#the mentalist analysis

[enbyjane]

I just want to talk about Grace.

Found this thing I said a while ago to a friend within the fandom, and I've been thinking about Grace for a while in these past few days

I feel like Grace got the short stick in terms of characterization, out of everyone from the show.

Regardless of how much everyone agrees that Grace is such a badass and awesome character, very kind and considerate and ambitious and so many more traits...She does not have a lot of depth as a character.

I'm sorry to all Grace's fans, I know it sounds pretty harsh. But at least that's my impression.

I don't even really know how to elaborate. But I'll try.

I don't mean that Grace is shallow or empty. She really has such fantastic lines, particularly within the first seasons. I mean that Grace is never really allowed to step past the "romance girl" role in the show.

I think it is a known thing within the fandom that Heller hasn't intended to make Jane and Lisbon a couple from the beginning. But he knew that romance drama sells. And it's quite clear from episode 1 that Grace and Wayne are planned to be a couple.

That's their role, to provide romance drama.

The thing is, Wayne also provides the comedic effect, usually paired with Cho, but by himself as well. (I'm not gonna say he's the clown because that's rude but you know what I mean)

Grace however? Has no further role. And it becomes further obvious when she and Rigsby break up. Her reason for breaking up is that she does value her job more than Rigsby (at least at that point) and she doesn't want him to end up resenting her for making him move away. She is also very adamant to join in on field missions and interrogating suspects and whatnot. You could glean from this that she is ambitious and cares about her career, right? Right.

Well, this never goes anywhere. Soon enough she meets some other guy whom she dates briefly (and who tries to murder Jane, but that's nothing new) and there's more Rigsby pining and Rigspelt drama. And then she meets Craig, with whom she has a serious relationship and almost marries (and who again is a homicidal guy helping a maniac. I think they made her only date homicidal maniacs just to show Rigsby in a fantastic light compared to them). The only time we actually see her do something for her career - which she shows that she cares about - is when she goes to that Hacking Program School Thingy or whatever it was and she returns with? *Drumrolls* A boyfriend!! (Who really is just a foil for more Rigsby pining I can't even remember his name)

Sure she is a great hacker and she is good with computers but this is never really explored.

And talking about things being explored...

Look at this!! "Deep trauma in your past that you haven't spoken of to anyone, not even yourself..." And well she continues not speaking of to anyone, not even herself!! This is never mentioned again!

Sure, sure, you can imply that it's the possible suicide of someone in the family that is the deep trauma. But the truth is that we don't know. We simply don't know.

The only things we see her truly grapple with is the PTSD from Craig's betrayal. And that's not a bad thing, nor a bad story, except that it doesn't really get anywhere in the end. It affects her on the moment. We don't really see which conclusions she's made from that situation. Although, perhaps, we can deduce that she is less trusting of people than she used to be.

The saddest thing is that we did have something that the writers could've used. They never did. They never really went anywhere with Vizualize either - there was a short moment when you were wondering if Grace was going to fall in the Vizualize trap, but, like most of her history, that was cut before it was really started. (I'm not saying that I wanted her to fall into the cult necessarily, but it would have been interesting to be explored more in depth)

I don't really have a conclusion here. Just that she deserved better. We never really see the conclusion of her PTSD with Craig either, apart from asking Jane what to do with her necklace. (and then keeping it, if I remember right). I would've liked to see her more mistrustful, or more conversations about that, or at least go to therapy to deal with that, if they wanted to get rid of the plotline. (though again, she's a wonderful character that deserved more)

[irenespring]

TV characters and their mentors

I have realized as I watch TV and find myself liking a character I also start considering who their mentor in @lorata's THG District Two system would be, almost as a personality test. I've put too much thought into it to not publish it somewhere. So, here is a very niche character analysis. TV characters and their District Two mentors. If you are a fan of these shows and have no idea what I'm talking about because you don't read Lorata, do it now. I haven't read the Hunger Games since middle school but I return to Lorata's District Two every few months.

The Mentalist:

Patrick Jane: Callista. The way this fits is actually one of the reasons I decided to actually write a post. He considers himself immune to the rules. He hates authority. He is charming and manipulative, with only fleeting indications he has a conscience. A chaos agent. Exactly what Callista looks for. He would absolutely break up the career alliance early because he decides he doesn't want to kill the youngest tributes if he doesn't have to for his survival and he would rather kill his "allies." It gets Callista in hot water with the other alliance mentors but she is just like "he's excellent."

Teresa Lisbon: Brutus. Lisbon is actually a lot like what Petra would probably become in twenty years. Still hot-headed, still stubborn and rules-focused, still wanting respect at all costs... but a little more chill about it. She's a pretty easy choice for Brutus because she gets things done and doesn't resort to the flashy nonsense of certain Calli tributes. Speaking of... Jane and Lisbon kind of work as an inversion of the classic "back-to-back Victors are a wild girl and chill boy" and would probably hate each other at first before slowly becoming closer as time goes on.

SVU (this is a weird case because I've published a THG AU, but lets just say all of them are Two in this case):

Alex Cabot: This is the hardest of all of them for me, but I'm going to say Devon. She fits the dreamer archetype of always wanting to make things better for everyone (even with the weird season 18 twist SVU pulled, Alex is still fighting for what she perceives as justice). That twist however does rule her out for most of Brutus' branch because it's coloring too far outside the lines. She's very charming and witty, but is focused on trying to do right in the world, rather than the more self-focused goals of Callista or Misha (my runner up for this character).

Olivia Benson: Brutus. Pretty much for the same reasons as Lisbon. She is very closely tied with the rules; even when she disagrees with them, she never really thinks about leaving. She is District Two in the AU I published, so I'm to promote myself and say for more insight into how she views the Games as a Career, go read that.

Rafael Barba: Lyme. The essence of a Lyme tribute. Abusive childhood, attachment issues, using flash to cover for insecurities, depression, and ambition. Has a very tough time in early recovery because he has difficulty squaring the horrors of the Games with his motivation for volunteering---a Claudius-esque (though less intense) desire for family and acceptance.

Sonny Carisi: Tough to decide between Devon and Emory but I'm going to go with Emory. He bakes for everyone. He tries to be a good person even the face of horrors. He has no real desire to do violence to people except when under massive amounts of pressure. He didn't even necessarily need to be volunteering, he just did his best, tried to make friends, and figured they'd tell him to stop when he failed.

Bones (this is another interesting case because I have written a THG AU but have not posted because of how much it uses Lorata's characters in the absence of mentor characters in Bones, and in the AU Temperance is from District Nine, but they will both be Two in this case):

Temperance Brennan: Artemisia. She isn't really sorry about anything from Career training, viewing the Program as the only rational choice given the Capitol's governmental system. She often insults other candidates on accident, because she is the best according to the rankings so why do they take offense when she points it out? She avoids serious injury because she really is the best. It cracks Misha up just reading the file. After it becomes clear in recovery that many of her nightmares come from the foster family that she was sent to after he parents and brother abandoned her, Misha tracks them down to make sure they...understand her displeasure.

Seeley Booth: Emory. He is Two in the AU I'm writing so I've thought this through at length. In the show, he is very pre-occupied with being a good person despite having killed people, and Emory is described as the most decent of the Victors. I've thought of an argument where as Lyme is to Claudius, so Emory would be to Booth growing up in District Two. He also has a habit of pushing all his emotions down because he views them as unimportant, something Emory is shown to have a very good way of countering as a mentor. Emory and Misha meet up to talk about how their Victors are clearly infatuated with each other, Emory dismisses it because Misha had a crush on her, but Misha is like "no this is different." They wager a batch of cookies (Misha's would be baked by Devon). Misha accepts her cookies at Seeley and Temperance's wedding.

ER:

Kerry Weaver: Lyme. A lot of the characters I like have similar vibes, so the explanation for this one is kind of similar to Rafael. She has a harsh persona that is used as a cover for someone struggling with abandonment issues and wanting to belong. As a District Two candidate, she likely would be a lot like Petra (quick to anger, sensitive to being disrespected or not taken seriously), but with less regard for duty and more personal investment. She cares about the people of her district, but she wants to win for herself and the family she would be promised. I've almost written an essay on Kerry and how she behaves and her mental health while she thinks she has a shot at fitting in to ER's found family, and how it declines after she realizes that they will never accept her around season 7 and 8. She really, really wants a family, and Lyme is drawn to those types of tributes.

[kajaono]

Remeber when I said the Red John smiley being painted in the sky was the best reveal of the Smiley ever?

I was lying. This one is the best reveal ever:

[the-rotting-christ]

Now that I'm on it, an actual analysis I guess.

So like, nicks character is very funny to me. On a couple accounts and they keep just rotating around in my head.

He's the most socially inept and antisocial girl failure I've ever seen. He cannot interact with other people to save his life, it's his job he's a lawyer. He's severely emotionally stunted, he's the most emotional man ever. He's simultaneously all of these things and somehow also viewed as like, a hotshot sexually competent man? And like he is? He's both? All of these above?

Then there's the fact that other shows have like, a gimmick. Psych: pretending to be a psychic. House: he's gay and solves Cases. Suits: he doesn't have a law degree. The Mentalist: he's autistic and can hypnotize people. Also is fruity. And trauma. But like, he's just A Lawyer?? He's not even currently on drugs he just used to be. Sure he's on probation but that's not really The Gimmick of the show.

There was more to this. I don't remember but honestly what I put was pretty much all of it.

[thedixonsteele]

Unlocking the Mind: How Graphology Can Enhance Your Skills as a Mentalist

In the world of mentalism, understanding human behavior and thought processes is the key to unlocking deeper insights into those around you. While observation, body language, and intuition are essential skills, there’s another powerful tool that many overlook: graphology. This is the study of handwriting, and it can reveal aspects of personality, emotions, and mental states that are otherwise difficult to detect.

Graphology can play an important role in becoming a skilled mentalist because it allows you to analyze someone's inner world by interpreting their handwriting. Through this lens, you gain another level of insight into their character and psychology, giving you an edge in reading them more effectively.

What is Graphology?

Graphology is the analysis of handwriting to identify psychological traits and behavioral tendencies. Every stroke, angle, and loop in someone’s handwriting tells a story about their personality, mindset, and even emotional state. Although some may view it as pseudoscience, graphology is widely used in psychology, criminology, and hiring processes, especially in Europe.

For a mentalist, graphology is yet another tool in the toolbox for reading people—an overlooked piece of the puzzle that can enhance your ability to uncover hidden truths. By interpreting a person’s handwriting, you can gain clues about their confidence, emotional stability, creativity, and even how they make decisions.

How Graphology Can Benefit a Mentalist

Mentalism is all about perception, attention to detail, and psychological insight. Graphology offers a unique way of tapping into those insights, providing access to deeper layers of a person’s mind that other methods might miss.

Here’s how graphology can be a game-changer for mentalists:

1. Revealing Personality Traits

Handwriting is a reflection of how the brain functions. Every person’s handwriting is unique because every brain is unique. When analyzing handwriting, a mentalist can pick up on key personality traits that aren’t always visible through body language or conversation alone. For example, large, sweeping strokes suggest someone is outgoing and confident, while small, cramped writing might indicate introversion or anxiety.

By learning the nuances of handwriting, you can understand whether a person is confident or insecure, spontaneous or meticulous, open-minded or rigid. These insights provide a foundation upon which you can build more effective mentalism techniques.

2. Detecting Emotional States

Graphology can also offer clues about someone’s current emotional state. Tense or erratic strokes in handwriting might indicate stress or agitation, while smooth, flowing writing suggests calmness and emotional balance. You can even detect mood changes by comparing different samples of handwriting from the same person.

As a mentalist, understanding emotional states is critical because emotions often drive behavior. By knowing whether someone is nervous, excited, or anxious, you can tailor your approach and increase the effectiveness of your mentalism techniques.

3. Identifying Cognitive Patterns

Handwriting can provide insight into how a person processes information and makes decisions. For instance, slanted handwriting can suggest impulsive or emotionally driven thinking, while more vertical writing may indicate a logical, analytical mindset. The way a person writes their letters can reveal whether they are a quick thinker or more methodical in their decision-making.

By understanding these cognitive patterns, a mentalist can anticipate how a person is likely to respond in various situations. This can be incredibly useful in both performance settings and personal interactions.

4. Building Rapport

One of the most valuable aspects of being a mentalist is your ability to build quick rapport with others. People are more likely to open up and be vulnerable when they feel understood. By analyzing someone’s handwriting, you can gain insights into their personality and communicate with them in a way that resonates more deeply.

For example, if their handwriting suggests they are introverted or cautious, you can take a gentler, more measured approach to gain their trust. If their writing reveals they are confident and outgoing, you can be more direct and bold in your interactions. The ability to read their personality through their handwriting allows you to build rapport faster and with greater authenticity.

5. Increasing Your Intuition

Graphology sharpens your ability to notice details that most people overlook, enhancing your overall intuition. By learning to analyze handwriting, you’re training your brain to pick up on subtle, subconscious signals—skills that are directly transferable to other aspects of mentalism. Over time, you’ll find yourself more attuned to the little things that reveal a person’s inner workings, even without consciously analyzing their handwriting.

How to Start Using Graphology

To start incorporating graphology into your mentalist practice, you don’t need to become an expert overnight. You can begin by studying some of the basics of handwriting analysis:

Size: Large handwriting often indicates confidence, while small writing can suggest a more detail-oriented or introverted personality.

Slant: Right-slanted writing suggests emotional expressiveness, while left-slanted writing can indicate a more reserved, introspective person. Vertical writing often shows balance and self-control.

Pressure: Heavy pressure can indicate strong emotions or determination, while light pressure might suggest sensitivity or a calm disposition.

Spacing: Wide spacing between letters and words usually reflects a desire for personal space, while closely spaced writing can reveal a more social or even needy personality.

These are just a few examples of what you can learn from handwriting. With practice, you’ll be able to interpret even the smallest strokes and patterns, adding another dimension to your mentalist abilities.

Graphology as a Mentalist's Secret Weapon

Graphology may not be the first thing you think of when you imagine the skills of a mentalist, but it’s a powerful tool that can give you deeper insights into the minds of others. By learning to analyze handwriting, you’ll develop a better understanding of personality traits, emotional states, and cognitive patterns. These insights can sharpen your intuition, enhance your ability to read people, and help you build stronger rapport—all crucial skills for any mentalist looking to elevate their craft.

[hamliet]

Are you enjoying Bridgerton? Can I ask some of your fav live action series, Hamliet?

Mine are : Merlin BBC, The Mentalist, Downton Abbey, Law and Order SVU and Hannibal....(Have you watched either of my fav?)

I did enjoy Bridgerton! Mixed feelings on that plot change, but overall excited for it regardless. I watch Bridgerton for the vibes and enjoyment, not deep analysis, so I'm looking forward to the future stories. (And, I, contrary to most opinions I see, would like them to genderbend Sophie.)

Other shows I like (most of which aren't presently airing):

High&Low,

Bridgerton,

Buffy the Vampire Slayer,

the 2004 version of Queer as Folk (my favorite show),

Scrubs,

The Big Bang Theory,

Brooklyn 99,

Abbott Elementary

Psych

Derry Girls (recently watched and loved; want to write a review when life slows down)

Never Have I Ever

Once upon a time I loved Game of Thrones, and I still love ASOIAF, but we don't talk about the show anymore. I will die angry.

[starkiller-009]

there is gonna be a mid analysis of schmidt soon, mostly i wanna talk about erm how i think (how i’d LIKE to think) he becomes who he becomes, how the great war and it’s social-cultural crisises/consequences affects him and how it frames his search in the context or the time period, how his trauma (physical + psychological) changes his course of life and personal fcking everything. bc mostly i think he was an okay fellow before ww1 (meaning - more conventional behavior and presentation, much less of power abuse such as medical and interpersonal, tho of course u could easily headcanon him as power craving abuser from the beginning and stop right there but i just don’t wanna do it cause it’s boring as hell and mentalistic /is it the right term in english? mentalism/sanism?/ in it’s core i guess), u know, yeah, narcissism and masking (maybe predispositions) were there but the scale transformed greatly. also see him as experiencing profound psychophysiological consequences -> after-war depression state/mood problems and things such as fatigue and other. it’s the way i choose to interpret some canon stuff and build upon it further, there are more routs tho (one other option already named, i just don’t want do it)

also rath brothers relationship’s post. yes. here we go (not now . but it awaits)

[mad-hunts]

STATISTICAL CHARACTER ANALYSIS: take the linked quiz from the perspective of your character of your character, then select 5 - 10 results from the ' complete matches ' list that you feel resonate with your character the most.

1. villanelle, from killing eve

2. red john, from the mentalist

3. shane walsh, from the walking dead

4. vicious, from cowboy bebop

5. kylo ren, from star wars

6. dr. hannibal lecter, from hannibal

tagged by: ...

tagging: anyone who sees this!

[thearoaceshark]

OK GEN TIME GEN TIME I love this guy sm

So, in his own words, he’s “the most shallow man on earth”. When we first meet him, he claims he could be living the high life with a harem in the kingdom of might.

YEAH RIGHT. Like Senku, we don’t see Gen finding women (or men) attractive, though there’s a moment or two that implies he wouldn’t mind the attention. And I think that’s it. Attention. He enjoys it, and he sometimes talks about or tries seeking it out, but it doesn’t seem to be related to romance, nor does he seem to value it in that way.

Into head canon/analysis territory! As professional mentalist and self-claimed shallowest man, I feel like he wouldn’t believe in romance. Emotions are easy to manipulate, and tend to be irrational. I also don’t think he likes the vulnerability. It’s one of the reasons why he doesn’t like alcohol (canon).

Something else interesting about Gen is that he always attributes other reasons/motives for being loyal to the kingdom of science. He prefer to downplay emotions as a factor, but his relationships within the series are real. I think he has great fondness for everyone, but wouldn’t call it love. Something to think about maybe.

In the end, he’s the guy who joined the kingdom of science for a single bottle of cola. How can you be more aro than giving up a harem for food?? Very real of him!

I didn’t mention everything but I’m sure there’s more! This is just coming from one silly little aroace dr stone obsessed guy

Thank you for letting me share! :D

Thanks to you for sharing this, it's a very interesting and fun headcanon. I don't know how well-known the hc of Gen being Aroallo is, but it's very good and suits the character.

Also food>>>>>>>>>>

[chromatophorica]

eight shows to get to know me~

tagged by the beautifully perfect @brassm and i'm killing some time, so~

1; Ted Lasso ;; this is a total feel good show; i'm horribly invested in such a short amount of time. my boo got me onto it while we were both feeling under the weather and now i'm hooked.

2; Elementary ;; this is one of my favourite versions of sherlock, i've had the biggest crush on lucy liu since forever and this simply solidified it.

3; 911 ;; i can't say i watch lone star a lot, so it's mostly just og that keeps my attention. i started because angela bassett is badass and i fell in love with the whole thing.

4; Leverage/Leverage: Redemption ;; i adore this show, i have done from the get go, and i do enjoy the reboot immensely. i miss nate's contribution to the dynamic for sure, but the addition of harry in the reboot is so fun too.

5; Criminal Minds/Criminal Minds: Evolution ;; okay so the run of the original cm was pretty intense, and the characters made it. and while i'm still a little undecided on the new streaming version, i do like the loosening of the topics given it's no longer on network tv. hopefully season 2 will continue the momentum.

6; The Mentalist ;; i'm probably giving a lot away about myself, but yeah, i'm kinda about serial killers/procedurals, and this one was pretty fun given it was about the illusion of psychics versus the application of behavioural analysis. the cast was super fun for when it was produced too.

7; Scream Queens ;; look. both seasons of this campy shit were the best. between emma roberts, joe jonas, keke palmer and neicy nash? fucking yes. throw in the epic of jaime lee curtis and it was mwah!

8; any and all true crime series or documentaries ;; i don't know if this is a cop out or not but basically all crime series, i will devour. to name a few specifically; the vow, the way down, the case against crosby, night stalker, outcry, the keepers, exhibit a, the trials of gabriel fernandez. that last one is particularly difficult to watch.

no tags; but if you wanna do it, tag me to lemme see!

[enbyjane]

@wardrobemoments (tagging you because I know you like this sort of things but anybody is welcome to join the conversation)

I have a few theories in regards to Lisbon's hairstyles across the seasons.

I was looking at a few GIFs and I was wondering.

How come that Lisbon changes her hairstyle so much? Like, a different hairstyle every season? Or actually, multiple slightly different hairstyles every season?

It's true that the show spans over 5-6 years, but it's still a lot if you ask me. I've had mostly the same hairstyle for 3 years now and aside from a few minor changes, it's stayed the same. For comparison we also have Grace, who has the same style all thorough the show except for 6x09 and all thorough the end when she decides to get bangs. (More or less. She alternates between straight hair and curls but that's it)

And I started to think of it both from the watsonian (in character) and the doylian (in show) interpretation. Mostly because it's funny to think of Teresa Lisbon at a hair stylist every year, asking for a new hair style a new fic idea is cooking up oh no

(Putting this under a read more because this is getting longer than I intended.)

The watsonian interpretation would be that Grace is more of a...conformist. She finds something that she likes and she sticks with it and it's fine for her.

By contrast, I don't mean that Lisbon is an undecided person, but rather that this is her way of rebelling. She is the one that often has to enforce the rules all thorough her life. And I don't think she minds too much, but there's still a part of her that is wilder and wants, like Jane, to say fuck the rules and fuck conformity. (Although it's not like she goes Too Wild, like...spikes or shaved head or stuff like that. At most we have the Bisexual Haircut in S1). Or perhaps it's a way that shows that she doesn't like routine, she needs some variation in her life (proven by those years between 608 and 609 where she worked as chief deputy in a normal police station or whatever she was)

The doylian interpretation is the one that intrigues me. Does the hairstyle change so much because Robin is one of the main leads? (Moreso than Amanda). Is it because she's insanely gorgeous and we deserve to see her in many styles and thirst over her? Can there be an association between this small detail and character development across the show?

And I started to think about it. I found this brilliant post having most if of her hairstyles.

(and I'll add a particular hairstyle that isn't here that I'm dying for)

What if there's a connection between her emotional availability in which season?

At the start of the show she has pretty open hairstyles, wilder hair and no bangs. She starts wearing bangs (and straight hair) regularly after Bosco's death. (Correct me if I'm wrong) and she wears the bangs consistently. As far as I can see, she starts letting go of them in season 5. (After Jane tells her he loves her). Towards the end of S4, she has...sidebangs, her forehead is less covered compared to the previous eps.

In parallel, there is a flirty energy between Jane and Lisbo in Season 1. (Or at least a willingness for intimacy) There is much less of this energy once Bosco dies (And the bangs appear). Sure, there are still some scenes (almost-confessions and little shows of jealousy), but they're more Jane-directed-towards-Lisbon than the reverse. She has a one night stand with Mashburn but that's all it is. She's really more open towards Jane at the end of S4, asking him to let her help him (and having her forehead pretty clear in the last 2 episodes, only a sidebang). And then...I think in S5 it's the season that she's fully aware that she's in love with Jane and accepting it (ergo, no more bangs).

I don't know if this analysis stands on its legs at all, but I am curious to hear your thoughts on it.

[notasapleasure]

The Sarah Jane Adventures, S01E05-06: The Warriors of Kudlak (2007)

Uhhh warning I got super carried away screencapping this. It would be worthy of giffing if I had the capability, there’s a lot of campy gurning.

---

This is some....CBBC Doctor Who spin-off?

The 'Mistress' in a laser-quest style game is getting some alien bug guy to abduct children for her. Sjsjssjjddkffff OH my god, Mark Grantham owns the premises and is......seeking out kids on the street to come and play Mr Kudlak's game.

HEY KIDS. I'm a huge East End geezer brandishing a pair of pliers, come play my laser quest game!

Blimey he's had more to say in the first few minutes than he had in like. All seven episodes of Doctors? Mr Kudlak the bug alien guy has already told him to shut up :') Dork.

All the children in this speak like aliens what is going on

Shsjskjsffff.

He needs to find better grade children and stop mocking the mistress! No one is irreplaceable!

Sarah Jane and her weird child friend have made a Cloudbuster that makes it rain jelly beans. Wilhelm Reich would be impressed!

Making creepy sounds of appreciation about the 'mummy's boy' doing well! And apparently Mr Kudlak smells bad when he's happy, hence the chewing gum addiction?

Unfazed by the Star Wars reference, oily greasy awful vibes, but god we're all having such fun here :')

"Mr Grantham and his partner Mr Kudlak" THIS IS PUNISHMENT FOR ME AND ME ALONE FOR SUGGESTING BRASSO FUCKS ALIENS

"The ultimate warrior of the future is always on guard...for surprise attacks!" *wink* 💀💀💀

He catches Sarah Jane and her young assistant sneaking round his office:

"D'you know why people come to Combat 3000? They come for the GUNS."

Absolute mentalist. Love him and his alien bug boyfriend.

He's impressed that she's seen an alien gun before.

"Children. Adore. Wargames."

"A conscience is like a stone in your shoe. You cannot begin to imagine the relief once you get rid of it."

Unhinged. Fantastic.

Too unhinged to remember to...shoot Sarah Jane when she reaches for her lippy as a 'last request'. Oopsie, that's a sonic screwdriver! His little link to Kudlak is broken...

Part II

Episode preview looked mad I can't wait.

Uhhhh Mr Kudlak is unhappy. Screenshotted this moment entirely by accident:

Oh dear Mr Kudlak has turned rather mean. He thinks killing the useless Mr Grantham would do honour to both their species :')

Luckily for Mr Grantham, Mistress cares more about getting more children, and he seems to think he has a solution to their security problems....

It involves going to Sarah Jane’s house with his gun to kill her? Sarah Jane is happy for the opportunity to study new forms of human low-life - and he's into that.

"You are a cool old bird, I'll give you that."

Apparently trafficking children to warzones is what makes the galaxy go round :') who hurt you, Mr Grantham?

Outwitted by a child! How fitting.

Sarah Jane saying how Mr Grantham's going to help them: *brandishes cable ties with glee*

Uhhhhh why did they strip his jacket off, untuck his shirt and muss up his hair again?

Why does he enjoy the experience of being cable-cuffed and held at gunpoint so much?

"So you're going to tell the police that I helped some butt-ugly alien send kids to war in a galaxy far, far away?" He finds this very amusing.

"I don't think a man like you will fare too well in prison." Sarah Jane what's THAT meant to mean???!! This is a kids’ show??

Apparently that was enough to change his mind.

I wish you could all here the gleeful chuckle he makes when he promises to get Sarah Jane and her assistant up to the alien ship - "Why wouldn't I? You're never going to come back?"

The amount of fun this man is having should be illegal my god :')

Final analysis: "Worse than Kudlak" "He'll get what's coming to him. Eventually."

And we'll never know what that is! I had been hoping Kudlak was going to beam him up and recruit him into getting back all the child soldiers he’d already sent away, but I guess that’s another one for the fanfic I am not going to write.

Rating:

Dead? Probably not?

Evil? SO EVIL. Child trafficking. To a warzone. Fun FUNSIES.

Affects the plot? Well yeah, he’s abducting all those children!

Solid 4/5 again. I might have upped it if he’d had an epilogue. Awful man. Delightful. Keep doing those silly things with your face. Why are you so tall and such a pathetic meow meow all at once?

[scripted-downfall]

Favorite books/t.v. shows/movies about zombies? 👀

Oh, a fun question! Also probably gonna be a bit of a long answer, but I feel like that's probably expected by now, so here goes :)

Definitely a The Walking Dead fan. I certainly don't pretend it's the highest-brow art ever, but I enjoy it nonetheless. I only started watching it last year or so, after most of the craze had died down, but I watched what was available pretty quickly once I got started.

I first came to know of Resident Evil through the films --- largely because that's what my family knew, and they hadn't played the video games --- so I liked them. (I know that's a bit contentious because they're nothing like the games, but I still haven't found the games affordably, so the films are my only point of reference. I'll play the games when I can, though, and my opinion might change.) The first one and the third one were my favorites, though I have a nostalgic tolerance for the rather-bad second one; Oded Fehr is just awesome, and he's only in numbers 2 and 3, so I take what I can get.

On a more humorous note: Zombieland (and the sequel, though I've seen the latter only once and the former many more times) is a personal favorite of mine. I don't know if the Evil Dead films/television shows count as "zombies", but a Google search includes them as such, so I guess I'll mention them; I have a fondness for Bruce Campbell, and I was surprised that the remake was as good as it was. (Same, btw, with the Cabin in the Woods: idk if it counts as a zombie film, but I love it to bits, so I'm mentioning it.) Dawn of the Dead/Land of the Dead are more films for which I liked the originals and the remakes. (The more modern Land of the Dead wasn't sublime, but a) I have a fondness for even bad horror movies and b) I liked Simon Baker in The Mentalist, and his LotD character was cool.)

If Heavy Metal counts as a zombie film --- there are zombies... ish --- then that's on the list. 28 Days Later is high on the list (and the sequel, though I remember it less well). If Slither counts, it's high, too. Shaun of the Dead is a more humorous example to be added. I Am Legend is one that I liked when I watched it but haven't seen recently enough to confirm one way or the other.

I haven't really read many zombie books, so I don't have any answers there; I think I read World War Z once, but I don't remember being too fond of it (in book or movie form). Then again, I was far younger when I both watched and read it, so my opinions may have changed/could have initially been swayed by the fact that I had still been watching it with my parents/siblings and they all hated it.

Side note: I've yet to find very much by way of fandom spaces for these media that fit my usual analysis-and-characterization-heavy style of participating --- especially true anent tWD stuff --- so I have many thoughts and nowhere to discuss them... Asks definitely welcome on this topic! (I say this knowing full-well that asks are pretty much always welcome, and it means close to nothing to say... but it bears mentioning anyway, I suppose.)

Thank you for the ask, and I hope the answer was decent! (I appreciate the emoji; it's my first, and it made me smile, so... Thank you :) ) I hope you're well!

[laroched]

hello! i’m morgan, and this is my sideblog dedicated to cbs’s the mentalist, diving into character studies, episode and plot analysis, rambles, criticism, and other such creative things (writing, art, etc). i’m a heavy side character enjoyer and will probably ramble about my favs. so if you’re here, enjoy and feel free to take a look around!!

[skylarmoon71]

Luther Wainwright (The Mentalist/Arrow)- Extra

“Agent Queen, it’s good to see you.”

Lisbon’s greeting makes you smile. 

“You too, I’m glad you’re still kicking. With Jane as a partner I assume that you guys are basically running for your lives every other day.” 

“Hah, you’re hilarious.” He calls from his spot on the couch. You just look over with a grin. 

“So are you here to help with the Tanner case?” Vanpelt asks. 

“Yeah, Wainwright sent me the file. The FBI has been keeping tabs on him after he killed that gang member. We didn’t think he’d come back to California. I can’t say I feel sorry for some of the people he has taken down but we can’t have a citizen running around the country dropping bodies. They sent me over to help. Partly because I’m good at my job and partly because Jane pissed off Keller so he’s gonna be taking a break from the CBI for the next couple decades.” 

Lisbon sighs. 

“We appreciate the help.” 

“Always down for an exciting case. I’ll go check in with Wainwright.” 

“Alright.” 

You wave as you walk out the bullpen. 

It’s been a little over a month since your last case with the team. You have to admit that it’s never dull with this bunch. By the time you make it to Wainwright’s office you knock. He calls for you to enter and you do.

“Agent Queen, glad you could make it.” 

You nod, walking to his desk. 

“I did a brief analysis of what you guys have on the plane ride here. Have there been any more leads? Apart from his brother I see no reason for him to come back to California. As of right now his brother is in the wind, so what other angle do you think he’s working?” 

Wainwright opens the file as he stands, moving around the desk as he hands it to you. 

“From what we gather he’s going down a certain pattern. He’s targeting gangs by the level of violence. The Playboys were into trafficking. Wayman’s crew were recruiting kids and dealing in high schools. According to this he’ll be after this laundromat next. It’s a front for another gang that has recently started operating.” He points to the small map and you nod. 

“Damn, this guy is efficient, I’ll give him that. Last week we stopped a major arms deal because of his little raid. I’d thank the guy for his help if he wasn’t just popping people.” 

Wainwright nods in agreement. 

“As noble as he thinks it is, citizens taking the law into their hands is dangerous. We need to stop him.” 

Closing the file, you turn to him. 

“Just tell me where you need me and I’m there.” 

A smile makes its way on his face and the shift in his posture has you blushing just a bit. 

“I admire how passionate you are, Agent, I would love to have someone with your skills in my department.” 

You stammer.

“I-I’m sure that y-you already have a lot of qualified workers here.” 

He’s still wearing that flirtatious smile. You’ve been talking with Wainwright back and forth for the last few weeks. Mostly over the phone. Given your workload and his, it’s hard to have regular visits. That’s why he’s always welcomed the interagency collaboration. 

“Are you sure there is nothing I can do to convince you?” 

He takes a step closer and you’re a little too distracted to answer the question. 

The knock at his door interrupts and he shifts his gaze. 

“Who is it?” 

“Your favorite employee~” Jane calls. Wainwright just rolls his eyes. 

“Come in.” 

The door opens and he perks up the minute he sees you both.

“Oh, I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.” 

“What do you want Jane?” 

“We just spotted Tanner, Lisbon wanted to know if you were interested in taking a little field trip.” 

“Yes, I’d like to join. We’ll be out shortly.” 

“Well don’t take too long you love birds.” Jane sends another smile as he leaves. Wainwright just grumbles and you smile. 

“We should probably get going.” 

Wainwright nods, gesturing for you to lead the way. 

You all gather in the bullpen. You only slow your steps when you catch sight of a certain brunette. 

“Barry?”

He turns and you’re smiling. You practically jump into his arms. He laughs, hugging you happily. Wainwright doesn’t miss the interaction, neither does the rest of the team. 

“You two know each other?” Lisbon asks. 

“Yeah, we’re good friends. What are you doing all the way in California Barry?” 

“I was in the neighborhood shopping for Iris and then Joe told me about the case. The CBI contacted CCPD this morning. Since I was already in the area I told him I’d pop in and provide any help that I could with the forensics.”

You can’t believe it, this case is getting better by the second. 

“This is great, it feels like old times.” You say with a grin. He nods, then finally turns to the expectant gazes. It’s clear that introductions are in order. 

“Barry Allen, nice to meet you all.” He introduces.

Wainwright is the one who steps forward.

“Special Agent Luther Wainwright, it’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Allen. We appreciate any help. This case has become a top priority. The more hands on deck the better.” He shakes Barry’s hand and your smile gets wider. 

“Trust me, with Barry’s help this case is practically solved. At CCPD there was never a crime we couldn’t handle. “ 

You’re speaking literally considering some of the criminals you had to deal with. 

Wainwright pulls his hand away. 

“That’s great, we should probably get going.” 

“Lead the way.” Barry says excitedly. 

You giggle, locking elbows with Barry as you both head out. Jane rolls up to Wainwright's side.

“They’re close, I wonder what kind of relationship they have.” 

Wainwright brushes it off, walking out. Lisbon just sends Jane an unimpressed look. 

“Stop messing with him.” 

“But it’s so fun.” 

She just walks off. 

The drive is spent with notes being exchanged about the criminal you’re about to face.  Lisbon had advised Cho, Rigsby and Vanpelt to set up on the back entrance while the rest of you took the front. 

“Apparently he’s been held up in this abandoned factory. We’re not sure what kind of weapons he has in there. The place could be booby trapped. We need to proceed with caution.” Lisbon informs. She looks around when she notices a person missing. 

“Where did Allen go?” 

“Right here, the warehouse is clear. I handcuffed Tanner to the back door.” He’s standing at the side of the car now.

They all stare at him in shock, but you just grin. He really couldn’t help himself. Lisbon reaches for her radio. 

“I’m going in, Rigsby, Cho, cover me.” 

“Yes boss.” 

Drawing her gun, she heads off. You just smack Barry’s arm. 

“Show off, we’ve been chasing the guy for weeks and you come in and save the day.” 

“Figured the faster we got done the more time we could hang out.” He’s wearing a cheeky smile. Jane is smirking at Wainwright who hasn’t unclenched his jaw since Barry stepped into the car. 

The front door of the factory opens and Lisbon comes walking out with a disgruntled criminal. 

“We got him.” 

Cho and Rigsby are behind her as she heads for the car. 

“This was quieter than I expected. Jane usually causes some kind of chaos before we catch the perp. Good job Allen.” 

He salutes.

“No problem.” 

Wainwright is happy to report to the press that a killer is now off the street. He’s less excited when you all decide to go for lunch. You’re sitting in a booth with Barry. He’s sharing one with Lisbon and Jane. Rigsby, Cho and Vanpelt are at another.

“Iris misses you. We still have a replica of your suit at Star Labs. Just in case you wanted to come back for old times sake.” You appreciate the invitation, but you much rather chase regular criminals for the time being. 

“Maybe when I get bored. Don’t forget that you still owe me for that gracious wedding gift.” 

“What wedding gift?” 

Barry looks confused and you just smirk. A certain memory seems to play over in his head and he blushes. 

“T-That was you!” 

“Yep, you’re welcome. Just ensuring Nora’s future is all.” His face gets a shade darker and you laugh. Barry would forever be a shy adorable little dork.

~Meanwhile at Jane’s Table~

“They look pretty chummy, and he’s blushing. I wonder what they’re talking about.” Jane says.

Wainwright just ignores him, but he keeps glancing in your direction. The way you smile with Barry, he can’t help but feel a little jealous. You haven’t left Barry’s side since he arrived. The fact that he was able to subdue a criminal they’d been tracking for a significant amount of time didn’t help either. The guy looked perfect from every angle. 

Charming, attractive, clearly good at his job. 

It was infuriating. 

“If you keep grinding your teeth they might fall out.” Jane speaks casually. 

“Quit it Jane.” Lisbon hits his arm.

They spend the remainder of lunch enjoying a meal. As that comes to an end, everyone starts dividing up into cars. Wainwright assumed you would join them, but you waved them off. 

“Barry and I are going to catch up some more. I’ll meet you all back in a few hours.” Lisbon nods, jumping in. Wainwright joins reluctantly, sending you one last look as the van pulls off. Now that it’s just the two of you, your eyes turn to Barry.

“So what’s the real reason you’re here?” 

He’s been expecting the question. You both start walking down the street. 

“I saw Oliver a few weeks ago.” 

You’re not surprised. 

“I was in a tough spot and he should up, helped me see things from a different perspective. When I heard Joe talking about the case this morning I asked him to put me on it. I guess I just wanted to check in on you.” 

“I’m fine Barry, really. He came to see me too.” 

“Really?” 

You hadn’t spoken much when he’d died, Barry understood. His death shook everyone. 

“He visited me on the anniversary of his death. Thea, Felicity and I went to his grave. He was standing right there by the tombstone. For a second we thought it was a ghost, but then he told us, explained what happened, why he couldn’t stay. It was painful, but every now and then I feel him, he’s never stopped watching over me.” 

Barry looks more at ease.

“I’m glad to hear that. I know he’s proud of you. We all are.” 

He wraps a hand around your shoulder and you feel happy. 

Visits like that are always welcomed. After Barry had filled out the necessary paperwork, he was off to Central City. You’ve decided to swing by Wainwright’s office after you've completed your own. Maybe suggest a date when he’s done with his work. He should be leaving soon. 

When you step into the office, you’re a little surprised to see him staring off into space. There’s a few files on his desk, but it’s clear his focus is elsewhere. 

“Everything okay?” 

Your voice seems to bring him back. 

“Yes, everything is fine. Where is Allen?” 

“Just left.”

“I see. Well he really assisted in this case.”

“I told you, he’s good.” 

You’re wearing that smile again and he feels that tinge in his stomach. Placing the pen down he stands, and you watch as he makes his way over to you. He looks troubled. You’re not sure why. After the bust he should be jumping through hoops. Especially with the positive publicity that came with it. 

“I wanted to apologize for my behavior today. I have to admit that I was a bit riled up. You seem very close to Mr. Allen.” 

His behavior?

Puzzled, you intend to ask, but when you study his face, it becomes clear. 

He’s jealous..of Barry. 

It’s a bit laughable that he thinks that there is even anything remotely romantic going on with you and Barry. You decided against laughing, because he must have been carrying this around all day. He just needs a bit of reassurance. 

“Yes we are. Barry was really close to my brother. He’s basically family.”

Wainwright seems to understand now. 

“I see, I apologize. I just made an assumption.” 

You shake your head. You’d been so distracted that you hadn’t even realized that he was jealous. 

“It’s alright. Honestly you have nothing to worry about. The only guy I’m crazy about is you.” 

The words seem to leave before you can stop them. The minute your brain processes what you’ve said, you blush. 

“I-I mean I..um well what I mean is..” You keep rambling and it only stops when Wainwright takes your hand. 

“I’m glad.” 

You stop your hurried speech altogether with a shy smile. 

“Good.” 

He suddenly looks a bit playful. 

“On second thought I might need a little more convincing.” 

His hand lifts and when he cups your cheek, you’re a bit unprepared. He licks his lips and you can feel your heart race. 

“May I?” 

It’s almost a whisper, and you nod eagerly. He closes the space instantly and your hands are quick to wrap around his neck. His hands settle on your waist, a soft hum leaving his throat as he holds you. You’ve been anticipating this for what feels like forever. Since you laid eyes on him you’ve been enamored. But you were on a case the very first meeting. You lectured yourself to remain professional. The more your paths cross the harder it is to deny that he’s attractive to you in every way. 

Now you’re finally here, nothing separating each other but the breaths you need to take in between your desperate kisses. 

All you can think is that this partnership is definitely the best thing to happen in your agency.

[grapefruitspit]

In broad outline, my central intuition was that AI's whole mentalist foundation is mistaken, and that the organizing metaphors of the field should begin with routine interaction with a familiar world, not problem-solving inside one's mind. In taking this approach, everything starts to change, including all of the field's most basic ideas about representation, action, perception, and learning. When I tried to explain these intuitions to other AI people, though, I quickly discovered that it is useless to speak nontechnical languages to people who are trying to translate these languages into specifications for technical mechanisms. This problem puzzled me for years, and I surely caused much bad will as I tried to force Heideggerian philosophy down the throats of people who did not want to hear it. Their stance was: if your alternative is so good then you will use it to write programs that solve problems better than anybody else's, and then everybody will believe you. Even though I believe that building things is an important way of learning about the world, nonetheless I knew that this stance was wrong, even if I did not understand how. I now believe that it is wrong for several reasons. One reason is simply that AI, like any other field, ought to have a space for critical reflection on its methods and concepts. Critical analysis of others' work, if done responsibly, provides the field with a way to deepen its means of evaluating its research. It also legitimizes moral and ethical discussion and encourages connections with methods and concepts from other fields. Even if the value of critical reflection is proven only in its contribution to improved technical systems, many valuable criticisms will go unpublished if all research papers are required to present new working systems as their final result. Another, more subtle reason pertains to AI's ambiguous location between science and engineering. A scientific theory makes truth-claims about the preexisting universe, and so it is generally considered legitimate to criticize someone else's theory on grounds of methodological weakness, fallacious reasoning, lack of fit with the evidence, or compatibility of the evidence with other theories. Engineering design methods, on the other hand, make claims in the context of practical problems, and so the legitimate criticisms relate solely to issues of utility.

When I first started trying to reform AI, I believed in revolutions. It seemed to me that I could clear the ground completely and start over, working out a whole alternative intellectual system that would replace everything that was there before. The concept of a generative metaphor seemed to hold out particular promise in this direction, given that so much of the underlying substantive problem with AI really can be understood as expressing a single principle, mentalism as opposed to interactionism. It seemed as though one could throw away the old foundation, and everything on top of it, and start over.

-Philip E. Agre, Toward a Critical Technical Practice: Lessons Learned in Trying to Reform AI. 1997.

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