A Retrospective Look at The Mentalist

[@roguestatusfms9]

I genuinely think The Mentalist is one of the most underrated series of the past 20 years. Red John is such a compelling villain, Patrick Jane is a complex, endlessly likable protagonist, and the whole main cast is charming. It avoided most of the network pitfalls of shoehorning storylines and rushing.

[@reappermen]

You are right on red John. If I think about the various Crime shows ofthe Era (Mentalist, Castle, etc.) Red John is the only overarching Villain/Plotline that is not the low point of series. In msot of the other sows, when I rewartch them, I basically skip episodes right away when I notice they are about the overarching plot. Not so in Mentalist

[@KarmaKahn]

Great show and cast, but they milked the Red John saga for too long, and its conclusion was anticlimactic. They should have stuck with the Bradley Whitford reveal.

[@rouk2621]

@@KarmaKahnNah i think it was class afterwards with the san joaquin killer for example but i think it was a little too much with the whole lorelei, bertram arc

[@broEye1]

@@KarmaKahn I strongly disagree. Whitford was a terrible Red John. Up to then all the cases had been some degree of whodunit, looking at suspects and determining the guilty party. While the number of clues was still too small to catch Red John, clues were being collected here. To have all those clues thrown out the window and have a total nobody who'd never even appeared before that revealed as the culprit was cheap and unbelievable. What's worse, while there weren't enough clues did clearly indicate that Red John was part of the police force. He was able to access police servers at will. Knew what was going on all the time. Even when Anderson was being hauled off, he was able to walk right up to her and smear poison on her hand without anyone wondering for a moment what he was doing there. Doesn't make any sense at all if he's some random civilian. Makes plenty of sense if he's either a member of CBI or a high-ranking official who'd be the likely one to interface with them. And the Blake Association just added more basis for him to do so much. After Whitford, things started to move more toward putting clues together and actually narrowing things down to create actual suspects and uncover the truth. In a sense, it was after season 3 that the Red John case really took off. I can't say that McCallister was perfect in his portrayal, he could've come across a little scarier in the end, but still he was a much more satisfying culprit. Now, if they'd had Whitford present from time to time, just passing by, a background character in various scenes, especially Red John crime scenes, it might have been at least a little interesting as rewatching could reveal what we'd all missed, but we weren't given anything to miss.

[@KarmaKahn]

@@broEye1 Sure, I agree that Whitford's character would have needed some more backstory and some previous interaction with Jane. I just think he fit the persona of Red John much better, sophisticated and mysterious. Red John was portrayed throughout the series to be this highly intelligent, supervillain-esque and charismatic cult leader who could manipulate just about anyone to do his bidding, that was always two steps ahead of Jane. McAllister was not shown to have any of these qualities really.

[@MoreImbaThanYou]

I loved how the tone of the show completely changed everytime Red John was involved. Jane going from superficially gleefull and charming to obsessively following the clue to get to the killer of his family is done incredibly well. And during scenes like Steiners death, he was portayed as a very caring person. Jane as a character is incredibly multi-layered and I am suprised that we got something like him from a "simple" crime show. I am still waiting for another show with an equally interesting character.

[@popuri48]

I’m not comparing these characters personality-wise, but complexity-wise I definitely think Walter White from Breaking Bad can be comparable. The same goes for multiple characters in The Wire, and the main character of The Shield (which I’m now only watching the third season of, so there’s still time for me to be disappointed, but so far I find him compelling).

[@krishanubanerjee6955]

Dr House from the early seasons of House MD (more specifically, Seasons 1-3) comes to mind.

[@SheoGotSomeCheese]

@@popuri48And that was the moment Patrick Jane became The Mentalist.

[@utsavdhyani8839]

Watch Monster Anime. Code Geass Protagonists are as shrewd and morally complex as Patrick

[@totorules7972]

@@popuri48imo I don’t think Walter is that complex. He’s a sad man who let his pride and narcissism along with his desperation to live get in the way of his family. Honestly think when it comes to PJ, his morals and perspective on the world from a very wide point of view is interesting. Not to mention his own flaws. He’s not a psychopath or anything he can be very empathetic. He’s also narcissistic and arrogant too! But what I wish the show developed on was PJ himself being called out like Walter. For some reason they gloss over his shortcomings

[@kseni_vely]

The episode when he drinks belladona and hallucinates his daughter all grown up is my favourite, it's so whimsical and so sad, but it gives him some closure.

[@xoscha1983]

Mine is s04e10 (Fugue in Red), where Jane loses his memory, and we get to see the "real" Jane, how he would be if he didn't have all that loss and guilt... And we realize he's became a better person because of it

[@placeholder6974]

My personal favourite is Code Red (S2 E16) because being able to talk to an upcoming murder victim is such an interesting idea, and how being able to have a few extra hours (of last words essentially) helped strengthen her relationship with her husband and daughter (even including a wholesome moment of Jane comforting the daughter). The overall setting is also quite interesting and I especially liked Jane's moment with Lisbon when she thinks they're all about to die. Maybe it didn't have the most extravagant cast and the culprit/motive kinda falls slightly short but the rest of the episode just speaks to me somehow. Rhapsody in Red (S3 E22) and Ruby Slippers (S4 E21) are close runner-ups though for me.

[@hel2727]

yes, the moment at the end of that episode where he drinks it again (even though it is poisonous) in hopes of seeing her just once more, and it fades to black.

[@maethefae]

yes it's also my favourite episode! the garden is straight up dreamy (pun intended

[@mr.d.8008]

This is my favorite episode also. Always makes me cry. I love the fact that his daughter keeps telling him, "Red John, Red John, Red John" to try to get him to stop obsessing about something that she and her mother no longer care about and wish he would just get on with his life while cherishing them and keeping them in loving memory just as they do.

[@ChildOfDarkDefiance]

I loved how her fiance turning out to be working for Red John, changes Van Pelt. She had to shoot him. She goes on this dark journey afterwards, & she never quite regains her old innocence, but grows in her compassion & resilience.

[@SingingSealRiana]

I hate, that they pulled that BS twice

[@ChildOfDarkDefiance]

@@SingingSealRiana Yeah that was dumb, but at least the second time it was the catalist for a really good character arc.

[@archaiahp]

I don't think it was dumb. It showed it was a pattern - she's the weak point of the team. In real life it happens more as well. And sure, it is dumb xd but still, it is now forced. It would be dumb if that would be Lisbon, who got manipulated like that

[@VinceLyle2161]

I remember a moment from the first season. Jane is at a bar being hit on by a gorgeous woman. When she makes her offer, he shows her his ring and declines. "I'm married," he says, and the unspoken "And that means something to me," is really powerful, especially since the audience knows Jane's wife is dead and the gorgeous woman doesn't. 15 years and I've never forgotten that scene.

[@paulgoogol2652]

His history is far from resolved. Guess that's his thing.

[@lyh3815]

That also happens in an episode where there`s a douche guy basically picking up girls in front of the woman he actually loves, and Jane gives this a guy a push and advice to pursue the woman he loves, but then at this scene with the woman talking to Jane, you see that although he is smart and seems all resolved when he gives everyone advice, he is the most broken of them all

[@snraijuu]

My favourite moment which I'll never forget is the imaginary of the candle lit between Jane and that woman who believed she was dead because Red John messed with her brain. That struck me and struck me hard... This show was real something for me, I remember those four books about mentalism written by real mentalists and I read them all and still use some advice from there although not in a manipulative way lol.

[@D64nz]

This is exactly what set it apart. Because you know there was at least a feined look of regret, and a big smile when he said it. But you also know heaven and earth moving would not have changed the character's mind.

[@FaerieQueeneBee]

The Red John reveal was truly anticlimactic... I'm just glad that the series was great (in my humble opinion) on the whole... thank you for such a thorough, well-done critique

[@Malod1997]

My favorite moment from the show is, when Jane puts Lisbon's keys into the puzzle box. Jane wants to see how Lisbon fights with puzzle, but she just takes hammer and smashes box. xD Even Jane was supriced! xD

[@dominaevillae28]

🤣

[@bonaaq86]

That's thinking out of the box

[@DB-cx6uc]

​@@bonaaq86Badumm krrrr 🤓

[@shadowing_song]

Thats like Penny with Sheldon's Japanese puzzle box

[@shreyasvish]

I think he expected her to do that. Just not that soon. Lisbon probably knew him as much as he knew her. And decided to not let him have fun.

[@LongRest]

I'm not from US so I've never thought of tea as something feminine. It's really interesting how little details of media so rooted in culture of authors.

[@magdalenagabrowska8169]

Exaclly, like I understand the point made in context of US, but it is normal for guys to prefer tea over coffee were I'm from.

[@goma3088]

I'm from the US I'm not sure I viewed tea drinking as particularly feminine either, certainly not emasculating. I'm more likely to associate it with elegance and class than anything gender specific.

[@daniel4647]

I'm not American either, and I find it completely insane how modern Americans can't look at anything without putting their gender glasses on. She even commented on how people back in 2006 when this show was made they didn't seem to care much about gender, most people back then didn't think twice about a woman being the FBI agent with a gun or whatever she was, the show didn't make a point of it at all, it was just perfectly normal. And now it's a thing again, like we're back in the fifties or something, it's bizarre. Growing up in the nineties this was just the norm, NYPD Blue, Pacific Blue, Silk Stalkings, pretty much every cop show back then had woman shooting people, and nobody even questioned it. Make you wonder how the US just woke up one day and decided, nope, non of that ever happened.

[@WynneL]

@@daniel4647 I am an American woman. I find it insane too. Radcons and neolibs are turning everyone against each other; extremism on both sides is just eating all the human progress we were making. I had to go out of country to find a good partner.

[@mikerooney7600]

American here; I am familiar with the stereotype. For one recent generation, the idea of a manly man is rooted in a boot-campy, tough it out, black coffee at 5am then go get the bad guys kind of image. It's foil is the dreadlocked, patchouli smoking effeminate hippy... he's a vegan and he drinks tea, he meditates and is a pacifist. The lowest common denominator in the USA doesn't even know the word "nuance," much less have an innate ability to see it. Therefore, things are black and white: if you drink tea, then every other effeminate thing about you is true, and if one associates with that, then "birds of a feather flock together." It's a low self-esteem, conformist and very delusional way to live which, in my unqualified opinion, leads to a lot of unnecessary problems.

[@svlanifructis7114]

The Mentalist is honestly a pretty comfy show tbh. I love rewatching it every once in a while.

[@marsbuff]

i can’t believe i’ve just found this. the mentalist was my ultimate comfort show

[@marsbuff]

please please do a retrospective on hannibal it would make me so happy

[@zarabee2880]

Mine too, I adored it! Next to random episodes of House & CSI it was my easiest rewatch (the first couple of seasons anyway) Were you dissatisfied with the red John reveal? I WISH they’d left that ambiguous 🤞

[@truthman9827]

@@zarabee2880They should have ended it at the season 3 finale. That was the real red John but they milked it and back walked a incredible finale

[@rosiepartida3570]

I haven't seen the last episode yet

[@Artemie-np3qu]

Same! My mom and I are watching it right now again because it’s very comforting

[@LadyKittybug]

The wedding dress shopping scene with Cho and Lisbon is still one of my all-time favorites.

[@Kackpuh]

I also liked how literally ALL episodes had names pertaining to the colour red, until the finale and from then on all episodes have names with colours other than red.

[@MF-vc3vt]

exactly, that'sso cool! and the first episode and the "reveal" episode are both named "Red John"!

[@theheroverse5191]

Yes,every episode after red john died,was titled other colours which arent red.Its very interesting because when jane kills "red john" the titles remain in red having us realise he isnt really gone,however after he kills real red john,the shadow red casts on the title is changed.Honestly very cool

[@prayush]

nope. S14 has Red is the new black episode.

[@bakoyma]

The reason "elderly" women love this archetype is because they've grown up, learned a few things and understand what the green and red flags in men are. Someone who is slightly sophisticated, charming, somewhat goodlooking and a bit roguish, but still KIND, genuine and sensitive is a catch no matter what age you are.

[@ineedabadbleep1557]

somewhat? 😩

[@sugarnads]

Proves it doesnt matter how old they are women prefer the charming bullshit artist they KNOW is lying.

[@bakoyma]

@@sugarnads I guess you didn't read my entire post before answering. You missed the bit where I wrote KIND (in caps lock no less), genuine and sensitive. But go on.

[@BoveeTV]

In regards to Jane’s feminine characteristics, I think it’s interesting the name they even chose. Using a feminine first name “Jane” for the character’s last name is a choice. Especially because he always introduces himself like he’s James Bond and people always use his last name only

[@SloanStowe]

I never considered this but you're so right!!! Thanks for sharing; I love that!

[@kalig.4982]

To say that is are feminin characteristics is in itself sexist.

[@vbarreiro]

I also just realized, and never before thought about: What is the female version of the generic name John Doe? Jane Doe. And what is the name of the primary overarching antagonist? Jane mirrors Red John all the way up to his name, so the thematic similarities between the two never seem to stop. I remember one time when Jane was talking about Red John’s playful sadism. In the face drawing being the culmination of a journey of horror he draws you in to; Red John manipulates the scene so by the time you see the face, you already knew it’d be there. For Red John, this was always an enjoyable manipulation. In a way, Jane is the “good” version of this, but he is still defined by a playful manipulation and a form of sadism. He enjoys conning people, making those opposed to him be outsmarted and lose to him in enjoyable ways. And when the chips come down, Jane has a special sadism reserved for Red John, as explored especially at the end. From second 1, those two are irrevocably two sides of the same coin.

[@thewhiterabbitchaser]

wonderful video! I was thinking about writing something about the mentalist but I think you've already nailed it

[@Zahnpuppy]

his name is Patrick

[@MimiVorosmarthy]

havent even finished the video yet but just really excited to see people still talking about this show in 2024. It remains one of my absoltue fav shows that I rewatch constantly because of Jane's gentle personality and characteristics. Adore this show fr it's wonderful to see everyone here know it

[@nedaalizade5273]

Mine too

[@jewelweed6880]

He used his intelligence for evil at one point but part of the whole fun of him is knowing his history and upbringing, he could have continued on that way, but he chose something else. That is a kind of strength.

[@NataliaPedemonte]

I've watched so many times that I play a game in which I try to remember who the killer is in the first few seconds of each episode. i still enjoy finding new details with every watch. My favorite scene is when he shows Lisbon the list of suspects he shoock hands with in season 5.

[@ladsvideos]

Never felt that The Mentalist had a "fall from grace" after the season 3 finale. Throughout the Red John period it was top tier television and one of my favourite shows. It lost a lot of momentum and had to adapt after Red John, which is perfectly understandable. While the later seasons weren't as good as the earlier ones, there was never a precipitous drop off in quality and it remained an enjoyable watch all the way to the end.

[@Lilybun]

Coming from watching Lost a few years earlier the mentalist definitely had a clean ending by comparison. The tone of the show switched sure but it didn't fail miserably like lost or even change format and direction drastically like supernatural did.

[@abdulmasaiev9024]

Like the video said the show was never bad. It was just not as good after season 3. But it was good.

[@aguynamedtriton]

I feel like without the advertising for the show I wasn't set up for some big reveal. I never felt that bait and switch. A lot of Sloan's complaints about Mentalist seem to be due to the hype generated outside of the show, which is admittedly fair. In an otherwise insightful and enjoyable review with 20/20 hindsight, this was unrelatable for me.

[@aleexandrisima]

Same, it's even funny to me because I'm not from the US, and I literally downloaded episodes without subtitles or with english subs, the morning after the premiere, and I'm a spanish speaker, that's how excited I was every single week. To me, the hype was always there. Last season took me longer just because I didn't want it to end. And after all that, I rewatched it a few years ago and my parents where fascinated till the very end, not just because of Red John, but also by other minors villains, like Tommy, or Erica (they love Erica), and the will they/won't they between Patrick and Teresa. And, of course, Agent Pike, as chileans we love Pedrito Pascal. Overall, a great show, and outside the US I didn't percieved any fall from grace.

[@kai_winchester_66]

definitely agree

[@ssgss_shrimp]

Never in my life have I seen a better first video on a channel. Yes, that's some slight bias because this is my favorite TV show. But the amount of effort put into the script, the editing, the descriptions. If i didn't look to see what other videos were on this channel, you could have had me convinced you been doing this for years.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

SAME!!!!!

[@strakk]

the scene in season 1 where he says "there's no point in hiding anymore, i can see you" to the supposed mentally challenged dude that turns out to be the killer is one of the best moments in this show.

[@broEye1]

One of the big things there was they chose the perfect actor for it. I heard the guy has experience playing similar roles, fake disabled people, and it shows. It still chills me to watch and see him, in the space of just a few seconds, transform his face from that of a disabled boy who doesn't have the mental faculties to understand what's happening to a brilliant, cold-blooded murderer who fully comprehends every bit of what he's done and the price of it all.

[@indefinitestew6346]

​@@broEye1This is why Frederick Koehler is one of my favorite actors! I've seen him in several similar shows over the years and he's always incredible. I have a special place in my heart for reoccurring extras and he's on the top of that list.

[@tinuolavictoria5396]

Defintely! it was very much Edward Norton and Richard Gere in Primal Fear

[@kanakgajbhiye4073]

The mentalist is my favourite show ever and same goes for my family. Simon baker and his perfectly imperfect personification of Patrick Jane was , is and forever will be held dearly by me. So so happy to see so many others that hold so much love for this show as well! That made me truly happy! Lisbon is the cutest and her brilliant acting chops and adorable nature made the show so lovable. Jane is a tv show character that's closest to my heart, every emotion was masterfully done and every single scene, every micro reaction every little detail roped me in. Such a fantastic show! Thank you for making this video❤

[@mcowley895]

It does make me a little sad when writers will change the culprit from the one that makes the most sense if watchers/readers have a strong theory surrounding them to someone else just to subvert expectations. It should feel rewarding to have your fans so dedicated to picking up on all the clues you're leaving that they manage to piece it together! Even though it won't be the most shocking reveal, it would feel super rewarding for those who have been paying attention and caring.

[@jamesknapp64]

yeah I feel they took put out the list at the end of season 5, and then saw which one the fans were least likely to be RJ and that's who they picked.

[@cass2239]

It's the same problem two very different shows: HIMYM and GOT (with King Bran) also suffered with. It just feels like the writers are egotistical and want to feel smarter than their audience.

[@macmcleod1188]

Yes, and I generally completely disregard their version and just think, "Most of us know and agree who the real Red John was based on the clues you provided and you cheated by changing it. So I don't accept your substitute."

[@GOICOBA]

Red John being the Sheriff of a little town made it ridiculously awesome, as years later police discovered that the golden state killer was one as well. Had some prophetic element to it.

[@SilverYPheonix]

The Mentalist will always have a dear place in my heart. For all its highs and lows I was there for the whole ride, especially because of one of the strongest dynamic duo's I ever had the pleasure of watching.

[@OldDemonTooth]

You'd really love PSYCH then.

[@WriteCold]

Okay, rapid fire: 1- this is an amazing debut video essay! Keep it up! 2- while working at a gas station in socal I was able to meet a few celebrities (some good some meanies) and the best was by far Rigsby's actor! I stumbled realizing it was him (not hard to do, he's freaking tall) and just blurted out "You're Wayne Rigsby!" Mind you I was like 20 and he had no reason to be nice to me but he just lit up at being recognized for his role and was an absolute joy to speak to. 10/10 3- I had the odd luxury of changing my middle name later in life and chose ... Patrick XD because of the Mentalist That is all, just wanted to share. So excited to watch your channel grow and so enthused on your genuine takes that are much needed

[@jas1195]

I loved this series, it's my wife's favorite and she got me into it. But it was almost comical how easily a lot of the killers would get out of their confessions in court. We kinda made "The Patrick Jane Defense" a joke. "He locked your client in a coffin and pretended to bury him alive so he would make that confession? After there was no evidence or eyewitnesses linking them?" "Yes your honor." "Case dismissed."

[@theuppersaloon]

You could have picked a better example since we know that Jane did the coffin thing specifically to trick everyone into thinking he'd gone off the deep end. But agree with your main point. That's TV for you haha

[@ellicel]

So true! They had that one episode where Jane's tactics are called into question during trial and it wasn't even one of the more egregious things he'd done. There could have been a great companion series about a team of defense attorneys getting all these guys off!

[@zardox78]

He didn't _pretend_ to bury him alive. He legit buried him alive. The pretense was that he was just gonna walk away and leave him there without telling anybody.

[@maxlee8780]

Realistically the only way those criminals are still in jail is if they took a plea. And we do see them take a plea every now and then.

[@tr_usto5782]

My favourite one is Patrick talking about how it feels when your skin is burned and then put an ice cream to a guys back pretending to burn him with torch or whatever… now would this be also dismissed bcs of the “torture” practice, or its ok? Who knows?

[@somebody7070]

Lisbon is absolutely my favorite character. She's very professional, tough but fair and great at her job but she's also very kind and sensitive and has a huge sense of morality and integrity. This is trully a beautiful example of a hero , who just happens to be a woman that cares

[@davidmylchreest3306]

I always liked the character of Jane. Like you say, it's the contradictions that keep it interesting. He's light and playful on the surface but the actor still lets you know there's a burning rage under the surface and that's what kept me watching. But the Bradley Whitford reveal was where it peaked. He was the perfect Red John.

[@danielcarty6057]

How cool would it be if Bradley Whiteford was Red John; and the Blake Association was the just hoisting him up to continue to get away with corruption? The other option placed is great but it’s a fun exercise to think that Red John was this ever present force in blackmailing law enforcement and they kept using his name to cover their butts. And making them separate, making them have the tattoo, and have the Sheriff McCallister be a more competent heir than he appears but less competent than Red John. That would definitely allow them the Red John extension they wanted, but also give them freedom to change the format - allow Jane to feel lost after defeating his rival; or feel like he’s making progress because he’s reached a goal; or even let him return to prison when he realizes his work is done, only to choose to leave prison when the Blake Association poses a threat to the CBI team.

[@aaigjr]

"Grace and lightness is an act of heroism" really speaks to me, and this short segment might hold the secret to why I love the series so much. I'm naturally a rather broody and unsocial type, but since I was just getting into adulthood I felt being truthfully positive was something I have to do no matter whether it's easy or whether I like it. This here existence is a gift, and that's what matters. Jane is a wonderfully written and enacted personification of this principle: no matter how horribly life treats you, there's not just always something to be glad about, there's always some way to make others happy, or at least happier. And you have to take it.

[@Noor-ud-dinMohammed]

This was such an excellently done video essay. You are also the only youtuber I've found who is discussing this show to this extent. I hope you keep fulfilling a niche like this and your channel grows. Good luck.

[@0xilipe0]

It undermines part of the complexity of the character, but I always describe Patrick as "if Bugs Bunny was a detective". His confident, mischevous nature was really refreshing to me.

[@paulware4701]

I wasn't disappointed that the first Red John reveal was turned into a red herring because on a first viewing I never really believed it. Too much of it felt like a set-up, especially the use of a famous face from something else (and the first time the camera passed over him I actually thought it was Chandler from Friends). Red John needed to be an actual character in the show, even if only a fleeting one. Anything else was cheating. I do think the show lost its way later on, especially after the real Red John was revealed, but it came back strongly at the end and I liked the finale, which didn't go down the dark route that some viewers might have anticipated and which would, to me, have been cheap sensationalism (killing off Lisbon, for instance). After everything Jane had gone through, he deserved a happy ending. (Ok, so I'm sappy. Sue me.)

[@SylverPfeil]

Exactly! I don’t remember all of my reasoning in the early seasons, but I do distinctly remember this emblematic episode and how disappointed I was that they just simply let him shoot RJ, without a fight, without an evil plot twist. Even though the same essentially happened all of those episodes later, but this time the elaborate hidden organization plot made RJ show real hubris for the first time ever. Like the classic Criminal Minds line; eventually they all make a mistake. (I, too, enjoyed the sappy ending, haha)

[@mandolo100]

Agreed, I'm a sap for the ending as well. I'm still miffed they killed off Vega.

[@uLa5er]

​​@@mandolo100yeah i also felt like it was quite unnecessary, poor Wylie

[@fidelmaheaney257]

@@uLa5er Vega's death brought the dangerous side of the job to light, it highlighted in Patrick Jane's eyes, how easy it could have been Lisbon....

[@jewelweed6880]

​@@mandolo100it was like the actor wanted out so they took the easy way out - I also dislike the perfunctory way they offed LaRoche (and we don't see what became of his dog, who was part of his last words and his last breathe).

[@RealZenno]

This is one of the greatest character focused video essays I've ever seen.

[@longstridewoods6553]

I actually really like how Red John is revealed and who he is. Ultimately he's just a guy doing awful things, he's not supernatural, he's not a force of nature, he's just some guy. All that power, depth and otherworldly stature is what we the audience and the characters on the show give him. Yes he's smart to get away with it for so long but he's ultimately just some guy. Also Jane knowing in advance before we realise who Red John is, is like par for the course of the show. Every episode he knows who the killer is way before we do.

[@lovelandfrogman9620]

I agree. And i think that Red Johns normalness adds to Jane’s killing him, with how RJ reacted to seeing jane was really gonna kill him (his eyes, and the practical begging for his life). And seeing janes face during the scene added a whole intense layer for me watching it the first time.

[@Arcessitor]

This is just a cope post-rationalization for the dreadful reveal. I've heard it then and apparently still hear it today. It's not that he couldn't just be some guy - it's that the things they set this guy up to be and be able to do is not what that guy would be capable of doing. He could still be some guy, just not that guy. In fact, the original red john had much better *some guy* energy AND he had a much better resolving to the narrative. This is simply because, in context, he thought he had so much control over Jane that Jane wouldn't shoot him. And then he did, gracelessly ending Red John. That was an infinitely better solution to the problem. I'm sick of your bullshit excuses, tbh.

[@longstridewoods6553]

@@Arcessitor I mean it's not an excuse, its an opinion. Here's a tip, don't take it personally. Also what's so funny is that you have no problem with him being some guy. Just not some specific some guy. Which means you do have a problem with it being some guy. Nothing wrong with that by the way. It's just that "Red John" is fiction. "That guy" is just some awful human being.

[@melodi996]

@@Arcessitor lol, so you wanted him to be a super villian and he is not that charismatic in life? Then it's not "some guy", it's something bigger than a human.

[@oldepersonne]

I agree. "The Banality of Evil".

[@Poshcat]

I just finished devouring all 7 seasons of The Mentalist, and I had to take the journey alone as to avoid spoilers. Thank you so much for putting so much of my experience into words. It may be flawed as heck, but is definitely one of my favourite shows of all time. You're a peach!

[@smurfyday]

Really like your take from the perspective of a fan who saw the show as it aired, and the fine demolition job on the lazy excuses for RJ's canonical identity. Bait & switches are so childish, cliched. I wished you talked more about Robin Tunney's performance, I think she's so underappreciated. She wasn't just a dumb cop upended by Jane in every case. She complemented his techniques and eventually came to use them like when she helped figure out who kidnapped him. Jane wouldn't be nearly as sympathetic a character without Lisbon's personal and professional partnership. To me that was the reason for all my rewatches, not RJ. It was what the final season was about, what the fans wanted, not the serial killer. I think that says it all about what the show really was about. Regardless, I really enjoyed your well-researched and comprehensive analysis about my favorite show of all time.

[@isbammoi3358]

Yep! Wonderfully said, I'm in the very same boat. I love Lisbon to bits. Cho too. Jane was icing on the cake. Loved the final season team members as well. It was really the group and Jane and Lisbon's partnership that made the show for me. The RJ reveal bits were a bit contrived for sure, but so much of everything else was enjoyable for me that I can handwave it enough. One thing that I did always really love about it, was that he DID get his revenge. For one of the less common times, our protagonist sees his goal through. Was it good? Was it bad? Idk, you decide. I can't remember the episodes, but there were two reflections early on in the series that commented on his revenge and whether or not it was right and justifiable. One took a firm 'no' stance, saying how it wouldn't be worth it. Another took the opposing stance that it would very much be worth it (the one with the father I think it was, who gifted Jane a gun?). I'll always really like this show. Such fun for me.

[@weepingscorpion8739]

Robin Tunney did a great job. For some reason while watching the show recently, I always sat there thinking, hmm, if there was a Superman reboot at around that time, she would have made a fantastic Lois Lane.

[@marocat4749]

I like her too as really good mentor grace and how she really cares about people, she is competent, she is smart enough to keep up with most of janes manovres, she also can have fun, and really is balancing needed to darker jane. And they are legit partner, who does her best to keep him from falling off th edge, but knows he will go after red john, so she includes him, initially because she wants to give him some closure and thinks talking a bit up might get him that. And later she wants him , its not about useful, i mean she might enjoy his company and help, but its about keeping him mostly lawful because now she is really worried. I dont mind she and jane are used in comparison together, but they were compentualized so, and she has with her team , enough moments.

[@HBQ]

Yes, thank you for saying this!! Lisbon is MY GIRL. like, she adds so much to the show and she is Jane's anchor. He wouldve never made it if it wasnt for her - he says so himself. I rewatched the show countless times and I usually actually skip the RJ episodes bc they can be kinda gruesome; but that finale - it makes me SO HAPPY. just to see these characters, especially Jane, go through all that and then get the happy ending they deserve. I'm so glad Bruno Heller didnt drop the ball there and make them end up with other people

[@abbewinter9249]

I just started watching the show after watching this essay a few months back, and I cannot thank you enough. A show that has me loving not just one or two, but *all* of the main cast is a rarity for me. Even knowing how things might eventually hit a downward slope, I'm still enjoying the early seasons as they are.

[@selena44842]

I'm glad I'm not the only that had problems with the Red John reveal. The fact that the show expected me to believe that a small town sheriff had the time, money and recourses to repeatedly travel from Santa Monica to Sacramento (assuming he drove, that's a six hour drive on a good day) to commit crimes and leave no evidence behind and no one in his small little town finding his constant disappearances suspicious just never sat right with me. It felt like insult to my intelligence and I had only recently turned 14 when Red John aired, so my critical thinking skills had yet to fully develop, that's how much this bothered me.

[@ashcraft555]

It felt a lot like how the show Profiler handled its series villain. There was a bait and switch before a small town sheriff turned out to be the serial killer who murdered the main character's husband.

[@SimonLab]

what i feel like happened, is that the show, both regarding its fans, but also its own characters, got way bigger than a simple vengeance plotline. So the showrunners decided to simply focus on making Jane's "moment" feel nice, justified and most of all concluded so that we , as viewers and the characters themselves, could move on from that plotline. which is why it feels so hasty and they we got whole new season to give a more wholesome ending, disregarding that Jane is a straight up cold killer.

[@bernhardstil6128]

The even bigger issue for me was the whole "secret society" plot. This was done in a way that made absolutely no sense. It falls apart the same way most "real" conspiracies do - the more people know, the less likely that it never gets out. Connecting this to a cult around a seriel killer really turned me off. The first seasons have a special place in my memory - the later ones only live off of Simon Bakers performance (and even that wears thin really quickly).

[@MidnightIam]

I thought red John was many people controlled by that scientology-like cult. At one point I thought the red haired lady was one but too obvious

[@FHT1883]

FACTS! I expected so much more after all the build-up, and it just makes 0 sense, even with a "network" of supporters/followers how he pulled off a lot of his schemes. IMO the show dragged it out a bit too long and it kinda lost me after S3. I hopped back on when it came to the Red John reveal, but oh boy was that whole first half of the season a letdown, just a conundrum of bad writing.

[@itsdoofen]

I remember how pilot pulled me in. The way Patrick Jane rummaged through people's kitchens in order to prepare himself some tea... Mmm that's genius, definitely one of my absolute favourite shows. Thank you for your analysis, it was wonderfully made.❤

[@wolfgangkranek376]

As a side note, during the show it is slowly revealed that both, Cho and Rigsby also have a troubled past that could've led them to become criminals themselves. In regard to Red John, there is this phrase of the "banality of evil".

[@penskjt653]

I did not grow up to this show... I discovered this show when I was 18 and I was hooked. The plot, the characters, the mystery it was amazing. Even though the show is ingrained in my brain I watch it again and again. And the slow burn was worth it. I loved how you discussed every aspect of the show and I am glad someone mentioned how amazing this show was.

[@EveryFairyDies]

I really like how, in the last season, they didn't make Jane and Lisbon all lovey-dovey and coupley. They maintained their independence and while it was about their relationship, it was more about Jane struggling with his trauma from his first wife's death and his fear that Lisbon's job would cause him to lose her, too. And when that finally came to a head, Lisbon was empathetic but refused to sacrifice who she was for his comfort. With many shows where the couple works together and eventually gets together, the show tends to lose a lot because it then becomes generic and boring relationship drama. At least The Mentalist managed to keep that angle fresher, especially with trying to keep that divide between work and home, so we could still have that banter and flirtation.

[@UloPe]

I read in some behind the scenes type thing that the reason they didn’t go for overt displays of affection was that Simon Baker was / is very good friends with Robin Tunney and her husband and it would have been too weird for them to constantly do kissing scenes etc.

[@SingingSealRiana]

I feel, that once a couple gets togeather, the characters get replaced with a stereotypical couple that does BS for generic Drama and acts nothing Like the characters . . .i hate that soooo much!!!! Thats why i often do Not even want my ship to Sail, once ITS Canon all chemistry IS lost so a couple that manages to actually still act Like ITS characters would IS everything to me!

[@noondarkly]

Wow, thank you for this treat ❤ I was obsessed with this show and have been a fan of Simon Baker ever since. (He's truly spectacular in everything he does.) The story arch, the protagonist, the lovely mix of harmless entertainment, humour and darkness had me from the first moment. I re-watched the show recently and to me, it hasn't lost its lustre and will always have a special place in my heart.

[@souumcorvo]

Not lying here: after season 3 I just continued watching because of Simon. But the show is still my favourite to watch when doing crochet. Also I liked that in the "real" death of Red John, Patrick didn't shoot him. Especially after the multiple times that he expressed he disliked for guns.

[@amaanmansour3178]

lol, I am literally in a Mentalist and crochet phase

[@davidkelly790]

But he did shoot him.

[@mangosorbet]

are you my grandma by an chance? xd

[@jewelweed6880]

​@@davidkelly790well, true, but in the end he used his own hands. The gun shot was not looking to be deadly unless he didn't get help.

[@davidkelly790]

@@jewelweed6880 Yeah I agree. I think that Jane only used the gun due to the situation. He could have taken it with him and executed him, but he choose to use his hands instead. I was just being facetious.

[@level3xfactor]

This was always one of my favorite shows. But I’ve never seen anyone on KZbin talk about it in depth before. So thank you for this analytical and nostalgic trip down memory lane.

[@tyghe_bright]

I have such a soft spot for this show. I'm a total sucker for the "brilliant but broken" detective trope, but have re-watched the Mentalist more than most (except Hannibal).

[@Levyathyn]

Don't forget that Brett Partridge's first words in all of The Mentalist are, "Red John enters here." He says it not just as he enters the show, but as he enters the room the exact way he's saying that Red John does. He doesn't say it past tense, either.

[@svenlauke1190]

but Brett wasn't red John and that crime scene wasn't real

[@VinnieG-]

10/10 When sheriff mcallister says "I hunt anything with a face" and how he moves so silently I was mad suspicious

[@ms.shineray]

Right!! aside serial killers are normally random guys that is why a lot of them never get caught

[@T44559]

Also, Sheriff McAlister attempted to grab Grace, while she was undercover. Rigsby came to her rescue. Everyone seems to have forgotten about that. That was the first thing I thought about when he was revealed.

[@DarthMeteos]

This video is incredible and I sincerely hope you explode over the next year. I was gripped from start to finish and even when I disagreed, your manner was really good at diffusing any potential tension and your points were well-justified. I'm also a bit shocked at how cohesive this script is. I have a lot of respect for the restraint to not go on tangents or to gush about the series, even though you clearly have a lot of love for it. This is super high-quality.

[@jellogirl2010]

I was a huge fan of the show and I even had the honor of having a character named after me in season 4 because they picked a fan name. I still love it and rewatched it twice over lockdown.

[@lillywitch978]

which character? :)

[@jellogirl2010]

​@@lillywitch978 Holly in Pink Champagne on Ice!

[@TheoryWitch]

I LOVE THIS SHOW! I’m glad someone’s talking about it and not JUST comparing it to Psych!

[@Jakmiddle]

"Grace and lightness is an act of heroism" This is Something I needed to hear in my life when things are feeling dark.

[@markterrero5362]

I had been looking for videos that deep dive into tv shows I'm a fan of. Dive into the nuances of the character and the underlying meaning of different things, and this is by far the best full video I've seen. The depth that you go into is amazing. Great video.

[@keleziz76]

I remember being aware of a tv show called The Mentalist but I did not watch it during its original air. Several years passed, we had a pandemic, streaming became a huge thing. And now I am finally watching it ( I can’t remember why I decided to watch it but I did get hooked after the first episode and started binging) and wow, it is such a funny, well-written show with really great acting by the main cast. Simon Baker does nail the dichotomy of playing a child-like, playful character who has to deal with the darkness of losing his family and the guilt that his actions contributed to the tragedy. With his playful personality, you can imagine how close he must have been to his daughter. You can get an idea of what kind of love he had for his wife, that it took him about 10 years to even consider loving someone again. It's actually refreshing to see a male character who isn't trying to bed every female that he encounters, or isn't forced into a shallow love-making scene for the sake of ratings. This character Patrick Jane reminds me of Rust Cohle (True Dectectives), but Patrick is trying to be positive while Rust falls towards the darkness. Patrick's fears and insecurities feel real. His one-track mind about Red John is also justified and I am also glad he didn’t change his mind about his intentions. His eventual confession to Lisbon feels so sincere and genuine. You can really hear the fear in his voice when it cracks, you can see that he is trembling with nervousness. Even though season 7 was just 13 episodes, it still felt like a great denouement the way novels end their stories. Seeing that Patrick confessed his feelings but still struggled to work through his fears of loving another person. The 7th season did not feel wasted to me. It still remained charming and when it finally did end, I felt a stronger sense that he was finally ready to move forward. His speech about his wedding ring symbolized that he was ready to love someone again and start anew. It is really a beautiful scene. You know that he is a good father and husband and he truly appreciates this second chance at love.

[@ladylandlubber499]

As someone from New Zealand... the tea observation is absolutely fascinating.... you guys gendered tea!? XD It never even occurred to me that his tea drinking was at all odd for the character... I know people like that... I know men like that, always drinking tea, always offering tea. I've literally gone to a mates place just to try his new teas... I knew American's don't really drink tea so that's the angle I thought they were going for in the Mentalist back when I watched it but wow.... It makes me wonder what traits/features I give to my characters that could become something of note to someone from a different culture, even though to me, it's nothing noteworthy at all XD

[@Elora445]

As someone from Sweden: same thing here. Had no idea it could be gendered. Here it's simply unusual to drink tea, period. The population is mostly coffee drinkers, so me and my sister only drinking tea is seen as a bit odd, but that's all. But Americans gendering freaking everything isn't really unusual, so I'm not surprised.

[@mariammosashvili4150]

Same here! We are Georgian, everyone drinks tea, even children. We love our hot leaf juice.

[@radschele1815]

Some US Americans seem to be weirdly obsessed with manliness...

[@uinsel]

well, they threw a lot of tea into an harbour. I can see why they have ... odd ideas about tea.

[@zvezdoblyat]

You have no idea how strange it is. I've seen some silly folks say "real men only drink coffee" (usually black coffee) but my father was more manly than any man who says this, and he loved tea. And when he drank coffee he drank it with lots of milk and sugar

[@freethebirds3578]

I felt no letdown from hype because I never knew about the show until years later. I had to spend a lot of time searching for syndicated episodes to watch in order. It was intelligent, the characters were people I liked, and the stories were good. I have watched many series beginning to end, and this might be the first one I really liked that I did not feel bereft when it was over.

[@bahamut416]

And honestly, I think I’m one of the few people who like the eight episode countdown to the full reveal of red John. I like how it played out from start to finish. I liked all the choices for who it might’ve been. And honestly, I adore who they actually made the ultimate choice in who was red John. But I think I like it a lot not because of red John, but because of every other character being given a spotlight in such a way that it feels like their stories that were brought together over the entire series were given a proper ending. I don’t think the final season was so much about Red Jon as everybody else despite the way it was presented. Red John did not need to have an entire episode dedicated to a chase with a explosion and climactic showdown, it ended quietly. It was not for us, the audience, it was for Jane, the character, which I understand a lot of people could be upset about. But to me, I really appreciated that.

[@gabrielabaciu998]

You're telling me this is your first video?! I looved your analysis and after this one I watched the easy a one and now I only have one more video? I want more! I love your perspectives on the shows and it makes me want to rewatch them more critically 🥰

[@thibautnarme6402]

I still love the character of Patrick Jane. For all his self loathing for his past actions, Jane always appears to be okay with who he was and what are his values. Jane never questions if his behavior is too feminine (drinking tea, caring for others, displaying his emotions) or not manly enough (dislike of weapons and fighting, use of trickery over brute force,...). He is just who he is.

[@SingingSealRiana]

There IS a great Video from Pop culture detectiv on the masculinity of newt scamander about the Same thing, that the fact of how comfortable He IS with himself and many feminine traits IS a wonderful Display of non toxic masculinity. In a very weird way both He and Jane Show a core masculin trait of confidance and Not bowing to expectation with how many of their traits could BE read AS feminine. Both have a soft color palete, high empathy, are mostly soft spoken one IS crazy about animals the Other about little kids, neither Likes voilance . . . .hell newt referes to himself AS Mommy in regards of one of His creatures without an ounce of selfconfishness but in neither Case IS IT ever played for laughes! Yeah, their Love interests are tougher then them but ITS never played Up AS trope Subversion and gender critic and thats what in the end makes IT so good AS one . . . . . .and then the second movie happened and IT all went to hell but lets ignore that. I also am extreamly unhappy with jk and Not willing to have her get any Money off me, but that does Not Change, that that characterisation IS still in Point and amazing . . .sadly ITS often compleat aholes who create great art. So I will Not advised anyone to pay to watch anything of His anymore, but If you got the DVD lying around anywhere or find it second Hand ITS free Game . . . But especially I recommend checking Out Pop culture detectiv s Videos in gender and sexism, they are amazingly insightful. Fornexample one in how Aragon IS a Paragon of non toxic masculinity despite being a classical Male Hero character, another IS about how SA against men is usually played for laughs, yet another about stalking for love

[@jewelweed6880]

​@@SingingSealRianaI like characters like that. Just a little different from the stereotypes, but confident in themselves even so. Maybe bullied at some point because of it, but not just a coming of age story. Those can be nice, too, but how about examples of being on the other side of that experience and just living.

[@meretriciousinsolent]

Years ago my in-laws took my husband and I on a cruise to celebrate his Dad's birthday. I was in a massive Mentalist phase, my husband wore a waistcoat for the formal dinners and it was mostly because i encouraged him to get one, because Jane wears one all the time. One night we sat at a shared dining table with some women and one of them said she loved the Mentalist, and Patrick Jane. I somehow managed to stop myself leaping out of the chair in this very fancy dinner and yelling *ME TOO!!!*

[@MazidMarquez]

وماذا لو قلت لك ان التتمة جاهزة ولكن هل سيوافق سايمون بيكر على اكمال المسلسل😅

[@daisy-td9qs]

I loved this show growing up, it was my favourite from all the crime dramas I watched, so glad to see this analysis!

[@daisy-td9qs]

And so glad your pretty little liars video popped off so I could find it!

[@almond7062]

KZbin recommended me this video and I am so glad. I adored how you spoke and explained each of your points. An extremely simple but every effective and relaxing setup. After the first minute I knew I was in for a full hour of interesting opinions and ideas. As for the mentalist itself, this was a blast from the past. I used to watch it on Fox Life in my country together with my mom when I was a young teenager. In general it wasn't my favorite crime show, but there was always something that made me come back and that was undoubtebly Jane. His charisma and contradicting character was so enjoyable to watch, I cared deeply for his story and his relationship with the cast around him. I never did see the finale, in fact I thought it ended at season 3, until many years later. Regardless, I loved it and it was a lot of fun to see someone share it once again. These early 00s TV shows are something I think are special now. What I mean by this is the weekly release scheadule. Having a season slowly premiere episde by episode and have you learn thigns gradually over time is something that I trully enjoyed. I miss that. Hope you have a good new year and continue making these videos, simple and thoughtful and comforting to watch. Subscribed!

[@giorgiagabucci]

I literally learned English watching The Mentalist. It will always have a special place in my heart, but it sure was a product of its time!

[@junebug-om2bn]

Simon Baker is SO Gorgeous!! I have all the seasons on DVR and watch it every night before bed! I have watched every episode 7 or 8 times and it will be more! I have my favorite episodes and some not my favorite!

[@zardox78]

39:29 Jane chose the church where they were going to meet. Bertram wanted to meet somewhere else initially. Jane rejected his idea of a meeting place, throwing out a dummy suggestion instead (like a bus or train station, I think) that he knew would also be outright rejected. _Then_ he presented the church (where he'd already taped the gun under the pew) as if it was a compromise. Also, the fact that Red John had _A_ phobia of some kind was brought up before season 6, when What's-her-name from the first couple of seasons of Angel got herself beheaded off screen. Yeah, they didn't decide that it was a fear of birds until they re-introduced the sheriff. But it didn't come _COMPLETELY_ out of nowhere. Personally, I wasn't watching the show when CBS gave you that false promise about meeting Red John. They were well into season 4 when I was catching up via syndicated episodes, so I never got to feel slighted by that. Also, I'd already learned not to trust network TV promos. They'll go as far as super-imposing a (cheap) gunshot effect at the end of a barrel to mislead the audience about what's going to be happening in the next episode. (I'm talking specifically about a promo for an episode of Lost in season 6). Bradley Whitford... was pretty much exactly the kind of actor you would expect them to cast in such a role. A recognizable, though not preventatively expensive, character actor. And you get the sense that the end of that episode is kind of the way Jane had always pictured things playing out for himself. You could pretty much stop watching at the end of season 3 and consider it a (somewhat tragic) story told. But then you (eventually) get the _other_ version of the way things could possibly go. The version where he actually manages to get his revenge and escape to spend the "rest of his life" on a beach somewhere. And _then_ we get to see how maybe that scenario is not quite the happy ending it sounds like. Yeah, I was a little underwhelmed by the identity reveal too at the time. And I was keenly aware of the overt lamp-shading line about it being a disappointment even during that first watch. But in retrospect... I don't really mind it so much. You look back at episode 2 of the series, during the scene where he's trying to make Van Pelt get into his car - before the killers of that episode are actually revealed - and the foreshadowing _is_ accidentally there. At the time it was just supposed to be a red herring (pun intended). But oddly, it works as foreshadowing just as well. Edit: Upon closer inspection... yeah, the phobia wasn't introduced until season 6. I really thought that episode I mentioned was from season 5. Oh well. Details.

[@jpj-bagdi]

So wait a dang minute: I just checked out your channel because I absolutely loved this essay on one of my most dearest series. I know this sounds so typical, but I literally can't believe you make this type of quality content and you still have such a small channel. I'm incredibly impressed!

[@andream2758]

i found you through your pretty little liars video essay (which was extremely well done) and was surprised to see it had come from a new, small channel! when i saw that this was your other video i was so excited - not nearly enough people talk about this show. i just finished it and wow! i’m very impressed with your thoroughness and nuanced takes in both of your videos, and i will patiently anticipate your next release!

[@edaily4175]

literally was just about to comment exactly this!!

[@SloanStowe]

Thank you so much for your support!!! :)

[@ravendreaming3966]

Same!!

[@metiu2342]

YOOO FINALLY A VIDEO ABT THE MENTALISTT. absolute banger of a show

[@Dokumafu]

There are so many retrospectives on youtube from both big and small channels, and just recently I found myself rewatching random episodes of The Mentalist, catching little details I never noticed here and there both with the acting and the directing, so I typed "mentalist retrospective" into the search bar on a whim and I see exactly one video that was relevant, and fairly recent in the grand scheme of things. I hope this gets swept up into the algorithm because it was a very enjoyable and well put together video, not just for the general overarching look into the show and its characters, but also for the elephant in the room that was the handling of Red John and his end, a crying shame if there ever was one. Also cute character picture.

[@wowkir]

I adore this series. And I adore your analysis, what a great walk down memory lane. I agree that the later seasons weren’t as good - however, the romantic in me LOVES the series finale, the final few episodes when Jane and Lisbon have their moment. Jane’s journey really came full circle to me in the final episode, when he chose to let himself love again.

[@amakealcaravan6558]

OMFG THE VIDEO ESSAY I'VE ALWAYS BEEN WAITING FOR

[@fidelmaheaney257]

Me too.

[@stephenagwaibor6039]

Can I just say that this is one of the best rundown of The Mentalist I've ever seen? So good, wow!

[@robertnicholas9359]

Your take on Jane's character 9:34 is what I enjoyed most about this review. I get the negatives you point out in the narrative arc, but I still watch every episode again and again because of the charm of Simon's performance.

[@legendagem]

First of all, great video, your script was perfect, analysis was spot on and the pace of the video had me wathing it in one sitting. Second, the show was indeed great. The greatest scene which I used to convince several friends and girlfriend to watch The Mentalist was that "I see you" scene s1e09. That is just pure gold. Imma watch the other videos on your channel, hope you get the recognition you deserve for the good work you put on. Cheers from Brazil.

[@alicesophie123]

The one thing I'd say about the mentalist, is with every rewatch, as i get older, i have to ignore how horrific it is what they do. They regularly manipulate and lie to people in order to trick them into confessing to crimes in a way that is only acceptable because its a tv show and we know theyll be right in the end. Also a lot of the observations feel like that would be total bullshit outside of tv land. In particular Jane states that he checks the feet of every wheelchair fo prove if they are lying. This is based on the harmful belief that every wheelchair user is paralysed and that anyone else is faking it. This is brought up twice in the show.

[@sanbilge]

It also comes up many times in the show that district attorneys (and when Lisbon testifies) have a difficult time handling court proceedings because of Jane's odd, sometimes illegal methods. An assassin's case is dropped because of Jane's illegal search. Also many fights occur between Lisbon and Jane about following good honest police procedure vs Jane cutting corners.

[@igodreamer7096]

Good point

[@chars_78]

Even that is him just bullshitting. There’s honestly no evidence to prove he had a prejudice against wheelchair users

[@fredhasopinions]

absolutely true, this show was my shit when I was like 13, but now I'm rewatching it for knitting background noise and while it's still fun with some great acting - good enough to keep watching - I don't know how teenage me didn't notice how much of a genuine asshole Jane can be at times. Unapologetically. Some of those slaps are very deserved. And I'm only glad that they wrote him to interact similarly sensually with people of different genders, because rewatching some of the beginning episodes and considering this was 2008... this could've turned out a lot more uncomfortably.

[@Lilybun]

The show is so predictably formulaic its always come across as a simulacrum of a cop show to me. Like a caricature of the genre. The protagonist is always right and everyone knows this (even the characters) so we can safely rush from scene to scene and keep the dialogue to the essentials only. Super enjoyable to watch in a guilty pleasure kind of way. You know exactly what you're going to get and its decadent. As far as how messed up the CBI is if someone pulled their antics in real life? Knowing full well its unintentional I still like to think its a humorous and scathing commentary on how corrupt the californian police and courts are.

[@horsegirlb7120]

I like that when Jane pours out his heart to Lisbon he says "the idea of letting anyone close to me is terrifying for obvious reasons" and that's IT. They don't elaborate on the obvious reasons because they trust the audience to understand. It's still a huge part of his character, but this is the only time it's said out loud - along with a bunch of obvious stuff (like how Jane loves Lisbon) that the audience knows but Lisbon needs to hear him say.

[@loreleimonn3220]

apparently this is controversial, but I actually really liked the final red john reveal. and I guessed it before the reveal happened. we know where the characters were standing before the bomb went off, and jane stood between mcallister and the bomb, so there was no way mcallister had been “charred beyond recognition” while jane only withstood minor injuries. I also liked the fact that while jane holds the contradiction of being arrogant and self-loathing, red john lacks the latter fact, and his arrogance is his downfall. and I found the performance of the chase and jane killing red john very compelling. i’ve cried watching patrick’s face as he asks if red john is afraid and if he regrets killing his family and he says “good. good” when red john answers yes. I find it fulfilling and cathartic 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@DripNZ]

Fluent, concise and always engaging, I haven’t even seen The Mentalist but I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis! You’ve convinced me to watch the show at some point (if only maybe the first three seasons). Your writing and editing is crisp and pleasant, and I particularly like the cutaways to your avatar, it looks great and provides a very ‘KZbin’ comfort to the presentation. Excited to see what other videos you’ll release in the future, have a good one!

[@SloanStowe]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for your support!!

[@Barbossa778]

I absolutely loved this show. My dad and I used to watch it together and now it’s a big part of my childhood. My second watch when I was older lead me to see through a lot of the cliches, but Jane’s charm really held the series together.

[@2702-i9i]

its stupid but seeing this video pop up on my feed made me tear up. this series was my life for a few years(hyperfixation if you will). i cant put into words how happy i am that i found a video i can watch now in bed while being sick. will definitely comment other stuff after watching the essay,lol. but thank you already for this essay,you made my day.

[@kannanraheem9898]

i haven't logged in to KZbin in almost 3 years but i had to just to let you know how fantastic this video, and your perspective, are. absolutely fantastic, enjoyed every single second of this, please keep going!

[@SloanStowe]

Thank you so much :') this made my day!

[@NarendraMnr]

Wow. You basically put into words what so many of the The Mentalist Fans felt but couldn't pinpoint. Awesome work, subbed

[@clhardi1]

Great essay! I always figured Red John would be the least expected character, so it made sense to me. The others were too obvious, so it seemed right to me it was him.

[@amelia3146]

I should watch this show. I was (am) obsessed with Psych, so I imagine I’d like this also. Despite not knowing anything about the show, this video was thorough enough that I never felt lost or anything. 💕

[@CarsoDeck]

The mentalist and psych were two of my favorite shows as a teen, i havent watched them in years now and this vid made me want to go back to them so bad lol

[@originaldahha]

devil's cherry still gets me watery eyed and lives in my mind to this day, with just how beatiful and heartbreaking an episode it is. there's few episodes of anything that hit as hard as that ep did, especially right at the end where he goes to make another cup in the dark

[@mr.d.8008]

Absolutely my favorite episode, from a series that had many and numerous fine/great episodes.

[@Alona2811]

Beautifully done video,Mentalist and Bones are my favorite shows even both shows kind of take a turn for the worst at some point I still enjoy rewatching them ,whenever I feel down I will bing those shows.

[@wabash1581]

I watched the first few episodes way back. I could feel them dragging out the Red John story, and that is all I was interested in. You explained it very well, I am glad you added information about the fans and hype around the show as well. Sometimes, a lot of times, that is relevant to shows. Thank you for this video.

[@kurtismarsh6634]

This is extremely detailed observation. Amazed at the time you put into creating this 55 minutes

[@godofacorns]

Loved this video. I feel like you totally did some justice for the show. I recall a LOT of the promotional segments for a ton of these shows, (Dexter, Lie to Me, Monk) but personally stuck with House as a kid, and Hannibal later on. It's kind of shocking to look back and realize just how many qualities they share.

[@otilialampman7850]

This is my comfort show! So I'm very glad to see people talk about it like this!

[@thirstaefortae5057]

You are so right about this! I loved The Mentalist and up to the S3 the writing was great in terms of the Red John storyline. It’s a testament to how wonderful acted the show was that I kept watching even after that debacle. It was the perfect reveal but they just couldn’t leave it alone.

[@Droppzzzify]

Never saw this show as a kid, but found it over the last few years as something to watch with family. It has brought me a lot of happiness over that time, and it makes me really happy to see it still being appreciated! Also, the tea thing for me never stood out (probably cause im british!) so it's interesting to hear how different it appears to american viewers. Great video!

[@ruthsaunders9507]

I'm an American who grew up in a tea drinking family. Would never have thought it was feminine.

[@atDeathMetalMods]

Thank you for bringing back so many memories. I still feel a longing for that world and for the dynamic between Lisbon and Jane.

[@keysburntgucci9016]

The Mentalist truly is one show very close to my heart, and I wish I could easily recommend it to everyone, but knowing how let down I was with how the RJ/Blake Association unravelling, I do hold myself back. But Still I wish Everyone would give this a go, most importantly for the journey of the character of Patrick Jane. It is definitely one of the iconic characters in modern tv scene. So full of charm, uniqueness, full of depth. All the things you mentioned that help him stand out from detective characters of all the other similar shows, make Patrick Jane a CHARACTER to remember by for ages. His charm will make you smile, his antics will tickle you, his pain will make you feel for him so much major portion of the fan community wanted Jane to avenge his family's death knowing the consequences he'd have to face. My teenage self cried after watching S7 finale in 2015, acknowledging the full circle Patrick Jane went through this show, when it ended I forgot all about the downs of this show, when the ending credits roll on the finale shot of the show, I WAS HAPPY for HIM. I remember reading in 2021, there was a Korean drama adaptation of this show in the works, sets and casts all finalized. I doubt how anyone can don on the role of Patrick Jane, because Simon Baker was the PERFECT guy to play it for all the reasons you mentioned. I do hope, if the Korean series does gets made, they go with the S3 finale RJ reveal as the final reveal of the serial killer.

[@DavidCerqueiraa]

i had to pause the video just to tell you how great this watch is. i loved this show and you pointing out how Jane liking tea is such an important character take just made so many light bulbs turn on in my head. its like i knew he liked it, but i never thought about it being a personality trait. so good

[@Neko123Uchiha]

I know the Red John stuff is messy, but I never cared that much about this overarching storyline. It's very interesting, but there are so many episodes that can stand on their own with The Mentalist. For me, the characters and their relationships were the main driving point to rewatch this show about four times after I discovered it in 2019. And I really enjoy the FBI seasons, seeing Jane after Red John died and his relationship with Lisbon. It's such a refreshing relationship to see, that is not based on physical attraction, but on deep personal understanding of each other. But I also like the ending of How I Met Your Mother, so there's that lol I'm not really a "a bad ending ruins a whole piece of media" type of person.

[@ppu-tc3vv]

your character analysis, narration and everything is on point. thsi video is a masterpiece and it made me cry because you nailed and spoke out a lot of the things that i felt watching the mentalist. thank you for this video

[@docintar]

it's sad, that this video essay doesn't have a lot of views((( Your video is awesome. As Mentalist fan, I enjoyed it! Keep making good videos)

[@parinitham8896]

It's great that you point out Jane as the Soul of the show not only because of his story but his everyday life, his playfulness, his compassion to people and his attempts to help them! 🙌 19:06

[@noahvance6243]

Yo the vid was sick, binged the whole mentalist when i quit nicotine and knew the whole drawn out red john shit had sum off the way you explained it made it make sense. Had no idea this was the only vid on ya channel i had to subscribe excited for any future uploads dawg

[@linacake5376]

I actually never watched The Mentalist until I discovered your channel. And I binged the whole series only because I was so interested in your video about it and wanted to see the show before watching the video. So... I have to thank you twice. Once because I watched a show that I really enjoyed and maybe wouldn't have touched for another couple of years of it wouldn't have been for your video. And ofc for your video itself. I really like the way you deep dive and explain your thoughts about the shows/films you are covering. It's so interesting to watch/listen to. Thank you for all your work. I really love it ♡

[@Bronzeapollo708]

Decided recently to rewatch much of The Mentalist, as I had just finished House and decided to go back to my childhood in that era of television. Now as a writer myself I watched the season 3 ending in a different light, killing Red John at that moment felt empty. This aspect of knowing what Red John looks like but not able to actually do anything would have been a great addition to the story. I like most episodes of The Mentalist, mostly because the characters, the story always felt second rate. This is a great video going over how you viewed the show, nicely done.