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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!

Best episode
S3E24 Strawberries and Cream (2)
9.68,499 votes
Worst episode
S1E19 A Dozen Red Roses
7.03,974 votes
Top season
Season 6
8.3avg
Binge time
4d 10h
151 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons7

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 24 - Strawberries and Cream (2)
    9.6/10(8499 votes)

    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 2 Episode 8 - His Red Right Hand
    9.2/10(6032 votes)

    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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  3. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 7 - Blinking Red Light
    9.2/10(5307 votes)

    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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  4. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 22 - Blue Bird
    9.2/10(4699 votes)

    S6:E22

    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

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  5. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 6 - Fire and Brimstone
    9.2/10(4594 votes)

    S6:E6

    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

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  6. The Mentalist Season 7 Episode 13 - White Orchids
    9.1/10(4798 votes)

    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:Bruno Heller, Tom Szentgyorgyi, Jordan Harper

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Mentalist

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  7. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 24 - The Crimson Hat
    9.1/10(4575 votes)

    S4:E24

    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

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  8. The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 23 - Strawberries and Cream (1)
    9.0/10(4854 votes)

    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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  9. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 7 - The Great Red Dragon
    9.0/10(4127 votes)

    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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  10. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 2 - Devil's Cherry
    8.9/10(4476 votes)

    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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  11. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 8 - Red Sails in the Sunset
    8.8/10(3517 votes)

    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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  12. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 22 - Red John's Rules
    8.8/10(3507 votes)

    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 1 Episode 23 - Red John's Footsteps
    8.7/10(5144 votes)

    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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  14. The Mentalist Season 2 Episode 23 - Red Sky in the Morning
    8.7/10(4339 votes)

    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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  15. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 1 - The Desert Rose
    8.7/10(3991 votes)

    S6:E1

    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

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  16. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 1 - Scarlet Ribbons
    8.7/10(3846 votes)

    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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  17. The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 16 - Red Queen
    8.7/10(3623 votes)

    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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  18. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 5 - Red Dawn
    8.7/10(3618 votes)

    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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  19. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 4 - Red Listed
    8.7/10(3359 votes)

    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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  20. The Mentalist Season 7 Episode 12 - Brown Shag Carpet
    8.7/10(2631 votes)

    S7:E12

    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

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  21. The Mentalist Season 2 Episode 3 - Red Badge
    8.6/10(4488 votes)

    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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  22. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 23 - Red Rover, Red Rover
    8.6/10(3246 votes)

    S4:E23

    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

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  23. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 16 - Violets
    8.6/10(2985 votes)

    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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  24. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 21 - Red and Itchy
    8.6/10(2869 votes)

    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
    8.6/10(2475 votes)

    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 9.6/10 from 8,499 votes. Directed by Chris Long and written by Bruno Heller, it aired on May 19, 2011. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "His Red Right Hand".

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