The Mentalist Season 4 DVD Review
“The Mentalist” is a typical network television procedural.
If you’ve never seen the show before, “The Mentalist” revolves around a psyhic named Patrick Jane who helps out the California Bureau Of Investigation to investigate (and hopefully solve) crimes and murders. In this 24 episode fourth season, stories involve a new CBI agent (Ray Haffner), Teresa’s brother, Patrick losing his memory, Grace Van Pelt, Kimball Cho, and Wayne Rigsby’s relationships, the Red John investigation, a character death, FBI agent Susan Darcy, CBI agent Teresa Lisbon, cases involving a kidnapping, a dead photographer, dead police chief, another serial killer, a dead undercover cop, a car explosion, a dead divorce attorney, a clothing designer, an activist, a salesman, a casino employee, an English teacher, and a surfer.
“The Mentalist” kicks off the season well enough with a premiere that concludes the cliffhanger from season 3 in which Patrick murdered someone he believed was the serial killer Red John. It turns out the victim was not Red John and that he’s still on the loose. Unfortunately, the Red John story arc (which is easily the most intense and engaging part of the series) doesn’t turn up again until the final 2 episodes. All of the stand-alone episodes in between are sadly by the numbers, formulaic CBS procedurals that you’ve seen hundreds (if not thousands) of times before.
On the plus side, the chemistry of actor Simon Baker (of “Land Of The Dead” fame) and actress Robin Tunney (of “The Craft” fame) continues to lift up this sometimes lifeless series. Impressive guest stars like Morena Baccarin, Malcolm McDowell, Ray Wise, Zack Ward, and TV stars like Emmanuelle Chriqui and Kelli Williams also help spice things up in the generally mediocre non-Red John centric episodes.
Video/Audio:
The series, which is presented in widescreen, generally looks sharp (especially in close-ups). Some shots featuring characters from a certain distance look a bit fuzzy at times though.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is adequate, but I’m not sure this series warrants a 5.1 track as there’s not a ton of sound usage.
The lone extra is a featurette titled “CBI: Behind The Badge.” Real life law enforcement agents (and former agents) talk about the accuracies (and a few inaccuracies) on “The Mentalist.” There are also discussions about the characters as well.
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Robert Ham
dmanderson
Andrea
nicklyons1
DVD Corner 
Serviceable–though a bit too flippant, perhaps–thumbnail review of this long-running series’ fourth season, though there is one glaring error. Seems critic Nick Lyons didn’t screen the “Blinking Red Light” episode( featuring David Paymer and Missy Pyle, who no doubt would have been listed among the “Impressive Guest Stars” above, had their presence been known), which does provide an all-important link to Red John (in episode seven), debunking Lyons’ contention that the show’s most intriguing element doesn’t turn up between the first and the last two installments of the season. Oops!
I was referring to episodes that were solely revolving around Red John. There were references/links (as you mentioned). Also, I just named a few guest stars. There were more than that, but those were the ones that had the biggest impression on me.
I also reviewed several seasons of THE MENTALIST for another DVD site and do not agree that it “seems” Lyons didn’t screen the seventh episode, based on his review. Those that don’t write such reviews may be unaware of space constraints. I did watch every episode of the seasons I reviewed, but even so, mentioning every one would be ponderous for both the critic and the reader. The same goes for listing “impressive guest stars.” You want a comprehensive review of THE MENTALIST: Season Four? Watch it yourself. Now, try writing an entertaining and informative review of what you’ve seen.