Seasons I - IV should come complete with a notice from the Surgeon General's Office: "Warning. THE MENTALIST may be addictive to anyone unfamiliar with great television."

"Well" (I hear you thinking), "maybe just ONE season." Fool not yourself, Gentle Viewer. Simply bite the bullet and buy all four. Today. Right now. For one thing, they are a joy to watch sans commercials.

I'm sure those who've managed to find their way here unaided know enough about the cast and particulars to go on with, and they have probably already figured out that the show is stunningly brilliant. Yes, it is Sherlock Holmes in modern garb with a twist, but it is so much more.

THE MENTALIST, in fact, lays almost every icon and cliché of the whole mystery/crime genre on its ear, and, in some cases, goes them one better. Just one "for instance" will suffice (half the fun is searching out the others): there are two variations (so far) on MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. In addition, there are elements from many and diverse television dramas of the past, from THE FUGITIVE and PERRY MASON to STAR TREK. Yes, STAR TREK (Kimball Cho as Spock?). Bruno Heller knows - as did Gene Roddenberry - that an audience needs a cast they can care about, which means a group of well developed characters who care about each other.

I'm not sure Mr. Heller did all this on purpose, mind you, but the fact is that some of THE MENTALIST episodes - to say nothing of the seasons themselves - have as many layers and contain as many traditions as the HARRY POTTER novels, including Jane Austen's penchant for misdirection, but it is certainly great fun thinking along those lines whether or not.

And really, what more can we ask. The series IS great fun. Treat yourself and buy it. Watch it with friends who are unfamiliar and not yet addicted. You will NOT be sorry.

I bought this season here because it was cheaper than retail (Shocking huh?)

Its the same quality, same product and can watch it when and where you like, unlike Digital copies in a non wifi world. I have this same debate with everyone, to digi or not.

Digital copies are great if your a metropolis dweller who doesn't stray from your local work to starbucks to home to starbucks habit. For those of you who actually leave WiFi coverage and see the real world I reccomend getting the DVD or if so inclined, the bluray. The ironic thing is that the movie industry and music industry for that matter, spend millions on anti-piracy and lobbying for government restrictions on DRM (Digital Rights Management) because it drains money from their pockets, causes job loss and "Promotes Terrorism" The funny thing is, they are selling direct to consumers now (Digital Media) and cutting out wholesalers, retailers and in fact doing exactly what they are saying that they oppose. Seen many record or music shops around that are not owned by billion dollar corporations? enough of that, on to the newsworthy review.

If you are looking for a truely portable means in which to be entertained, purchase the DVD. Especially this DVD series, the plot is easy to follow, but not predictable mainly in part to very skillful editing and direction. I have never been a huge fan of Simon Baker until this series, I really dont see any other actor that could pull it off.

The odd thing I noticed is that he looks exactly like the Red John drawing at each crime scene, its almost like he's being taunted with a caricture of him. Its not really gory like CSI, Criminal Minds or too goofy like Psych, its just right.

I'm in the process of re-watching (or watching, as I come across a few episodes I haven't seen) the entire series. It is fun; even as the show develops it retains a basic consistency: with a few exceptions, it is not too bloody; the regular characters are consistent in personality and some are sufficiently intriguing; the scripts tend to be good; weak scenes are sparse, bad episodes even sparser; some recurring guests (Malcolm McDowell in particular) add spice to the show; some episodes are fun. Quite nicely, the creators even manage to weave a 'happy ending' or two into a generally serious murder mystery series -- without ruining the tone.

The producers have managed to create a perfectly outrageous character in Patrick Jane and, thanks to some good acting, make him believable.

Season four picks up where the Strawberries & Cream (the final episode of S3) left off. Jane is under arrest for killing the man he believed to be RJ.

We aren't told early on in the season whether this man was the real RJ or not, but the man he killed certainly has dark secrets, which are unveiled early in this fourth season. While Jane is on trial for his life, Lisbon and her team are suspended for their role in implicating the director of CBI as the RJ "mole" inside the CBI at the end of S3. After being released from prison (I won't say how that plays out), Jane is assigned a new team, headed by Agent Ray Haffner, an increasingly mysterious character from this point in S4, through the most recent fifth season of the Mentalist.

Also, we are introduced to the new boss, Luther Wainwright. He's young and well educated, but his academic approaches naturally clash with Jane's unconventional, yet often effective, approach to solving CBI cases.

We are also introduced to Susan Darcy, an FBI agent who takes over the case of the San Joaquin killer (4x07), quickly becomes involved in learning whether or not Jane actually killed RJ. By 4x11, this seems more and more unlikely. The writers also reintroduce Rosalind Harker (from season 1) in two episodes. She plays a key role in clarifying whether or not the man Jane killed was RJ, or whether RJ is still alive (Teaser).

Van Pelt goes through a period of recovery after shooting O'Laughlin. Rigsby finds true love with a member of the DA office, and their relationship goes a few steps beyond just dating in season 4. Cho becomes romantically interested in one of the CBI's central informants during the middle of the season. It was good to see his character expanded in this way, without betraying the core of who Cho is on the show. We also meet Tommy Lisbon, Teresa Lisbon's younger brother in one episode, as well as one of her old flames in one of the final episodes in the show.

During the two-part finale, Jane is *not* with the CBI, comes into close contact with one of RJ's mistresses, and in the final ten minutes of Season 4, Jane is in RJ's limo. One scene I think the fans really liked was seeing Jane and Lisbon finally hold hands after an intense chase of the limo. I won't disclose anymore!

In all, this season does a good job at keeping the RJ arch very much central to the show, while letting it continue to be a crime drama at the same time. I'd recommend this purchase!

I really enjoy this series. The writing is amazing, full of equal parts humor and serious, thought-provoking concepts. The actors are believable and are very fun to watch. And, of course, Simon Baker, is so amazing and handsome! I could watch him all day. However, all of the other major cast members are awesome, too! I love the interaction. I hope that they had as much fun making the series as I have watching them.

Nice "backup" entertainment when nothing else is on. Actually, Mentalist is good entertainment compared with what the media puts out today. Good acting, script writing. No complaints. Cho is always priceless!

I love the mentalist. This season was 48 dollars for so long, glad I caught it on sale for 22 bucks. Gotta love Amazon for that!!! Patrick Jane is one of my favorite Crime show solvers. I love his method of solving crime, not always necessary but usually gets the job done. The show brings all the basic CBS crime show requirements, Humor, excellent character back grounds, well developed friend ships between partners and friends. And new stories every episode. I own all the DVDs currently out, I can't wait for season 5!

This is one of my favorite series and this season is better because the writers have gone back to the off beat characters that we came to love in Season 1. Season 2 was a little darker and Jane seemed bitter and not as genuine as the character in Season 1. Season 3 was better and now with Season 4 the writers are continuing on with that character development. I like all of the main characters on the show and they all have their quirks that work well with each other. I would like to see an end to Red John; I actually like these type of shows to be reconciled within one or a couple of episodes.

本日6thを注文。5thまでを見直してみたが、この4thは各エピソードが素晴らしかった。

1stは、ジェーンの過去と人柄を徐々に明かしていく事象的なエピソードが充実していたが、4thでは女性達の愛のエピソードとでも言おうか。ヴァンペルト、サラ、サマー‥それぞれの女性達の愛の歓喜と苦しみが詰まっていた(リズボン頑張れ!)。

これまでヴァンペルトに美しさで圧倒されていたリズボンは、どんどん化粧が薄くなり、それとともに美しくなってきたし、またサマー役の女優さんは、ヒッチコック時代の映画のような雰囲気があって、メンタリストという硬質なドラマの中では非常に印象的。

エピソードは一つ一つが洗練されていて、レッドジョンの動向に関係なく楽しめた。特にオカマちゃん大活躍の話は、ジェーンもリズボンも脇役に甘んじるほど個性豊かなメンバーに圧倒され最高!

This was bought as a replacement for my original set. Great series. Second disk was slightly scuffed but I've learnt that it's a DVD thing with 9/10 sets.

Una de las peliculas no funciona. Y estoy midando las atras peliculas

I love the blend of drama and comedy in this show - very broad and appeals to everyone. Patrick is wonderfully amusing and Theresa is the perfect foil. The premise is very entertaining and heart-wrenching at the same time. The entire cast really pull it all together and make it come alive. You can watch one episode and enjoy it or watch the whole season and know the sub-plot and the character lines. Well written. The price is way better than retail and the shipping was fast and easy. Great Value - great product!

The Mentalist is an awesome detective show to watch. It is about a man, Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) that found his wife and daughter murdered. Patrick ends up work for the CBI (California Bureau of Investigation) as a consultant. His tactics can be comical, but always solves the case. Patrick use to be a con artist prior to finding his family murdered. I recommend The Mentalist to everyone who loves detective shows with comic relief :)