A reasonable success The Mentalist first series started on Channel 5 in 2009 after losing House to Sky. Simon Baker plays the main role and despite protests from others I still believe that he looks like a young Michael Flatley! I began watching this after a chance visit on the channel which was showing the advert. I was interested almost immediately and earmarked that Thursday evening to tune in, there in for the next 20 or so weeks that 9pm slot was booked in for a bit of criminal delight!

Patrick Jane is an ex psychic now freelancing with the CBI in their cases. In the past he played the role of a celebrity psychic medium, using his 'paranormal abilities' he provided a service to people who needed comfort or answers. That was until he caught the attention of serial killer Red John. A big mistake to speak of him on TV in an almost provoking manner, that ends in the death of his family. Filled with remorse and grief he turns towars the police force to help solve serious crimes with his ability to read body language, use hypnotism and picking up on the tiniest things which might otherwise go un-noticed.

It's clear that he is nowhere near close to getting over the death of his wife and daughter even though his colleagues don't appear to of noticed. This becomes most obvious when speaking to another psychic. The team he works with deal with the slightly more gruesome crimes, some of the scenes can be a little grizzly at times however their different personalities bring a good mix to the show.

You have Patrick Jane, ever charming, he uses this at his advantage especially when talking to females. Never seeming to lose control of his emotions Jane is able to coax people into saying things which they may want to keep covered. Agent Lisbon is the only member of the team who really knows what happened to Jane, meaning he trusts her a lot more. She becomes more likeable as the series progresses. At first she is a bit too straight for want of a better word. Acting more tough than necessary and not appearing at all approachable. As time goes by she does soften and by the end I had become quite fond of her. Although there is a romantic interest between two other members though it does look slightly one sided, I felt as though there would eventually be some sort of involvement between Lisbon and Jane much to my disappointment. Cho brings a bit of humour to the show alongside Agent Rigsby, the two making a good partnership. The final member is Van Pelt. I have no lasting opinion of her!

The episodes always start with a murder like a lot of other crime dramas, the main difference being in how unrealistic some of the scenes seem to be. Such as getting into someones house and then persuading the police that the owners are the ones intruding! There does tend to be a massive turn around at the end as well. Taking about 50 minutes for the whole story and then a very quick solution in the last 10. The show has a nice approach to solving the crimes and Patricks use of hypnotism is very convenient in getting the answers they want.

I recieved this as a present and have thoroughly enjoyed rewatching it. It contains a whole mixture of aspects which can show that some crime dramas can be both serious and have humourous moments rather than being too much of one or the other.

Unfortunately as it moved to a Friday night I have missed the remaining series and have only just got the next boxset. So no spoilers please!