Problems with gradient mesh in Illustrator CS

[GoingUp]

I'm trying to draw James Bond in Illustrator. Im using Gradient meshes to make Sean Connery look as realistic as possible. Here is my problem. The gradient mesh tool sucks ass and puts in crappy lines. All of the lines that it inserts are overly loopy and curvy. This leads to crappy blends of lines. How can I get the lines in the gradient mesh to be smoother like when I use the pen tool?

Yes I know I can move the anchor points around, but the lines are so overly loopy that I cant properly straighten them out.

Suggestions?