So, the weekly story was much better even if the shooting of the convenience store guy was truly horrific -- like NEVER become a cashier at a convenience store people.  In fact, don't even GO into one.  It is apparently thee first place a sociopath on the run goes to.

Yes, Wiley has Rigsby's forehead, but that's about it.  I don't hate him in the show, but I think his input and presence should be minor, at best, and only in lieu of the other team members needing him during a trick

Fischer and Vega seem to fulfill the same purpose:  being stiff and procedural, with a few comments about their irritation with Jane's methods [yawn…]…not even close to fulfilling the gaping hole Grace left

Though Grace did challenge Jane -- it was more on a personal, emotional, existential level -- her views on life….otherwise, Grace was mostly in sync with Jane  on the "team" level

And that's what I miss about this show -- that feeling of the "team" -- despite their differences, they all RESPECTED each other tremendously

Abbott works well as a part of the "new" team -- he's one of the best things about the show now, he adds so much depth to every scene he's in…but the Grace and Wayne replacements have been stale, at best!

AND, as I suspected [yawn]...Vega is likely there for a Cho romance…seems confirmed by this week -- she "looks up to" and "admires" him…asks can she "follow" him around….[like a puppy dog]

Cho is seriously under utilized

And, one last thing….Jane and Lisbon touched more when they weren't together.

What is there REALLY to talk about with "Nothing But Blue Skies?"  I'm tired of hearing myself express "Nothing But Disappointment."  I had to keep rewinding the show on my laptop because I'd get distracted by more interesting things -- and I actually forget about it airing.  

However, I will say….what show supposedly waiting for "years" to see two leads come together romantically…just SKIPS over the whole "we finally did it" stuff.  Don't get me wrong -- I'm SO happy!! Because I DON'T want to see Jibson half naked, making out or in a bed together, and the good thing is, I actually think we might never actually have to…!!  

But I need to point out that it's HIGHLY UNUSUAL to have some long awaited epic love affair finally happen at the bequest of all the love lorn fans…and then…show nothing?  Ha..ha…

Even just Lisbon's BRIEF moment of seeing PIKE at the end was SO MUCH BETTER, had so much more heat and chemistry --- than a whole unbearable hour of lame Jibson, with Jane -- trying to prove he loves her [without anyone knowing] by being protective and chivalrous "Don't speak to her THAT way!"  This is HARDLY an exciting secret office romance…it's more like a BROmance if anything…

ANd, I think if Jane really liked Lisbon in a sexual way, he would have put the swan in her pocket A LONG time ago [no pun intended lol]

Seriously, break these two up for the betterment of everyone, especially the SHOW!

Red john is dead. its over. gone. Stop make theories about this, this just make things more sad. there's only jisbon shit now. 

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Mentalist-Season-7-Spoilers-Lisbon-Jane-Vega-Abbott-Simon-Baker-Robin-Tu...

I think Heller totally screwed the pooch on this show. The fact that he could not write a show where when you looked back, you could see the "evidence" against Red John is inexcusable.

Now they are going to waste what? 12? shows on some half assed denouement. 

My husband came up with an ending I could be happy with: we go through all the BS with Lisbon and Jane's relationship and as he is carrying her over the threshold of a hotel room, you look on the bed and there are red rose petals in the shape of a smiley face. Fade to black.

I would be 10x happier with this than any dreck they are going to dump on us. 

I do like, though, that they have not named the last episode. I shouldn't hope, though, should I?

BTW, I thought Bradley Whitfield was a much better RJ than McAllister. 

And I am still holding out for something else with Pike. 

Cheers to the new season! At least Simon Baker's smile will still be there!

Two Caucasian males, a Caucasian female and an Asian male walk into a bowling alley.
The owner sees them walking up and says:
" You're FBI right? Who's Cho?"

Once more confirmed that there ain't no coming back from RJ:

Will any element from the Red John storyline resurface or is that completely put to bed?
It’s put to bed. I don’t want anybody to think we didn’t get the right guy and he’s still running around—because he ain’t. There are story elements that pop up that resonant with that story, because something as traumatic as that is never going to leave you alone the rest of your life, but Red John does not come back in that way.

From http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/11/24/the-mentalist-final-season/

A shame - but we all know this show died last season. We'll alwasy have 3 great seasons and some great episodes in seasons 4 and 5. Keep to your theories, most of them were better than Hellers ending.

The way they are advertising Mentalist's return to TV now...ugh...like it's a Goldie Hawn//Chevy Chase romantic caper....like the last 6 years never happened.