#it’s that they make the choice not to

Okay but for real, the season finale for the first season is something else, just in terms of Jane’s actions. He gets all upset with Lisbon about their plan and being led to Red John and Jane has so little regard of his own life. Even when Maya is mentioned, he just. All he wants is Red John. If he can’t have a go at him, he needs Lisbon to get him, even if it means his own death.

This guy is practically allergic to guns most of the time. But the moment this guy makes a move - as obsessed with Red John as Jane is - Jane shoots him in defense of Lisbon. Like he doesn’t even think, he just picks the gun up and does it. And then his hand kinda shakes and he drops it immediately.

Say what you will about the first season of The Mentalist, it’s more episodic nature and Jane’s behavior etc., but the dude cared about Lisbon from the get-go more than he probably gets credit for. And I appreciate that.

#ngl I find it hilarious when one partner in these types of shows are just kinda allergic to guns #it makes it more profound when they use them in the defense of those they care about #more often than not it’s not that they can’t use them #it’s that they make the choice not to #but when it comes down to the wire and they have to choose #they’ll choose their loved one every time #just doing a mentalist rewatch and Jane going back and forth between defense of Lisbon/doing the right thing #and his obsession with going after Red John #is fascinating #the mentalist #Patrick Jane #Teresa Lisbon #red John