Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Mentalist

Question: My favorite show is The Mentalist. Do you have any news for Season 7? –Snežana

Ausiello: A new woman is about to enter Patrick Jane’s (professional) life. The CBS drama is casting the series regular role of Michelle Vega, a rookie FBI agent who is a student of combat and weaponry and is unfazed by high-pressure situations (such as when the show awaited that 11th-hour renewal).

SRC: tvline.com/

Ask Matt: Finales (Mentalist)

Question: I was wondering what you (and other viewers) thought about the finale of The Mentalist. I was very disappointed. For one thing, I'm with Cho: I've always thought of Jane and Lisbon's relationship as more of a brother-sister thing, so having them become a couple is just weird. But putting that aside, the whole ending was so cliché and ridiculous. In fact, I'm wondering if, in next season's premiere, the ending will have been one of Jane's dreams. That's exactly what it felt like, a dreamlike happy ending. If that's the case, it will be easier to swallow. Anyway, this show was so great in the first few seasons, but the last few, not so much. Especially the way they dragged out the whole Red John storyline to the point where nobody cared anymore. And now that everything's changed, and they're with the FBI instead of the CBI, it just feels tired. It doesn't have the energy it once had. What do you think? — Camille

Matt Roush: Can't speak for anyone else, but the Mentalist finale felt to me as if the producers were hedging their bets in case this had been the series finale — and given how touch-and-go the renewal was, they were probably right to do so — so I had no real problem with Jane's over-the-top romantic gesture to win Lisbon's affections. Yes, the set-up of storming the plane was silly, but score one for the shippers. One of the more positive responses I received was from Deana, who wrote: "It was so good that Simon Baker's Aussie accent slipped through several times. A very good way to cap the season." But I agree that the Texas reboot hasn't exactly recharged the show, which seems whenever I tune in to be just going through the paces with a spottier ensemble. Maybe bringing the romance to the foreground (in the tradition of Bones and Castle) will bring some spice back to the show, even at the risk of alienating those who preferred their relationship platonic.

Question: Is there any chance The Mentalist writers would give another shot at a Red John closure? I was among the fans who didn't like the "Red John finale" because, come on, McAllister is Red John? He appeared in what, two or three episodes? I expected something much more creative from a show such as The Mentalist. And Jane pulling out a pigeon from his jacket and throwing it in the sheriff's face? I don't even know how to describe that! I think the Red John episode was kind of lame, and even though the show has moved on, I'm still hoping the writers will surprise us regarding this Red John thing. Do you agree with what I said? Or were you satisfied with the closure they gave Red John? — Alyssa

Matt Roush: There was plenty of room for criticism in the way the show resolved the Red John storyline, but the last thing The Mentalist needs to do at this stage is to go back to that empty well. I can only imagine the mail I'd get if they went there again. Whether you liked it or not, it was way past time to move on, and they have. And so should we.

Question: Just wanted to know what's going on with the schedule for The Mentalist next season? Why did CBS renew it then decide to wait until next spring for the Season 7 premiere? And switch so many shows around? I can bet that some of these new shows won't get the ratings either. We #Jisbon fans waited so long for them to get together, and now we have to wait again! I think that USA Network should pick it up or another network, so we have a full season! If Season 7 is the last season, we the fans have a right to a full season. At least give it a proper send-off!! — Jessica

Matt Roush: Would you rather The Mentalist have been canceled altogether? That was a real possibility for a show this "mature" and expensive — and it's unlikely that anyone would have picked up the tab to keep it going if CBS hadn't stepped up. It's not entirely clear how many episodes this renewal entails, but just because it's not on the fall lineup doesn't necessarily mean a drastically shortened season. And if it does turn out to be the last hurrah, CBS will likely make some promotional noise out of that. In the bigger picture, because I'm something of a programming nerd, I always look forward to CBS's Upfront announcement to see how the network will juggle its assets from season to season. Putting aside the numbness that ensues from so much alphabet-soup sameness on the schedule, moving NCIS: Los Angeles to Mondays makes them more competitive on a night where they've struggled, and moving the durable CSI into Mentalist's worrisome Sunday time period (plagued so often by football and other sports overruns for more than half the year) is another interesting experiment. If any of CBS's new dramas flop, I'd bet The Mentalist would be rushed back on the schedule, possibly creating a new set of scheduling dominoes.

SRC: thesuntimes.com/

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Mentalist's finale (6x22)

Question: Do you have any Jane and Lisbon spoilers for the season finale of The Mentalist? —Erin

Ausiello: These two new images from the May 18 closer (see photos, right) suggest a quite different, maybe-not-so-happy ending for the pair (at least compared to these more optimistic-looking pics).

SRC: tvline.com/

Matt's Inside Line: The Mentalist

Shall I dare ask for a Mentalist scoop? –Sal
You shall! In this Sunday’s episode, Jane and the FBI scramble to prove a death row inmate’s innocence, thus pitting Jane against no less than Star Trek: TNG‘s god-like Q . “[Guest star] John De Lancie plays a man whose wife’s killer is about to be executed, and he and Jane square off over that,” exec producer Tom Szentgyorgyi previews. “John gives a spectacular performance, and was a great sparring partner for [Simon] Baker.”

Please! Do you have anything for Mentalist fans on Jane’s reaction to Lisbon’s new boyfriend? –Yara
While I had Szentgyorgyi on the phone to preview May sweeps/the season finale, I was sure to inquire what Jane was thinking as he sat alone on the sofa, after seeing Teresa run off for late-night pancakes with her new paramour, Pike. “I think Jane was feeling curiously like a third wheel – something he doesn’t feel very often – and wondering why he felt that way,” the EP answered. “Pike is with us through the end of the season, and he will become a increasingly important figure in Lisbon’s life, so Jane is wondering what he’s feeling, because he’s been the most important man in Lisbon’s life — and suddenly he might not be.”

SRC: tvline.com/

Round Table: 6x16 "Violets" (fans Q & A review)

A deadly gang of art thieves had Patrick Jane in his glory on The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 16, as he took the entire team undercover for an elaborate con to catch the bad guys.

Our TV Fanatics Robin Harry and Christine Orlando are joined by The Mentalist fan Neha to discuss how they feel about Lisbon and Marcus Pike and what Jane was thinking when he cast his latest con.

------------------------------------------------------

What do you think of Lisbon dating Marcus Pike?

Robin:  I'm okay with it. I'm not a hardcore shipper, but I do think the writers are heading for a Lisbon/Jane end game (which I'm surely on board with). In the meantime though, Lisbon deserves to be wined and dined, and Marcus seems like a good guy with excellent taste.  I say go for it, Lisbon!

Neha:  When I first heard the spoilers about Pike I wasn't sure, but now that I have seen him in action, I absolutely love him! He felt really refreshing to me. In a world where the only man in Lisbon's life expects her to almost always read between the lines, a direct no mess, no games approach must be like the first day of spring for her. Of course, she grabbed it! Their chemistry is great and I think Lisbon needs to have some fun at this point. 

Christine:  I agree with Neha that Pike's direct approach was a huge contrast to Jane. I'm OK with Lisbon and Pike dating as long as it's just for a few episodes and it's used to help move Teresa and Patrick's relationship forward. I've got my fingers crossed that that is where this story is headed.

Did you see any subtext in the roles Jane gave everyone in his elaborate con?

Robin: Yes and no. I'm sure he thoroughly enjoyed having Lisbon as the girlfriend and Fischer as the tramp, but he was also being practical.  Kim practically seduced Jane while he was in exile so he knew what she was capable of, and I can't even imagine watching Lisbon try to seduce someone. Conversely, he and Lisbon have known each other longer and have better chemistry, and would make a much more believable couple.

Neha:  Yes, absolutely. He's always said for a lie to really work, there has to be some truth in it. Kim got to be the seducer because, let's face it, that's what she was on the island with Jane. Also after he walked into that banter between Lisbon and Pike in the stolen art museum, I don't think Jane wanted her to spend any behind the scenes time with Pike. 

Christine: Yes, I thought that was lots of fun. That he dressed Lisbon in that very feminine white dress and gave her the role of his girlfriend but put Fischer in the tacky animal print and made her the seducer had me wondering if they were simply roles he thought they could play or did he subconsciously see them in these roles in real life. 

Do you believe McKaye was right? Is Lisbon Jane's soft spot?

Robin: Oh my gosh, yes.  Whether platonically or romantically, there's no denying that Jane loves Lisbon and would do anything for her.

Neha:  Oh, absolutely, if Lisbon is not his soft spot I don't know who is. If McKaye had put a gun to Lisbon's head Jane would have given up pretty much anything. 

Christine:  McKaye got it right. If nothing else she is his best friend but I think they're on the cusp of being much more.  I don't know how Jane would handle it if he ever lost her. 

Who had the best outfit of the episode?

Robin: The black and white dress Lisbon wore the day after the party was just fabulous.  I want one!

Neha: Lisbon, we never get to see her out of her button up shirts and blazers, this was a great change. 

Christine:  I'm with Robin, I really liked Lisbon's black and white dress. It really stood out because we never see her in skirts. But I also couldn't help but notice all of the scarves Jane wore. I don't know why but every time I saw him in one it made me smile. 

What was your favorite scene from this episode of The Mentalist Season 6?

Robin: This is the most fun episode we've had in FOREVER, so it's strange that my favorite scene was a sad one.  It absolutely broke my heart to see Patrick at the end of the episode, sitting all alone in the dark. Without Red John and without Teresa, he really is lost. 

Neha: I really enjoyed this episode, more than I thought I would. Surprisingly, my favorite scene was the one in the fish bowl when Wiley was forced to brief everyone. They all looked so amused, like when a toddler plays doctor and you play the patient. Also, the look on Lisbon's face when she saw that dress was priceless. Patrick's direct quote Wiley read out at the end, all made for an excellent scene! 

Christine:  I really enjoyed Pike and Wiley watching the scene at the bar unfold over the video monitor. There's something about Wiley's enthusiasm that's just infectious. I think Jane has a new protégé.

SRC: tvfanatic.com/

Ask Matt: The Mentalist's seventh season

Question: Any news on The Mentalist? Do we know if we'll get a seventh season, of if the sixth one will be the last of the show? - Elisabetta

Matt Roush: At this point, it doesn't look like that decision will be made until CBS sets the new fall lineup in May. But given how unimpressive the reboot has been, it might be a mercy to not try to extend it yet another season (and the seventh would almost certainly be the last, as it was for earlier procedurals like Cold Case and Without a Trace). I wouldn't be surprised either way, but given how successful The Mentalist once was for CBS, it would be nice for the show to get at least a little bit of an actual send-off.

Ask Matt: The Mentalist

Question: I have watched The Mentalist for the last few years and was profoundly grateful when the Red John storyline ended. In the last episode, it seemed like everyone involved in bringing down Red John was being targeted by some unknown entity (presumably not Red John, unless Jane killed the wrong Red John again). Does this mean that Wayne and Grace are returning? I was just getting used to the new team. Also, is there any hope for Jane and Lisbon to become a couple or to clarify that they will not be a couple? I find the "will-they, won't-they" annoying. I don't see any chemistry between Jane and Kim. She is really, in some ways, too similar to Lisbon without the charm or affection for Jane that would be needed for a believable relationship. — Kristi

Matt Roush: It's a very transitional season for The Mentalist, obviously, so for now, with the actors' names still in the opening credits, I'd look at Owain Yeoman (Rigsby) and Amanda Righetti (Van Pelt) as "recurring regulars," who'll pop in and out of the show as the story demands. Some weeks they'll be invisible, but as long as the show follows this storyline of the targeted ex-CBI agents, they'll likely be around, though I've seen nothing to indicate they'll be back for good. Relocating them to Austin wouldn't make much sense, and this current storyline would be a smart way for them to take a final (hopefully not fatal) bow. They'll always be a part of The Mentalist's universe, though, as long as they're still breathing, so I wouldn't rule out return visits in the future. Regarding the never-ending issue of Jane and Lisbon's romantic prospects, that will likely be a slow burner for some time to come, although the post-Red John reinvention of The Mentalist seems to have liberated Simon Baker's performance, which is a lot more playful and flirtatious, ditto with Robin Tunney as his reassigned "equal." Agreed, though, that there are no sparks with the so-far-underdeveloped Kim Fischer (Emily Swallow) character, so let's hope they don't go there.

SRC: tvguide.com/news/

Ask Matt: Mentalist to be cancelled?

Question: I've just heard that two of my favorite shows might well be cancelled, and they're The Mentalist and Hawaii Five-0. I've often looked at what shows were "on the bubble" but the appropriateness of that term just struck me since I now realize these shows may very well either burst or float on, so I really hope it will be the latter! I think The Mentalist was bothered by too many late showings due to football (and maybe the Red John saga hanging on so long turned people off — not me), and Hawaii Five-0 is on a tough night where many shows, except for Blue Bloods —another on my "must watch" list — don't appear to do that well. Have you heard anything about the outcome of these shows, or do you have an opinion one way or another? — Dorothy

Matt Roush: Not sure where you're hearing these things, but the fact is that CBS has a tradition of cycling out many of its long-running procedurals over time (Cold Case, Without a Trace, the CSI spin-offs) so as to keep the schedule fresh, and one of the warning signs that a show's expiration time is near is when CBS moves it from its original night to trouble spots like Sundays at 10/9c or Fridays. But your fears may be a wee bit premature. CBS is no doubt looking closely at The Mentalist to see how viewers respond to the show's new format post-Red John (the denouement of which spiked the ratings), but the football overruns aren't really a factor. CBS has been dealing with that problem for ages, and they know the show in the 10/9c time slot tends to suffer. The real issue here is that when a show is moved into that time period, that's usually a sign the clock is ticking. But CBS tends to let shows of this sort run for at least seven seasons, and I wouldn't be surprised if The Mentalist gets one more lap, although if fans don't embrace Mentalist 2.0, that could hasten the end. With Hawaii, it's clear this reboot is unlikely to have the staying power of the '60s original (which ran 12 seasons), but it's doing well enough on a tough night that I'm betting they'll stick with the Hawaii-Blue Bloods combo for at least another season if not more.

SRC: tvguide.com/

Spoiler Chat: Mentalist (6x14 title revealed: "Grey Water")

Henry: So, Red John is dead on The Mentalist… now what?
Back to business as usual! At least, that's how it's going to be by the time episode 14 comes around. However, the title of the episode will tell you that even though Red John is dead, his presence won't be forgotten, if you allow us to be so vague. Episode 14 is called "Grey Water." Make of that what you will.

SRC: uk.eonline.com/

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'The Mentalist' (6x10, spoilers)

Question: Any romantic scoop on The Mentalist‘s Patrick Jane and Kim Fischer? I see sparks aplenty in the “My Blue Heaven” promo. –Amy

Ausiello: …and you have also since seen, I assume, that Fisher is a Fed — and not the friendliest one, at that. That said, in this Sunday’s episode, we’ll get the sense that her brief time with Jane on the island left an impression on her — and perhaps vice versa.

SRC: tvline.com/

Mega Buzz: Another time jump, while Jane is in locked detention (6x10, spoiler)

Any scoop on The Mentalist? Is Jane really going back to jail? — Elizabeth

ADAM: Get ready for another — albeit less severe — time jump. The next episode skips ahead three months, and Jane has indeed spent the intervening period in detention. (And Lisbon's been writing him letters! Aw...) However, the always wily Jane already has a plan to get out. Let's just say that some pieces of the Red John puzzle from earlier this season may be Jane's saving grace.

SRC: tvguide.com/

Ask Amber – ‘The Mentalist’ reveal

Finally, we found out who Red John is on The Mentalist and I can’t help but feel a bit let down. I felt that the sheriff lacked the charisma Red John is supposed to have. There is nothing in him that could make me believe women would kill for him. I would love to get your opinion on the “Red John” episode and would also love to get any info on the direction of The Mentalist now. Your most loyal fan. —Eliza

Amber: Here’s the problem with the Red John reveal — no matter how it went down people were going to be disappointed. You can’t unmask a character that has been so integral to the storyline for five seasons in one single episode and expect full closure. Personally, I think McAllister could have had that charisma of which you speak, but we don’t know because we never got to see that side of his persona. It would have been fun to watch him and Jane from different angles as they eventually came face-to-face, but then that would have ruined the whole “surprise” of it all I guess.

In terms of the future, Sunday night confirmed that the show is jumping ahead two years in time, and that the CBI team is scattered. That set is completely gone, as will be Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti) and Rigsby (Owain Yeoman) fairly soon. Hopefully the revamp keeps audiences tuned in, but I think the show needed it either way.

SRC: theloop.ca/

Mega Buzz: Mentalist

Am I going to be satisfied by the Red John reveal on The Mentalist?

- Kenny ADAM: I was! As you might have already guessed, there are still some very cool twists to play out before Jane's final showdown with Red John. And while Jane has often been outsmarted by his archenemy, this time, Jane is definitely one step ahead. Most importantly, Sunday's episode leaves a lot of questions for the show to answer in the post-Red John era. (And surprisingly, what to do with the now-defunct CBI crew isn't the most pressing.)

SRC: rrstar.com/

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Mentalist

Question: Do you have any scoop on Lisbon from The Mentalist? –Laura
Ausiello: Only that the end of the Red John storyline may — I said, may — be the best thing to ever happen to her love life. When asked if Jane and his No. 1 gal will retain have a strong bond once the dust has settled after this Sunday’s big showdown, Simon Baker says, “Absolutely — and I think even stronger.” As show boss Bruno Heller explains, Jane and Lisbon over these five-and-a-half seasons “have been so engrossed in this massive task ahead of them that they haven’t really looked at the people alongside them and… thought about what they mean to them. But now, they [will] have a chance to take a breath and think about each other in a way they haven’t before.”

Question: Is there anything you can tell us about The Mentalist and life after Red John for Jane? —Shena
Ausiello: Actually, there’s something I can tell you and there’s also something I can show you. First, I can tell you that there will be a significant time jump between the Red John finale this Sunday and the beginning of Mentalist 2.0 on Dec. 1. Now, let me show you what the the new woman in Jane’s life — the mysterious Kim Fischer (played by series regular Emily Swallow) — will look like when she first appears in the aforementioned Dec. 1 episode. Check out the exclusive image below and then hit the comments with answers to these two questions: Why have we heard so little about who this woman is? Who do you think she is?

SRC: tvline.com/

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Mentalist (Bertram's pendrive mistery)

Question: On The Mentalist, I have one lingering question I hope you can get answered: Will the coded message the Van Pelt found in Bertram’s storage locker come up again anytime soon? —Andrew
Ausiello: Yes, it will. Sometime soon.

SRC: tvline.com/