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Special Features
- Meet cast and creators to uncover Evidence of a Hit Series
- Cracking the Crystal Ball: Mentalist vs. Psych: The question of superior mental acuity vs. keen observation
- Unaired scenes on three key episodes
- Gag reel
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| The Mentalist Season 1 | - Available Formats |
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Mentalist is nominally a police procedural (and an excellent one), but its characters are especially richly written, and there's romance and torment hinted at in equal measure throughout the series. All of this--and the star turn by dreamy Australian actor Simon Baker, whose smoldering good looks take a back seat to his nuanced acting--make The Mentalist one of TV's top drama series. Season 1 sets the action in motion immediately, as the viewer quickly learns the backstory: Baker's character, Patrick Jane, was once a questionable TV psychic (à la John Edwards) who professed to help people contact their deceased loved ones. But a crazed killer--"Red John"--was watching one day when Jane mentioned assisting California police on his case, and in retribution he committed a horrific crime with staggering personal repercussions on Jane. Jane leaves his sham life behind, but it turns out he's actually quite gifted as an observer of subtle human behavior--a "mentalist," who, he tells the California Bureau of Investigation, "is a master manipulator of thought and behavior." So Jane joins the CBI in tracking tricky cases, including that of Red John.
The rest of the cast is terrific, especially Robin Tunney, who may have found the role, and series, of a lifetime, as Teresa Lisbon, the head of the squad, who must keep Jane on track but give him enough lead to assist the often skeptical power structure. There's undeniable chemistry between Jane and Lisbon, yet any potential romance is superseded by a very real-feeling mutual respect and admiration, which shows its own kind of tenderness. Other stellar cast members include Tim Kang (the all-business Kimball Cho), Owain Yeoman (the ambitious rookie Wayne Rigsby), and Amanda Righetti (the doe-eyed newbie Grace Van Pelt, who may have a lot to learn in traditional police work, but who has a deep understanding of and respect for Jane's psychic abilities). Another star worth mentioning: The location shots all around California, which give the show a life and depth seldom seen on network series. The lush real settings--a mansion in San Francisco, a weedy rural road outside Bakersfield--add to the immediacy and intensity of the story lines.
The first season boxed set is a bounty and includes all 23 episodes, a fantastic featurette with the cast and creators on making the series, as well as a mini-doc on the difference (and there is one) between a mentalist and a psychic. Fans of the series won't want to miss the gag reel, either--the cast clearly has as much fun making the show as its fans do watching it. --A.T. Hurley
Product Description
"A mentalist is a master manipulator of thought and behavior." The mentalist is Patrick Jane (Simon Baker in an acclaimed performance), a celebrity psychic whose wife and child are viciously murdered by an elusive serial killer called Red John. Devastated, Patrick admits his paranormal act is fake, renounces his earlier life and uses his astonishing skills of observation and analysis – talents that made him appear psychically gifted – to bring killers to justice. At crime scenes across California, Patrick now helps an elite team of detectives break their toughest cases. But no matter how many criminals he catches, Patrick never forgets his central goal: Find Red John. And bring him down.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
103 of 107 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you like "Life" you'll like "The Mentalist"--no spoilers review
December 30, 2008
By Ehkzu
Format:DVD
This TV show, in its first season, is, like "Life," a police procedural with lots of flavor--in this case, a former phony psychic who, years ago, talking insultingly about a serial killer on his psychic TV show.
The killer was watching the show, apparently, took offense, and proceeded to murder the guy's entire family.
After much soul searching, our hero quit his pseudoprofession and now works with a police agency doing for crimes what Gregory House does for his hospital--solving the cases no one else can solve. He uses his ability to read people and situations that stood him in good stead during his stint as a phony psychic.
Of course, like the cop in "Life" his merry, mischievous exterior conceals an iron core of permanent, near-psychotic rage. The Mentalist works with the police agency he works for in order to find the serial killer to killed his family, and he has told his boss there, in merry seriousness, that if/when he finds the guy, he will take him apart in a way Dexter (as in the HBO series) would admire.
All this is backstory. No spoilers, as I promised. There's considerable interaction with his boss, her boss, and the three person team that also works with the boss, and they're all competently played, seemingly pretty much credible as detectives.
So both this and "Life" have:
1. fine actor in the lead role--with "The Mentalist," Aussie heartthrob Simon Baker, who every woman appears to find irresistable (according to my wife).
2. multilayered plot, with an ongoing story arc on top of the case du jour, and evolving relationships among the team members.
3. light and shadow--lots of comic moments alongside very dark stuff indeed. In painting this would be called chiaroscuro (think Rembrandt paintings of interiors illuminated by candles).
If you like "Life" I'm certain you'll like "The Mentalist" even if the more run of the mill procedurals (all the CSIs for example) don't appeal to you. I'd also put "Bones" in this category FWIW.
And this is about as good as we can expect until Joss Whedon's next show shows up (presumably "Dollhouse" with Eliza Dushku, herself a master of chiaroscuro).
The killer was watching the show, apparently, took offense, and proceeded to murder the guy's entire family.
After much soul searching, our hero quit his pseudoprofession and now works with a police agency doing for crimes what Gregory House does for his hospital--solving the cases no one else can solve. He uses his ability to read people and situations that stood him in good stead during his stint as a phony psychic.
Of course, like the cop in "Life" his merry, mischievous exterior conceals an iron core of permanent, near-psychotic rage. The Mentalist works with the police agency he works for in order to find the serial killer to killed his family, and he has told his boss there, in merry seriousness, that if/when he finds the guy, he will take him apart in a way Dexter (as in the HBO series) would admire.
All this is backstory. No spoilers, as I promised. There's considerable interaction with his boss, her boss, and the three person team that also works with the boss, and they're all competently played, seemingly pretty much credible as detectives.
So both this and "Life" have:
1. fine actor in the lead role--with "The Mentalist," Aussie heartthrob Simon Baker, who every woman appears to find irresistable (according to my wife).
2. multilayered plot, with an ongoing story arc on top of the case du jour, and evolving relationships among the team members.
3. light and shadow--lots of comic moments alongside very dark stuff indeed. In painting this would be called chiaroscuro (think Rembrandt paintings of interiors illuminated by candles).
If you like "Life" I'm certain you'll like "The Mentalist" even if the more run of the mill procedurals (all the CSIs for example) don't appeal to you. I'd also put "Bones" in this category FWIW.
And this is about as good as we can expect until Joss Whedon's next show shows up (presumably "Dollhouse" with Eliza Dushku, herself a master of chiaroscuro).
59 of 62 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:DVD
I am just a teenager, and generally not interested in the stuff my parents love to watch (currently they're obsessed with "24"), but one evening I decided to settle down with them and check out what they were watching, and it happened to be, "The Mentalist." It was love at first sight.
The Australian-born star, my heartthrob Simon Baker, stars as the coy and undeniably hot guy with brilliant mentalist abilities who "just pays attention," Patrick Jane. After criticizing a serial killer on a TV show (sorry Simon, but how dumb can you be???), Jane returns home to find his family slaughtered by the very killer, Red John, to get revenge on him for his earlier actions on TV. Shocked and heart-broken to the core, Patrick decides to change his ways and use his abilities for better purposes, seeking out the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI)and offering his help on serious crime cases. The season continues as it sheds some light on Jane's past and as he grows closer to his new colleagues at the bureau, yet his obsession with finding Red John does not die.
I found myself intrigued immediately by "The Mentalist." I can't quite explain it. Something about the show just clicks, and that's why it's become so overwhelmingly popular with us viewers. Simon definitely steals the show, but not only do we love him, we feel something for Simon's character. He hides his pain of his family's murder with a coy, playful, and cunning face, and though he is all of this, it's only skin-deep, and in the finale episode, "Red John's Footsteps", the veil is pulled for a brief moment and we see how angry and obsessed Jane is with finding Red John, ready to die himself to solve the terrible crimes.
This keeps the audience hungry for the next episode every time one finishes, and not only that. This show is incredibly rare and beautiful, because how often do you find a show that you love all the cast members, you enjoy the plot, it's got lots of humor, it's not dumb, and it has an awesome writer? Answer? Hardly ever. Even "Ghost Whisperer" and "CSI" get tiring, and "The Mentalist" is a cute, quirky, and intriguing new show that makes me fall in love with Simon all over again whenever his face goes on screen.
I can't wait for these DVD's to come out, because they are definitely worth the buy. I absolutely loved the first season, with hardly ever a dry spot, and I just hope that they keep the second season and any seasons after that as good, because I'm telling you, if someone screws this show up, I will be ready to kill. ;P
The Australian-born star, my heartthrob Simon Baker, stars as the coy and undeniably hot guy with brilliant mentalist abilities who "just pays attention," Patrick Jane. After criticizing a serial killer on a TV show (sorry Simon, but how dumb can you be???), Jane returns home to find his family slaughtered by the very killer, Red John, to get revenge on him for his earlier actions on TV. Shocked and heart-broken to the core, Patrick decides to change his ways and use his abilities for better purposes, seeking out the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI)and offering his help on serious crime cases. The season continues as it sheds some light on Jane's past and as he grows closer to his new colleagues at the bureau, yet his obsession with finding Red John does not die.
I found myself intrigued immediately by "The Mentalist." I can't quite explain it. Something about the show just clicks, and that's why it's become so overwhelmingly popular with us viewers. Simon definitely steals the show, but not only do we love him, we feel something for Simon's character. He hides his pain of his family's murder with a coy, playful, and cunning face, and though he is all of this, it's only skin-deep, and in the finale episode, "Red John's Footsteps", the veil is pulled for a brief moment and we see how angry and obsessed Jane is with finding Red John, ready to die himself to solve the terrible crimes.
This keeps the audience hungry for the next episode every time one finishes, and not only that. This show is incredibly rare and beautiful, because how often do you find a show that you love all the cast members, you enjoy the plot, it's got lots of humor, it's not dumb, and it has an awesome writer? Answer? Hardly ever. Even "Ghost Whisperer" and "CSI" get tiring, and "The Mentalist" is a cute, quirky, and intriguing new show that makes me fall in love with Simon all over again whenever his face goes on screen.
I can't wait for these DVD's to come out, because they are definitely worth the buy. I absolutely loved the first season, with hardly ever a dry spot, and I just hope that they keep the second season and any seasons after that as good, because I'm telling you, if someone screws this show up, I will be ready to kill. ;P
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Bearfax
Format:DVD
The Mentalist: The Complete First Season
Christie and Conan Doyle can be blamed for the flawed genius crime fighter with that unique quality with Sherlock Holmes, Ms Marple and Poirot. There have been later takes on this theme such as Nero Wolfe. More recently its been Monk, Columbo, Mrs Fletcher (Murder She Wrote), Profiler and Medium.
This isnt serious crime investigation and thankfully its not meant to be. Enough with the real life police/hospital dramas that are usually quite frankly an overglorification of a generally unattractive, nasty and messy business (believe me I work in the crime area).
Shows like those beforementioned and of course The Mentalist are pure entertainment and totally detached from reality and that's why I like them. What makes these shows so successful is a quirky character with a unique special quality, an actor able to translate the role well to the screen and good stories and supporting characters. Simon Baker is perfect in his role, the support characters are good and the story lines entertaining.
Too often networks have lost the escapist theme in favour of an attempt (falsely) to achieve a more realistic approach. Fewer and fewer are the fun shows that I recall as a young man, such as Hawaiian Eye, 77 Sunset Strip, Wild Wild West, the Man From UNCLE, Avengers, The Saint, Outer Limits and the Twilight Zone. There have been some recent successes with Magnum P.I., Macgyver, The Pretender and X-Files. Great examples of pure escapism, realistic enough have you half way believing, but fun enough to know at the end of the program that you have had a good time.
The Mentalist is just such a show. Its the sort of program you want to watch over and over again because of the unusual nature of the character and the cleverness of the actor in portraying that character. Its the process and the interpersonal exchanges that are why you watch programs like this. The conclusion, though important, is secondary to the journey we take with the lead character seeing his quirky and genius approach to the information received.
Thank goodness there are still some programs like this around, like oases in a desert of modern day TV visual chewing gum, that has long ago lost its flavour.
Christie and Conan Doyle can be blamed for the flawed genius crime fighter with that unique quality with Sherlock Holmes, Ms Marple and Poirot. There have been later takes on this theme such as Nero Wolfe. More recently its been Monk, Columbo, Mrs Fletcher (Murder She Wrote), Profiler and Medium.
This isnt serious crime investigation and thankfully its not meant to be. Enough with the real life police/hospital dramas that are usually quite frankly an overglorification of a generally unattractive, nasty and messy business (believe me I work in the crime area).
Shows like those beforementioned and of course The Mentalist are pure entertainment and totally detached from reality and that's why I like them. What makes these shows so successful is a quirky character with a unique special quality, an actor able to translate the role well to the screen and good stories and supporting characters. Simon Baker is perfect in his role, the support characters are good and the story lines entertaining.
Too often networks have lost the escapist theme in favour of an attempt (falsely) to achieve a more realistic approach. Fewer and fewer are the fun shows that I recall as a young man, such as Hawaiian Eye, 77 Sunset Strip, Wild Wild West, the Man From UNCLE, Avengers, The Saint, Outer Limits and the Twilight Zone. There have been some recent successes with Magnum P.I., Macgyver, The Pretender and X-Files. Great examples of pure escapism, realistic enough have you half way believing, but fun enough to know at the end of the program that you have had a good time.
The Mentalist is just such a show. Its the sort of program you want to watch over and over again because of the unusual nature of the character and the cleverness of the actor in portraying that character. Its the process and the interpersonal exchanges that are why you watch programs like this. The conclusion, though important, is secondary to the journey we take with the lead character seeing his quirky and genius approach to the information received.
Thank goodness there are still some programs like this around, like oases in a desert of modern day TV visual chewing gum, that has long ago lost its flavour.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mind games
This series is one of my favorites that I discovered by watching reruns. I like the interpersonal relationships between the characters.
Published 14 hours ago by BDI
5.0 out of 5 stars
hooked
It's pretty corny but I like it, It's the new Colombo, I very much like the subtle ideas, & good generally over comes evil, love conquers hate.
Published 2 days ago by Theresa
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just Average
I liked "The Guardian" with Simon Baker, but I didn't think "The Mentalist" was as good. It was to predictable. Read more
Published 8 days ago by James B. Nall
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but redundant
A little redundant with the villain. Like Simon Baker and cast. Interesting plots. I liked Guardian better. Simon Baker is magnetic.
Published 15 days ago by Pat A. MccLintock
5.0 out of 5 stars
intelligent show
All of the characters are well developed and interesting. The lead, Patrick Jane, is a complex character full of remorse, pain, yet tender with a developed sense of justice and... Read more
Published 15 days ago by Phyllis A. Scalia
5.0 out of 5 stars
1st season of the Mentalist
I just started watching the Mentalist and I really wanted to find out how it started, and I must say it was just as good in the beginning as the current episodes are.
Published 19 days ago by Mark A. Koshmrl
5.0 out of 5 stars
best show ever
This is a great show. I just love Simon Baker in this show. I give it five stars. a great crime show.
Published 20 days ago by MelvinM
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Mentalist is AMAZING!
I have been keeping up with the Mentalist for the latest 2 seasons so I decided to go to the basics. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Monica
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Wife and I Are addicted to this series we are now in Season-4 Who...
My Wife and I Are addicted to this series we are now in Season-4 Who is Red John? Is is a She?
Published 24 days ago by Kent Lance Schmidt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Watch this!
An excellent take on the modern detective vs the perceptive amateur. Most of the fun is guessing just how far Patrick Jane will go to prove that he is indeed "The smartest man... Read more
Published 27 days ago by Rob Bouchard
