This is a spoiler-free review—no major plot points, twists, or endings will be revealed. Feel free to read on.
I couldn’t start this new series without, of course, beginning with some of my all-time beloved characters. I have many cherished book heroes—with Harry Potter always at the top—and plenty of memorable movie characters as well. But today, I’ll begin with a review of my favourite TV series—and my absolute favourite television character: The Mentalist. Patrick Jane.
The mentalist was created by the brilliant Bruno Heller and the character of Patrick Jane was portrayed by the magnificent, Simon Baker. The story is one of the oldest archetypes in the book and yet incredibly powerful: Patrick Jane is a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He uses his extraordinary powers of observation and manipulation to solve the toughest cases—all while chasing the serial killer Red John, who brutally murdered his wife and daughter. Imagine, just imagine: The Punisher meets (the original!) Sherlock Holmes, with the emotional depth of the Boy Who Lived, the wit of James Bond, and the raw humanity of a man seeking redemption while battling guilt. I mean… come on! SIGN ME IN!
I still remember that night, so many years ago, when I first watched the pilot. It was nearly 3 a.m. I couldn’t sleep. I was battling insomnia (I don’t miss that) —and suddenly, there he was: Patrick Jane. Suddenly he was there with me, keeping me company…
Do I have other tv shows that I absolutely adore? Hell yes! And yet the mentalist will always come first.
Why?
Well, maybe it’s because I discovered it during some difficult times. Or maybe it’s because I do know, in my bones, one or two things about guilt and remorse. All I know is that the series became my comfort blanket, and Patrick Jane was—and still is—my hero. No matter the ugliness and evil that existed in the world, no matter how bad things were in my own life, Patrick Jane was out there expressing truths that matter, delivering hardcore justice, battling evil, punishing it, doing good, and seeking redemption. For me, that was more than enough. I was hooked and thrilled—and guess what?
I still am.
Patrick Jane wasn’t perfect—he wasn’t flawless, he isn’t even your typical protagonist. He is complex, charming, devious, and kind all at once. An honest man and a liar when he has to be. Jane is a master manipulator, and he knows it; he doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not— well, at least not after he experienced his ghost, his personal tragedy that shaped him, changed him, and set him on a completely different path than before.
He evolved, yet at the same time, he always remains true to his character, principles, and desires. Without a doubt, Patrick Jane proudly stands as a quintessential representation of an atheist character on television, embodying scepticism and rationalism throughout the series. Alongside his sharp intellect, he operates with a strong and deeply personal moral code—one that drives his actions and gives the character remarkable emotional depth. At times, he may seem cold, but he does have emotional empathy, he does care, and he proves it.
He can be arrogant and selfish, and at the same time, he is more than fair. He is loyal, he does good without announcing it, and he carries the weight of his past mistakes and his guilt in the most humane and admirable way possible. This is what makes him relatable: His remorse. His awareness. The fact that he experienced unimaginable cruelty and now seeks justice—the kind of justice that, unfortunately, cannot be found in police stations or courtrooms.
Patrick Jane is, in my book, miles apart from other TV characters. His incredible intelligence and observational skills are one of a kind. He possesses an almost supernatural ability to read people, understand their motivations, and see through their lies. This talent is constantly on display as he unravels the most intricate and baffling crimes. His mind works in a way that is both fascinating and puzzling, as he connects clues and pieces together solutions that nobody else can see. Watching Jane in action is like watching a master at work, and even so many years later, I can’t help but be in awe of his intellect. And of course, the way he combines his intelligence and manipulation skills with his charm and wit—that’s just an extra layer to the brilliance of the character.
The exceptional Bruno Heller—who, in my humble opinion, is an absolute genius—created the GREATEST TV character ever written: Patrick Jane. Massive shoutout to him and to the brilliant Simon Baker for his amazing and criminally underrated performance. The main and supporting cast were absolutely amazing, and the writing of the show brought every character to life with depth and authenticity. A huge shoutout to some of the best and most phenomenal writers of the show: Gary Glasberg, Ken Woodruff, Tom Szentgyorgyi, Jordan Harper, Daniel Cerone, Eoghan Mahony, Ashley Gable, Erika Green Swafford, David Appelbaum, Leonard Dick, Tom Donaghy, Carolyn Ingber, Rebecca Perry Cutter, and many more! Why don’t we know the names of these extremely talented people, yet we know the names of talentless and frankly useless narcissists like Kardashian, Bieber, and the plastic-fantastic Hadids?! What does that say about our culture?
While the world often overlooks those who craft such incredible stories, for me, their work is a gift that endures. It’s a reminder that true art lives on quietly in the hearts of those who appreciate it.
As time moves forward, things inevitably change—life goes on, I’m getting older, and I find myself more easily tired by things that annoy me. Yet, despite all this, I still remain deeply passionate about the things I admire, like, and love. Yes, I discover new interests, I learn more, and I open new doors—well, okay, maybe just windows—but some things, some feelings, will never change. Even after all these years, my deep love for this show and its iconic character remains as strong as ever. No matter how much older I get, how many changes life brings, or where I find myself in the world, The Mentalist will always be my comfort blanket, and Patrick Jane—the greatest character ever created on television—will be there, keeping me company when things get dark and making the world a better place.
Further Analysis: Let’s Get Really Nerdy About It.
Catharsis Check: Present or Absent?
100% Present—not only in the Red John episodes but also in the standalone ones.
Wokeness Check: Present or Absent?
No wokeness here! Even the episode featuring a trans individual was handled beautifully and remains one of my favourites. It wasn’t preachy or woke.
Show Me the Narcissists! (Characters):
Oh, my friend, we’d be here all day! This is an exceptionally well-written show, and yes, you’ll find plenty of narcissist and narcissistic characters. Of course, the main villain, Red John, is the king of this category—but he’s more than just a narcissist; he’s a perverted sociopath, fully aware of what he is. Every episode explores different types of narcissists, some unaware of what they are, others fully aware. The portrayal is brilliantly realistic. Certain narcissistic characters have surprisingly good arcs, and yes, guilty as charged, I do like Brett Stiles!
Favourite Character(s):
Well, Patrick Jane, obviously! Honourable mentions go to Teresa Lisbon—yes, she can be a bit annoying sometimes, but she’s kind and fair, and her chemistry with Patrick is brilliant. Cho and Rigsby are my favourite duo. Virgil Minelli and Madeleine Hightower are my two favourite CBI bosses. Dennis Abbott? I went from hating him to absolutely loving him—and the same goes for J.J. LaRoche. Michelle Vega and Jason Wylie were brilliant additions. And of course, some absolutely exceptionally written characters who definitely should have appeared in more episodes were: Brett Stiles, Walter Mashburn, Max Winter, Pete & Samantha Barsocky, Biltmore Nicki, Angela & Danny Ruskin, Charlotte Jane, Dr. Montague, Dr. Brooke Harper, Sophie Miller, Karen Cross, D.A. Osvaldo Ardiles, Summer, Adrianna Jonovic, Tolman Bunting, and Oliver McDaniel. I’m sure there are even more!
The Most Annoying Character(s):
Grace Van Pelt. I absolutely despise her character for so many reasons that I won’t explain here—maybe in a future article! But hey, feel free to chat with me about this in the comments!
Why Watch It?
Because it’s 100% worth it. Because it’s exceptionally written, it features THE best TV character ever created, and because you love redemption stories, tremendous acting, sharp direction, and great writing!
Do I Recommend It?
Do you really need to ask?! Of course! I will always recommend The Mentalist. Go watch it—you’ll thank me later!
Rating:
9.9/10. No more words needed. This is my favourite TV show. Always.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
― Patrick Jane
“There’s no such thing as psychics.“
QUOTE OF THE DAY
― Patrick Jane
“You are safe, you are loved, and you are wise.“
Lavéina Encháusti
Through the power of writing, I aim to express my thoughts, opinions, and feelings. I delve into subjects that ignite my passion, pique my interest, anger me, or sadden me—things I hate and things I passionately love. My quest is for truth, evolution, and catharsis. I hope my blog helps you find your own catharsis.
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