"The Mentalist" Storyline and Character Profile

CBS will air the 55th episode of "The Mentalist" on Thursday, November 18, 2010. This police procedural show follows the life of Patrick Jane; an unusual man with the uncanny ability to pull the truth from suspects and solve murder mysteries.

"The Mentalist" incorporates episodes focusing on Jane's nemesis, Red John; a serial killer who murdered Jane's wife and daughter. Prior to joining the California Bureau of Investigation, Patrick worked as a stage psychic. His problems with Red John began when Jane appeared on a talk show and claimed he used his psychic powers to help police locate the serial killer.

Jane publically insulted Red John by calling him ugly and weak. When Jane returned home from the show, he discovered a note on his bedroom door. Upon opening the door, Jane saw Red John's infamous red smiley face painted on the wall using the blood of his wife and child.

Jane's co-workers aren't sure what to think of his abilities or unorthodox crime-solving skills. Jane's superior, Teresa Lisbon, is often placed in awkward situations because of Jane's 'intuition'. Her no-nonsense, yet professional attitude may stem from a tumultuous childhood.

Lisbon's mother was killed by a drunk driver and her father drowned his grief in a bottle, which led to suicide. Lisbon understands the depth of Jane's pain and the need to maintain a hard exterior shell.

Grace Van Pelt is the rookie at CBI, but has earned the respect of her team. Van Pelt deals with her own skeletons in the closet, but viewers have yet to learn what is behind those closet doors. A sister's suicide was foreshadowed in Season 2 episode 'Throwing Fire' when Grace talked a woman out of suicide by telling her that her sister had taken her own life. She later denied having a sister when questioned by her partner, Wayne Rigsby.

Rigsby and Van Pelt developed a relationship through Season 1 and Season 2 of "The Mentalist," but it came to a screeching halt when Madeleine Hightower took over as head of the CBI. Hightower found out about the forbidden co-worker relationship and threatened their jobs.

Hightower eventually gave them an ultimatum, stating they could continue their relationship, but one of them would have to be transferred to a new unit. In the end, Grace called off the relationship and Season 3 shows them finding it challenging to be 'just' friends.

Agent Kimball Cho is the straightforward CBI team member who spent time in juvenile detention and later joined the military. Cho never smiles and rarely changes facial expression, but he is a kind man and the consummate professional.

Together, the CBI team solves murders and mysteries by thinking outside the box and combining their strengths. Each episode provides a good murder mystery, along with a hint of romance between Jane and Lisbon. Viewers can experience laughter, intrigue, and entertainment by tuning into "The Mentalist" Thursday evenings at 10pm ET on CBS.

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"The Mentalist" on CBS