Red John's Friends

Season 1, Episode 11, Aired
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Episode Summary

A convicted murderer convinces Jane to help prove his innocence by telling Jane that he would give him information on Red John. Jane quits CBI to devote all of his time to getting him released.
8.5
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Fan Episode Reviews (7)

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  • Our first proper Red John episode and it is excellent.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By whiteraven2005, Jul 16, 2011 Report Abuse
    An excellent case really two in one: Red John and Renfro.

    Dinelli's threat to fire Patrick is completely stupid the entire reason Patrick's there is to solve his family's murder. Not letting him work the Red John case will just push him away. Dinelli does what he always does he backs his team. He is a good man.

    The Red John link turns out to be legit if Red John hadn't made his presence known, they might never have had confirmation that Renfro really had proof. Red John wants Renfro dead. Given that Patrick got Renfro out of jail, not following through on his part of the deal is exceptionally ungrateful.

    We now know two important things about Red John he's a genius and he's an excellent hacker.

    Fav quote:
    "It's my name." "You should have lied, as you so often do!"

    Great episode.moreless

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    0 1

  • Jane finds a man who claims to have knowledge on Red John.

    8.6
    "Great"
    By thefanof, Mar 29, 2011 Report Abuse
    Holy cliffhangers Batman, but what an episode of The Mentalist!

    I was worried that a season long, possibly series long story arc might take away from the show but instead we get one of the best episodes to date. Patrick Jane meets a man in prison who in exchange for his release promises to reveal information on the mysterious Red John who murdered Jane's family. When the fake psychic quits CBI is partners voluntarily suspend themselves to help Jane with his search.

    What's great about this show is that the light-hearted jokes from Jane don't take away from the serious issues? His special skills such as picking up on little things people say and cracking how the mother got into a locked room just separate this show from the rest of CBS' cookie cutter lineup.

    The Mentalist scores with another "A" episode to kick off the new year. Here's to hoping the show gets a pickup and an equally strong second season because I cannot wait to see how the whole Red John issue plays out.moreless

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    4 0

  • Very entertaining episode

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By stormsentinel, Jan 19, 2009 Report Abuse
    Finally we get back to Red John. I can see this being spun out for another season or so, if they feed us the story in bits and pieces. The loyalty of Jane's team was funny and endearing, as was the reaction of their boss. I'd like to see more character development of the other characters but as long as the show is clever and amusing I'll tune in. The fact that Red John can seemingly tap into the same databases as the CBI team might make for some nice paranoia and make him nearly impossible to catch. And he seems to be as smart as Jane while being much more ruthless so identifying the killer might only be the start; proving it could take even longer.

    The cryptic message left in addition to Red John's signature smiley is enigmatic. Was it left by the victim (almost certainly with Red John's knowledge) or did Red John leave it? "He is Mar" or "He is Man", it's unclear if this is intended as the first part of Red John's name or something else and I assume we'll soon know.moreless

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    2 0

  • At last, an episode that gives us more on Red John.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By hrgaffney, Jan 15, 2009 Report Abuse
    This was a really great episode of The Mentalist, a really good way to come back after the new year. Most of the episodes in the season so far have shed no light whatsoever on the mysterious Red John who murdered Patrick Jane's wife and daughter. This episode told us a lot more about Patrick's adversary and did it very well. The sub plot about the murdered girl was also engaging and well-written. The scene where the team were threatened with suspension but still held their ground to support Patrick was particularly well done. This gives great promise for the rest of the season.moreless

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    2 0

  • Jane goes back on tracking Red John

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By ulnoyman, Jan 13, 2009 Report Abuse
    An inmate convicted of murder enlists the help of Patrick Jane in order to prove his innocence in exchange of valuable information about the identity and whereabouts of Red John. Patrick eventually gets him out, only to lose him in the middle of a street demonstration. The episode presents the audience some information (or more probably, disinformation) about the identity of Jane's nemesis, Red John. The clues seems to suggest that Red John has access to the state criminal database and communication system, and/or well connected. While the suspicion is focused on Virgil Minelli, who was generally absent whenever Red John makes a move, Minelli-Red John theory seems very unlikely since it is pretty early in the season to unravel the mystery-arc of the series. One should expects some twists along the way.moreless

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    3 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Goof: When Grace Van Pelt looks up Undine's mother, her name on screen is listed as "Marisa Kopecki", although everyone refers to her name as "Mariska". Edit

  • Notes

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    • International Episode Titles: Czech Republic: Kumpáni Rudého Johna (Buddies of Red John) Edit
    • Simon Baker (Patrick Jane) and Todd Stashwick (Jared Renfrew) previously worked together on The Guardian's episode "Shame". Edit
    • Original International Air Dates: The Netherlands: March 5, 2009 on SBS 6 Belgium: April 8, 2009 on VT4 Denmark: April 13, 2009 on TV3 Sweden: April 28, 2009 on TV3 Germany: May 10, 2009 on SAT 1 United Kingdom: June 4, 2009 on Five Finland: November 12, 2009 on MTV3 Czech Republic: February 8, 2010 on TV Nova Slovakia: March 15, 2010 on Markiza Poland: November 22, 2010 on TVN Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Patrick Jane: Eighteen years of secret anger. How did you stand it? Muriel Renfrew: Nobody's life is perfect. Edit
    • Virgil Minelli: Please do not dig the hole that you are standing in any deeper than you have already dug it. Teresa Lisbon: No, sir. Virgil Minelli: That hole is the grave of your very promising career. Teresa Lisbon: You should put a flashlight underneath your chin just to complete the effect. Virgil Minelli: I'm not kidding. Teresa Lisbon: I know. Edit
    • Virgil Minelli: I'm giving you all formal notice. Any further infractions will result in immediate suspension. Teresa Lisbon: Sir, you might as well suspend me now because there will be further infractions. Edit

  • Allusions

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    • Being told to realize he's "not in Kansas anymore" prompts Jane to humorously identify himself with Oz heroine Dorothy Gale. So later he decides Lisbon fits the role of Glinda the Good Witch, Dorothy's magical protector. Both characters were created by L. Frank Baum and appear in many books and films, notably the 1939 MGM musical. Edit

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