The Mentalist - Season 3

LOVE THIS!!! Keeps on getting better and better. I cannot wait to get my hands on season 4! Great cast, great suprises!

The weekly detective show has a real danger of becoming dangerously samey quite quickly, especially in the US. These shows often come in 24-26 episode chunks, so by the time Season 3 starts you already have 50 episodes in the bag. ‘The Mentalist’ has hit this milestone and like so many similar shows it is already starting to show its age, as once more Patrick Jane and Lisbon set out to solve a series of crimes that require Lisbon’s cop instincts and Jane’s observational powers. To spice things up the Red John theme plays a more prominent role in proceedings as it appears someone in the precinct is a spy for the notorious serial killer.

‘The Mentalist’ is at its best when Jane is at his meanest. In Season 3 he is more troubled than snarky and this makes him a slightly blander character at times. With the disappearance of a potential love interest he worries about her safety, rather than looking down his nose at the various suspects he comes across. Despite a slight personality shift, Jane is still by far and away the best character in the show. Lisbon is solid backup – although I believe any criminal worth their salt could snap her easily in two. The rest of the cast become increasingly side-lined – why bother keeping three colleagues if all they do is stand around? One nice element is the introduction of LaRouche, sent in to investigate the team; he manages to shake things up towards the end of the season and breathes new life into the show.

It is in these final few episodes as the Red John stories pile up that Season 3 peaks. There is a conclusion that is both entertaining and full of potential for further episodes. It is just a shame that around half the episodes of season 3 are starting to feel slightly stale and are only saved by the acting of Simon Baker.

The boxset comes with some interesting behind the scenes footage, including a look at Baker’s first time as a director.

Well, after all the waiting Season 3 is finally with us.

Problem is, now that channel 5* has been showing Season 4 for a while; how long will we have to wait for that to rent.

I guess it's a distribution rights thing, but it's happened with so many series I've started to watch only for it to be unavailable to rent after season 1 or 2.

Anyway on to the review, whether it's the long wait to finally get to see this series or rushing to watch all 20 episodes before my video recorder fills up with the on air Season 4, I'm getting increasingly annoyed with agent Lisbon's simpering attitude. She's supposed to be Jane's boss, but spends too much time with the coy looks and hair tossing.

Still a great series just let down by plots a little too silly compared with the last two.

Season 1 and 2 are brilliant, hoping 3 lives up to it but wouldn't know as still waiting to get it! bee on my list from release date but still not got it. starting to get anoyed with love film :(

But GOOD new for fans Season 3 starts on Channel 5* in UK at 19:00 Monday the 19th. Going to be quicker that getting it from here.

Channel available;

Freeview 30

Sky 176

Sky (5*+1) 236

Virgin Media 151

Virgin Media (5*+1) 152

TalkTalk TV 31

Freesat 131

Freesat (5*+1) 132