As The Mentalist heads further into the season, the police drama continues to see bigger and bigger audiences, hitting yet another series high.  The pilot episode attracted an audience of 15.6 million in its first airing, and 7.8 million in a re-airing three days later.  Since then, the show has earned considerable numbers and in its recent “Flame Red” episode, which aired December 2, it drew 18.77 million viewers, making The Mentalist the highest-rated television show of the week and marking the first time a freshman program had a achieved that distinction since Desperate Housewives four years earlier.

Hopefully, tonight's episode will provide a suspenseful and intriguing storyline, enough to equal if not surpass previous ratings.  Read on for a preview of "Red Brick and Ivy."

In the 10th episode of The Mentalist, Patrick Jane's remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his razor sharp skills of observation will be put to yet another test when a leading scientific researcher is murdered by poisoning.  Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) takes a very personal interest in the case, especially when he finds out that the primary suspect is the victim's wife, and Jane's former psychiatrist.

Tonight's installment features several guest stars, including John Aylward, Deborah Ann Woll, Mark Hengst and Gregory Itzin, who reprises his role as Virgil Minelli.  Aylward, who is credited for his role as Dr. Donald Anspaugh on ER, guest stars as Professor Stutzer.  Appearing as Kerry is Woll, who most recently joined the cast of True Blood as Jessica.  As for Hengst, who appears as Alex Maxwell, he has worked in Diary of a Serial Killer and Love Birds.

"Red Brick and Ivy" was written by Eoghan Mahony (Rome, Drive) and directed by Paris Barclay (Cold Case, Sons of Anarchy, In Treatment).

Don't forget to catch The Mentalist tonight at 9pm on CBS.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: CBS
(Image courtesy of CBS)