Cindy Cosey

5 min read

·

Nov 10, 2024

SPOILERS

It looks like the pilot starts with, possibly, Patrick’s first field consulting experience, but I kind of wonder if it might not be at least a second or third. Why do I think this? He’s too put together. Three piece suit now and neat as a pin. I don’t think he could have made the transition so quickly from just starting with the CBI as a rumpled semi lost soul to this point in one case. I’m sure Teresa coached him hard to get himself together and he’s no dummy. He strolls around the scene with confidence, carefully observing as always. Here we learn that he has no problem with making himself at home in other’s homes. Our first introduction to tea brewing and refrigerator raiding. Also our first introduction to “running my mouth can cause big trouble.”

Moving on to the case in Palm Springs where Patrick was forced to secure his own transportation due to being on suspension for the trouble he caused in the previous case we find him absolutely refusing to be shut out of anything Red John. He’s good natured but firm about it. He will have Red John no matter what. Here also is our first glimpse of Kimball’s friendship. It was Kimball who told Patrick this was considered to be a Red John case.

We also get to see how Teresa interacts with her subordinates. No nonsense here. Grace admonished for too much luggage even though she is extremely new to the whole process and not kindly either. Kimball and Wayne, especially, are empathetic but keep their mouths shut.

We get a look at what Patrick did before he fell from grace = the showman. He’s good, great even. And a great look at his arrogance. I think we also get the feeling that this guy was making big bucks playing the psychic.

As he investigates the Palm Beach crime we get a hint of his sadness at Red John history for him. Mostly facial expression as he surveys the scene. Possibly dredging up memories — the victim about the same age his wife was when she died. Ouch. And we get to meet Brett Partridge — the ghoul.

Throughout the crime scene walk through and Patrick’s rant at Partridge you can see Teresa’s disgust with — Patrick, not Partridge. She is clearly already frustrated with his behavior. And Patrick is frustrated with her response to him. He walks off saying he’s clearly not needed.

Teresa begs Patrick back and he meets Grace for the first time. A sadness in the little conversation I think. Grace mentions that she thought he left town but he says “nowhere to go.” Like he has nothing else in his life. While we learn later that is kind of true, here it is a first glimpse into the actualities of Patrick’s life.

The team’s dinner together is a treasure and I get the feeling it might be the first time they had a just social occasion as a team. Patrick’s tease with the toothpick is cute but even better is Kimball’s rescue to Grace. (she’s so gullible sometimes). Patrick definitely does not endear himself to Wayne when he mentions the possible tryst between him and Grace. I think if I were Wayne I would have given Patrick a good poke in the nose later. The discussion about an afterlife between Grace and Patrick is excellent and not something you often see in television. Thank you Grace for standing up for your beliefs even though you are very new to the team. But another very important insight to Patrick is brought up here. When Grace tells him he has an immortal soul he says “I do so hope you’re wrong.” Makes me wonder, does he feel like this life is painful enough, he hopes there is nothing when it’s over.

When the note is slipped under Patrick’s hotel door and it seems to be from Red John Patrick nearly panics in the effort to catch to culprit. I do understand this. And even after the somewhat controversial dinner, the entire team comes to him and is supportive. Still need to remember none of them really know Patrick that well yet and he is an odd duck.

Of course, by now, Patrick has already figured out who the murderer is and begins to set his trap by writing the diary. Teresa is worried about his not sleeping and makes him a doctor’s appointment which he seems to not want but which really plays well into his plans. Here is where we learn how he crossed Red John and what he got for doing so. And here also is affirmation that Patrick is a wealthy man. His home is amazing. But we also learn that the guy can’t sleep. And he lies to suit himself or protect himself. When the doctor confronts him he states “the truth is mine.” Such a loner. So very alone.

So Patrick moves on with his plan to catch the bad guy using mostly mental manipulation, ends up in front of a gun and makes a run for it (thankfully he didn’t fall on the stairs like he did earlier when he was after the guy who slipped the letter under his hotel door.) We also learned in these scenes that Patrick is a pick pocket.

I found it kind of sad that the team was grumpy with him for moving ahead with his plan without informing them but then I think I get it too. They ARE supposed to be a team and Patrick pretty much went it alone. Maybe they were feeling a little outdone too, jealous maybe?

The very ending shows us that Patrick is living at his home but in a sparsely furnished bedroom where his wife and child were murdered, bed under the Red John smiley face. Like Patrick feels the need to torment himself with that constant remender. And his team members have no idea what he goes home to each night, alone.