Written by Jennifer
October 03, 2009
Each episode is so tightly plotted that the stories alone could carry the show.
A mentalist is not a psychic, but Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) used to play one on TV. This, of course, was when life was good. After his wife and child were murdered by a serial killer known as Red John, Patrick turned his talent to more serious pursuits. He can now be found working with an elite group of detectives, cracking the toughest homicide cases in the state of California, and really, we couldn’t ask for a prettier package. Patrick has the wit, charm, and looks of a TV star, but the grief he carries for his wife and child is palpable. He’s vulnerable, suave, and fierce all at the same time.
While it is understood that psychics ascertain information from premonitions, “feelings”, and vibes, a mentalist is simply a very observant fellow who pays attention to the tiniest details. You can fool a studio audience into thinking that you’ve read their minds when in fact you’ve simply noted a few subtle but obvious facts about them. Patrick applies this same ability to each case he takes on, picking up on the obscurest details, making an outlandish supposition, then discovering that he is absolutely right.
Naturally this leaves his by-the-books partner (Robin Tunney) reveling in their success and rolling her eyes in equal measure. Part of her is always convinced that Patrick has gone off on a random tangent that will lead nowhere, but she secretly relishes in nailing a bad guy to the wall against impossible odds. Their love/hate relationship makes for some lively dialogue, and Baker and Tunney have sparky chemistry together.
Each episode is so tightly plotted that the stories alone could carry the show. The fact that The Mentalist is also full of compelling, relatable characters only makes it more watchable. With the sunny California setting and breezy dialogue, it’s easy to forget that you’re watching a show about murder.
DVD NOTES
DVD extras include the featurettes “Meet the Cast and Creators” and “Cracking the Crystal Ball: Mentalist vs. Psychic”, unaired scenes from three key episodes, and a gag reel.
