The Best Episodes of The Mentalist Season 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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