The Mentalist dropped a bombshell on viewers this week.

A bombshell of the Red John variety, that is, seemingly revealing the identity of Jane's long-time, serial killing nemesis.

Is the reveal to be believed, however? Are three of the candidates truly dead? We have so many questions following The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 7 and we know we'll get the answers on The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 8.

But before the Red John mystery officially comes to an end, relive the installment leading up to it now. Watch "The Great Red Dragon" online now:

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 7 Online

It's almost here, Mentalist Fanatics.

Following the apparent reveal of Red John on The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 7, this CBS drama will bring its biggest mystery to a conclusion on Sunday.

Look for Jane to finally, truly, once and for all come face-to-face with the nemesis he's been after since Red John killed his wife and daughter a decade ago.

How will the saga conclude? In shocking fashion.

For a peek ahead at The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 8, click through the following photos:

Tyger Tyger never burned brighter than it did in "The Great Red Dragon," as its members scrambled to cover their tracks.

In this edition of the Round Table, TV Fanatic Christine Orlando is joined by The Mentalist fans Feint, @JisbonProductions from Twitter and Foresti Purge to debate who's dead, who's alive and who is Red John after watching The Mentalist Season 6, Episode 7.

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Is Gale Bertram Red John?

Feint: I don't think Gale Bertram is Red John. He has what it takes but he's not Red John. Even the Cordero guy seems more suspicious at this point. There's gonna be a twist for sure. At this point, Bertram is the safe bet but I'd put my money on Stiles after all.

@JisbonProductions:  We don’t think so. First of all, it would be way too obvious. They tried to make him look suspicious for a while now and this was the cherry on top. He is a very dangerous man and we have no doubt that he is a big boss in the organization, but Red John? No. Secondly, his voice doesn’t really fit to Red John’s voice (although that could be a trick) and he doesn’t really look like the man Rosalind described. We believe we’ll learn who Red John is in the next Episode – with a Big Bang.

Foresti Purge: Red John is McAllister. I've said it before and I'll say it again. They want us to think it's Bertram, but it's McAllister. More to the point, pay a very close attention to the flashback of Rebecca's murder. See that man who killed her? Yeah.

Christine: I'd actually love it if it were Bertram. He's certainly arrogant and cold blooded enough. He took out that bartender without a second thought. But I'm afraid that's just too obvious. I like Foresti's theory about it being McAllister but we'll have to wait until Sunday for the big reveal.

Do you believe that Bret Stiles, Ray Haffner and Sheriff McAllister are really dead?

Feint: It's hard to say. Cho said they're all dead and their DNA was all over the place. I just can't believe Stiles would end up dead like that. Also, why were they burnt to crisp and the others were practically unhurt? And what about the gunshot?

@JisbonProductions: Not really. Stiles and Haffner COULD be dead, but McAllister? He was standing behind Bertram, Smith and Jane and the three of them survived without severe injuries. Why would McAllister die? This does not make sense... if the other two are dead, the bomb must have been located closer to them, so it would not make sense if he – the one who was the furthest away – had died. Also, we didn’t get to see any dead bodies (very clever of the crew ;) ), so it’s possible no suspect died at all.

Foresti Purge:  McAllister is alive. Come on, these folks can cover up anything. As to Haffner and Stiles, I have no answer. These two are Visualize, of which Red John was once a member. Maybe they're alive; maybe not; I won't mind either way. But McAllister is alive.

Christine: As mentioned above, McAllister was standing with Smith, Bertram and Jane, so why would he be dead? And the fact that the bodies were charred beyond recognition is highly suspicious. A Tyger, Tyger lab tech could have easily doctored the DNA results. I can't wait until one of the "dead men" shows up alive…and missing a foot.

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 7 Online

Why does Jane go to the church?

Feint: That is a very good question. It's the only thing I didn't understand at all. For once, we had an episode full of answers, but this one just doesn't fit. Is he letting go of his lack of faith? This looks like a place for the final showdown, is he planting something there?

@JisbonProductions:  This is a very good question and difficult to answer. We believe that Jane hit the rock bottom. He lost his home for the second time after his family died – now forever – and he does not really know where the suspect(s) are now. Also, we think it would make sense that he knew that the FBI would shut down the CBI (we know Jane doesn’t do anything without thinking about it and the press statement was his idea – he must have known it would have consequences and this situation reminds us of the one in 4x24), so it’s possible he’s feeling guilty because the team lost their jobs because of him. Maybe he thought of Teresa – she sought protection and answers in the church that time. But it’s hard to find an answer...

Foresti Purge:  He's working out his next step. He always has been. Whoever thinks he's letting go must never have seen Season 4 finale.

Christine:  I'm sure he has some sort of plan, I just have no idea what it is. And a question for the fans out there, Is that the same church where he met Teresa in "The Crimson Hat" The Mentalist Season 4, Episode 24?

Were the powers that be right to close down the CBI? What do you think it will mean for our team?

Feint:  The FBI closing down the CBI was quite unexpected at this point. It might be the work of The Blake Association and Bertram and it's probably setting up the new storylines for the post-Red John The Mentalist.

@JisbonProductions: You can understand why they are suspicious about the CBI now –they all believe that their boss is Red John, so you can assume he has lots of accomplices in “his” organization and the easiest way to get control over them and check them out is to close the whole CBI down. But it had a very bitter taste because you know how powerful the Blake Association is – it was like they were trying to get to all the evidence before “the worst” (catching Red John) could happen. Also, there are accomplices in the FBI and other law enforcement-organizations as well. They should check this out, too.
We believe that the team will continue their fight to find Red John, but in the end, they will have to get new jobs... :/
 
Foresti Purge: They were right. The place is just too corrupt to function already. And our team will break up for real this time.

Christine: They were completely right to shut down the CBI. At this point it can't be trusted. Hopefully bringing in agents from another state will be good enough to weed out The Blake Associates but there's no way to tell. Unfortunately this may be the beginning of the end for our team.

What was your favorite scene?

Feint:  I loved Jane making faces when Cho was asking questions from the arrested police officer. I also loved Smith breaking down and revealing so many things. And I was very happy they at least covered one important plot hole there, although many more remain.

@JisbonProductions:  The last scene with Jane in the church – because you have to think about it, you don’t know why this is happening, what made Jane go to the church even though he says he doesn’t believe. And without a single word spoken, it was very intense. This is what a good scene should be like. But we also liked the scene in which Jane woke up and was greeted by Lisbon.

Foresti Purge: I've got two: when Bertram stabs that bartender, and when he escapes the SWAT cordon. I was amazed. This guy everybody in fandom makes light of, he turns out to be a hard, stone-cold killer, as crafty as Jane himself. But Red John is still McAllister.

Christine: The entire episode was great but I think I liked Jane playing the human lie detector with the cop and then his interrogation of Reede Smith the best. Especially when Smith wanted immunity and Jane told him to get up off his ass and walk out the door. See how far he'd get. Jane wasn't playing around and it was such fun to watch.

The Mentalist Promo - "Red John"

I just watched The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 8, aptly titled "Red John." Sorry... but don't you wish you were me right now?

Seriously, though, I'm still catching my breath. And although I can't reveal Red John's identity or disclose his fate, I can tease you with a few bits of information.

Of course if you truly want to be completely spoiler free, please stop reading now!

Here's what you can expect to find out this Sunday night...

• Red John will be revealed.
• Patrick Jane will come face to face with his nemesis.
• More than one Red John suspect will die.
• More than one member of the (former?) CBI team will end up in cuffs.
• Jane's sofa isn't the only thing missing at the CBI offices.
• Who lost a foot in the explosion at Jane's home is still a mystery.
• Someone utters the line, "Sometimes I think you like being helpless." Who says it and to whom might surprise you.
• A member of the team walks away. Will it be for good?

Are you excited for the biggest Mentalist Season 6 episode to date? Heck, the biggest Mentalist episode of all-time?

Visit TV Fanatic as soon as it concludes for my detailed recap and review.

Check back to TV Fanatic the moment after this installment ends to get our full The Menatlist review.

The Mentalist Season 6 airs Sundays at 10/9c on CBS.

After six seasons of chasing the infamous serial killer, Patrick Jane finally came face to face with "Red John" the man who slaughtered his wife and daughter.

No doubt The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 8 will divide fans of the series with the conclusion of this intricate, complicated story arc. There was no way to answer all of our lingering questions in one episode and despite many dangling threads, I was still left satisfied.

Let's start from the beginning.

The CBI is indeed gone and FBI Agent Abbott made it clear that Lisbon's team was under a microscope. If they've ever done anything even remotely questionable they will be held accountable. 

That statement had to send worry through them all. Rigsby and Cho and that mess with Rigsby's father? Grace being engaged to one of Red John's minions? If Abbott truly decided to dredge up the past I doubt any one of them would be left standing.

But Abbott had one goal…find Patrick Jane.  

I had to wonder what Abbott was planning to find in the CBI attic. Wasn't sending half a SWAT team in to sweep for Jane overkill? 

I couldn't believe Bertram and Cordero were still anywhere near the Sacromento area but that was before I realized they had their orders to carry out before they could leave.  In the meantime this dynamic duo had no problem blowing away people in public places who recognized them. You'd think they could have come up with better disguises than a silly hat and sunglasses. 

When Bertram and Jane made the plan to meet at the Alexandria Cemetery, a question occurred to me.  I know we've seen Angela and Charlotte's gravestones before but why would they be buried in Sacramento if the family lived in Malibu? Not that it matters now but it struck me as odd. 

One of the most touching moments was when Jane met Lisbon in the park and told her he didn't want her involved in this anymore. From his expression, I believe he was trying to protect her. His goal, as it has always been was to kill Red John and he didn't want her to be a party to that. 

It was sweet but still very, very, sad.

That's when Jane found out who really had his back and it wasn't just Lisbon. When Abbott and his men had Jane literally on his knees, Lisbon, Cho, Rigsby, and Van Pelt all went toe to toe with the FBI, guns drawn. Lisbon and the team not only put their careers but their lives on the line to allow Jane his chance to finally end his quest for Red John.

That's not to say it wasn't a source of stress. I loved them all handcuffed in the car. Cho couldn't stand how helpful and polite Rigsby was being and even the newlyweds found themselves at odds. The sarcasm between them was the one bit of humor in an otherwise intense hour...

Grace: Sometimes I think you like being helpless.
Rigsby: OK fine, don't relax. Break the window with your forehead and we'll all jump out and make a run for it.

• Permalink: OK fine, don't relax. Break the window with your forehead and we'll all jump out and make a...
• Added: November 24, 2013

When the two men finally met in the church, Bertram was just as arrogant as he's always been as he told Jane in this The Mentalist quote…

Jane: You lied to me.
Bertram: As did you. What a couple of scamps we are. I promise that is the last lie I will ever tell you.

• Permalink: As did you. What a couple of scamps we are. I promise that is the last lie I will ever tell...
• Added: November 24, 2013

Who else would use the word scamps?  The moment he made his promise I knew he planned to kill Jane but I still wasn't sure if he was Red John.  Up to this point I'd been assuming he wasn't RJ, that there would be yet another twist in the story but then I began to wonder if no twist was the twist. Because that's what this show will do to you. Send your theories spinning in circles. 

One of the highlights of the hour was Cordero shooting Bertram. Bertram's shocked, "Hey, " just before he hit the ground was priceless. He never saw that coming and I was amused at how the members of the Blake Association all seemed to forget how vicious a tiger could be. 

And finally, the real Red John was revealed. 

As many had suspected, not all those presumed dead in the Malibu explosion actually were as Sheriff Thomas McAllister stepped into view. 

To briefly recap his Malibu caper, instead of a spare tire in the trunk of his car, he packed a spare body. Then he used a concussion grenade to render the group unconscious so that he could make the switch and slip away before setting off the real explosion. DNA had been changed in the system by Brett Partridge before he was killed.

Far fetched? Yes, but let's face it. Red John has pulled off things in the last six seasons that ranged from the bizarre to the unbelievable so I'm willing to accept this as just one more part of the master plan from a diabolical serial killer.

McAllister stood there, eager to continue the game. It's as though Jane had been his favorite play thing for over a decade and he just wasn't ready to let him go yet. 

Jane on the other hand, was done.

I have no questions. You're an evil, sexually perverted sociopath with pathetic delusions of grandeur. The rest is just details.

Jane

• Permalink: I have no questions. You're an evil, sexually perverted sociopath with pathetic delusions of...
• Added: November 24, 2013

Some details we already knew. Red John killed Jane's family after Patrick's show of arrogance belittling the killer on TV. Since then he's claimed to have used Jane's belief that he is smarter than most everyone else as a way to stay one step ahead. Well, that and having hundreds or even thousands of followers to do his bidding certainly helped.

But Jane had had enough. He took Red John down with two items…a bird and a hidden gun. So we can assume Jane figured out that RJ's fear wasn't heights but pigeons. 

When that woman didn't immediately run when she saw Patrick with the gun I knew she was one of Red John's minions. I was kind of surprised Jane didn't see it coming but thinking straight can be difficult with that much adrenaline pumping through your system.

Then somehow, with a gunshot wound, McAllister made a run for it that sent him through the cemetery, across streets, yards, and homes and finally into a park.

When I saw him get close to that school bus I immediately thought of all the ways that could have gone horribly wrong. I was relieved they didn't go there.

When Jane finally caught up with him, the man was writhing on the ground trying to call 911 for help. Instead he had to face Patrick Jane.

I found it amusing that his last ditch effort was to try and make Jane think he was really psychic. I guess whatever abilities he had didn't show him what came next. 

I was a little surprised by Jane's questions. He wanted to know if Red John was sorry for killing his family. The fear of death was the only reason I could think of that would get the man to say yes because after ten years he certainly never showed an ounce of remorse. And I'll admit that as he died, he did look afraid. 

In the end Jane got to look Red John in the eyes and squeeze the life out of his nemesis with his bare hand.  I found that satisfying. After all this monster had taken from him and a decade of his life hunting him, Patrick deserved that moment of intimate vengeance. 

But it was his phone call to Lisbon that made me sad…

Lisbon. It's over. It's done. I just want you to know that I'm OK and I'm going to miss you.

Jane

• Permalink: Lisbon. It's over. It's done. I just want you to know that I'm OK and I'm going to miss you.
• Added: November 24, 2013

Miss him? Where was Jane headed? Did he have a plan? And with her cell phone in the possession of the FBI, would Teresa ever even hear his message? 

I'm afraid we'll all have to wait another week to find out. In the meantime I found Sheriff McAllister a creepy, arrogant, and worthy Red John.

The Mentalist Promo - "My Blue Heaven"

So…there you have it. The Red John saga of The Mentalist is over.

Like, really over.

If you watched The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 8 - and if you didn’t, stop reading this NOW or else you’re going to be spoiled big time - you know Gale Bertram was actually NOT the man Patrick Jane has been hunting since the series premiere.

Instead, it was a character we thought died in the explosion in Jane’s house in The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 6: Sheriff Thomas McAllister, played by Xander Berkeley.

In a conference call last week, creator Bruno Heller and star Simon Baker jumped on the phone with the press to talk about the end of the storyline and what we can expect moving forward on the series.

Baker, who has been inside the skin of Patrick Jane for five and a half years, said he definitely had some strong feelings going into this conclusion.

“For me, I did feel the sense of pressure because we’d been kind of working towards this for a number of years and it was something that had pushed the character from the very beginning in 2008," he said. "I just felt I’ve got to somehow live up to that in that one moment.”

And while Jane could have killed McAllister in a number of ways, Baker explained why the manner in which it played out was the best route: “I felt like to pull a trigger is just pulling the trigger and the gun does the killing but to actually grapple with someone and kill them with your hands is far more intimate.”

Heller gave Baker props for the way the final Red John scene went down.

“I should say that how that last scene between the two of them went was very much written and directed by Simon," he said. "The emotion that he brought to that and the feeling and with all that pressure and with all the story that’s gone by and all the baggage…it’s hard but good to watch, I think.”

The executive producer, who also penned the seminal episode, commented that he didn’t know exactly when the identity of Red John came to him: “It just kind of emerged over the last couple of years. There were always three or four possibilities and it just happened, really. It seemed like the natural, correct choice.”

Undoubtedly, the character of Jane is going to go through some big changes now that Red John is out of his life for good. But how personal was the end of the storyline for Baker?

Said the actor: “It’s been really strange because whatever happens in the course of a series, there’s reasons and things that you sign on to that show for and there’s very important elements to the character that you make a connection with immediately and a lot of those things were laid to rest in this episode so it did feel incredibly personal to me.”

Baker added that “the challenge and the most difficult part of working on this show [has been] playing this tragic character that has a very raw and unprotected emotional side to him but has this whimsical, tap-dancery thing going on with a kind of sense of humor and bravada.

"To dance between the two tones of the show has always been very challenging for me and complicated. I get very, very protective of the personal stuff with that character  so, yes, things like the tea cup and all of that and, obviously, how we kill him and all that sort of stuff, Bruno knows that I’m going to be waiting outside the door to weigh in on all that stuff.”

As for that harrowing final scene where Jane takes McAllister’s life with his bare hands, Baker explained: “The character had made a decision that he was going to kill Red John from the first time we ever saw him and so he made that decision and in his head that was going to happen. What we didn’t know was how he was going to react and whether or not he could go through with it and in what fashion.”

As an actor getting to this scene, Baker said, “to me, that was just jumping off a cliff, really, and jumping off a cliff to the point where it’s like [Jane’s] got what he wants and what he’s wanted for so long…

"You’ve got to try to be there and be alive in the moment but going forward from there when you achieve your objective, then what happens? A lot of the time you focus so much energy on trying to achieve your objective but you don’t really consider how it’s going leave you standing afterwards. And my favorite part of that is the transition out of this. Now, okay, that’s done. What do I have to live for and where do I go from here? Was it that gratifying for Jane?

"There’s all of those questions and I think we sort of deal with that in a lot of ways in the next episode afterwards.”

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 8 Online

Moving forward, Heller and Baker teased what is to come on the rest of The Mentalist Season 6.

“What this fresh version of the show is about is what happens afterward in a very real sense,” Heller previewd. “Jane is a happier person, a weight has been taken off his shoulders and, in that, a weight has been taken off the show. It’s going to be the same show to some degree but it’s going to be a show with less darkness at the edges and more freedom to roam and Jane has more freedom and more sense of possibility and liberty.”

And, because we’re all dying to know, when asked if Jane may now have a love life Heller would only say: “He might.”

Are you excited to see what’s coming next on The Mentalist? Or do you think the show is going to miss having Red John drive so much story?

The Mentalist airs at 10/9c every Sunday on CBS. 

The Mentalist Promo - "My Blue Heaven"

The Mentalist moves on from the Red John saga this Sunday.

Way, way, way on, that is.

Following a monumental installment that revealed the identity of this serial killer, The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 9 will take viewers to a tropical paradise with Patrick Jane.

It will also fast forward two full years. Yes, major changes are afoot.

Prepare for them now by clicking through photos from Sunday's "My Blue Heaven."

And remember: you can relive every moment from this CBS drama when you watch The Mentalist online.

It was the end of an era with The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 8, as Patrick Jane finally came face to face with Red John.

Talk about juicy material for our Round Table team!

Brlow, TV Fanatic Christine Orlando is joined by The Menalist fans Katempw and from Twitter @Nerwin_Aldarion, @Donnamour1969 to find out if any of their Red John guesses were correct and what important questions were still left unanswered.

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Were you right? Who did you think was Red John?

Nerwin_Aldarion: Nope, but I loved being wrong, I was sure it was Haffner but after he died I knew it wasn't Bertram so I was glad it was McAllister.     

Donnamour1969: I wasn't right at first. I hoped with my whole heart Partridge was Red John, but after last week's show, a friend and I figured out it was the sheriff, since Bertram seemed "off" as Red John. The only person "killed" at Jane's house who had a tattoo was McAllister, so I wasn't surprised by the reveal.

Katempw: I never played the game hard, only dabbled. My take changed over time and initially I went with who I wanted as RJ (Stiles, Kirkland) rather than trying to reason out who he would be. In the end (early Nov.) though, I settled on McAllister as the most likely after reading some promotional articles. So I suppose my last guess was right but it was kind of a cheat. And I believe earlier on I said he would be a ridiculous choice :).

Christine: How far back do you want to go? In season one I believed it was Virgil Minelli. But this season I was voting for Haffner until a couple of episodes ago. Then I toyed with Reede Smith. I never really considered McAllister until the explosion in Malibu.

Were you satisfied with the explanation that Sheriff Tom McAllister is Red John?

Nerwin_Aldarion: Yes, it fit who RJ was, playing the power behind the throne easily.

Donnamour1969: It made sense, I suppose, but he didn't seem evil or charismatic enough to lead so many. I was disappointed it was him. But thinking back on McAllister's first appearance way back in 1x2, it's funny now to think Jane played Rock, Paper, Scissors with Red John--and beat him every time.  Foreshadowing?

Katempw: Yes, I was satisfied and I think XanderBerkely carried it off really well. I liked the banality of evil he and his low profile character brought to Red John. It had the ring of truth and reality to me, in contrast to an over the top larger than life TV explanation and persona — which would have been a safer, easier, more commercial way to go, but insulting to the intelligence of the viewer. I am not at all fussed that every outstanding question wasn’t addressed in those 42 minutes and may never be. That is not important to me.

Christine: Despite my predictions, I actually liked McAllister as Red John in the end. I thought he was a great combination of arrogance, charm, intelligence, and evil and the last few scenes between he and Jane were riveting.

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 8 Online

What one question did you want to have answered that wasn't?

Nerwin_Aldarion: Red John's back story, how did RJ become RJ? Who was he originally? What drove him to kill? I so badly want a true origin story 

Donnamour1969: I would like to know more about the Visualize connection. That seemed to be totally dropped. We know Red John and the cult were connected somehow, given "The Red Barn".  I'd like to know just how connected, and how Stiles knew so much about Red John's actions.

Katempw: Oh, that has to be Jane’s list of seven. How did Red John figure that one out?? I am firmly in the there-are-no-psychics camp, so it remains a mystery to me. And I am good with that. An amusing loose end to ponder.

Christine: I, too, would love to know Red John's back story but I really wanted to know how he figured out that list of seven. Like Kate, I'm not buying the psychic angle. There had to be a way he figured out the list and I really want to know what that was. 

Why was Jane shutting Lisbon out? Why didn't he want her involved in the take down?

Nerwin_Aldarion: To protect her and himself, for one if he told her where he was going then Abbott would use her to find him. But mostly it was so she would have plausible deniability, they can't prove she knew that Jane was going to kill RJ. This way she was not aiding and abetting a murderer. This was Classic Jane, keeping her out to protect her.

Donnamour1969: He has always tried to give her deniability, in order to protect her. No doubt he was doing this again.  I like that Lisbon let him basically go (twice) and kill Red John with her blessing, even though until that point it was unclear she really would. I think she finally understood his need and let him fulfill his quest on his own.

Katempw:  Jane had more than one reason to shut out Lisbon but his overreaching motivation was that this was his personal mission. It was something he had to do himself. He didn’t want her, of all people, anywhere near when it went down. He wanted to shield her physically, professionally and emotionally. Especially the latter.

Christine: His goal was to kill the man and despite what Lisbon said on the way to Malibu, he knew if she was involved she'd pay a price both professionally and personally. He didn't want to lay that burden on her. This was his personal vendetta and he needed to carry it out alone. 

What was your favorite scene?

Nerwin_Aldarion: Oh gosh. Jane and Lisbon's talk at the park was amazing, Lisbon at the empty CBI had me in tears but Jane killing RJ was indescribable so I have to go with that

Donnamour1969: There were many. The best was the scene of Jane killing Red John with his bare hands. No matter what his identity, THIS is what the series was all about--Jane finally getting closure, getting a chance to avenge his family as he promised them, not having him chicken out at the last moment and show mercy, not having someone else take that right from him. Simon Baker gave an Emmy-winning performance here, and I hope he is recognized for it. The scene where Jane asked for Lisbon's gun is a close second. Lots of emotion there, and excellent performance by both actors.

Katempw:  There were several outstanding scenes: I loved Lisbon and Jane in the garden, the team standing up to the FBI for Jane, Lisbon standing up to Abbott in the empty CBI bullpen, Jane and the baddies in the chapel, but my favorite — and it was superb, compelling television — was the killing of Red John until my TV screen faded to black. I was spellbound. It was fantastic. Kudos to Mr. Baker and the team for giving us that. I am still reeling.

Christine: Definitely Jane killing Red John with his bare hands. I know some fans took issue with the killing. That either Jane shouldn't have done it or that we should have seen more of McAllister's reaction but I thought it was great as is. Jane did exactly what he said he'd do from the beginning of the show and I don't blame him a bit. And we got to see all of the emotion that ran through Jane as he squeezed the life out of the man. It's not a scene I'll soon forget. 

The Mentalist Promo - "My Blue Heaven"

Two years.

It's been two years since the end of Red John and as The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 9 opens it looks as though Patrick Jane is living in paradise.

And who can blame him for becoming a beach bum after a decade of chasing a serial killer? Everything about Jane looks relaxed. He's smiling. He's conversing, as best he can with the locals. He's entertaining the kids with his magic tricks and enjoying his tea. 

Two years after Red John, this is the life of Patrick Jane…but it's not quite paradise. 

Because as he tells Kim in this The Mentalist quote…

Turns out being understood is an underrated pleasure.

Jane

• Permalink: Turns out being understood is an underrated pleasure.
• Added: December 02, 2013

Despite the sun and the surf and the peace, Jane is lonely. He misses having companionship. He misses speaking English. He doesn't necessarily miss murder mysteries but he definitely misses Teresa. 

As a matter of fact, he's written her letters. Two years worth of letters that he's had his carnie friends sneak to her. And no doubt I'll be going back and pausing those scenes to try and decipher exactly what he wrote. 

Fortunately or unfortunately - I'm still not sure which - Jane's friends weren't as stealthy as he'd hoped and the FBI traced those letter back to him. 

Unfortunately because who wants to get dragged out of paradise. Fortunately because it brings him back to Lisbon.

Back in the US, Lisbon looks good. Gorgeous in fact. Her hair is probably the best I've ever seen it. But the job…well it's quiet. And she's telling herself she wants quiet. Maybe it's not such a bad thing. 

As for the rest of the team, Wayne and Grace couldn't look happier. They're running their own digital surveillance business and they now have a baby daughter named Maggie. At least it appears they'll be getting their happy ending. 

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 9 Online

Cho finished his training at Quantico five months ago and he's now an official Fed. Loved it when Jane asked him if they put a chip in his neck because he did seem even more robotic than usual…and that's saying something when it comes to Cho.

As for the girl Jane met on the beach, I suspected she was with the FBI as soon as I saw Abbott hit the island. It was just too much of a coincidence for two people from the US to cross Jane's path on the same day. 

At least she makes an excellent cup of tea.

One of my great disappointments of the episode was that we never got to hear Jane's list of terms for returning to the US. Once again I'll be going back and trying to decipher exactly what he wrote. 

But I don't think any shipper could be disappointed in the reunion between Patrick and Teresa. That hug was a long time coming. Finally there was no ulterior motive and no pretense. Just two old friends who were bursting with joy to see one another again. 

Just friends? For now, but Patrick was positively beaming. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. 

Although I'm sure the road ahead won't be easy, I believe that Jane finally taking off his wedding ring was a huge sign that he's ready to begin moving forward in his personal life. I can't wait to see where that leads.

Of course some things won't change and we probably wouldn't want them to…

Lisbon: I've got a job. I'm not going to drop everything just because you suddenly decided to come back.
Jane: We'll talk.

• Permalink: We'll talk.
• Added: December 02, 2013

Yes, Jane expected Lisbon to follow him to the FBI.  Was that presumptuous? Definitely but I simply don't think he can do this without her. Hopefully she feels the same way.

I know that while some fans couldn't wait for the Red John story line to be over, others lamented that the show would die along with the serial killer. If anything "My Blue Heaven" has me more excited to watch The Mentalist than I was before it started.

It's a whole new world and I can't wait to see what happens next. 

The Mentalist Promo: "Green Thumb"

Two years.

It's been two years since Red John was killed and Patrick Jane walked away from his past, from his friends, and from Teresa Lisbon. But that's not the end of the story.

The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 9 has Jane enjoying life on the beach, sort of. It seems sun and surf weren't quite enough to keep him happy. Or was he longing for someone he'd left behind?

And when an unexpected offer comes along, Jane must decide what's important to him and what he needs to move forward.

Did you miss it? Want to watch again? 

Check out the full episode here ...

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 9 Online

Patrick Jane visited "My Blue Heaven" as The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 9 took a two year time jump and a trip to the beach. 

TV Fanatic Christine Orlando is joined by The Mentalist fans from Twitter @SteeleSimz and @MentalistProbs to discuss Cho's prediction, Jane's terms of service and who had the best hairpin.

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Were you surprised that Jane had been sending Lisbon letters over his two year absence?

@SteeleSimz:  When I first heard about the two year time jump I was willing to bet that Jane hadn't keep in contact with anyone. Basically to me it would be Vegas all over again just longer. After the promo came out most fans on twitter that I chat to were believing that he was writing to her. I wanted proof before I jumped onto that wagon. After the episode I'm beyond glad that the writers went that route to show that Jane still cares for Lisbon and wants her to know that he is okay. So yeah I was surprised. 

@MentalistProbs:  Actually, I was surprised. The way Lisbon talked at the beginning about not being in contact with him (which we now know was a lie), I was convinced that they weren't talking anymore. I think the unexpectedness of it made it so much sweeter and heart melting.

Christine:  Pleasantly surprised. Lisbon was convincing when she told Abbott she'd had no contact with Jane and we know he's gone off on his own before with no contact. Thankfully this time he's not obsessed with finding a serial killer. I think that's given him the opportunity to see who is important to him and allow him to miss them. I absolutely loved that he's written her real letters and she sits and reads them by the fire. Perfect!

Do you think Cho has a point? Will Jane be able to fit in at the FBI?

@SteeleSimz:  I think Cho does have a point to a certain degree but I also think there is some anger towards Jane. I personally think that Cho believes Jane won't be able to follow the rules and will end up in jail or run off again causing pain for those who care about him. As for Jane fitting into the FBI, I think it is going to be a test of will to see who gets the better of the other person before Jane is finally able to fit into the standards that the FBI set. 

@MentalistProbs:  Where does Jane fit in?! I simply don't think the FBI can handle him without Lisbon. The FBI seems stricter than the CBI, and I think they will be shocked by his shenanigans and methods.

Christine:  Oh yes. This is going to be a challenge all the way around. And if Abbott gets to use his terms instead of the ones Jane laid out I don't see how Patrick doesn't end up in prison before his five years is up. 

Why was Jane so adamant about working with Lisbon again even though he hadn't spoken to her about it?

@SteeleSimz:  I think working with Lisbon is the one way Jane knows that he can stay out of trouble and remain in the states. She does have some control of him and has been there several times over to defend him from others. I think him not telling her was the simply fact that he didn't get the chance to tell her and maybe hoping to surprise her a little that he his first "demand" was that he work with her. This was his way of showing that he still needs her in his life more than anything. 

@MentalistProbs:   Jane wants to work with Lisbon because she was the only thing that had him coming back, I think. She made the job worth it for him and now that he's been spoiled with her, there's no going back.

Christine:  I think it's as simple as he misses her. I also think that he enjoyed his work at the CBI. Like Abbott said, he was good at being an investigator, even when it had nothing to do with Red John. But I don't think he'd come back if he couldn't be close to Lisbon and this is the most natural way for that to happen. 

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 9 Online

This episode was chock full of hair porn. Whose hair was better, Lisbon or Jane's?

@SteeleSimz:  Uhhh, now that is a truly unfair question. Crap, can I vote for a tie? Seriously both Simon and Robin looked great in this episode as did the rest of the cast. But I will admit that I seriously just want to run my fingers through Jane's curls just once. 

@MentalistProbs:  HAIRPORN! Yes, there definitely was a lot of that! Lisbon's luscious waves were mesmerizing, and Jane's curls killed me as usual. However with the addition of Janes's beard, I'd have to say Jane had the best over all hair. But it was a close close race!

Christine:  I was mesmerized by Lisbon's hair as she sat on her sofa reading those letters. But Jane's beach hair was pretty spectacular. The only hair I didn't like was Van Pelt's. I really didn't like her new bangs. 

What was your favorite scene?

@SteeleSimz:  And here I thought question four was tough. Okay my shipper side says the reunion scene is best as well as the voice over of what Jane was putting in his letter to Lisbon. Then my non-shipper side loved Jane getting the better of the drug dealers and then setting Abbott up to catch him.  Jane may have gotten his revenge but he is the same man that we know and love who can pull the same crap as before to get results. 

@MentalistProbs:  I can't say my favorite scene- I honestly loved the entire episode. I LOVED Simon speaking Spanish, and I LOVED Jane and Lisbon's reunion. It was beautiful. Simon did excellent in directing and the rest of the cast and crew did amazing as usual! 

Christine:  The reunion scene. Hands down. Finally a real heartfelt hug and I don't think I've ever seen such a genuine smile on Patrick. He looked truly happy to see Teresa again. He literally couldn't keep his eyes off of her. 

Patrick Jane gave up his island paradise to come back to the FBI in The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 9 but he had terms.

Very. Specific. Terms.

Were you unable to catch the details of Jane's list? What exactly did Agent Abbott sign? Well we've got them listed below. 

MY TERMS

1. Must work directly with Teresa Lisbon.
2. All criminal charges must be dropped.
3. Transportation must be provided, possibly in the form of an Airstream trailer Number LVB-
4. Adequate supply of tea must be available at all times. Twinnings English or Scottish Breakfast. No other brands acceptable.
5. A workspace to my specification will be provided, couch included.
6. In addition to salary, all expenses of employment including but not limited to travel, meals, books, and all incidentals to be paid for by F.B.I.

​Will Abbott eventually agree to Jane's couch and endless supply or tea? Will Patrick end up paired with Teresa or Agent Fischer?

To check out Jane's terms and more, watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode online here at TV Fanatic.

One of the things that I noticed right from the beginning of The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 10 was that Jane still wasn't wearing any socks.

Perhaps he simply doesn't own a pair after his time on the beach. Watching him hang out in his detention suite without them made me wonder if he was boycotting that piece of apparel or if the FBI refused to provide them. 

Apparently I wasn't the only one who noticed... but we'll get back to the socks in a bit.

I was surprised that the story picked up three months later but maybe I shouldn't have been. Goodness knows Patrick Jane can hold a stalemate with the very best and he wasn't about to back down from his list of demands. And at the top of Jane's Terms was Teresa Lisbon.

Lisbon was oddly still back in Washington state dealing with important police emergencies…like a missing stapler. When she walked into Jane's detention suite, I wondered if it was the first genuine smile he's had in those three months. He seemed thrilled to have her ordering him around once more. 

The case highlighted the best of Jane's talents. I loved that he immediately spotted that the wife was a gypsy when no one else did. And his psychic schtick was so good he almost had me believing him, even though I knew it was a scam. Jane is just that good at reading people and selling the con and that's what makes it so much fun to watch. 

As was some of his interaction with Agent Fischer. She's trying so hard to get the upper hand on Jane that it makes it even easier for him to play games with her as when he told Fischer in this The Mentalist quote…

I understand you Kim. I understand you very well. Better than you do yourself.

Jane

• Permalink: I understand you Kim. I understand you very well. Better than you do yourself.
• Added: December 09, 2013

It may very well be true…or it could just be Jane messing with her head. Either way, Patrick Jane is nothing she expected. 

Fischer: I was so certain I had him figured out.
Lisbon: Welcome to my life.

• Permalink: Welcome to my life.
• Added: December 09, 2013

For a moment, I wondered if she was trying to play Lisbon but I honestly think Fischer was looking for advice. And when she asked if Lisbon and Jane had been involved I found it telling that Teresa didn't answer the question with a resounding no.

Maybe it's because although they were never officially a couple; there's certainly more between them than a strictly professional relationship.

Making a run for it in Brooklyn was typical Jane. It was as though he did it just to prove he could. And Cho's amusement was priceless, as was him calling out Fischer after she berates one of her agents for losing him. Cho's had Jane play him far too often not to revel in watching him do it to someone else. 

Fischer: He made fools of us.
Cho: It won't be the last time.

• Permalink: It won't be the last time.
• Added: December 09, 2013

The best moment was Teresa finally telling Jane off. He's left her time and time again without a word. Yes, he sent her letters from the island but she never knew if she'd ever see him again. 

Patrick was focused on the fact that he always came back to her but Teresa had a different perspective. He can disappear at any moment and she never knows if this time it's forever. How do you trust someone who continually blind sides you?

Even now, he hasn't asked her what she wants. Never consulted her in his decisions or in drafting his terms.

You were difficult and exhausting and maybe I don't want to put the rest of my life on hold to be your sidekick.

Lisbon

• Permalink: You were difficult and exhausting and maybe I don't want to put the rest of my life on hold...
• Added: December 09, 2013

Not that Teresa isn't bored and wasting her talents as a small town police chief but I can see how Jane's actions can make her fell taken for granted. 

Thankfully, she's put that aside. 

I loved when Jane went toe to toe with Abbott and won. That man is not an easy mark. It took Jane time to figure out what leverage to play to get what he wanted but as we saw in his hunt for Red John, Patrick Jane can be relentless. 

Of course I can only imagine what Abbott's reaction will be when he realizes he's been played.

I was also elated that Jane didn't hesitate to share his scam with Lisbon and how he practically bounced from the bed when he realized she'd taken the FBI job. The two of them are now in this together and he can't wait to see what kind of trouble they can find. 

His reaction to her gift of socks was just the icing on the cake.

I wasn't sure how this show would pull off the demise of Red John but so far, I'm thrilled with the continuation of Jane's story in The Mentalist Season 6. Now I just wish I didn't have to wait until January 5 for more!

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 10 Online

You may wanna stop reading right now, Patrick Jane.

With The Mentalist Season 6 having already fast-forwarded two years and with viewers needing to adjust to a few changes after the reveal of Red John, executive producer Bruno Heller is now preparing fans for another major shifts:

Teresa Lisbon is getting a boyfriend!

“In order for her to fulfill herself - even if she eventually fulfills herself with Jane, which she may or may not do - she has to find other relationships, other perspectives, other people who love her, just to feel fully who she is,” Heller teased to EW. “It’s very important for her to be able to step away from Jane and see herself for herself.”

Heller did not reveal any details about the beau, but he is set to appear in Episode 15 or 16 and he is yet to be cast.

But don't fret too much, fans, the producer says there's a lot to explore between Jane and Lisbon.

"Now that Red John is gone, both Jane and Lisbon are sort of psychically free to wake up and look around and what they see when they wake up from that nightmare is each other,” he previews. “And how that relationship develops and how they sort of start working out who they are to each other is a big part of how the rest of this season unfolds.”

The CBS drama is on hiatus until January, but you can watch The Mentalist online and catch up now.

Patrick Jane continued not to wear socks on The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 10.

That fact stood out, but it wasn't the only major development from the latest installment of this CBS drama.

The story actually picked up three months after events on The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 9, as Lisbon walked into Jane's detention suite and we got to witness her smile for what must have been the first time in a very long time.

The Case of the Week, meanwhile, showcased the very best of Jane's talents, along with him playing games with Agent Fischer.

Such as? Watch the installment from start to finish now and prepare for the return of The Mentalist on January 5, 2014:

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 10 Online

Things haven't gone exactly according to plan for Patrick Jane…unless his plan was to spend three months in a Federal detention suite.

Below, TV Fanatic Christine Orlando is joined by The Mentalist fans Entwife, Neha, and Foresti Purge to discuss their thoughts on Agent Kim Fischer and whether or not they'd get a psychic reading from Patrick Jane.

Ready to jump in and discuss The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 10?

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Were you surprised by the three month time jump with Jane in detention and Lisbon back in Washington state?

Entwife: I have to say I was completely shocked by this! Two years and now three months. And in isolation? Not allowed to get Lisbon's letters? I was more than surprised. I was angry. I thought it was cruel. Abbott and Fischer were trying to make his life as painful as possible in order to get him to accept indentured servitude with the FBI. I thought it was sickening.

Neha:  I was surprised, yes. I was expecting the episode to begin with them fighting Abbott on his 'list'. It does go to show how much he wanted to work with Lisbon though, if he is willing to wait that long and not break out.

Foresti Purge: Nope. It would have been too unrealistic if the FBI changes its mind overnight.

Christine: I wasn't expecting it but it does show that Abbott's no push over. He just didn't know who he was dealing with. Isolation doesn't bother Jane if he can have a comfy place to sit and his tea. 

What are your thoughts so far on Agent Kim Fischer?

Entwife: I thoroughly dislike her. She is a cold manipulator and has no feeling for Jane except how to turn him into a tool for the FBI, her tool. She is a bully, in my opinion, harsh, and the end seems to perfectly justify the means to her. That FBI scene is full of cold, grim people!

Neha:  Agent Fisher is a good character and I like the chemistry between Jane and her, but I don't know what the point of introducing her as a regular is. Maybe we'll find out later in the season. So far though she's just like a side act for me, like it really wouldn't matter if she wasn't around.

Foresti Purge:  Poor woman. She thought she had Jane under control, when of course all of us know she didn't. I look forward to seeing how she manages Jane from now on, though. Managing Jane isn't impossible; Hightower once had succeeded at forcing Jane to respect her terms. I want to see how Fischer and Abbott deal with him.

Christine: Jane needs a foil and now he has two in Abbott and Fischer. Jane is obviously nothing she expected and he's enjoying toying with her. I also like how Cho put her in her place when he berated a team member for losing Jane. I'm not attached to her yet but it could be entertaining to see how they all interact going forward.

Watch The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 10 Online

Did you think Jane had really broken Bertram's code?

Entwife: I thought he had for sure. And, I thought Abbott really reacted to Jane telling him he had names of corrupt law enforcement all over the country. It made me think he might be dirty himself. How awful would that be, for them to be working under yet another corrupt boss? Well, I'm sure that plot development is waaaaaay down the road. But interesting.

Neha:  No, I knew there was a fair chance he was bluffing, but you never know with Jane anymore. When he told Lisbon though, it gave me this great feeling I used to get in the earlier seasons when he put up an act like that.

Foresti Purge: I did. This is Jane, after all. Patrick Jane never tells the truth when a lie will do. If he said he hadn't, it can only mean he had.

Christine: I really thought he'd done it. I can only imagine what Abbott's reaction will be when he realizes he's been played but maybe by then Jane will have really cracked the code.

Would you want a psychic reading from Patrick Jane?

Entwife: Sure! It would be fun! I'm sure he would blow my mind! And I'd already know it was a fake psychic reading, so I could just enjoy the fun.

Neha:  Of course I would, even if I don't believe in psychics. It would be so entertaining!

Foresti Purge: Me? Nah. Like Jane, I don't believe in such things.

Christine: I don't believe but I'm fascinated by the con when it's done well and it would be such fun to see how well Jane could pull it off. I'm all in.

Weigh in on Jane's beard. Keep it or shave it?

Entwife: I love the way it looks in the sunlight, so bright and pretty with his hair. The way he is now, it sort of makes him look more scruffy than anything. I'd kind of like him to shave it off and see his pretty smooth skin instead. I think it would make him look younger, and more ruggedly handsome even with the weathering.

Neha:  I would say, keep the beard, loose the wrinkled suit. I mean, haven't we had enough of his hobo look already? I mean, it's hot and all In a "I am trying to figure my life out" kinda way, but I think I miss his vest.

Foresti Purge: Absolutely keep it. He looks rougher like that. You know, more like a free man.

Christine: I usually don't like beards but I'm a fan of this scruffy look on Jane. I keep waiting for Lisbon to reach out and touch it!

What was your favorite scene?

Entwife: The conversation between them on the airplane where Lisbon stood up for herself that she wouldn't allow Jane to take over her life at his whim. Her words about him not being in her life for two years really cut him and she felt bad for it, especially in light of his letters. But letters are not being there. She curbed and cuffed him and he accepted it. It was sad and hurt to watch, but it's the deepening of their relationship that I've been looking for, and I can't wait to see more!

Neha: I am a Lisbon fan, so the airplane scene where she finally tells him how self absorbed he has been, has to be my favorite. I think, that is the only real conversation they have had since his return. There was also that conversation between Cho and Fisher, about Jane. And that Cho scene about the road runner, I love Cho!

Foresti Purge: In hindsight, my favorite scene is when Jane asked $20 from Lisbon. Think: Who needs $20 for a hot dog? That's when I realized he's been planning his escape all along. He needs that much money to buy pen, stamp, envelope, and spray paint. When I rewatched the scene, I was absolutely impressed--this man is a genius!

Christine: As much as I loved Lisbon finally telling him off on the plane, my favorite scene was at the end. Jane just radiated joy when Lisbon told him she'd be taking the job with the FBI and they'd work together. And his reaction to the socks was incredibly sweet. It just had me wishing we didn't have to wait until January 5th to see more. 

Patrick Jane is dating...sort of.

With The Menatlist Season 6 Episode 11 set to air on January 5, Patrick Jane will definitely be heading out on the town with a beautiful woman... but apparently it's as much business as pleasure. 

Will the stunning Krystal give Jane the insight he needs to catch a killer targeting DEA agents?

Check out these photos for the upcoming installment and decide how much of Jane's "date" is all business when this CBS hit finally returns with a new installment in early 2014:

And remember you can watch The Mentalist online for any episodes you've missed. Enjoy!

After five seasons of hunting the notorious serial killer, The Mentalist Season 6 saw Patrick Jane not only find Red John but do exactly what he said he'd do when he found him.

He killed the man with his bare hands. 

Since we have to wait until January 5 for The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 11, we thought we'd recap some of our favorite - and not so favorite moments - of the season so far in the following TV Fanatic Report Card.

Scroll down and jump in to the debate now...

Best Episode: Surprisingly, The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 10 ("Green Thumb") turned out to be our favorite of the season so far. Patrick Jane was back to his antics and the FBI scrambled in their attempts to wrangle him. But best of all was when Lisbon told Jane off for taking her for granted and not consulting her before demanding she work for the FBI. It was the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship and we look forward to seeing where it leads.

Worst Episode: "Red Listed" Bob Kirkland was certainly creepy enough to be on the final list of Red John suspects but it was no real surprise to learn the rogue agent had his own agenda. But having him torture and kill others on the list in order to find the serial killer himself seemed over the top. And the story about his twin brother deserved some follow up. Unfortunately, when Reede Smith shoot him in the back at the end of The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 4 that was probably ended this story line for good. 

Happiest Moment: Jane walking into the FBI and finding Teresa Lisbon waiting for him. After two years without her, Jane's smile shone as bright as we've ever seen…and it was completely infectious. 

Most Pivotal Episode: A decade after his wife and child were brutally murdered, Patrick Jane not only found Red John, but put an end to his terror when he killed him.  "Red John" left some fans thrilled with the closure while others were dissatisfied that several plot threads were left dangling. Still others debated whether Jane had the right to murder his arch nemesis at all. No matter how you feel, no one can argue that The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 8 may very well be the most pivotal of the entire series. 

Biggest Dangling Thread: What was the trick? Red John knew Jane's list of seven suspects before Jane ever wrote it. How? Jane swore it was some kind of a trick. Red John claimed it was his psychic abilities. Now that Red John is dead, it appears we'll never know.

Most Intriguing New Twist:  A whole new world for The Mentalist.  The angst and darkness of hunting Red John is over. There's a lightness to Patrick Jane that we've never seen before and thankfully he can now look at the the people close to him and not worry about finding them dead with a bloody red smiley face painted over their bodies. It opens up a world of possibilities. 

Hopes for 2014:  

• Patrick Jane reassessing his relationships. Without having to play cat and mouse with a serial killer, we look forward to watching Jane look at the people closest to him with new eyes.
• As Teresa told him herself, she's tired of playing sidekick to Patrick Jane. We can't wait to see how Teresa Lisbon fits in at the FBI and what her new life is like in Texas.
• More of Kimball Cho. As much as we've always liked Cho, We think his deadpan humor works even better at the FBI.
• A Jane / Lisbon romance. Yes, we're shippers here at TV Fanatic and although we want them to take their time, we'd like to see Teresa and Patrick get to know one another in a whole new way this season. 

Overall Grade:  A+

Okay, TV Fanatics. What grade would you give The Mentalist Season 6 so far?

And if you need to catch up, you can always watch The Mentalist online right here.

We can be heroes? Sure, possibly.

But these folks can be villains.

In our latest staff Round Table discussion - join in our debates of Best New Show and Best Comedy of 2013 now! - various writers gather below to answer the simple, scary question:

WHO WAS THE BEST VILLAIN ON TELEVISION IN 2013?

Kate Brooks: Hands down, Moriarty on Elementary. It was a huge plot twist that Moriarty was not only a woman but Sherlock's love, Irene Adler, as played by the magnificent Natalie Dormer. I am still fangirling about it!!!

Miranda Wicker: The Governor from The Walking Dead. He slaughtered his own people! The man was straight evil!

Lisa Palmer: Hannibal. He eats people! And he's a psychopath - there is no one like him on TV!

Carissa Pavlica: Mickey Donovan from Ray Donovan. While not a villain in the traditional sense, because of his self-centered behavior and inability to parent, his children suffered horribly while he looked elsewhere and they are still suffering as adults; even more so now that he's thrust himself into their lives once again.

Sean McKenna: I'm gonna go back to early in the year for this one. King Joffrey from Game of Thrones is despicable, depraved and fantastically villainous. His every action is repugnant - and I can't wait to see him get what he deserves.

Christine Orlando: I'm going to go with Red John on The Mentalist. Some fans loved the big reveal of his identity this season while others hated it. Either way, up until that moment the debate was as intense as I've ever seen in any fandom. Viewers kept lists on things as mundane as hand shakes and dissected the meaning behind William Blake's classic poem "The Tyger." After six seasons of watching Patrick Jane hunt the man who murdered his family, I'm glad Red John is finally dead but I certainly enjoyed the chase to the end.

Leigh Raines: I'm gonna represent the teen vote here for a minute, even though I'm almost 30, cough cough, whatever. For me it was Ezra on Pretty Little Liars. Somehow I really didn't see it coming, maybe because Marlene King created such a convoluted crazy ass show. Talk about sleeping with the enemy.

Also gonna throw a vote up here for B613 and Command as a general villain on Scandal. Olivia was being stalked by this omnipresent, powerful, dangerous organization and then it turned out to be dear old dad in the finale. Mind. Blown. Also they put people in holes and tortures them! You don't want to cross B613.

Carla Day: Arrow's Malcolm Merlyn, the Dark Archer, was an incredible villain in 2013. He kicked ass, was manipulative, destroyed the Glades, was responsible for his own son's death ... and he looked hot doing it! Oh, and he survived.

Gabrielle Moss: Queen Catherine from Reign. Arch campiness + poison + constant scheming + more poison + horrible secrets that make you empathize with her even while being appalled by many of her actions + even more poison = my favorite villain to watch in action each week.

Doug Wolfe: I think the slightly-smiling Amanda on Nikita typifies the kind of dangerous passive-aggressive homicidal villain most of us can appreciate. Nikita's attempts at trying to understand her has only proven that there is absolutely nothing redeemable about her - despite her horrible past. As much as she has served as Nikita's foil, at the end of the day the woman has to be taken out. And not in a good way.

YOUR turn, TV Fanatics: Who do you think was the best villain of 2013?

When The Mentalist returns, Lisbon will officially sign on to the FBI, while Kimball Cho and Jane will all get to work together once again. 

Hooray... right?

But as the team investigate whether a high end cartographer stumbled onto a conspiracy on The Mentalist Season 6 Episode 12, Rigsby and Van Pelt will uncover something unsettling in their own separate investigation.

And who is the man Teresa is sharing dinner with in these pictures? Is this just part of the case...or her new boyfriend?

Check out the photos from the installment airing Sunday, January 12 and don't forget you can always catch up and watch The Mentalist online here at TV Fanatic.