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The Mentalist

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DontHateOState

DontHateOState

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Does anyone else watch The Mentalist with Simon Baker? It is quite formulaic but I generally like the storylines and the metaplot with Red John.

I really like seeing the relationships between the characters develop as well. There is some massive potential with exploring the diametric opposition of Van Pelt's faith and Jane's bitterness towards the thought of God even existing. I wish they would explore the differing views of the characters a bit more; I suppose the intrigue between Rigsby and Van Pelt is a start.

I'm also quite certain that Bosco is Red John.
 
jwinslow;1591975; said:
I haven't. Is it a rip off of Psych?
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Psych sure thinks so, since Shawn mentions it all the time. It seems to be the CBS'ed version of the fun-loving USA show. I've spent a lot of time watching CSI and Cold Case and Without a Trace and NCIS, and eventually all those CBS procedurals kind of run together... (Which is not to say they're bad, just very different from USA's originals)
 
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jwinslow;1591975; said:
I haven't. Is it a rip off of Psych?
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The premise is the same as Pysch but I wouldn't call it a rip off as much as a refining. And, after all, Psych/Mentalist/Monk are all really just ripping off Sherlock Holmes.


BayBuck;1591986; said:
Psych sure thinks so, since Shawn mentions it all the time. It seems to be the CBS'ed version of the fun-loving USA show. I've spent a lot of time watching CSI and Cold Case and Without a Trace and NCIS, and eventually all those CBS procedurals kind of run together... (Which is not to say they're bad, just very different from USA's originals)
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The biggest difference between The Mentalist and the other procedurals is the aforementioned metaplot with the main character, Patrick Jane. He originally becomes ingrained in the criminal detective business after his wife and child is murdered by a serial killer, Red John. Red John is one of those sadictive, high-IQ types that views his killings as a cat-and-mouse game with society. It's quite interesting viewing the
mental interaction between the two.
 
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DontHateOState;1592095; said:
No, but he used reasoning and intellect to solve crimes. Both shows follow the same premise of the Holmes' stories.
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That is way way too broad a description to call those shows "ripoffs" of Sherlock Holmes, who could himself be considered an echo of Poe's Dupin. The Mentalist is much more narrowly similar to Psych, though it ends up different enough in tone and characterization to stand on its own.
 
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BayBuck;1592313; said:
That is way way too broad a description to call those shows "ripoffs" of Sherlock Holmes, who could himself be considered an echo of Poe's Dupin. The Mentalist is much more narrowly similar to Psych, though it ends up different enough in tone and characterization to stand on its own.
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Yes, but that is really the point- it isn't a novel idea for detectives to use different forms of reasoning to solve crimes.
 
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