Ladies in Red - Deceit, Deception and Jealousy
Season 1 episode 4: A wealthy man’s family returns home from an outing to find a break in has occurred, the office in a shambles and her husband missing
When Jane, Lisbon and Rigsby are escorted through the grandiose turn-of-the-century Victorian mansion by Inspector Colleen Mulvey played by guest star Denise Dowse,* Jane notices that things thieves generally take during a break in (a bag of golf clubs, antiques and oil paintings throughout the spacious foyer).
As usual, there will be no spoilers shared in this post so it can enjoyed by fans and new viewers alike. This is on purpose so I hope you approve. At the least it’s hoped to act as a reminder to rewatch the show, or to encourage others to check it out for the first time.
*Denise Dowse starred alongside Simon Baker in The Guardian TV series for 3 seasons 2001-2004.
Inspector Mulvey is somewhat put out by what she considers outsiders, unwelcome on her case but who have been forced upon her by the powers that be. She briefs the group on the missing husband, Jason Sands, an investment banker and big time political contributor with a connection to the Attorney General.
Context
Mulvey leads the group to Sands’ home office, a room in total disarray. The inspector shares her assumption that there will be a ransom demand made soon and she doesn't see the need for CBI to be there. Jane immediately gets a handle on the scene: He tells her Sands is still there, that based on the scene, he was tortured in one of the overturned chairs.
Recap
The whole team attend the Sands’ funeral where the widow Jennifer played by guest star Lisa Brenner is of particular interest. During this intense time she is being escorted by her lawyer, Michael Bennett (David Newsom). It’s difficult to tell what is taking place between them. Watching their conversation, Jane thinks either Jennifer is scared of Bennett or is being reassured by him about something which worries her. He's not sure which.
Information from the coroner confirms that Sands was tortured as Jane surmised. He bled to death trapped in his panic room from wounds caused by pliers and lit cigars. Jennifer and her daughter‘s alibi is that they attended a performance of "Peter and the Wolf" that night for which they have ticket stubs.
Jane and Cho talk to Rigsby about his obvious feelings for Van Pelt, and Jane thinks all one needs to do to seduce a woman is show her "love and affection." Jane bets Rigsby $100 that he can seduce any woman at the funeral and Rigsby of course picks Jennifer Sands, the new widow.
Jane immediately goes to Jennifer, boldly flirting with her, which she tells him is "inappropriate." When the lawyer steps over, Jane snaps for Bennett to back off, turning back to Jennifer to say he's not sure what kind of "hold" Bennett has over her or what type of trouble she's in, but if she calls him he will help. Several men walk over and Cho and Rigsby have to pull Jane away. Jane, of course, likes how this has gone.
When the team return to their CBI office, Lisbon and Jane discover that Jennifer has filed a complaint with the attorney general. Special Agent in Charge Minelli chews them out, and after basically saying he puts up with Jane because he closes so many cases, Minelli's cell rings with word from the AG's office that Jennifer will drop the charges if Jane apologizes in person at her house.
At the Sands' house, Jane starts by playing dolls with Julie, the young daughter. Jane and Jennifer sit together and she tells him that she does need help, that Bennett had told her at the service that her husband's business was a sham and that Sands had left them broke. Jennifer tells Jane she will have to sell everything they have, including the house and that her husband is being investigated by the IRS and SEC. But Jennifer is also convinced Sands would have left her a nest egg, and wants Jane to help find it.
During this episode we learn more about the enigma that is Patrick Jane. Although he’s been with CBI for sometime at this point, there are layers to the man that aren’t necessarily apparent looking at the protective mask he always wears and rarely lets slip. We lean more into his love of children - his interactions are about dealing them as people who deserve as much respect as anyone else. He allows himself to enjoy their curiosity and honesty. During Jane’s bet with Rigsby we learn that having many women hanging around or pursuing them isn’t something he values and rejects this behaviour for himself. He carries around an enormous burden of guilt around the death of his family and this drive overrules everything else. It allows him to reflect on the ways husbands and wives fail their spouses and the devastating effects that presents. He shows his disdain for this behaviour constantly. He includes the impact to children who are caught up in such a dynamic. He understands the idea of revenge in these circumstances, not that he would in good conscience recommend it.
Lisbon and Cho share what they found out with the rest of the group that Sands' business had been going under for the past five years, complete with impending indictments. Even so, in the last year he moved millions in cash, stocks and bonds from his business to his personal accounts, and quite recently the money went missing.
At the office Van Pelt informs Lisbon that Sands made money over the past few years by selling millions of dollars in copy paper to a company called "Happy Landings Entertainment" based in Sausalito Bay, Oakland. The team heads out to the address Van Pelt has provided. It turns out to be a boat and it has been ransacked. They find the perpetrator is still on the boat, a young European woman named Adriana Jonovic (played by guest star Angela Sarafyan). She claims to the murder victim’s fiancée. An interesting character, Adriana shares information that sheds new light on everything to do with Jason Sands and during her interview with Jane and Lisbon she makes several outlandish claims.
As the team delves into the suspects they’ve uncovered, the plot thickens, including several twists and turns before they get to the bottom of this sordid tale. The situation can be summed up as Deceit, Deception and Jealousy.
The show ends with Jane telling the gang he had his suspicions from the beginning, when the team attended the funeral and Rigsby struggles yet again when talking to Van Pelt.
They Said
In this episode there were these choice words:
“No badge, no gun. They don’t even give me dental.” - Patrick Jane
“Vibes? That’s were Rigsby stares at the back of Van Pelt’s neck for several hours. Women love that.” - Kimball Cho
“When you are seducing someone, what are you offering them? You are offering love and affection.” - Patrick Jane
"No wife should glow at her husband's funeral." - Patrick Jane
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