Series The Mentalist: 1 Season — 1 season, 1 episode

Story

CBI consultant Patrick Jane joins Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon and her team in Palm Springs, where the wife of a professional golfer and her doctor have been found murdered. The crime scene carries the disturbing signature of a serial killer, and the case appears to have a personal connection to Jane.

Jane approaches the investigation with an unusual combination of confidence, intuition and close observation. His ability to read people helps the team examine hidden motives and challenge seemingly reliable accounts, while the evidence gradually points toward a more troubling possibility. As Lisbon and her colleagues pursue the facts, Jane must keep his own history from clouding the case.

Overview

The opening episode of The Mentalist introduces a crime drama built around Patrick Jane, a former celebrity psychic whose apparent paranormal gifts were created through sharp analysis and an exceptional understanding of human behavior. After the brutal murder of his wife and child by the elusive serial killer known as Red John, Jane abandons his former public persona and turns his talents toward helping solve serious crimes.

Working with the California Bureau of Investigation, he brings an unconventional perspective to difficult investigations. The Palm Springs double murder establishes the series' central tension: each case offers Jane another opportunity to expose a killer, while his private pursuit of Red John remains close beneath the surface. The episode combines procedural investigation, psychological deduction and an underlying personal mystery.

Cast and Characters

Simon Baker plays Patrick Jane, the perceptive CBI consultant whose ability to detect deception and interpret behavior makes him a valuable investigator. His polished manner conceals grief and a determined search for the criminal responsible for destroying his family.

Robin Tunney portrays Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon, who leads the team handling the Palm Springs investigation. The cast also includes Tim Kang, Rockmond Dunbar and Joe Adler.