & forth) I did this for two hours. My arms are wrecked.

They gather around the baby.

M: it would be better if he was breast-fed

T: don’t look at me.

M: newborns need a lot of human contact to properly attach. Take him out of the car seat

T: no, he’s almost falling asleep.

Jane picks him up and cradles him.

J: (whispers to the baby) okay. Come here. Hello.

T: his name’s Mario.

J: no. can’t name him Mario.

M: why not? It’s Latin. It means ‘manly.’

T: yeah, so there. (turns to Maura) Maura, are you ready to swab me?

J: do you two want some privacy?

T: I’m gonna find out if he’s my kid today. Let’s do this. Wait, is this gonna hurt?

J: oh my God, Tommy, it’s a giant cotton swab.

M: (to Tommy) open. (swabs his mouth, then grabs another swab and does the same to the baby) okay, now it’s Mario’s turn (Jane & Maura give each other a cute look when Maura says the name. )

J: oh, you’re not a Mario. He looks just like you, Tommy, we should name him TJ for Tommy Junior.

Tommy gets a big smile on his face when she says that. Jane is walking around with the baby as Tommy & Maura quietly discuss the image of Jane with the baby.

T: it’s weird that she’s so good with babies.

M: yeah, it is a little surprising. (a bit louder so Jane can hear) wasn’t it wonderful the way we ‘tag teamed’ the feedings all night? You know, baby elephants are raised by the female relatives in the herd – the aunts, the sisters, grandmothers.

J: don’t repeat this, cuz I’ll deny it – I wish we were elephants so we could keep him.

T: maybe me & Lydia could share him?

J: No! Lydia abandoned him.

M: well, technically, she didn’t abandon him, she left him with family.

J: which is why I can’t arrest her.

T: maybe she was just scared.

Jane’s phone buzzes. Jane picks it up with one hand while holding onto the baby with the other.

T: wow! One hand. Can I try?

J: no! (looks at the message) well, that doesn’t make any sense, ‘suspicious death at the Division 1 Café?’ I hope Ma’s alright. (she tries calling) It’s going straight to voice mail.  Maura, come on, we’ve gotta go.

M: I’m in my robe, and you’re in your mother’s pajamas.

J: yeah, so. We’ll change in the car. (hands the baby to Tommy) come on.

T: wait. What do I do with him?

J: use two hands.

T: wha-wai-uh…alone? (Jane & Maura walk to the door) Jane.

J: shhhh.

T: I can’t. Jane.

J: (whispers as they go out the door) two hands.

  

So much wonderful goodness packed into 2:33 of screen time. Let’s start at the beginning. There’s definitely no ‘coffee porn’ this time around. It’s obvious that Maura never got rid of Jane’s container of instant coffee from the last time. We all know Maura secretly buys it for her anyway, right? But I’m guessing that Maura thought she’d never actually have to drink it herself, and it was just for her LLBFF.

Then there’s sleep-deprived Jane & Maura in their pajamas – or rather Maura in her pajamas and Jane in her mother’s pajamas (since we know that seeing Jane in her regular t-shirt & shorts sleep attire really wouldn’t be as cute -or as dorky- as Angela’s “love” pajamas.)

As for Tommy, I totally sympathize with him. His reaction to being left with the baby by himself – that’s EXACTLY how I usually react. Babies scare the bejeezus out of me when I’m left alone with them. I had to chuckle at knowing that both Angie & Sasha would have drawn from their own personal experience to bring authenticity when playing up the ‘sleep-deprived mother’ state – even though apparently Jane, Maura & Tommy all took different shifts.

There’s also more Rizzoli interaction to take note of here as well, with Tommy a bit in awe of his big sister being so good with babies. If you think about it, the Rizzoli kids aren’t that much different in age, so Jane wouldn’t really have been much help in raising her brothers when they were babies because she was just a young child herself.  I also love how Tommy brightened at Jane’s suggestion to call the baby Tommy Jr because he looks like Tommy. Tommy looked like he considered that one of the greatest compliments he’s ever gotten from his big sister. As for Maura’s semi-surprise at Jane’s skill with a baby, I’m reminded of season 2’s “living proof” where the two seemed a bit gaga over that baby as well.

You may have noticed that even a sleep-deprived Maura can bring us some cute googlespeak – this time with female elephants being the caretakers of their extended family.  I was actually impressed that she didn’t even mess up the “tag team” reference either.

And finally, I have to say that I’m totally bummed with the ending of this scene. This time BOTH Jane & Maura had to change clothes in the car – and we didn’t even get to see it…again. Damn you, Janet Tamaro!! Why must you kill us in that way? I must say that it seems like both Jane & Maura must keep big, full suitcases in their cars because this time they really had a lot to change – plus makeup & hair.  Every time changing in the car is mentioned, I always flash back to Liz Vassey & Christina Cox in the un-aired pilot for Nikki & Nora a decade ago, where Liz’ character, Nikki, did that – and gave a motorcycle driver an eyeful (even exchanging air kisses.)

- - crime scene at the café - -

J: you sure you’re okay?

A: he was enjoying his ‘breakfast special’ and “boom” he just drops dead. … how’s the baby?

J: he’s fine. You’re sure you’ve never seen this person before?

A: no, never. You don’t think it’s something he ate here that got him sick, do you?

Maura joins them.

M: botulitum causes death in 2 to 10 hours.

Stanley’s been pacing back & forth and butts in.

S: hey, you heard her. We never saw him before. He brought whatever killed him with him.

J: how did he die?

M: I’m not sure. The hemoptysis suggests all kinds of causes.

S: we don’t even serve hemoptysis.

M: Hemoptysis simply means he coughed up blood

A: ugh.

  

Hey Stanley – that was a Jane Rizzoli line you just delivered. I would have loved it if Jane would have told Stanley the meaning of hemoptysis instead of Maura.  I love Stanley, but he’s only tolerable in short doses. I think they should have Stanley hook up with Sister Winifred (Bitcher) Callaghan (who’s become MIA for quite a while now.) They would make a hilarious duo. It’s also interesting to note that Stanley was actually right when he said “he brought whatever killed him with him.” Yay Stanley.

- - a personal connection? - -

Jane walks over to Frost & Korsak, who have been checking the body.

F: his credit cards, cash, photo of this boy…hey Korsak, look at this (shows a piece of paper with Vince’s name & phone number on it)

K: what the hell? Victim had my name & phone number in his wallet.

J: do you recognize him?

K: no.

F: Phil Taylor, 45. Worked at Jericho Pharmaceutical Supplies?

Korsak shakes his head.

M: I’d like to test the food he was eating.

J: okay (turns to her mother) hey, Ma. Where’s his plate?

A: I, uh, I don’t know.

Stanley has a guilty look on his face.

J: Stanley, where’s the dead guy’s last meal?
S: why you asking me? Do I look like a busboy?

A: Jane, he ordered the ‘breakfast special’ and he didn’t eat the turkey bacon. Oh, but wait…(they all give her their attention) he asked for ketchup.

J: thank you, Ma. That’s very helpful.

Stanley starts breathing heavily.

A: Mr Stanley, are you okay?

J: (to Maura) Maura, check on him. Make sure he isn’t faking it.

F: I’ll call the paramedics back.

M: (to Stanley) are you feeling any discomfort or tightness in your chest.

S: maybe some.

J: (to her mother) okay Ma, this is serious. It’s a suspicious death. The food that you gave that guy is evidence. Do you think Stanley could have gotten rid of it?

A: oh, he wouldn’t do that, Jane.

J: I hope not, cuz if he did, he’s going to jail.

   

Poor Stanley, the drama queen. I love how Jane doesn’t show him sympathy. It was also so cute how Angela was trying to be a good witness for her daughter and give all the details that she could remember with what the guy ate (or didn’t eat) and even the dramatic pause for the ketchup. I love how they all gave her their undivided attention, waiting for the ‘big clue’ she was about to bring. It’s great that Jane didn’t roll her eyes at her mother, but took it as her mother being very sincere in wanting to help give all the information she could to help with the case.

- - portmanteaus - -

M: cuckoo birds are brood parasites.

J: you desperately need some sleep.

M: I’m thinking of child-rearing solutions.

J: okay, what do cuckoo birds do?

M: they lay their eggs in a host bird’s nest, and then they let that bird raise the babies. However, they first destroy the host bird’s eggs.

J: so, all we’ll need to do is sneak into some nice family’s home, drop off TJ, and get rid of the other kids.

M: maybe elephants are a better example. (she goes back to the autopsy table & picks up the bowl of stomach contents.) Oooh, very nice, barely digested stomach contents.

J: Mmhmm. What is that, eggs?

M: good for you, yes.  Can you tell what that is?

J: only if there’s a prize (looks at the bowl) pancake.

M: Ah! Excellent.  (sees another interesting piece) I wonder what this is (picks it with her tweezers) smell it.

J: I’m good.

Maura smells it herself.

M: it’s a mint leaf. This is chocolate, and this could be whipped cream.

J: from a milkshake?

M: no, it was a coffee drink. Likely frozen.

J: but Ma doesn’t serve frozen, minty cappuccinos.

M: Frappuccino…is a portmanteau of Frappe & Cappuccino.

J: do you ever worry that you’ll sound pretentious?

M: no. What about “Tank”?

J: (Susie walks in) God, it’s gonna be a long day.

M: another portmanteau. Tommy + Frank = Tank.

J: Hang on. We’re being interrupted by something relevant (points to Susie) Hello, Susie.

S: uh, hello Detective. The victim’s tox screen (hands the file to Maura)

M: this is strange. Phil Taylor had extremely high levels of warfarin in his blood.

J: What’s warfarin?

S: an anti-coagulant. (she & Jane look at each other for just a bit too long. Jane gives her a look)

M: which Mr Taylor’s medical records that he wasn’t taking. Warfarin is also used in rat poison.

J: when’s the last time we had someone commit suicide by rat poison?

M: never.

J: well, I think we have ourselves a homicide.

  

Maura and her portmanteaus. Instead of “Tank” how about “Frommy” or “Frammy”? As they were discussing the stomach contents, I couldn’t help but remember back to an early episode where Maura tells Jane that going through the stomach contents is her favorite part of an autopsy.  Jane’s gotten braver too and taking closer looks at stomach contents. I find it amusing that the only detective we ever see down in autopsy any more is Jane. In the first season, we’d see both Frost & Korsak down there at different times with Jane. I like how they’ve made it more like Jane/Maura ‘alone time.” So cute. I also find it great that Susie keeps getting more screen time as season 3 goes on. She doesn’t just walk in and hand off reports and leave anymore. She gets to at least stick around for the punch line most of the time.

- - I smell a rat (his name is Stanley) - -

Jane, Maura & Susie come down to gather evidence from the café. Stanley is not amused.

M: start in the kitchen first

Su: okay

St: whoa. where do you think you’re going?

J: so you aren’t actually having a heart attack, huh?

A: it was gas pains.

St: sorry to disappoint you.

J: okay, this is now a crime scene, so I need the both of you out of the café so we can collect evidence, please.

A: was he murdered?

M: he was poisoned.

A: oh, how awful.

Su: (comes out with a jug of rat poison, bagged as evidence) I found this on a food prep counter.

St: so, where there’s food there’s rats.

M: (checks the label) it contains warfarin. 

J: okay, that’s rat poison, Stanley, and that’s what killed your customer, so if any of that ended up in his food, you’ll be charged with negligent homicide. Let’s go

St: no. (loudly) I’m an innocent man, unjustly accused.

J: and I need a statement. One from you too, Ma. You’re not under arrest, so Sergeant Korsak will take yours. (to Stanley) let’s go.

St: I have the right to remain silent, anything I say can & will be used against me.

J: yeah, keep talking, Stanley. I’d love a reason to arrest you.

Poor Stanley. Where would the fun be if he wasn’t loud & obnoxious? LOL At least they didn’t pull a CSI boo-boo here. They made Jane quite aware of the ‘conflict of interest’ with her mother and will have Vince take Angela’s statement. CSI is always horrible at screwing up the ‘conflict of interest’ situations. And finally Susie gets out of the lab – even if it is to go up to main level in the same building. It’s a step in the right direction. The ‘rat poison on the food prep counter’ reminds me of when Korsak gave Starsky (the parakeet) to Angela to keep in the kitchen at the café. Totally unsanitary. Sheesh.

On a side note: Speaking of rats, I recently bought myself an NCIS ‘Bert the farting hippo’ keychain. It’s grey and the size of a small rat (or large mouse) and doesn’t look much like a hippo. It kind of freaks me out. At least the ‘farting’ part is cute.

- - Ex-Mrs Korsak #1 - -

Frost & Korsak enter the AA meeting.

F: recognize anyone?

K: she looks familiar, but…I can’t place her.

The lady looks at them & her jaw drops. She walks up to Vince & gives him a kiss.

D: Vince!

K: (still clueless) uh, great seeing you too.

D: come on, Vinnie. You really don’t recognize me?

K: uh, I know we know each other…

D: we did.

Vince now realizes who she is. He looks stunned & sits down on a chair.

V: Oh God. Oh… Detective Frost, this is my first wife, Dana.

F: (to Dana) oh hi, wow. (to Korsak) uh, how do you forget your wife?

D: oh, it’s okay. It’s been a while.

K: 40 years

D: and we were only married for three weeks.

K: well, it was a year, actually, but I-I…spent most of it in Vietnam.

D: I still owe you an apology.

K: pbbbbbt! No need. It was so long ago.

 

So, we meet ex-Mrs Vince Korsak #1 this time. Before it was #3 (Melody), so now I want to see #2 come into the picture somewhere (in the form of Marg Helgenberger, I could only hope.) It’s cute how Dana recognized Vince right away, but he only knew her ‘from somewhere.’ It makes me wonder if she’s see him (from afar?) at some point since they split, considering she knew he was a cop in Boston, and she had given Phil his phone number. You don’t come by a cop’s cell phone number very easily. I also loved how Vince was so stunned that he had to sit down right away. And Frost’s comment of “how do you forget your wife?” – classic! And by the way, what did Frost mean when he asked if Korsak recognized anyone at the AA meeting? Would Vince have been in AA before?

- - in the best interest of the child - -

Jane, Maura & Frankie are in Maura’s office.

J: (on the phone) No, I understand. Thanks for your help, Dan. (hangs up the phone) okay. That was the A.D.A. That’s what I thought. As his mother, Lydia has a legal claim. She holds all the cards.

F: what about Tommy?

M: we didn’t get the paternity test back yet.

J: a relative can file a motion for a temporary guardianship.

F: okay

J: but, it’s a 3-month wait for a hearing.

M: which means TJ goes into foster care.

F: we can’t do that to him.

Jane shakes her head.

M: Lydia does seem hapless, but she doesn’t seem evil.

J: I mean, I don’t like her, but TJ’s definitely better off being with her than being bounced around in the system. Frankie, you don’t think she’d hurt him, do you?

F: no way. I wouldn’t have let her take him if I thought something was going to happen to him.

M: well, what about Lydia’s mother? Lydia said that she doesn’t like babies.

J: maybe we should try to get him.

M: wha- you would like to raise TJ?

J: sort of, yeah. (Maura gives her ‘that’ look) I mean, not full time, just some of the time.

F: ugh.

J: I don’t know. We should tell Ma.

F: Tommy wants to tell her once he gets the paternity test results.

The funny part here is that Jane is the one who’s even thinking about taking TJ, and Maura is the one who seems to think that’s the worst possible scenario she’s ever heard. I like how even though they don’t care for Lydia, they do realize that she’s capable of raising TJ and aren’t adamant about keeping her away from the baby.

- - she’s not kidding - -

Suzie comes into Maura’s office with the test results.

S: stomach contents results came back with high levels of warfarin.

M: which means that the portal of entry is the food that he ate.

J: okay, so we need to get that food. Frankie, will you get the CSRU techs, go through the garbage. Ma said the victim had a ‘breakfast special.’

F: you want me to look for scrambled eggs and half-eaten pancakes? Are you kidding me?

M: (in a serious tone) it doesn’t look like she is.

J: PLEASE!

Frankie gives a big sigh & shakes his head.

M: the culprit could also be the coffee, although the café doesn’t serve chocolate mint coffee.

J: okay, so put a disposable coffee cup on your treasure hunt list.

Frankie gives her a look before walking out.

J: THANK YOU!

Maura gives Jane a smirk.

Poor Frankie. He gets garbage duty once again. Hey, at least it’s not as many garbage cans as he had to go through at the Pilgrims’ baseball stadium that time.  I love how Maura came to Jane’s rescue in reassuring Frankie that Jane wasn’t kidding. See, even Maura has learned the art of ‘serious’ sarcasm. And the cute smirk at the end was adorable.

- - all for the sake of cute-guy watching - -

Maura is watching the morgue techs bringing in more dead bodies.

J: okay, is that why you moved the bookshelves so you could see all the dead bodies coming in?

M: yes! Isn’t it convenient? (the tech smiles & waves to her & Maura waves back)

J: oh yes, I’m forgetting all my troubles

Uh-oh. Somebody’s jealous now. Don’t worry, Jane. The guy-flirting will come to an end soon enough.

- - Maura’s new soul mate? - -

The morgue tech has brought the body into the morgue and Maura is signing the paperwork.

M: I’m sorry, I don’t recall your name.

A: Alex. Alex Simmons. I haven’t been doing many shifts lately, not since I started medical school.

M: wonderful. Congratulations.

A: thank you. It’s a lot of work, but it’s what I always wanted to do. (he looks at Maura’s skirt) Dr Isles, is that a Cassandra Strickenberg?

M: (looks impressed) uh, why yes it is. How did you know?

A: well, the giveaway is the frantputto (?) effect in the appliqués. I love the hand stitching. This is gorgeous fabric.

M: with an eye like that, maybe you should have considered fashion design.

A: actually, I love to sew. I’m lucky - great fine motor skills. I also knit, crochet & bead.

J: bead. Cool.

A: yeah.

 
 

Uh-oh. I think Maura has just found a new BFF. However, what I’m most interested in with this scene is that Gerald Downey & Sasha Alexander are reunited. Some may have recognized Gerald as being in the first NCIS episode with Sasha (as Kate Todd).

- - don’t panic, but run! - -

Jane has had enough of Maura’s potential new BFF. She turns to the conversation to a subject she knows a bit more than fashion design – dead bodies.

J: So Alex, why don’t you tell us about the victim.

A: Lucy Cox, 32. Found dead in her apartment. Dorchester. No signs of physical trauma.

Maura examines the body.

M: bloody mucus. I’ll have to do a gram stain for the sputum. Paramedics note how long she was ill?

A: a week. Neighbors said she was at home from work, wouldn’t back off.

M: significant pleural effusion. (she checks the woman’s fingernails) splinter hemorrhages. (whispers) oh no.

M: I’m going to tell you both something very frightening, but I don’t want either of you to panic, alright?

J: Maura, what is it?

M: hold your breath, and move as fast as you can to the crime lab. We have a code red. (she pushes the red ‘emergency lockdown’ button on the wall & sirens start blaring.) Go now.

They all run across the hall to the crime lab.

After all of the autopsies Maura has done, I wonder if this is the first time she’s ever had to hit the “panic” button. I like how her first words were “don’t panic” – that in itself usually causes panic. Anyway, this somehow reminded me of one of my favorite movies, “outbreak”, with Rene Russo and Dustin Hoffman, where they spend half the time in those yellow containment suits. It also reminded me of a Stargate SG-1 episode “singularity” (the episode where they meet Cassie) where Sam, Jack & Daniel had to wear those suits.

- - from embarrassed to…offended? - -

J: Maura, I’m asking you to list the possibilities, alright? That’s not guessing.

M: Jane, just try to stay calm.

J: I am calm, it’s my imagination that’s hysterical. Is it ebola or leprosy, or ‘die before lunch’ syndrome?

M: ebola is a possibility, so is SARS, anthrax, dengue fever, west nile virus, drug-resistant tuberculosis.

The contamination team arrives.

DG: Detective Green, incident commander. I need to know your level of exposure.

M: limited physical contact, possible aspiration.

DG: (hands them plastic packets) remove your clothing, place it in these bags, shower with the decontamination soap, change into the Tyvek suit.

He leaves. Maura & Alex start undressing.

M: Oh, I’ve only worn this Casandra Strickenberg once.

A: oh, how awful.

J: yeah, it’s a real tragedy.

M: you need to take a decontamination shower. (she presses the button to lower the shower head in the corner of the lab.)

J: where’s the stall?

M: now isn’t the time to be modest, Jane. The longer you delay, the more chance you have of becoming infected. (she takes off her top. Alex is across the room, stripping down to his shorts.)

J: well, this is awkward.

Alex gives a big yawn as he strips. Jane looks offended.

A: sorry, medical school. I’m exhausted. It’s killing me.

J: (looks at the decontamination team through the glass walls) but…

Jane grabs a cart & puts a red biohazardous waste garbage can on top of it to shield herself from those out in the hall.

J: What?!

She squats down and starts to pull off her tank top, just as Alex lets out another big yawn.

After taking the shower, Jane is drying herself off as Maura is typing on her computer. Alex comes to Jane with the Tyvek suit.

A: you want Tyvek now?
J: yeah, I can’t wait to wear it. I would also like about 100 more of these tiny towels.

Alex tries to stifle another yawn. Jane whispers to Maura

J: Okay, I am officially offended.

M: this is interesting.

J: (pushes the cart with the red garbage can along as she walks over to Maura) what, that Alex fell asleep while I was naked?

M: (whispers) he’s obviously not into women. (regular voice) I’m talking to an official with the CDC. No reports of any hemorrhagic viruses anywhere in Massachusetts.

J: that’s great news.

M: but…there’s an outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Boston.

J: is that treatable?

M: yes. There’s a gram stain test coming back soon.

Oh, the hijinks that can only come from one Jane Rizzoli. Why is it that those ‘emergency’ showers are always near a window? We had one in our science room in high school. It was right in a corner as well, with no official stall for any kind of privacy. And the tiny towels? Why do they need anything bigger? It’s fun to see Angie in all (well, most of) her glory. It’s just a bummer that we went from Maura’s modest blouse removal, right to the tyvek suit. Damn.

- - secret romance - -

Susie comes running up to the door of the crime lab.

S: Alex, are you okay?

A: I’m fine, baby.

J: (looks at Maura) oh, so he’s not into women?

M: hello! I’m the one that has to supervise him. I did a striptease in front of my morgue tech.

J: oh no worries, he wasn’t watching.  (addresses Susie & Alex) we didn’t know you two were together.

S: we’ve been keeping it secret. I hope that’s okay. There’s no policy in place about dating co-workers.

J: *scoffs* yeah, no you can shower in front of them!

Frost & Frankie come to the door as well.

Fro: you guys okay?

Jane pulls the rolling garbage can with her as she moves

M: we’re fine. Thank you.

J: yes, we’re fine. Just peachy. I love being Jane, the bubble girl. Frankie, you didn’t tell Ma about me & the baby, right?

Fra: are you kidding me?

J: did you find the food?

Fra: no. sorry.

Jane moves the can with her as she stand in front of them. Frost makes sure to avoid his eyes looking anywhere near Jane.

J: bring me up to speed on the case.

Fro: Jane, it can wait.

Another tech brings Susie results.

M: Susie, is that the gram stain test?

S: it’s bacterial meningitis, Dr Isles.

M: *sighs* oh, that’s wonderful

J: yay?

Maura gives her a little fist pump.

The incident commander brings their clothes back.

CG: you are free to go.

J: YES! WHOO!!

He walks towards her with her clothes.

J: thank you. That’s far enough. (grabs the bag with her clothes)

M: Captain Green, you didn’t, by any chance, happen to keep the Casandra Strickenberg, did you? (he gives her a puzzled look) my skirt.

CG: ah, it was just about to be auto-claved.  (hands her the bag) I stopped it.

M: thank you.

A: good job.

J: what a relief.

Maura is very giddy.

 

Ha! Did Maura even realize that she made a mistake in “guessing” that Alex wasn’t into women? It’s cute how he didn’t even bat an eyelash at Jane or Maura stripping, but he can give Susie a ‘hand over hand through the glass door’ gesture. And Maura wouldn’t be Maura if she hadn’t been concerned about getting her skirt back. Jane, “the bubble girl”? Ha. That’s one way to put it. Maybe it should have been Jane ‘the red biohazard garbage can’ girl. I love how Frost made it obvious that he was looking anywhere except a naked Jane through the window, and it didn’t even seem to faze Frankie with having his sister mostly nude in front of him. At least they didn’t go too much over the top with all of it. Jane could have been a bit less cartoonish in her modesty, though.

- - razzing Vince/empathy for Riley/Detective Mama Rizzoli - -

Korsak is at his desk, going through a wooden box of mementos – including a picture of a cute dog – as Jane & Frost come in.

K: welcome back

F: do you think it’s weird for a guy not to recognize his ex-wife?

J: not if he’s had a head injury.

F: that explains so many things.

K: stop, would you? It’s almost 40 years ago. She looked different. (he shows a pic of Dana from back then)

F: oh, okay, I get it now. She doubled in size.

J: where’s detective Cooper?

F: drug unit borrowed her back.

J: for how long?

F: (makes a strange face) a while.

J: Riley must be bummed.

Angela comes running in holding a plastic bag

A: JANE! I found it.

J: you found what?

A: okay, you know how Mr Stanley has a ‘no outside drinks’ policy?

J: I have not memorized the café’s penal code, no.

A: well, I remembered the dead man told me Mr Stanley made him throw out his coffee, and I found his mint chocolate fro-cap in the lobby garbage.

J: Ma, this is, this is great.

Both Jane’s and Korsak’s phones buzz.

J: okay, Maura’s got something.

K: what the heck? It’s Dana, she wants to talk about Phil’s murder.

Yay for Detective Mama Rizzoli. I can’t help but think back to “she works hard for the money” when Angela told Jane & Maura how she thought she’d be a good detective because she’s read a lot of crime novels and always knows who did it. This time, we get to see Mama Rizzoli find a key piece of evidence to solve the case. Way to go, Angela. It looks like there’s a third detective in the Rizzoli family.  I still find it weird that Angela calls him Mr Stanley. Like he deserves the “Mister” moniker. Sheesh!

At least we get a Riley mention, even if she isn’t there. I know we get her for another episode in a couple weeks, but I have a feeling she’ll be MIA soon as well, since Daniella’s ‘other’ show, Revolution, is doing so well. The only thing that gives me hope is that R&I is a ‘summer’ show and maybe that will give DA a chance to guest in an episode or two per season down the road, since they would have different filming times.

Finally, did anyone else raise their eyebrows in stunned horror when Frost made the “doubled in size” reference to the ex-Mrs Korsak? I can’t believe that actually came out of his mouth. I’m also surprised that neither Jane nor Vince said anything about the derogatory comment. I think Maura would have if she were there.

- - squeaky clean again - -

Jane peeks through the window of the morgue & opens the door.

M: it’s safe. It is so clean in here, you can eat off the tables.

J: let’s not, Maura

M: bacterial meningitis doesn’t survive it’s host’s death.

Suzie comes in with more results.

S: results on the contents of the coffee cup. Tested positive for high levels of warfarin.

M: thank you.  Alex is very nice.

S: he says the same about you. Couldn’t believe how comfortable you were being naked around him

J: really, he noticed?

S: this might be a little too much information for my boss, but we met at a nudist retreat.

M: oh!

S: if you want to join us sometime, that’d be…

M: many illnesses can be improved with nudity and some Vitamin D. psoriasis, for instance. Is there hiking?

J: HIKING?!

M: you’re less likely to contract lyme disease if you’re not wearing any clothing.

J: thank you, that sounds heavenly, Susie. We’ll let you know.

Susie leaves.

J: really? Aren’t you the one that was worried about stripping in front of your morgue tech?

M: well, now that I know he’s a nudist…

J: results, please.

M: the cup tested positive for warfarin. That is how our victim was poisoned.

J: too bad, I was really hoping to arrest Stanley.

On the computer, Maura brings up the Boston Joe’s website.

M: not today

J: okay, so Phil guzzles rat poison in his fro-cap. I’m guessing he didn’t taste it because of all the chocolate & the mint?

M: 1500 calories in a mint fro-cap? No wonder he had so much adipose tissue.

She brings up a graphic showing the locations of Boston Joe’s places.

J: 50 Boston Joe’s in this city. Which one sold him his fro-cap?

So, Susie & Alex are nudists, and she invited Jane & Maura to go with them? Let me guess how many fanfics are going to come up with that storyline now? Poor Jane. I’ll bet Maura wants to go just for some scientific research. And nude hiking? I wonder if they actually wear hiking boots for that.

All of this coffee talk is making me nauseous. I’m not a coffee drinker. I would say that it all tastes like rat poison to begin with. Just give me some plain hot chocolate & we’re good.

 

- - chalk one up for Vinnie - -

Jane, Frost & Korsak are in BRIC, trying to make sense of the case

K: Phil must’ve been talking about this boy. (shows the pic of the boy in the red shirt) Why else would he have this in his wallet?

He hands the pic to Jane.

J: he started going to AA 5 years ago.

F: right about the time he lost that big pharmaceutical gig.

K: maybe his company knew something. Frost, did you check Phil’s driving record?

F: yeah. It was clean.

Jane is studying the pic of the kid

J: he looks about 8 years old. Maybe we trying running hit-and-runs over the last 5 years. Look for one that involves a young boy.

F: okay. (types on his computer) so, Vince, how’d it got with Dana.

K: what’s that supposed to mean?

F: it means ‘did you remember her?’ (Jane chuckles)

K: oh, yeah. We made love on the interview room table.

F: why would you put that image inside my head? … okay, here we go. Hit-and-run, 5 years ago on Phil’s block. The victim was an 8-year old boy. Jimmy Flores.

K: look at the newspaper photo. (it’s the same as the pic Jane is holding)

J: Mm-hmm. What happened to Jimmy?

F: he was paralyzed.

K: was Phil ever a person of interest in the hit-and-run?

F: pulling up the police report… police interviewed Phil once. Says his lawyer was with him. The lawyer told police Phil’s car was stolen.

Frankie comes in

Fra: Jane, uh, Tommy wants us to meet at your apartment after work.

J: Frankie, we’re in the middle of a homicide.

Fra: fine. Don’t blame me when you’re investigating Tommy’s homicide tomorrow.

K: you probably should go.

J: okay, I will be there.

Fra: alright.

J: thank you. (Frankie leaves) so, Phil confesses to having blood on his hands and needing to make something right.

K: and the next day he’s dead. But what did he mean?

J: let’s start with his fro-cap. (Jane types on her computer and brings up the location for the Boston Joe’s.) There’s a Boston Joe’s right next to St Avitus.

F: Go. I’ll keep digging. Uh, take Korsak. He needs a minty fro-cap after working up a sweat with that wife he couldn’t remember.

They all chuckle. Korsak whacks Frost on the back of the head as he heads out.

Oh my! That was a Leroy Jethro Gibbs head slap. Wow. I think it’s catching on. This scene seemed strange on many levels. First of all, Jane was sitting (and looking very relaxed) and Korsak was standing. It’s usually the other way around. Jane guessed that the kid would have been 8 years old? Really? How does she do that? I can NEVER tell how old a kid is. I’m usually off by at least 5 years. And then there’s Frost giving Korsak ribbing about not remembering the wife. I love how Korsak gave him that cheeky comment, and Frost bemoaning the fact that he’s got a horrible picture in his brain now. Serves you right, Barold. And then there’s Frankie walking in just to tell Jane that there’s gonna be a family meeting at her apartment at the end of shift? Did that seem very out of place to anyone else? Then he leaves and they continue on with their brainstorming  as if they hadn’t been interrupted. Then there’s Jane actually typing on her computer. Stop it, Jane. That’s Barold’s job! It’s disconcerting to see you doing that. However, it was the same webpage that Maura had brought up earlier, so at least she knew how to find it.  Finally, it’s Frost who tells Jane & Korsak to go to the coffee shop and he’ll stay there and keep working? Does anyone else find that really strange? Usually it’s Jane who is telling the others who’s going where and doing what. Here we have Barry taking charge. What is this, the changing of the guard? Did some toxin actually take hold of Jane before they were decontaminated? It’s just a very weird vibe I got from that entire scene. Not to mention that there was no sight of Maura coming to give her input. 

- - caffeine overload - -

J: Dana dumped you while you were in Vietnam?

K: she met somebody

J: okay, that’s terrible. And I’m glad she doubled in size.

They arrive at the counter & talk with the barista.

B: hi, can I help you?

K: Hi. Boston homicide. (shows Phil’s picture) do you recognize this man?

B: oh, sure. That’s 5-Pump Minty Extra. (Jane & Korsak look confused) Five pumps with extra chocolate.

J: was he in here early this morning?

B: he’s here early every day.

K: did you see 5-Pump with anyone?

B: yeah, Double Tall NonFat No Foam Latte

J: and what does Double Tall Non Fat look like.

B: tall, skinny blonde. Sourpuss.

K: Dana mentioned a woman that Phil hung out with at AA meetings – tall, blonde, thin, unhappy.

B: she’s always complaining. Said she can taste caramel in her latte, so she has me make it again, cuz she doesn’t use sugar. So explain to me why she was pouring all that sugar in today?

J: did she take 5 Pump Minty’s drink too?

B: I think so. Excuse me. (addresses the room in a loud voice) I have a triple tall milk bone extra whip half chocolate half caramel fro-cap at the bar.

J: I’m guessing that wasn’t sugar that Double tall was pouring into 5 Pump Minty’s fro-cap.

God, I think I’m going into sugar overload. People and their coffee. Sheesh. I liked the little bright blue streak in the barista’s hair.

Really, Jane? The ‘doubled in size’ comment? Really? And no rebuke from Korsak? Hmmm. I do like the fact that Jane & Vince had a conversation about Dana while they were going to the coffee house. I miss those lovely Jane/Korsak moments. We need more of them.

This scene also reminded me of a scene in an episode of Women’s Murder Club where one of Lindsay’s (Angie) lines was “dammit, I ordered extra caramel, did you change my coffee order again?” Claire responded with “Yes, because that isn’t coffee. That’s diabetes on ice” LOL I miss that show. More specifically, I miss the girls – Linday, Claire, Jill & Cindy. I wish WMC could merge with R&I. Wouldn’t it be  great to have Lindsay Boxer team up with Jane Rizzoli?

- - fighting for TJ - -

The Rizzoli clan is gathered at Jane’s apartment.

J: Ma, I’m so sorry.

A: I just don’t understand. We just can’t walk away from that baby.

T: I talked to Lydia.

J: is she going to share custody?

T: no, she says she can’t forgive herself for abandoning Mario.

A: Mario? You named him Mario?

F: Ma!

T: Lydia named him Thomas Sparks Jr.

J: (smiles) TJ

T: *sheepishly* paternity test came back

J: and?!

T: *rolls his eyes* he’s mine.

F: Tommy’s a baby daddy.

T: I told you what I did, I-I mean, I can’t be a father to him. He almost got killed.

A: oh Tommy. He rolled off your chest. I dropped you once.

J: oh my god!

F: is that what happened to him?

T: what’s that supposed to mean?

A: I was rocking him and…I fell asleep. You were fine. You bumped your lip, I cried, you cried. And look, it’s all okay.

J: Tommy, he’s alright, okay? (she kisses his head) we’ll all help you.

F: yeah, come on Tommy. Man up. Lydia’s mom says they’re coming after you for child support anyway.

T: while I’m paying child support, I’m no deadbeat dad.

J: okay, good.

T: but I don’t have a steady job and Lydia & I aren’t a couple.

A: Tommy, we want TJ in our lives.

T: so do I

J: all right. So you fight for joint custody.

A: Tommy, there’s another way to do this.

 

 
 

Uh-oh. Mama Rizzoli’s got a plan. That’s usually not a good thing. This scene seemed a bit strange, because 1) the Rizzoli clan is gathered at Jane’s apartment, not Maura’s house, like usual. 2) Maura isn’t there. I guess they decided to have it at Jane’s small apartment so the discussion would feel more intimate. 3) we’re in Jane’s apartment for a fairly lengthy scene, and yet no sign of Jo Friday. Bummer.  Anyway, I love these ‘family’ scenes. These kids & their mother may yell, argue, and give grief to each other all the time, but when it comes down to it, they’re always there to support each other whenever it’s needed. The only thing that’s missing is Maura spouting off some off-the-wall statistics.

- - Def. Con.1 - -

Jane & Maura walk into PD talking about Angela’s ‘plan’

M: well, if she says she has a plan, she has a plan.

J: but I think we all know about my mother’s planning. That’s where Tommy got his ‘planning’ abilities.

M: well, if it doesn’t work out, you can always use Defense Condition One.

J: uh, it’s much cooler if you say “Def con one”

M: Def. Con. One.

J: Much cooler.

  
 
 

Oh, Maura Isles, you’re just too damn adorkable! The way she said that reminds me of the scene in the Season 3 premiere where they were getting Maura ready to go undercover and she says “wait. I’m doing a U.C.” Totally. Adorkable.

- - Stanley wants to play with the handcuffs - -

A: Morning sweetheart.

J: morning Ma. … Morning Stanley.

Stanley turns around & holds out his arms in a gesture of being handcuffed.

S: arrest me.

J: what’s the charge – felony or misdemeanor assholishness?

A: Jane.

S: Stay out of this, Rizzoli.

A: (out of the side of her mouth) felony.

S: I need to confess, and I’d prefer to do it in the proper surroundings.

J: oh, I can’t wait to hear what you have to say. Yeah, let’s go. Upstairs.

Angela & Maura look at each other perplexed.

  
 

Yep, Stanley just wants to play with Jane’s handcuffs. That’s it. I love how Angela said “felony” after Stanley gave her the “Rizzoli” moniker again. Poor Stanley. He doesn’t realize the prank that’s about to be played on him. I love it when shows come up with a new word that will somehow make its way to being standard lingo soon – “assholishness” yep. That’s my new favorite word, methinks.

- - playing with Stan the Man - -

S: that camera’d better be on cuz I don’t want you twisting my words. I’m old enough to remember the Watergate tapes.

J: talk. We’re in the middle of a murder investigation.

S: I DID IT.

K: you killed Phil Taylor?
S: I hid the evidence in a homicide investigation and I should be punished to the full extent of the law.

J: you took the food? (he nods) where is it.

Stanley pulls it from his apron and puts it on the table.

J: why did you take it?

S: I panicked. I didn’t want the café to be blamed, so I grabbed it. And then when it became a murder…

J: no, this is very serious, Stanley. I hope you have a very good legal team.

Stanley sighs heavily and puts his hands over his face. Jane & Vince turn to each other with laughter on their faces. They sober up before Stanley sees them again.

S: the Division One Café was my life’s work. You people are…you’re family.

J: no kidding, a family?

S: just like in a real family you don’t always like all your relatives.

J: yeah, I know exactly what you mean, god I wish there was something we could charge him with!

S: what?
J: you’re free to go

S: I am?

J: yeah.

K: yeah, on one condition…two conditions. You give Mrs Rizzoli a raise. And you stop calling her “RIZZOLI!!”

Stanley scowls.

Hahaha! Best. Interrogation. Ever. They really got one over on Stanley, didn’t they? Poor guy. LOL I love how Vince made the two conditions at the end to favor Angela. Jane looked very pleased with the outcome.

- - read my lips, incorrectly - -

Frost has video of Phil & Double Tall in the entrance to Boston Joe’s.

F: this is from the doorway into the Boston Joe’s.

J: okay, that’s Phil.

F: yeah, and see the woman?
J: yeah, who is she?

F: I’ll see what I can do with facial recognition.

J: okay, I’d like to know what they were arguing about, too.

F: no help there. No audio.

J: (looks over her shoulder) hey Frankie, come in here. (to Frost) Frankie can read lips

Fro: really?

J: yeah. He spent a lot of time on the bench when he started Little League, reading coaches’ lips.

Fra: I got really good at it.

Fro: got good at bench warming too, huh?

J: tell him

Fro: tell me what?

Fra: it doesn’t matter.

J: yes, it does. He was an amazing ballplayer and he was on his way to the professionals

Fro: wow. I’m sorry.

Fra: blew out my arm. Thrower’s elbow. So, what do you need?

J: (points to the video) tell us what he’s saying?

Fra: uh, okay, he’s saying… “I didn’t sign up for this.”

J: sign up for what?

Fra: looks like he’s saying “I didn’t know men in tights would kill people”

Jane & Frost give him a look.

Fro: A. Mazing. How does he do it?

Fra: no, “I didn’t know Mennonites would kill people.”

Fro: well, there’s a Mennonite killer out there.

J: not helping, Frost.

Frost’s computer beeps.

Fro: this is. Got a hit on facial recognition.

J: Alice Vanderbilt. Let’s go pick her up.

  

“Men in tights”  “Mennonites” LOL The greatest part of this scene is Jane Rizzoli sticking up for her little brother. I loved how she made Frankie tell Frost about how good he was instead of just shrugging it off and letting Frost think he was just a ‘benchwarmer’. It was also nice of Frost to apologize for thinking it.

- - getting the right word - -

M: cause of death is carbon monoxide poisoning.

J: okay, Alice’s fingerprints were on the car keys, the hose, the doors, it’s a suicide, isn’t it?

M: yes.

J: so maybe we’re looking at a murder-suicide. Phil & Alice, they hook up at AA, when Phil dumps her, she kills him.

Alex rolls another body in.

M: hi Alex.

A: Dr Isles. Hey, Susie says you might be joining us camping?

J: huh? No, I can’t. My skin burns so easily.

M: it does not!

J: so Alex, what do we have here?

A: victim Brian Radcliffe, 31. I think it might be another case of bacterial meningitis.

He shows her the fingernails.

M: I think you might be right.

Jane has the look of the ‘light bulb’ going on in her head

M: the CDC is reporting more cases of meningitis in Boston.

J: meningitis. Oh my god. Frankie wasn’t saying ‘men in tights’ or ‘mennonites’ (she runs out the door)

M: Jane? … Jane!!

Yep. The light bulb clicked on for Jane. “men in tights” – “Mennonites” – “meningitis” LOL I also like how Maura called after Jane while she was running out the door. Come on, Maura. Don’t you know that when your LLBFF gets that expression, she’s put all the pieces of the puzzle together? It was also cute how Maura quickly shot down Jane’s lie of her skin burning. Not only does Maura not lie, but it seems she won’t let Jane lie to anyone else either. (at least when she actually knows it’s a lie)

- - the puzzle is finished - -

J: right there. He’s saying “I didn’t know meningitis would kill people.”

K: that’s why he wanted to talk to me.

F: I’m still not getting how the Mennonites in tights kill the people with meningitis, or what that has to do with you, Korsak.

J: yeah, me either.

K: you got me. Let’s go through it again. Phil Taylor was a big pharmaceutical executive, gets fired, takes a crap job distributing pharmaceuticals…

F: Alice Vanderbilt was a quality control lab tech at Rampvex Pharmaceutical Industries

J: Alice had an MD? Maybe that’s how she was able to afford that nice house.

K: that’s in foreclosure.

F: her bio says she was a successful anesthesiologist before she closed her practice.

J: yeah, to become a lab tech? What did Alice do? Is her medical license still current?

F: no, she hasn’t renewed it since 2009, but she keeps an open application on file.

J: okay, did our two victims with meningitis have any connection to each other?

F: both were young professionals who worked in the financial district.

Maura comes in.

M: I found a needle puncture wound with a contusion on the right bicep of the man who died of meningitis.

J: so, you’re saying he was injected? With what?
M: a flu vaccine.

J: okay, wait a minute. This is starting to make sense. Does Rampvex manufacture flu vaccines?

F: yeah.

J: so, maybe Alice contaminated the flu vaccines

K: and Phil distributed them.

M: but why would you infect people with bacterial meningitis? It’s treatable.

F: same reason somebody tainted Tylenol. Create fear?

J: no, I don’t think so. Maura, why would two healthy, young professionals die if it’s a treatable illness?

M: well, they only died because they had underlying problems causing compromised immune systems. Otherwise it would have just made them very ill.

K: pain & suffering. Plus, they can’t work. All because of a flu vaccine? And Rampvex, the manufacturer has deep pockets.

F: but who’s gonna sue? Neither of our two dead victims were married?

M: oh, you’re worth a lot more ill or gravely injured than dead when you’re single.

J: so Phil & Alice created their own class action lawsuit

F: but they were the bad guys & they couldn’t file the lawsuit.

J: they could if they had one more partner. A lawyer.

K: hey Frost, is Phil’s lawyer’s name in the hit-and-run report?

F: no. But, Alice’s medical license application lists her lawyer.

K: what do ya know? It’s a lawyer we’ve met, Frost.

You know, there’s a reason I don’t get flu vaccines. LOL I loved the Tylenol reference. That brings back memories. How many of you remember the days before the safety seals & safety caps on most everything? There’s a reason for them. As usual, it’s Maura who brings them the final piece of the puzzle to make it all come together.  It’s strange to see an episode where Jane spends a good deal of the time sitting in a chair. That’s different. Was Angie having back problems again when they were filming this? And remember y’all, I’m worth a lot more injured or ill than I am dead, so don’t get any ideas! LOL

- - Angela’s plan revealed - -

The doorbell rings. Angela answers it. It’s Lydia and her mom with TJ.

A: Hello.

L: Hi.

A: Nice to finally meet you in person.

Rene nods.

L: I don’t know how to apologize enough for all that I’ve put you through.

R: what about me?
L: you too.

A: okay, let’s start fresh.

Angela ushers them all inside.

M: we’re so glad that you could join us for dinner.

R: yeah, what are we having. Don’t like spicy.

After a short awkward pause, they all coo over the baby.

R: think you’re gonna like being called Gramma?

A: by Tommy Jr? yeah. I think I’m gonna like it.

R: I like getting’ another shot at this. I didn’t do so bad with Lydia, did I?

A: this baby provides us an opportunity to, uh, start new.

She holds her hand out to Rene who shakes it.

R: yeah.

J: can we get you something to drink?

Lydia & her mother look at each other.

R: water for me. Which one of you’s a doctor?

Maura raises her hand.

M: I am.

R: I need that stuff, uh… that makes you sick if you drink?

M: antabuse. I can write you a prescription.

L: can you believe it? All because of this little guy.

J: if you get tired, or you need to go to the bathroom, or anything I’ll be happy to hold Tommy Jr.

L: oh, TJ. Here. (hands the baby to Jane)  he likes it when you mush him against your breasts.

T: I’ll bet he does. I still like that.

F: Tommy!

T: what?

R: what do you do for a living?

T: uh. Lots of things.

R: yeah. That means you don’t do nothing. Well, at least you’re Ma’s nice.

F: Tommy’s a good guy.

J: yeah, he is.

T: and I just want to say…I’m here for TJ.

J: we all are.

L: oh my gosh.

J: you said you wanted the baby to be around family, for better or for worse, we’re family.

R: you’re not getting out of child support.

L: mom

M: shall we sit down & eat?

R: I never turn down a free meal.

Jane hands the baby to Angela. Tommy talks to Lydia

T: so you ever been to opening day at Fenway?

L: every year

T: Yeah?

J: (to Maura) think of how much fun we’re going to have… at Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and New Year’s. TJ’s gonna be a Red Sox fan.

M: I’d like to teach him how to fence.

J: if you do, I’ll teach him how to sew, and knit and bead.

M: really? I want to take classes with you.

J: stop.

M: what? It’d be so fun.

J: can we please just get through this meal?

They each grab a dish & put on a fake smile while bringing it to the table.

J: who’s hungry?
R: I don’t like spicy.

Oh Maura, you still don’t have a full concept of sarcasm. Think about it – Jane sewing & knitting & beading? Really? Really, Maura? Think about that for a moment.  How much fun is it going to be now with Lydia & Rene added to the ever-expanding Rizzoli extended family? I’m guessing a bit more exciting that it would have been if Frankie had stayed with Teresa & Lily.  I did like how they portrayed Rene as trying to get herself sober for the baby’s sake, and putting it right out there for Maura to get her started on antabuse. They obviously had all known about her drinking. The look between Lydia & her mom was heartwarming too. And I can’t forget to mention how both Frankie & Jane stood up for Tommy, saying he was a good guy. The look on Angela’s face was heartwarming when they did that. I remember her words during the scene where Jane & Maura made up in 3x02 when she said “I’ve got three great kids” – and of course, add a doctor to that list as well.

- - other caps - -

  

  
  
  
 
 

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 

overall, a pretty great episode. I was a bit disappointed that Maura wasn’t around for some of the better Rizzoli family moments, but I did love that they had Jane spending time with most of her ‘extended’ family in this episode (which includes Frost & Korsak), though I did miss Lt Cavanaugh. And I do wish that Jane had been there to meet Dana.

I did find it quite interesting that it seems Angie was basically the only one that held the baby, for the most part. Maybe they did that in order to keep the baby from fussing too much.

I also loved the #GirlsNightIn tweet-fest with Sasha Alexander, Stana Katic & Christina Applegate during the episode. That was fun to read.

Guest stars:

Colin Egglesfield (Tommy Rizzoli)
Alan Rachins (Stanley)
Tina Huang (Susie Chang)
Alexandra Holden (Lydia Sparks)
Beverly Leech (Rene Sparks)
Caroline Aaron (Dana)
Jeff Clarke (Larry Bukowski)
Gerald Downey (Alex Simmons)
James DuMont (Phil Taylor)
Kosha Patel (Barista)