Paint It Red - Forgeries, Values and Envy
Season 1 episode 13: It appears that an oil tycoon’s son-in-law was involved in the theft of a priceless portrait when his body is found at the scene. The team must resolve the intrigue
Late one night in the foyer of the executive floor of A.P. Caid Oil headquarters in Sacramento, Frank and Keely are making their way to a locked executive office, kissing passionately as they come to a set of heavy wooden doors. Frank assures Keely that this office is a safe space for their rendezvous as he uses his key card to gain entry. In their hurry to remove each other’s clothes as they move inside the ornate office space, they drop to the floor onto the priceless silk carpet covering the centre of the room. In their haste Keely glances over to see a man lying on the floor, looking at them. As she’s screams they both jump up only now recognizing that the man isn’t moving. He is, in fact quite dead.
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.
Context
The morning has Jane and Lisbon moving down the impressively decorated corridor to join Cho and Frank Schiappa (played by Marco Sanchez), Executive Director of Security for A.P. Caid Oil. As introductions are made, Frank repeats his intent to assist the CBI team any way he can.
The unfortunate man’s body is now lying on the floor in the foyer, outside the wooden office doors, posed almost like a flying super hero. Cho identifies the hapless victim as Harry Lashley, son-in-law to A.P. Caid and junior V.P. within the company. Frank points out the weeping Keely Duane (played by Tamara Knausz) over in the corner talking to a uniformed officer as Cho explains that Miss Duane had found the body and alerted security when she returned to the floor to pick up a forgotten cell phone. Frank, as the security director had opened up A.P.’s office to make sure nothing was amiss and he finds a space on the wall where the recently acquired and most valuable painting in A.P. Caid’s collection is missing. As usual, Jane has been examining the body and surroundings in his unique way. He shares his thoughts with the group.
So the mystery grows into what happened during the previous night and why, although the missing portrait valued at $50 million now looms large as the motive for the odd occurrences the team are uncovering.
Recap
Van Pelt has been researching the stolen painting and reports back that the painting is the only work of a 14th century artist known as the Sienese Master. The portrait is named The Moro and has been owned by Popes, Kings and Queens across the ages. Van Pelt notes that the portrait was bought at auction just three months prior by A.P. Caid, a legendary businessman who made his fortune as a wildcatter. He’s on his way back on his boat after hearing of the theft and death of his son-in-law. The team ramps up their activities around solving Lashley’s death.
Lisbon and Jane talk with Lashley’s wife, Stevie (played by Darby Stanchfield), who is devastated by her loss. She needs answers. When Lisbon and Jane enquire about the painting, Stevie refers her to Katherine Hawkes, the woman responsible for buying the art for her father’s collection.
Hawkes explains there are a small number of collectors who could do what it takes to steal the painting, with the untouchable Shirali Arlov (played by Sebastian Roche), a Russian mobster upset at being outbid by A.P. Cain for the Moro - the probable suspect in the theft.
Back at CBI headquarters Van Pelt finds evidence that Lashley paid $20,000 to a PO Box address in a small town so Van Pelt and Jane (much to her chagrin) head out to investigate after Jane talks Lisbon into approving the road trip. The address turns out to be a small gallery run by a talented artist named Rob Wallace who Lashley had legitimately commissioned to create two copies of the Moro. Jane asks to borrow the copy Wallace created for himself. Jane wants to use this copy to help get access to the off-limits Shirali Arlov, someone he wants to question against Lisbon’s orders and ropes in both Cho and Rigsby to help.
With Lisbon trying to track down her errant crew fearing there could be an international incident, the case moves forward revealing that several of ‘the seven deadly sins’ are in play resulting in Lashley’s untimely death. Some hard truths are revealed.
This episode has a lot going for it along with a lightness as it recognizes the deeper implications of greed and loss. From the beginning we get insight into Jane’s deductive practices as he sorts out the holes in Frank’s story of how the body was discovered, pointing out that the weepy Keely isn’t able to support his story if she is questioned by the blank faced agent Cho. When we look at the team dynamics at play in this episode we see Jane playing with his “little sister” Grace as he takes glee in embarrassing her just like siblings often do. While he’s at it he ropes the guys into his scheme, laughing as they go against the official word from the harried Lisbon. For the most part I think we can say Jane is having a good time at the expense of several of the suspects until he confronts some of the more soul destroying actions and consequences people inflict on each other. All in all this is an enjoyable episode and indicative of the cast development going on during this first season.
They Said
In this episode there were these choice words:
Teresa Lisbon: “Where is everyone?” Grace Van Pelt: “Weird. They all called in to sign out. Jane wasn't feeling well. Rigsby had a hot date. And Cho's got Kings tickets.” Lisbon replies “Son of a...” to which Grace responds: “What?” Lisbon points out: “Jane doesn't get sick. Rigsby's not on a date because he's in love with you. And the Kings aren't playing tonight.” Grace gasps, “You know about that?” An irritated Lisbon responds “Yeah. They're on an east coast road trip, they're playing the Knicks tomorrow night.” An embarrassed Grace asks: “No, I mean about Rigsby. How do you know about that?”
Teresa Lisbon replies “Everybody knows about that. The Attorney General knows that.”
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