Before the CBS procedural The Mentalist went on its holiday hiatus, we saw Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) struggle as he dealt with his professional and personal life.  Sure, he had a very remarkable track record for solving serious crimes via his keen observation, but when he encountered a leading scientific researcher killed by poisoning, we realized this wasn't your run-of-the-mill case.  True enough, he found out that the primary suspect is the victim's wife and his former psychiatrist.

This special role, Sophie, was played by Law and Order alum Elisabeth Rohm and forced Jane to confront his past.  According to some fans, the fact that the role was played by someone as big as Rohm was a give away that, well, she did it.

As The Mentalist returns to television screens tonight, we follow Jane as he runs after Red John, the whereabouts of whom is known by an inmate.  Needless to say, there is more than meets the eye, as the inmate vows to divulge what he knows only after Jane helps him prove his innocence first.  On the preview, Jane is seen quitting CBI to devote all his time to getting him released.

The Mentalist, a freshman series that averages 15.4 million viewers a week on its Tuesday timeslot (something noteworthy for a freshman series), stars Golden Globe-nominated and The Devil Wears Prada star Baker.  It was picked up for a full season in October following its successful faring.  Also, these numbers may or may not have something to do with the historic numbers NCIS had been pulling of late.

Baker revealed in an interview with Parade magazine that he had signed up to do Jane for five years.  "It's a good outlet for me," he said.  "In this economic climate, we're lucky.  I signed for five years."


-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Ace Showbiz, CBS
(Image Courtesy of CBS)