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Season 1, Episode 1, Aired
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Episode Summary

This episode introduces us to the complex life of Patrick Jane, a consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation with a troubled past who has a keen eye for detail. When a man and woman are found dead in their home, many believe they are victims of a serial killer, but Patrick knows better and must prove that this was not the work of Red John.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (16)

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  • Riveting first episode.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By whiteraven2005, Jan 31, 2010 Report Abuse
    Very impressive episode, this wasn't what I was expecting. It's got astonishing depth and Patrick is an immensely complex, even dark, character. If the series continues in this vein, I'll definitely watch it.

    Patrick's 'session' with Mrs Tolliver was riveting. Patrick has a hypnotic manner and his way of asking questions and making deductions is fascinating. I have to wonder if the character is based on Sherlock Holmes, very familiar methodologies. He takes it a step further he's a showman, right down to magician's slight-of-hand and tricks.

    It's fascinating to see what converted a fake psychic into an CBI agent talk about a serial killer on tv, and he kills your family. Question is how did he get them to take him seriously, let alone give him the credentials to participate in investigations?

    Patrick has the left-over need for drama and isn't a team player so he upsets people, even his own teammates. How can he still live in that house, under the symbol drawn in your family's blood? He really is twisted and what's scary is how well he hides it but you see flashes of it sometimes. I'll bet no-one really knows Patrick, he's completely inverted like any good magician, he's a master at diversion.moreless

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  • The brilliant start into a new season of suspense, finesse, hilliarity & intriguing twists & turns in story lines - can't wait for more!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Lusnagreine, Apr 23, 2009 Report Abuse
    Don't you LOVE Simon Baker??? He's a class actor, hillarious & getting more so with each new episode :) I can't get enough of that impish, whicked grin he sports when following his hunches while everyone else is still stumbeling around in the dark...
    I've been looking forward to a new series with SB ever since the finish of "The Guardian". He portays such a different character this time - it's quite intriguing. I am so glad this show's on, this makes my Thursday night a special treat every week. It's a fresh new approach to the crime scene series & I can't wait to see more of the stories. I love the suspense, the humour, the little glimpses into Patrick Jane's past - every time you can place a new piece of the puzzle to his still hidden story. Way to go producers - this is something with the potential to finesse ;)))moreless

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  • Pleasantly surprised. I thought Patrick Jane was a great character, very interesting lead. Definate potential.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By stewie1423, Apr 18, 2009 Report Abuse
    I was told about 'The Mentalist' by my sister and then saw it one day. Was happy to see it was the pilot, I was pleasantly surprised. These days crime dramas are everywhere and usually bore me to death because character development (cough cough Cold Case) seem to be a background thing. Here I instantly loved the lead Patrick Jane and actually enjoyed other characters too.

    The show has a Dexter feel to it while throwing Psych in there too. I watch the former, not the latter. It had humour with Patrick's funny/witty comments. Loved when he thought the new girl should just say to going back to the hotel room. Plus the way he did things just flowed, I was never bored through the whole 40 odd minutes.

    I like how he is connected with 'Red John' it did piece together well. It was just brilliant how he caught that doctor out...and the fake story about his little brother that was exactly the same as Johnny cash was great stuff. I'll be tuning in next week for sure.moreless

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  • Patrick Jane used to be a 'physic' but gave up the whole visage in order to help the CBI. Using his perceptive powers he's able to build the whole picture until it becomes clear what happened.moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Lady_Mirain, Mar 27, 2009 Report Abuse
    Looks Promising. Fun and witty. Quirky even. Characters are promising. Even though there is a dark and emotional side with the main character's (Patrick Jane's) past it looks like it's going focus more on his comical tactless ways. He used to be a 'physic' but gave up the whole visage in order to help the CBI. Using his perceptive powers he's able to build the whole picture until it becomes clear what happened. His methods are doubted a little by his colleges, even gets him in trouble, but you get the feeling that at the same time they're very curious as to what he'll do next. All in all enjoyable so far. Can't wait for the next installation!moreless

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  • Finally, a decent new TV show this season!

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By sylviasd, Dec 06, 2008 Report Abuse
    Since the new Tv season broke out I tried many new show and I don't know why I completely cut out The mentalist. I shouldn't have. While I gave up on the new TV shows (the Ex-list, my own worst ennemy...) The mentalist seems very promising. I was hooked from the very first minute. Simon Baker is great (I missed him since Heart break high in my early years), the plot thick and interesting and the team's interaction is nice. Of course, just like for every show I watch I'm already shipping a couple (Patrick & Teresa) and I know that it will be frustrating (just like Ziva and Tony on NCIS) because it's not the point of the show but it's still an extra ingredient which I enjoy.

    BTW, am I the only one to think that Robin Tanney looks like Gillian Anderson except that she's not a red-head? Look forward to the rest of the season, hoping that it will keep up the good work.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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  • Notes

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    • Simon Baker (Patrick Jane) and Tim Guinee (Tag Randolph) previously worked together on the CBS drama The Guardian's episode "The Intersection". Edit
    • Original International Air Dates: The Netherlands: January 1, 2009 on SBS6 Norway: January 7, 2009 on TV3 Spain: January 8, 2009 on LaSexta Hungary: February 2, 2009 on RTL-Klub Denmark: February 2, 2009 on TV3 Belgium: February 4, 2009 on VT4 Sweden: February 17, 2009 on TV3 Germany: March 1, 2009 on SAT 1 United Kingdom: March 26, 2009 on Channel Five Thailand: April 9, 2009 on True Series Finland: September 3, 2009 on MTV3 Czech Republic: November 30, 2009 on TV Nova Slovakia: January 4, 2010 on Markiza Poland: September 6, 2010 on TVN India: November 16, 2010 on Zee Cafe Edit
    • CBS ordered the show to series on 12 May 2008. Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Lisbon: (on the phone with Jane) Hey. So, you might be right about this case. Might be. Thanks for the insight...no, did I say that? I'm acknowledging the fact that you might be right, that's all. I mean, if you wanted to come back, I couldn't stop you...yeah, fine, I'm asking you to come back...because...because you're useful to the team...no. No, I won't say "please". Go screw yourself. (Lisbon hangs up) Jackass. Edit
    • Dr. Linus Wagner: Why is it you can't sleep? Patrick Jane: Because I can't get the good pills without talking to a doctor. Dr. Linus Wagner: You don't like talking to a doctor? Patrick Jane: They always want to be the smartest person in the room, don't they? When in fact, that's me, obviously. Edit
    • Patrick Jane: Be reasonable. This is my case. Teresa Lisbon: Your case? Patrick Jane: Red John's mine. Teresa Lisbon: Red John doesn't belong to anyone. (Long pause, everybody except Lisbon and Jane go into the house) Patrick Jane: He belongs to me. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Patrick Jane: You know what your problem is, my friend? You enjoy your work a little too much. You're a ghoul. If you don't get horny reading Fangoria, I'm Britney Spears! Fangoria is an internationally-distributed US film fan magazine that has been in publication since 1979. It's known for specializing in horror, slasher and splatter films with lots of blood and gore. Edit
    • Johnny Cash While in the Doctor's office Patrick describes a made up story of how his younger brother got killed by an electric saw. This is similar to what really happened to Johnny Cash's younger brother Jack who slipped into a table saw while cutting wood. Edit

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