User Reviews

This is one ep you have to watch. I know it originally aired in '08, and I've watched entire series through current season, but when a network starts rerunning a series from the start, I sometimes start all over, especially if I like the first years better than the last (can you say "Red John catastrophic conclusion ep?") The entire cast does a great job, Jane solves the crime, as usual, finding the unlikely culprit. The reason for my review is Fred Koehler. According to his bio, he's been in numerous shows, staring in Kate and Ally when he was only 9 (didn't watch series so don't know about his role), but this is the first time I sat up and paid attention to him. The scene in the interview room between him and Jane was outstanding. You had no idea what Jane was trying to accomplish here with this mentally challenged character. The slow transformation on Koehlers face when Jane finally gets him to break is simply amazing. He did it all just with the expression in his eyes . . . unbelievable acting! I have never forgotten Koehlers performance in this episode and every time I see him in a different show, I say, "Oh, yeah. That's the guy from that Mentalists ep!" I don't know if Fred Koehler won an award for his performance, but he certainly deserved one. Simply great, unforgettable episode. Kudos to all involved in bringing it to air.

We have watched all the episodes of The Mentalist, right to the end - except that we never did see Season 1 - until one of our local channels in the UK decided to repeat the whole series from the beginning. Naturally, we had to watch these ones, 10 years after they were made, but still a joy to watch! They have reminded me of the reasons why I loved the show - the characterisations, the often dark humour, the clever plots, and the insights into the soul of Patrick Jane.

There is a lot to like in this episode. Simon Baker manages to capture the enigma that is Patrick - his skills at reading people, the childlike joy at simple little things like the taste of rain, and at almost the same time, the pain lurking not far under the surface, the irony of his comments about revenge being that he can give advice to others, but he knows he could not take his own advice when it comes to Red John. We are kept guessing, until nearly the end, the identity of the culprit, and the way we find out and how it is shown, is what has finally prompted me to write a review of this particular episode.

It is the performance of Fred Koehler as Tommy in the interview with Patrick, who has spotted clues as to Tommy's true character. Patrick can spot someone who is wearing a mask, as he is so good at that himself. I actually spotted those clues too, but dismissed them as not necessarily important. It is those few moments, after Tommy realises that he has been discovered, where his face is subtly transformed from that of a simpleton to that of a cynical, knowing killer, that impressed me! So hard to describe, but the eyebrows relax, and you see the light come on. That is one amazing piece of acting - worthy of an award, in my opinion! I have never seen Fred Koehler in anything else, but this makes me want to!

When a man burns to death in his garage in the town of Marquesa the CBI are called in. It is quickly established that he was murdered. It also becomes clear that the dead man served in the National Guard alongside other members of the community; one of whom was having an affair with the man's widow. He makes a likely suspect… until he becomes the next victim. As the investigation continues it emerges that another member of the group had died in a fire three years previously so revenge could be a motive for the fact that the recent victims are being targeted with fire. The talk of revenge leads to Jane telling Lisbon what he intends to do when he finally catches up with Red John; it isn't something within the law!

This is a superior episode not only because the central mystery is interesting with plenty of suspects and motives but also due to Jane shows a darker side to his character. He is his usual jovial self most of the time but clearly sympathises with those seeking revenge and makes graphically clear what he'd like to do to Red John. Simon Baker is in particularly fine form here. Even so for once he gets overshadowed; Fred Koehler who plays the apparently simple Tommy Olds gives a masterful performance; the scene between him and Jane in the interview room is just brilliant. There is a good amount of action including somebody shooting at Cho and Van Pelt, Rigsby saving somebody from an explosive fire and Jane and a suspect being trapped in a burning barn. Overall a great instalment in this enjoyable series.