7.8/101,554 votes#1 - Red Sky at Night
Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 9/23/2010
When the CBI investigates the kidnapping of a prominent lawyer and state house lobbyist, the CBI Director wants Jane on the case, but he is uncertain of his future with the unit after his encounter with Red John.
Director: Chris Long
Writer: Bruno Heller
7.7/101,477 votes#2 - Cackle-Bladder Blood
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 9/30/2010
When Jane's brother-in-law returns to town and gets mixed up in a murder investigation, Jane must come to his aid despite personal reservations.
Director: John Polson
Writer: Ashley Gable
8.1/101,541 votes#3 - The Blood on His Hands
Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 10/7/2010
When Patrick Jane faces off once again with cult leader Bret Stiles, Stiles offers Jane information regarding Red John and the missing Kristina Frye.
Director: David Barrett
Writer: Tom Szentgyorgyi
8.0/101,498 votes#4 - Red Carpet Treatment
Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 10/14/2010
Patrick Jane and the CBI team are called in to investigate the murder of a convict who served nine years for rape and murder, but was recently released on DNA evidence.
Director: Charles Beeson
Writer: Daniel Cerone
7.5/101,394 votes#5 - The Red Ponies
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/21/2010
Patrick Jane and the CBI team hit the horse track when a jockey is found murdered and suspects abound.
Director: John F. Showalter
Writer: Eoghan Mahony
7.7/101,385 votes#6 - Pink Chanel Suit
Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 10/28/2010
The case of a murder and missing person on an intensely secure wealthy family's compound perplexes Jane and the CBI team.
Director: Eric Laneuville
Writer: Ken Woodruff
8.0/101,511 votes#7 - Red Hot
Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 11/4/2010
Jane and the CBI team narrowly escape a fiery end when a building explodes while they're investigating a death threat. Meanwhile, sparks fly between Lisbon and billionaire Walter Mashburn when they meet again while on the case.
Director: Chris Long
Writer: Ashley Gable
7.9/101,507 votes#8 - Ball of Fire
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 11/11/2010
When Jane is kidnapped, Lisbon and the team realize there are many suspects who might want to harm him.
Director: Stephen Gyllenhaal
Writer: Tom Szentgyorgyi
8.2/101,592 votes#9 - Red Moon
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 11/18/2010
Patrick Jane accepts the help of a local astrologer, Ellis Mars, to solve the puzzling case of a triple homicide that involves two policemen and the fiancé of an EMT worker.
Director: Simon Baker
Writer: Bruno Heller
7.6/101,406 votes#10 - Jolly Red Elf
Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 12/9/2010
The CBI pursues two lines of investigation when a Santa is murdered: Patrick Jane goes undercover in an AA group; and Rigsby and Van Pelt question members of an authentic Santa society. Meanwhile, following the demise of a person in custody at the CBI, J.J. LaRoche is brought in to question the team when it appears to be an inside job.
Director: John F. Showalter
Writer: Daniel Cerone
7.3/101,357 votes#11 - Bloodsport
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 1/6/2011
Patrick and the team investigate the murder of a woman with ties to one of the fighters. Meanwhile, LaRoche focuses his investigation on Rigsby, who in turn is forced to ask Cho for a huge favor in order to keep his job.
Director: Roxann Dawson
Writer: Eoghan Mahony
7.8/101,414 votes#12 - Bloodhounds
Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 1/20/2011
When Patrick Jane and the CBI must work with a criminal profiler, Dr. Montague, to solve a double murder, it becomes a competition for Jane to prove that his methods are superior.
Director: Charles Beeson
Writer: Erika Green Swafford
8.0/101,413 votes#13 - Red Alert
Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 2/3/2011
When Patrick Jane and others are taken hostage by an armed man accused of murder, Jane must think quickly to defuse the situation.
Director: Guy Ferland
Writer: Jordan Harper
7.9/101,412 votes#14 - Blood for Blood
Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 2/10/2011
Van Pelt's actions are called into question when a witness is murdered while she is assigned to his protection.
Director: Martha Mitchell
Writer: David Appelbaum
7.5/101,354 votes#15 - Red Gold
Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 2/17/2011
When a modern-day prospector is found dead near a mining site and Lisbon is injured during the initial stages of the investigation, Agent Hightower joins Patrick Jane in the field for the first time.
Director: Tom Verica
Writer: Cindi Grossenbacher
8.5/101,609 votes#16 - 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
7.8/101,378 votes#17 - Bloodstream
Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 3/10/2011
After a doctor is found dead at a golf course, the CBI team searches for a killer amongst a hospital's staff and patients. Meanwhile, when LaRoche is placed in charge of the CBI, his first act of business is to name Cho the new team leader.
Director: Bobby Roth
Writer: Erika Green Swafford
8.4/101,781 votes#18 - The Red Mile
Season 3 Episode 18 - Aired 3/31/2011
Patrick Jane and the CBI team must track down the killer of a man who believed he experienced an alien abduction - even after the victim's body is stolen from the coroner's van. Meanwhile, Van Pelt takes a break from the case to shop for wedding dresses.
Director: Darnell Martin
Writer: Tom Szentgyorgyi
8.2/101,628 votes#19 - Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 4/7/2011
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
7.8/101,365 votes#20 - Redacted
Season 3 Episode 20 - Aired 4/28/2011
Patrick Jane must deal with two failed robbery attempts: one resulting in the murder of a repair shop owner and the other involving a former suspect personally hired by Jane to break into LaRoche's home.
Director: David Barrett
Writer: Eoghan Mahony
7.6/101,339 votes#21 - Like a Redheaded Stepchild
Season 3 Episode 21 - Aired 5/5/2011
When a prison guard is stabbed to death outside of a jewelry store, Patrick Jane suspects one of the guard's inmates is the killer. Meanwhile, Rigsby questions his own father about the murder.
Director: Eric Laneuville
Writer: Jordan Harper
7.6/101,367 votes#22 - Rhapsody in Red
Season 3 Episode 22 - Aired 5/12/2011
After a young violinist is shot to death, Patrick Jane questions the members of the Northern California Symphony Orchestra about the murder. Meanwhile, Cho crosses paths with a precocious young pickpocket.
Director: David Barrett
Writer: David Appelbaum
8.9/102,259 votes#23 - 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
9.5/103,676 votes#24 - 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
The Best Episodes of The Mentalist Season 3
Every episode of The Mentalist Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Mentalist Season 3!
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
Season 3 Ratings Summary
"Red Sky at Night" is the best rated episode of "The Mentalist" season 3. It scored 7.8/10 based on 1554 votes. Directed by Chris Long and written by Bruno Heller, it aired on 9/23/2010. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Cackle-Bladder Blood".