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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 11h•Peaking at 9.5/10

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)
    9.5/10(4551 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 2 Episode 8 - His Red Right Hand
    9.1/10(3023 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 7 - Blinking Red Light
    9.1/10(3117 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 6 - Fire and Brimstone
    9.1/10(2882 votes)

    #4 - Fire and Brimstone

    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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  5. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 22 - Blue Bird
    9.1/10(3184 votes)

    #5 - Blue Bird

    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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  6. The Mentalist Season 7 Episode 13 - White Orchids
    9.1/10(3072 votes)

    #6 - 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Mentalist

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  7. The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 23 - Strawberries and Cream (1)
    9.0/10(2683 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 24 - The Crimson Hat
    9.0/10(2773 votes)

    #8 - The Crimson Hat

    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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  9. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 7 - The Great Red Dragon
    8.9/10(2595 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 2 - Devil's Cherry
    8.8/10(2767 votes)

    #10 - 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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  11. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 1 - Scarlet Ribbons
    8.7/10(2260 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 8 - Red Sails in the Sunset
    8.7/10(2157 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 22 - Red John's Rules
    8.7/10(2245 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 1 - The Desert Rose
    8.7/10(2705 votes)

    #14 - The Desert Rose

    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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  15. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 4 - Red Listed
    8.7/10(2102 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. The Mentalist Season 7 Episode 12 - Brown Shag Carpet
    8.7/10(1674 votes)

    #16 - Brown Shag Carpet

    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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  17. The Mentalist Season 1 Episode 23 - Red John's Footsteps
    8.6/10(2506 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. The Mentalist Season 2 Episode 3 - Red Badge
    8.6/10(2307 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. The Mentalist Season 2 Episode 23 - Red Sky in the Morning
    8.6/10(2314 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 16 - Red Queen
    8.6/10(1949 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 5 - Red Dawn
    8.6/10(2236 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. The Mentalist Season 5 Episode 21 - Red and Itchy
    8.6/10(1744 votes)

    #22 - 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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  23. The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 16 - Violets
    8.6/10(1897 votes)

    #23 - 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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  24. The Mentalist Season 3 Episode 18 - The Red Mile
    8.5/10(2133 votes)

    #24 - The Red Mile

    S3:E18

    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

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  25. The Mentalist Season 4 Episode 23 - Red Rover, Red Rover
    8.5/10(1925 votes)

    #25 - Red Rover, Red Rover

    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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Best Episodes Summary

"Strawberries and Cream (2)" is the best rated episode of "The Mentalist". It scored 9.5/10 based on 4551 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, "His Red Right Hand".