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The Best Episodes of The Mentalist

Every episode of The Mentalist ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Mentalist!

Patrick Jane, a former celebrity psychic medium, uses his razor sharp skills of observation and expertise at "reading" people to solve serious crimes with the...
Genres:CrimeDramaMystery
Network:CBS

Best Episodes Summary

"Strawberries and Cream (2)" is the best rated episode of "The Mentalist". It scored 9.5/10 based on 3692 votes. Directed by Chris Long and written by Bruno Heller, it aired on 5/19/2011. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "Blinking Red Light".

  • Strawberries and Cream (2)
    9.5/103,692 votes
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    #1 - Strawberries and Cream (2)

    Season 3 Episode 24 - Aired 5/19/2011

    Patrick trades Hightower's secret location to Laroche for the four remaining names on his list. The team then sets up a trap to uncover Red John's real informant, leading to a possible face-to-face showdown between Patrick and Red John.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Bruno Heller

  • Blinking Red Light
    9.1/102,644 votes
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    #2 - Blinking Red Light

    Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 11/3/2011

    The search for a serial killer hits close to home for Jane when he encounters a blogger who has devoted his life to finding the killer.

    Director: Simon Baker

    Writer: Ken Woodruff

  • Blue Bird
    9.1/102,775 votes
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    #3 - Blue Bird

    Season 6 Episode 22 - Aired 5/18/2014

    A new lead in a cold case requires Lisbon to delay her plans to leave for Washington, D.C., giving Jane time to finally come to terms with his feelings for her and decide on a course of action.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Bruno Heller

  • His Red Right Hand
    9.0/102,500 votes
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    #4 - His Red Right Hand

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 11/19/2009

    The CBI team is faced with a violent and shocking crime in their own office, but must work the case in spite of their alarm of who may be behind it. Meanwhile, Rigsby and Van Pelt are definitely an "item".

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Ashley Gable

  • The Crimson Hat
    9.0/102,389 votes
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    #5 - The Crimson Hat

    Season 4 Episode 24 - Aired 5/17/2012

    After another failed attempt to defeat Red John, Patrick Jane hits rock bottom, finds a lover and shoots one of his own.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Bruno Heller

  • Fire and Brimstone
    9.0/102,471 votes
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    #6 - Fire and Brimstone

    Season 6 Episode 6 - Aired 11/10/2013

    With the final clue in hand, Jane attempts to gather the remaining Red John suspects in one place in hopes of finally revealing his identity.

    Director: John F. Showalter

    Writer: Ken Woodruff

  • White Orchids
    9.0/102,633 votes
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    #7 - White Orchids

    Season 7 Episode 13 - Aired 2/18/2015

    Lisbon accepts Jane's surprise marriage proposal, but a killer's quest for revenge may cost them the happy ending they've worked so hard to achieve.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Bruno Heller, Tom Szentgyorgyi, Jordan Harper

  • Strawberries and Cream (1)
    8.9/102,268 votes
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    #8 - Strawberries and Cream (1)

    Season 3 Episode 23 - Aired 5/19/2011

    A robber with a bomb attached to him is blown up in front of a convenience store, and CBI soon discovers that there may be connections between this case and Red John and agent Hightower.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Ashley Gable

  • The Great Red Dragon
    8.9/102,228 votes
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    #9 - The Great Red Dragon

    Season 6 Episode 7 - Aired 11/17/2013

    Following the shocking events at Jane's house, the Red John list is narrowed down further, and the CBI's priority is the remaining suspects.

    Director: Elodie Keene

    Writer: Jordan Harper

  • Devil's Cherry
    8.8/102,380 votes
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    #10 - Devil's Cherry

    Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 10/7/2012

    While the team investigates the murder of a diamond cutter, Jane meets a girl who claims to be his late daughter, Charlotte.

    Director: Randall Zisk

    Writer: Daniel Cerone

  • Red Sails in the Sunset
    8.7/101,858 votes
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    #11 - Red Sails in the Sunset

    Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 11/18/2012

    With the help of Brett Stiles, Jane orchestrates an elaborate plan to break Lorelei Martins out of prison in the hopes of her leading him to Red John.

    Director: Simon Baker

    Writer: Daniel Cerone

  • Red John's Rules
    8.7/101,943 votes
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    #12 - Red John's Rules

    Season 5 Episode 22 - Aired 5/5/2013

    Just as Jane narrows down the Red John suspect list to seven, Red John strikes again, and the victim has a link to Jane’s past.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Bruno Heller

  • The Desert Rose
    8.7/102,415 votes
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    #13 - The Desert Rose

    Season 6 Episode 1 - Aired 9/29/2013

    Jane and Lisbon secretly continue their mission to narrow down the list of seven Red John suspects as they investigate the murder of a man who was missing for two years.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Bruno Heller

  • Brown Shag Carpet
    8.7/101,472 votes
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    #14 - Brown Shag Carpet

    Season 7 Episode 12 - Aired 2/18/2015

    Jane agrees to once again pretend to be a renowned psychic and be used as bait in an attempt to lure out a serial killer and give the FBI a chance to apprehend him.

    Director: Geary McLeod

    Writer: Tom Szentgyorgyi

  • Red Badge
    8.6/101,962 votes
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    #15 - Red Badge

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 10/8/2009

    Jane, Cho, Rigsby and Van Pelt decide to conduct their own investigation when Lisbon is accused of murdering a child molester she arrested who was recently paroled.

    Director: Eric Laneuville

    Writer: Ashley Gable

  • Red Sky in the Morning
    8.6/101,940 votes
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    #16 - Red Sky in the Morning

    Season 2 Episode 23 - Aired 5/20/2010

    Patrick Jane and Kristina's first date is interrupted by a report of Red John striking again, which is discovered to be a copycat. But when Kristina reaches out to the real Red John, both she and Jane find themselves in grave danger.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Bruno Heller

  • Scarlet Ribbons
    8.6/101,942 votes
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    #17 - Scarlet Ribbons

    Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 9/22/2011

    In prison for killing his nemesis, Patrick Jane must prove that the man he shot really was Red John. Meanwhile, Lisbon urges Van Pelt to seek counseling in the aftermath of the death of her fiancé.

    Director: Charles Beeson

    Writer: Bruno Heller

  • Red Dawn
    8.6/101,918 votes
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    #18 - Red Dawn

    Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 10/28/2012

    See how Jane met Lisbon and the rest of the CBI team for the first time.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Tom Szentgyorgyi

  • Red Listed
    8.6/101,831 votes
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    #19 - Red Listed

    Season 6 Episode 4 - Aired 10/20/2013

    Jane reveals that a list of fake Red John suspects he planted was stolen, and the team realizes these men are in danger.

    Director: Eric Laneuville

    Writer: Rebecca Perry Cutter

  • Violets
    8.6/101,662 votes
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    #20 - Violets

    Season 6 Episode 16 - Aired 3/30/2014

    Jane enlists his colleagues in a dangerous sting operation to catch a deadly team of art thieves. Meanwhile, sparks fly between Lisbon and an agent from the FBI’s art squad.

    Director: J. Miller Tobin

    Writer: Jordan Harper

  • Red John's Footsteps
    8.5/102,086 votes
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    #21 - Red John's Footsteps

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 5/19/2009

    Lisbon fears that the serial killer Red John is drawing Patrick Jane into a trap when the CBI team investigates the murder of a young girl and the abduction of her twin sister.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Bruno Heller

  • Red Queen
    8.5/101,617 votes
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    #22 - Red Queen

    Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 2/24/2011

    Evidence in the murder of an antiques dealer found dead in a museum indicates that the suspect may be a member of the CBI team.

    Director: Chris Long

    Writer: Daniel Cerone

  • Red Rover, Red Rover
    8.5/101,652 votes
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    #23 - Red Rover, Red Rover

    Season 4 Episode 23 - Aired 5/10/2012

    On the ninth anniversary of his wife and daughter's death, Jane receives a message from Red John, causing Jane to lose focus on his current case and put the investigation and his career at the CBI in jeopardy

    Director: John F. Showalter

    Writer: Tom Szentgyorgyi

  • Red and Itchy
    8.5/101,499 votes
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    #24 - Red and Itchy

    Season 5 Episode 21 - Aired 4/28/2013

    J.J. LaRoche personally requests Jane’s help when the mysterious container he’s been hiding for nine years is stolen from his home.

    Director: David Paymer

    Writer: Daniel Cerone

  • Copper Bullet
    8.5/101,325 votes
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    #25 - Copper Bullet

    Season 7 Episode 9 - Aired 1/28/2015

    When Abbott's old boss, Agent Peterson, threatens Abbott's career - and possibly his freedom - Jane devises a risky plan to protect his friend's future.

    Director: W. Thomas Snyder

    Writer: Tom Donaghy