The Mentalist
It's a little bit Medium, and a whole lot of Psych, but Simon Baker displays an unassuming confidence as a cool customer.
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Simon Baker (without the hyphenated “Denny”) is a cool customer in The Mentalist.
As Patrick Jane, he can walk into a crime scene and see things the cops miss. As a phony, celebrity psychic, he knows all the tricks in the book. The opening scene shows Jane working his stuff when a grieving mother and father shed tears for their murdered daughter to the media. He knows something more is goin’ on. In this scene, Baker displays an unassuming confidence that no doubt won him the role. It’s a deftly-directed opener.
Once the audience is up to speed on how Jane works he moves on to another murder scene, this time the serial killings of “Red John” who paints a “smiley face” in blood at the scene of his crimes.
Jane is assisting the Californian Bureau of Investigation, led by Agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) and three male sidekicks. Tunney is best known as ‘Michael’s’ lawyer and ‘Linc’s’ ex-girlfriend in Prison Break. Here she is tight-lipped and emotionless as a team leader. She’s something of a non-believer in Jane’s work, which is sort of ironic given the guy admitted he was performing tricks anyway.
Also appearing in the opening episode is Zeljko Ivanek (who just won an Emmy for his Damages work) as a psychiatrist.
The majority of the pilot focusses on procedural crime with a few breadcrumbs that tell us about Jane’s personal life: his past, his family, and what makes him tick. No doubt these will unfold in coming episodes.
The look of The Mentalist is rather classy, with contemporary, almost tropical settings. You could be forgiven for thinking we were in Hawaii.
But Baker’s quiet awe in his performance is yet to be contrasted by vibrant co-stars. As a result, the pilot drags with a rather uninteresting bunch. Action is kept to a minimum.
The premise by writer Bruno Heller (Rome) is also dangerously similar to Psych, an observer whose bereft attitude keeps the show bubbling along. Nor does it have the unsettling storytelling of Medium, with a cast so damned believable they could live next door.
The Mentalist will need to prove itself early if it is to survive a crowded genre, at least it has the right guy at its centre to make a go of it.
The Mentalist premieres 8:30pm Sunday on Nine.
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- Tagged with Damages, Emmy Awards, Medium, Prison Break, Psych, Rome, The Mentalist
19 Responses
How are they worlds apart???Columbo,Monk,Poirot,Mentalist,Psych,they are all about Sherlock Holmes like detective who observes incredibly small details and nothing escapes them!!!I thing that makes good comparison of Monk and The Mentalist!!!
I don’t get all this comparison to Monk of The Mentalist, to me they’re worlds apart, Monk is probably more akin to Columbo if anything and yeah it’s worlds apart from Psych (which I enjoy as well), I have enjoyed The Mentalist so far. Though the formula could tire quickly, especially if the Character played by Robin Tunney continues to not want to listen to the character played by Simon Baker (annoys me in shows when that happens a lot, at least in Psych it’s played for laughs but in serious show it grates on me).
Nine will probably find it has its hands on a hit. Unless Seven’s Pirates of the Carribean 2 movie bones its premiere. If it does ail there’s always 2.5 men and CSI repeats to fill the void
stevie g, definitely give Psych a go. It’s one of the best shows I’ve seen in the last couple of years. Words can’t describe just how good it is. Just see it for yourself and decide.
I’m really looking forward to The Mentalist. I’m not expecting it to be like Psych and I know it won’t be better but I still think it’s going to be a great show. As long as 9 keep it on that is.
I liked Moonlight but it wasn’t 1/10th as good as Angel was. As for The Mentalist, the pilot was pretty good. I’m not one for police procedurals but this one has something different to it.
I never saw Psych, but all this Psych talk has me more curious to see that show now, than the Mentalist….
it was rating well, winning it’s timeslot and won the people’s choice award. it’s cancellation was a huge shock and totally unexpected, no one was even worried that it might not get a 2nd season, that is why we are all so cut about it. the only explanation seems to be that there were some problems going on behind the scenes that we were not privy to. luckily it did end fairly well, although that was just pure chance as no one even contemplated cancellation. also it was REALLY good, even with only one season it shot to the top of many peoples favourite shows ever list, it was a real gem, that is why we just can’t get over it, i’m sorry i know it is annoying how we always go on, but if you were a fan u’d understand.
This is not a comedy so no Psych comparisons!!! This is what would happen if Shaun (Psych) grew up, got married and had everything taken away. It is a great show, but those looking for the levity of Psych will be disappointed.
Forgive my ignorance, but how was canceling moonlight any different from canceling another show. Did it not get a proper conclusion?
I’ve heard this show being compared to Psych so many times. The premise may be the same but the way it’s executed certainly doesn’t seem that way. One thing that makes Psych such an enjoyable show is the comedy and I doubt this show will have much, if any.
i won’t watch it coz i hate CBS for what they did to moonlight (which also had an australian lead) and 9 for the same reason. nothing in the ads or what i’ve heard has been enough to over power my hatred. and with heroes, prison break and supernatural all coming back on i don’t need any new shows to fill my time, so i’ll be passing on this one.
Am so looking forward to this Sunday, being tucked up in bed with a G & T watching that yummy man Simon on my Rank Arena tele..
The Dame
I like the Monk comparison very apt. Kind of a mix of Psych,Medium and Monk but with the tone of Medium. Sounds interesting.
As pointed out in the body of the review, the supporting cast is a real problem with this show.
Baker is like a steam engine dragging the lifeless carriages of his fellow actors through the Pilot. They have little in the way of interesting character traits and the performers do nothing to bring them to life.
Hopefully, future re-casting or major script revamps will give it much needed life.
I should stress that I have only seen the Pilot so far.
It’s a little like Psych, and a little like Monk, but darker and serious. It has potential, but may need to lighten up a little to make the characters more likeable.
I’m looking forward to this, but not because of Baker, but because of Amanda Righetti. She is a great actress, but would love to see how she does in this role, which is much different to the characters she normally plays.
I quite liked Simon Baker in The Guardian, so i may give this a shot despite passing on psych and medium.
I am going to give this one a go
I’ve been told this show is like and “unfunny” Psych, I’ll have to check out the pilot to see. I love Psych and how they don’t take them self to seriously, it nice harmless fun.