Series Review: Mentalist (Season 6)

Highlights of the season:

Patrick Jane finally catches Red John

*Some suspects *

After years of hide and seek, Red John, the killer of Patrick’s family and countless others, are finally revealed. After narrowing it down to six candidates, Patrick (Simon Baker) realizes that the corruption of law enforcement runs deep and that is how Red John has been getting away with what he does every time. Patrick’s final confrontation with Red John plays out in such a spectacular fashion I was ready to start chewing nails.

Patrick’s life after Red John.

I’ve always wondered what Patrick would do after he caught the man that had ruined his life and taken away his family in such a brutal fashion. Seeing Patrick walking on the beach and just being at peace with who he is was unbelievably sweet.

Patrick, Teresa and Cho’s careers in the FBI

Theresa took the hardest hit for Patrick’s shenanigans, and when Patrick returns to the USA and requests her presence on the FBI team, it is such a sweet gesture from him. Cho (Tim Kang) is so focused on fixing himself and getting somewhere within law enforcement. I really like how he will always give credit to the right person and how hard working he is.

Teresa and Patrick finally address their relationship

This is probably the thing after Red John that interested me the most. Teresa (Robin Tunney) and Patrick have the oddest relationship, and she is more often than not exasperated with him, but she is also the only person that gets why he is the way he is and can fully cope with his mannerisms. It is good that they waited for Red John to be out of the picture – Patrick could not start a relationship if he hadn’t apprehended the monster in his life first.

Rating: 7/10

Although its usual length, The Mentalist season 6 felt like it took ages to get done. There were a lot of different things happening, so the feeling of being stretched wide is actually understandable.

The first 6 episodes are truly nail-biting and I would have rated those 8 had it been a separate season. Red John’s capture the extent of his power, the madness of the man and that final chase was scream worthy. I am really happy they didn’t spend the entire season on it; it would have been ridiculous to do that in the show’s sixth run. The man who played Red John (I don’t want to give too much away) was so frightening in the end. That voice flip still freaks me out to this day. A huge shout out to the show for finally revealing and ending the serial killer that has been tormenting Patrick for so long – I really don’t think that a seventh season of searching would have worked out at all.

The next couple of episodes deal with Jane’s hideout location, and how the FBI tracks him down to come work for them. I found it highly enjoyable because Patrick really did deserve a holiday after he put all that work in.

The majority of the last episodes are all cases with the FBI. The show evolves into purely procedural crime drama, and it works fine.  I really find Abbott amusing – he doesn’tmind at all to remind Jane who is in charge.

I loved Rigsby (Owain Yeoman) and Van Pelt’s (Amanda Righetti) relationship and how they made something for themselves outside the CBI and law-enforcement. One of the most intense scenes to me was with Rigsby hiding with their baby in the closet. I am a major fan of Rigsby and he is so cute as a father/husband/businessman. I am still a major fan of Cho and he should get some more screen time. He is so serious about his job and dedicated and momentarily hilarious most of the time.

The last few episodes slipped for me. It was without the jaw dropping emotion that had me hooked on this show from its first episode, and it just really felt tired. Simon Baker is still amazing as Patrick Jane. He is a great actor capable of projecting intense emotions. I mean, the whole human trafficking story could have been so much more if the writers were completely dedicated. That last episode could have been a lot more intense with the right aims. I did love Pedro Pascal as FBI agent Marcus Pike in here as well. When I realized that Oberyn Martell had crossed worlds to become an FBI agent I was really touched. His character was such a nice guy and you felt sorry for him even though he was messing with the plans of the show.

Have you seen this? What did you think?

September 19, 2014September 18, 2014 by Natasha Categories: Reviews, SeriesTags: Amanda Righetti, Grace van Pelt, Kimball Cho, Owain Yeoman, Patrick Jane, Red John, Reviews, Robin Tunney, Series, Simon Baker, Teresa Lisbon, The Mentalist, Tim Kang, Wayne Rigsby 6 Comments

5 Things Friday: 5 of the most Villainy Villains on Television

Happy Friday! Pardon my temporary radio silence of yesterday, but I am back in action today with some villains on the small screen that was excellently done. Enjoy!

King Joffrey Baratheon – Game of Thrones

The expletives that come to mind to describe this rugrat cannot be repeated on this blog. I am pretty sure the internet will break if I truly describe him, so;

$#@$#@$@%^$#!!!!

Plainly put, he is cruel and weak and a coward hiding behind his mother’s skirt, a little incest-bred shithead without any morals.

I HATE HIM. I can admire villains if they serve their own purpose, but he isn’t serving anyone but himself. He has no pride for his Kingdom except what it can offer him.

Red John – The Mentalist

 

I was apprehensive to start Mentalist season 6 because I would have been so unimpressed if they did not reveal Red John. These fears were unfounded because the build-up during season five and the first few episodes of six was brilliantly done and when they finally showed him I was truly impressed with how it went down.

I will not reveal his identity because I do not suck that way, but Red John is one of the most brilliantly created villains ever. He is intelligent and capable of staying incognito, and has a finger in many law enforcement pies that keeps him in the loop. He is also one of the few people that have ever been able to play a game with Patrick Jane, and pulled one on him many times. Red John, ultimately was so surprising and incredibly well played out, and the man himself was highly entertaining.

The Yellow eyed demon – Supernatural

 

I have some beef with this guy – if he hadn’t killed Sam’s mom, Sam wouldn’t have become such a whiney brat and Dean would have had a much less infuriating life. BUT, without the YED, Supernatural wouldn’t have been because John Winchester would never have started hunting.

I liked the YED, how he had such big plans and how he worked over spans of years – he never rushed his ideas and waited patiently for Sam to grow. He always stayed in the shadows and was so difficult to find and Sam and Dean’s hunt for him was very frustrating at stages. He was the perfect antagonist right up until he was killed.

Klaus Mikaelson – Vampire Diaries

 

I know plenty of people see Vampire Diaries as a wimp-show, but there are moments that are actually highly entertaining and scary. The first season was really well done, but the inclusion of Klaus Mikaelson in season two was absolutely fantastic. He is such an entertaining, layered and smart-ass villain, and his development from the cold and cruel goal-orientated hybrid to something a bit more lovable was one of the best plot developments of the story.

Victoria and Conrad Grayson – Revenge

 

Season one of Revenge was so gripping, and although they lost the plot a bit in season two, Victoria and Conrad Grayson remain despicable and compelling. They are both so self-serving and spoilt, and they are such a huge part in Emily’s broken psyche that you cannot help but hate them.

Who is your favourite villain? Feel free to drop a comment 🙂

 

May 23, 2014 by Natasha Categories: Five Things FridayTags: Azazel, Conrad Grayson, Dean Winchester, Five Things Friday, Game of Thrones, Joffrey Baratheon, Joseph Morgan, Klaus Mikaelson, Patrick Jane, Red John, Revenge, Sam Winchester, Simon Baker, Supernatural, The Mentalist, Vampire Diaries, Victoria Grayson, Yellow Eyed Demon 15 Comments

Five things Friday – Females who kick ass on the small screen

Happy Friday!

I am officially back at work *very sad sigh*. My leave has been great and seeing my bestie has been so much fun. There is really no one better watching movies with than Zoë, who understands what I have to say during and afterwards. She was kind enough to educate me on films I haven’t seen yet (after she nearly had a stroke hearing some of them). More on that later though. Today, I bring to you five female characters who seriously kick ass in series. I love strong females in shows – there are so few that have decency and self respect and I hope that they counteract they ridiculous number of needy females on screen.

Enjoy!

1. Dr. Temperance Brennan, Bones, played by Emily Deschanel

Bones is leading the leading lady for girl power on television. She is extremely intelligent and self sufficient. I like her because she is such a strong lead and really doesn’t need a man to save her all that often. I love her and Booth’s relationship and how he senses when she needs help and when he needs to back off – well, he gets that most of the time. Bones lifted herself up from a traumatic childhood and became someone respectable. Everyone she works with admires her and listens to her without question.

2. Teresa Lisbon, The Mentalist, played by Robin Tunney

Teresa, a special agent at the CBI, deals with Patrick Jane and solving homicides. She needs to be a good agent and handle Patrick at the same time, a nearly impossible thing as Patrick loves offending people and breaking the rules. I like Teresa because she keeps her head during dangerous times and is very loyal to her team. I can’t help but wonder if she and Patrick will ever end up together, but as I am on season five on the series and haven’t seen anything like that, I guess I should just patiently wait for it.

3. Dr. Tara Knowles, Sons of Anarchy, played by Maggie Siff

I really don’t think it is easy to date a gangster, but Tara manages somehow. I’ve only watched about two or three seasons and I guess things go wrong and right pretty often between Jax and Tara, but I like their strange dynamic. She reveres life and he doesn’t have too much respect for it and somehow they work out.

4. Caroline Forbes in The Vampire Diaries, played by Candice Accola

Let me tell you, this girl is shit annoying in the beginning. She is needy and unsure of herself, whining and has absolutely no confidence whatsoever. Then suddenly she starts developing and becomes sure of herself. Okay, becoming a vampire will change you, but the series shows how it brings your worst characteristics to life. Caroline goes through so much, a crazy vampire hunter father, a difficult mother, her werewolf boyfriend and a crazy hybrid who loves her in his strange way with incredible grace and admirably few tantrums.

5. Olivia Dunham, portrayed by Anna Torv

Plenty of people have weird, freaky jobs, and then you get the people on Fringe. I admire Olivia for doing her job even when it makes absolutely no sense, keeping everyone in line, coping with all the crazy scientists and still managing to be a bit professional.

Do you have any favorite female leads? Let me know!

May 2, 2014April 28, 2014 by Natasha Categories: UncategorizedTags: Anna Torv, Bones, Candice Accola, Caroline Forbes, Emily Deschanel, Fringe, Jax Teller, Maggie Siff, Olivia Dunham, Patrick Jane, Robin Tunney, Sons of Anarchy, Tara knowles, Temperance Brennan, Teresa Lisbon, The Mentalist, The Vampire Diaries 11 Comments

Best of 2013: Series

Morning 🙂

Welcome to my first post of the Best of 2013 Series. Today’s post contains the best series I watched this year. Some of them were produced before 2013.

Sons of Anarchy Season 1 and 2 (2008 and 2008-2009 respectively)

The Sons of Anarchy is an outlaw motorcycle club who makes their cash in dealing in illegal arms. Jax Teller, the son of the now deceased founder, starts questioning the club’s directions when he finds documents his father had written. Season one and two follows the drama and violence that surrounds Jax Teller (played by Charlie Hunnam) and the rest of the crew.

I really had no idea I would love this series so much. I perceive it as a MAN Show, meaning guys find it awesome to watch and ladies suffer through it (okay, watching Charlie Hunnam isn’t suffering, I mean the storyline). There is some pretty intense drama in here, and I was appalled at the amount of violence. That said; the show is extremely captivating.  I really went straight into the second season just so I could know what happened. I am planning on starting the third season pretty soon, and I really hope the drama continues.

The Carrie Diaries Season 1 2013

This is the frothiest show on my list. It is really cute and fluffy, and I know for a fact some people will chew off their wrists if they were forced to watch this. I enjoyed it though. It is senseless fun, and it is nice seeing the iconic Carrie Bradshaw suffer through high school. The show needs to develop a more intense storyline if it wants to survive another season though. They aren’t using Carrie’s acting ability to her full potential, and the story sadly flattens out sometimes.

Suits Season 1 and 2 2011, 2012-2013 respectively

I LOVE THIS SHOW. I heard rumors about its amazing entertainment value from many people, but only when my friend Zoë started raving I knew I would have to try it out.

Suits tells the tale of how a genius kid, Mike, manages to convince the excellent Harvey Specter to hire him as attorney at the law firm he works for, Pearson Hardman. Harvey teaches Mike to be a cutthroat lawyer like himself, while fielding attacks from all sides.

I don’t often watch law-drama. It isn’t a bad field, but I’m not able to say that it is my favourite avenue to explore. That is why this show is so refreshing to watch. It manages to bring all the lawyers to a glamorous stage, while showing how sneaky and underhand they really are. Harvey Specter is one of my favorite characters to watch in television – he is brilliant, hardworking, and brutally honest and looks great in a suit. His secretary Donna is a prime example of what a secretary should be – sarcastic, efficient and protective to whom she serves.

I can’t wait for season three!

Supernatural Season 5 2009-2010

Season 4 should have been called “The season where Sam shows what a selfish brat he is”. I didn’t enjoy it too much, really. I am so glad season 5 is back to a place where Sam is a little less selfish and thus a little less annoying. The inclusion of Castiel is brilliant, and he is well portrayed. I have been warned that season six is really not good, so I guys this will be the last of the Winchester brothers for me. It better end well!

The Mentalist Season 4 2011-2012

Patrick Jane continues his hunt for Red John, a brilliant serial killer who murdered his family. Every time Patrick thinks he is close to finding him, Red John eludes once again, and most of the time someone dies. The Mentalist is a brilliant series, and Simon Baker is at his best here. He is the embodiment of Patrick Jane is like Robert Downey Jnr is the embodiment of Tony Stark. I really have to watch season 5 to see whether he finally captures Red John – this series is on a knife point of becoming repetitive.

What shows did you enjoy this year?

December 5, 2013December 2, 2013 by Natasha Categories: UncategorizedTags: Best of 2013, Series, Sons of Anarchy, Suits, Supernatural, The Carrie Diaries, The Mentalist 1 Comment

5 Things Friday: 5 shows to watch

Happy Friday the 13th!

This week was horrible. Imagine everything going wrong, and then going wrong again. We have had our generator fail at work (a big problem when the lab’s freezers can’t keep samples frozen), pipes had burst, birds attacked people by flying through the shaft, which held the bursting pipe – it was that kind of week.

Watching series always makes me feel better. It is so much easier dealing with other people’s problems than our own, even if they are fictional. Here are 5 of the best shows I have watched this year.

The Mentalist Season Four

 

At the end of season three, Patrick shoots and kills the man he suspects of being Red John. Season Four starts with his arrest, and his quest to become free again. How will Patrick get out of trouble this time?

It wouldn’t be on my list if I didn’t think the show was good, but I really enjoyed this one. It is fantastically intelligent and entertaining, and they even manage to keep the cases fresh. I enjoyed the inclusion of Luther Wainwright. Finally a person on Patrick’s intellectual level! Speaking of Patrick, how phenomenal is Simon Baker in his portrayal?

Without giving away too much, I just want to say I hope Season Five brings some closure to many parts of the storyline. The show is in danger of becoming very stretched out if some plots don’t close down.

The Carrie Diaries Season One

 

The only new series on this list, The Carrie Diaries was much more enjoyable than I would have expected. Truly, it is extremely frivolous, so it is great to watch on a day where you just don’t want to think.

The show revolves around the teenager Carrie Bradshaw, the main character in the very successful Sex and the City franchise.

The second season needs to have a more structured sequence of events, and a real storyline. A little more originality wouldn’t hurt as well.

The Carrie Diaries is a good, entertaining and short series, but if you seek something more complex, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Sons of Anarchy Season One and Two (I freaked out it is so good)

Read reviews here and here.

I made the huge mistake of watching episode one of season three while on my stationery bike at home. I nearly fell off. I am not capable of being emotionally detached from it. It is shocking, amoral and violent, but the suspense keeps me going back for more each time. Every episode is jam packed with drama, and you simply can’t stop.

Obviously, I love it. Go watch it.

Supernatural Season Three

 

The favorite Winchester boys return and they desperately search for a way to save Dean’s soul. On the way they hunt and kill demons, vampires, werewolves and pretty much every supernatural creature they can find.

I have only watched until season three so far, and I am still impressed with how the show is created and presented. Even though the show is relatively serious, the team still manages to bring humor to it.

I am perpetually irritated with Sam, but his character is an essential part of the show, and Dean has lost too much to lose his brother as well.

Season three is a short season, so it can be a quick watch. The series ended as I expected it would, but the end made it possible for season four to start with a bang (I hope)

Pretty Little Liars Season Three

 

It is the one show I never expected to like, but I devoured season one and two. They were both brilliant, but season three struck me as mediocre. It is one of those shows that needs to reach a conclusion, but never does. It seems silly to take the girls to university with A still stalking them, but it would seem if they don’t find him/her by season Four, the show is going to go down the drain.

The show is entertaining and suspenseful, but it seems to follow the structure of season one and two, and they only add in a few more villains.

This is definitely a girl show, so if you are one, you will enjoy some of it.

Have you watched any of these shows? Which other ones would you recommend?

September 13, 2013 by Natasha Categories: Five Things FridayTags: Anna-Sophia Robb, bikers, carrie bradshaw, Charlie Hunnam, Dean Winchester, Five Things Friday, Friday, Katey Sagal, Owain Yeoman, Pretty Little Liars, Robin Tunney, Ron Perlman, Sam Winchester, SAMCRO, Series, Simon Baker, Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural, The Carrie Diaries, The Mentalist 6 Comments

Life lately

Morning

If you feel a bit depressed about it being Monday, you are not alone. Welcome to the most loathed day in the week. I really hope it goes well for you.

I’ve been planning: My sister’s bachelorhood. I am excited and very nervous at the same time – I really want things to go well. Also, I have been planning how to get everything done that I need to do… so many things, so little time.

I’ve been eating: Muesli and Yogurt for breakfast. It is delicious and healthy. Win
I’ve been dreaming about: Having my own car. It will be the best day of my life, I am sure of this.

I’ve been thinking about: How to live life to the fullest, at maximum happiness levels.
I’ve been spending money on: Make-up and toiletries. They are my greatest weakness when it comes to spending money.
I’ve been reading: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

I’ve been watching: Sons of Anarchy obsessively, and in between the Mentalist Season 4. Both are very entertaining.
I’ve been wearing: Lipstick. It is a habit I have to learn. I really think it is a way to look instantly more groomed.
I’m thankful for: My family, my tablet and my driver’s license.
I’m in love with: Charlie Hunnam. Between Pacific Rim and Sons of Anarchy, he has what it takes.

What have you been up to lately?

August 12, 2013 by Natasha Categories: UncategorizedTags: bachelorettes, Charlie Hunnam, Hunger Games, Monday, Pacific Rim, Sons of Anarchy, Suzanne Collins, The Mentalist 1 Comment

Friday things

I am so happy it is Friday. This week has flown. I am so busy right now I barely have a concept of time. It saddens me, it feels like life is moving past me and I am barely noticing. But there are some happy things happening right now.

Happy things

I am helping plan a dear friend’s baby shower. I can’t wait to see the beautiful baby finally (begin April). My friend will be such a good mommy.

The planning for my sister’s wedding and bachelorettes. It is going to be so awesome.

Our little puppy at home curling up next to you and sleeping. It is just so damn sweet.

My baby steps to getting out of debt seem to be working effectively, if very slow.

Being able to read again – I was in such a reading rut.

Listening to music, and discovering new artists.

Listening to the one true boy band – Westlife

Watching the Mentalist. My happiness is complete.

My boss bringing me homemade cookies because I work too hard. She is really awesome.

Winter is coming along. I am completely over this intense heat.

Amusing things.

The South-African parliament. Minister of women, children and disabilities (seriously, why group the three together?) claims White Afrikaans Christian men are the most abusive in this country. It is pretty much discriminating and racist towards three types of people in this country. I was much impressed when she was chased out of parliament. Now she has withdrawn her comments, but honestly, the damage is done.

What is making you happy right now?

*Image from coolfreeimages.net

March 1, 2013 by Natasha Categories: UncategorizedTags: baby-shower, bachelorettes, Friday, happy, music, parliament, politics, South-Africa, The Mentalist, wedding, Westlife 1 Comment

The Mentalist

Patrick Jane work as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Patrick used to be a fake medium, pretending to talk to the dead on live television. Even then, he was involved with the CBI, searching for a horrific serial killer by the name Red John.  He started working as a full time consultant to the CBI after Red John murdered his family, and his sole purpose in life is to catch the monster that destroyed his life.

Patrick Jane is the Mentalist. He refuses to acknowledge that he has psychic powers, claiming that all psychics are frauds. It is obvious that he has a rare talent, but he assigns it to reading people, their body movements and words very carefully.

Patrick works under Senior Special Agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Turney). Her team also includes: Special Agents Kimball Cho (Tim Kang), Wayne Rigsby (Owain Yeoman) and newest member, Grace van Pelt (Amanda Righetti). Together they investigate special crimes, and it is more often than not that Patrick’s masterful observation skills that solve the case at the end.

The face Red John leaves as his signature mark – drawn with the victim’s blood.

The dynamic between the team is amusing and well thought out. Rigsby and Cho are close friends, often teasing one another  as male friends often do. Rigsby and Grace are attracted to one another, but know they cannot have a relationship and work for the CBI together. Patrick has the truly rare ability to offend most people, often picking the most pompous as a target. He frustrates the team consistently by not following proper procedure, ignoring commands, and withholding information from them. At the top of their order is Lisbon. She is hardworking, addicted to her job, and seems to have no personal life at all. She is the only person Patrick connects to, sharing the story of how he managed to pick up his life after the death of his family.

Rating: 8/10

This is one of the best shows I have ever watched. Simon Baker stars as Patrick Jane. He manages to capture the essence of Jane: a charismatic, funny, obnoxious, kind, and tortured soul. He really deserves accolades for what he achieved in this role. The Mentalist manages to be both funny and sad at the same time. It is intelligent, fresh material, and really well thought out. You never even suspect the killer, and at the end it is a wonderful surprise. I have become so used to figuring out the “who did it” in other shows, that it is a fresh breath of air to finally have to wait until the end to know what happened.

Favourite episode: Flame Red.

I would definitely recommend this show to anyone in need of intelligent content. It is wonderfully done.

February 8, 2013 by Natasha Categories: ReviewsTags: Amanda Righetti, entertainment, Owain Yeoman, Reviews, Robin Turney, Series, Simon Baker, The Mentalist, Tim Kang 1 Comment