Recently released on DVD is the first season of the most-watched new show of the 2008/2009 season, The Mentalist.
Each show begins with the definition of a ‘mentalist’ as a master manipulator of thoughts and behavior. Simon Baker (in an Emmy nominated role) plays the title role as Patrick Jane, a consultant with the fictitious California Bureau of Investigation. Working with CBI Agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) and a team of agents (Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman and Amanda Righetti), Jane uses his superb observational and mental abilities to close high profile homicide cases.
But Jane wasn’t always a justice seeker; he used to use his amazing abilities for self profit, posing as a celebrity psychic and preying on those that wish to utilize the skills he purported to have. He made a fortune doing this, but in the process, caught the eye of a serial killer named Red John. This nefarious and elusive villain killed Jane’s wife and child. For this, Jane turned his life around to bring murderers to justice, but he also vows to get his revenge on Red John.
The best way to describe the show is that is mixes the tried and true formula of crime solving procedural with the offbeat styling of USA Network’s Psych. That said, it pulls off its own little niche, as it’s not as wacky as Psych and not as serious as the Law & Order series and its spinoffs.
And striking that right balance of brevity and tense crime drama isn’t necessarily easy as many of the crimes are grisly murders. Each case seems to boil down to Jane outsmarting not only the offending criminals but also his team as well. Many of Jane’s crime solving approaches are preposterous, but it’s seemingly allowable as, again, the show doesn’t take itself too serious. I personally would’ve wished that they integrated the Red John angle more, but I guess that’s the poker hand the writers will hold on to in order to give itself some longevity.
There are a few included extras that fans of the series will appreciate.
Included Special Features
• Evidence of a Hit Series - Interviews with the creators, directors and cast expose the origins and inspirations for this alluring character—part Sherlock Holmes, part charlatan
• Cracking the Crystal Ball: Mentalist vs. Psychic - In addition to the producers, directors and cast, we interview detectives, mentalists and police psychics to determine if their powers are just a function of keen observation, a charade… or something more.
• Persons of Interest: The Cast of The Mentalist - Creators reveal the challenges of casting the series from multiple perspectives: individual roles, ensemble and audience connection
• Surveillance Video: Outtakes and bloopers
Title: The Mentalist - The Complete First SeasonStarring: Simon Baker, Robin Tunney,Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman and Amanda Righetti
Studio: Warner Bros.
Release Date: September 22, 2009
Official Site: www.thementalistdvd.com
Rating: 8.0 / 10
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