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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!

Binge this in 4d 9h•Peaking at 9.1/10

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 California Bureau of Investigation.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 24 - Strawberries and Cream (2)
    9.1/10(5783 votes)

    #1 - Strawberries and Cream (2)

    S3:E24

    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

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  2. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 7 - Blinking Red Light
    8.7/10(3736 votes)

    #2 - Blinking Red Light

    S4:E7

    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

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  3. The Mentalist Season 7 Episode 13 - White Orchids
    8.6/10(3620 votes)

    #3 - White Orchids

    S7:E13

    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
    Writers:Tom Szentgyorgyi, Bruno Heller, Jordan Harper

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  4. The Mentalist Season 2 Episode 8 - His Red Right Hand
    8.5/10(3886 votes)

    #4 - His Red Right Hand

    S2:E8

    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

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  5. The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 16 - Red Queen
    8.5/10(2411 votes)

    #5 - Red Queen

    S3:E16

    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

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  6. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 1 - Scarlet Ribbons
    8.5/10(2684 votes)

    #6 - Scarlet Ribbons

    S4:E1

    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

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Mentalist

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  7. The Mentalist Season 2 Episode 3 - Red Badge
    8.4/10(2890 votes)

    #7 - Red Badge

    S2:E3

    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

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  8. The Mentalist Season 2 Episode 23 - Red Sky in the Morning
    8.4/10(2890 votes)

    #8 - Red Sky in the Morning

    S2:E23

    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

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  9. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 16 - Violets
    8.4/10(2231 votes)

    #9 - Violets

    S6:E16

    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

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  10. The Mentalist Season 1 Episode 6 - Red Handed
    8.3/10(3301 votes)

    #10 - Red Handed

    S1:E6

    While investigating the case of a murdered casino owner, Patrick Jane uses his mentalist skills to ultimately entrap the killer, and win big at the card tables.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writer:Erika Green Swafford

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  11. The Mentalist Season 1 Episode 23 - Red John's Footsteps
    8.3/10(3258 votes)

    #11 - Red John's Footsteps

    S1:E23

    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

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  12. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 22 - Red John's Rules
    8.3/10(2594 votes)

    #12 - Red John's Rules

    S5:E22

    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

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  13. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 4 - Red Listed
    8.3/10(2456 votes)

    #13 - Red Listed

    S6:E4

    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

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  14. The Mentalist Season 1 Episode 16 - Bloodshot
    8.2/10(3062 votes)

    #14 - Bloodshot

    S1:E16

    Patrick Jane must rely on his other senses during the murder investigation of a financial advisor when he loses his sight as a result of an explosion.

    Director:Chris Long
    Writer:Gary Glasberg

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  15. The Mentalist Season 2 Episode 19 - Blood Money
    8.2/10(2260 votes)

    #15 - Blood Money

    S2:E19

    When Patrick Jane's sneaky conduct causes the case of a confessed hitman to be tossed out of court, his annoyed CBI team must start the investigation over from scratch.

    Director:Adam Kane
    Writers:Ashley Gable, Jordan Harper

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  16. The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 23 - Strawberries and Cream (1)
    8.2/10(3300 votes)

    #16 - Strawberries and Cream (1)

    S3:E23

    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

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  17. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 2 - Devil's Cherry
    8.2/10(3238 votes)

    #17 - Devil's Cherry

    S5:E2

    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

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  18. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 7 - The Great Red Dragon
    8.2/10(3010 votes)

    #18 - The Great Red Dragon

    S6:E7

    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

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  19. The Mentalist Season 7 Episode 10 - Nothing Gold Can Stay
    8.2/10(1946 votes)

    #19 - Nothing Gold Can Stay

    S7:E10

    Jane takes extreme measures as the team tries to apprehend a deadly gang of armored car robbers before their desperation to remain free costs more innocent people their lives.

    Director:Paul A. Kaufman
    Writer:Alex Berger

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  20. The Mentalist Season 2 Episode 6 - Black Gold and Red Blood
    8.1/10(2653 votes)

    #20 - Black Gold and Red Blood

    S2:E6

    Even after Bosco arrests Jane and puts him in prison for spying on him, Jane is able to help the CBI team from his cell to solve the murder of a young man.

    Director:Rod Hardy
    Writer:Bruno Heller

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  21. The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 19 - Every Rose Has Its Thorn
    8.1/10(2212 votes)

    #21 - Every Rose Has Its Thorn

    S3:E19

    Patrick Jane sets out to prove a beautiful yet manipulative matchmaker shot and killed her husband after his body is found floating in the marina.

    Director:Charles Beeson
    Writer:Ken Woodruff

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  22. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 5 - Red Dawn
    8.1/10(2619 votes)

    #22 - Red Dawn

    S5:E5

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

    Director:Chris Long
    Writer:Tom Szentgyorgyi

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  23. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 8 - Red Sails in the Sunset
    8.1/10(2515 votes)

    #23 - Red Sails in the Sunset

    S5:E8

    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

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  24. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 21 - Red and Itchy
    8.1/10(2053 votes)

    #24 - Red and Itchy

    S5:E21

    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

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  25. The Mentalist Season 7 Episode 9 - Copper Bullet
    8.1/10(1813 votes)

    #25 - Copper Bullet

    S7:E9

    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

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Best Episodes Summary

"Strawberries and Cream (2)" is the best rated episode of "The Mentalist". It scored 9.1/10 based on 5783 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".