The Mentalist – A hunch, some lunch, and a punch

(Season 1, Episode 8 – “The Thin Red Line”)

I can see why this show is the number one new show of the season. When you can get a show that combines a police procedural, add a quirky twist to it, and cast as the leading guy someone who is likable and an audience favorite in everything he does, that adds up to “hit.” As I’ve said before, the show drifts towards formula sometimes, and I think that’s always going to be a danger. But I love tuning in every week, and that’s something I can’t say about CBS shows like CSI (any of them), Criminal Minds, or Without A Trace.

This was one of the more convoluted episodes of The Mentalist so far. I got lost a couple of times in the investigation. I knew, of course, that the scummy, smarmy cop wasn’t the killer immediately, though I really appreciate the interrogation scene where Jane is not only eating lunch, but also trying to hold onto the guy’s wrist to read his pulse (something loner TV heroes, from Raven to Stingray, seem to do on TV shows over the years). These are the type of scenes that make this show so entertaining. It even had my favorite Mentalist scene so far, Jane looking at Teresa sideways when she called the suspect “good looking.” It only lasts two seconds but it’s quite funny. I also like the sly banter concerning Australian singer Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman (Simon Baker is Australian too).

I figured out who the killer was when the partner’s family showed up. At first I thought it was the partner himself, but the dominoes in my mind started to fall over quickly once his son the cop was introduced. The reason for the killing and the mistake involved is heartbreaking, almost destroying a family, but I like the glimmer of hope Jane gives the couple at the end. I didn’t see that coming because I had forgotten all about the baby.

One question though: can Jane fight? We haven’t seen that side of him. Several episodes ago, he didn’t fight a suspect fleeing, he just tripped him. In this episode, the partner punches him right in the nose, but Jane doesn’t do anything. I know that it really wasn’t the place to get into a fight with someone, family turmoil and murder and all, but it just makes me wonder if we’ll see a scene in the future where Jane gets into a physical battle with someone and not a mental one. Though I don’t want the show to turn into The Pugilist.

Clacked by Bob Sassone
on Nov 25, 2008 @ 23:50 EST5EDT