‘The Mentalist’ season 6, episode 8 preview: Simon Baker and the end of Red John
We have finally arrived at the final chapter of the Red John story on “The Mentalist,” and you have to believe that this is an hour that is going to turn a good many out there into a complete emotional wreck. “Red John” is the conclusion of a story six years in the making, and there are so many stories that it must tie together in order to be satisfying in the end.
Before we do anything else here, let’s start things off by sharing the full synopsis:
“Patrick Jane finally comes face-to-face with Red John, the serial killer he’s tracked since the madman murdered his wife and daughter. For 10 years, Jane has doggedly hunted his nemesis in his search for justice.”
What is rather interesting about this promo first of all is that it doesn’t really try to show Bertram at all, which is interesting given the supposed reveal that he is in fact Red John. Are we setting things up for a big surprise in the end? Maybe, but it could be a little more complicated than that. We imagine that CBS kept this somewhat vague for people who are behind on the DVR viewing, and they don’t want to have the whole story spoiled because of it.
What we are hoping to see in the end from this story is so much more than just an answer as to who killed Red John, but why. Was there really any motivation for someone like Bertram to go through with this? What did he have to gain from it? Why ruin Patrick Jane is such a dramatic way? Hopefully this episode will answer every question that you are curious about in then some, and if nothing else, we’re being set up for a heck of a confrontation that has been six years in the making. To Bruno Heller and company, no pressure.
What do you want to see on this key episode? Share below, and click here for our full review of tonight’s “The Great Red Dragon.”
Photo: CBS
John Smith
November 20, 2013 @ 6:17 pm
it was’t red john’s voice i wanna say it was much more manly…..i don’t think the bald person walking into the church is red john
Jason
November 20, 2013 @ 3:09 am
It’s obviously Bret Patridge and he’s alive. The voice of Red John in the promo gave it out (it can’t be Betram’s, not Stiles’, not McAllister’s, definitely not Smith or Haffner, Kirkland is dead) and why would Red John flayed the tattoo of Patridge? Because if Patridge was alive and need to cover his tracks, he would have used another body without a tattoo (since killing a member of the Blake Association would get him into trouble). Also Patridge gave himself away as member of Blake Associates by saying “Tyger, Tyger” to Lisbon and his only solution was to take out that skin of the body out as if Red John took the three doted tattoo. Either Patridge or, by a long shot, Michael Kirkland.
BlindFreddy
November 18, 2013 @ 7:32 pm
I’ve seen S6 E08. No spoilers. An amazing episode and (almost)all the loose ends are wrapped up in an incredible conclusion to the Red John storyline. Very well done episode and you WILL enjoy it immensely. As to where The Mentalist storyline goes from here…well that’s the ‘almost’ part. But Patrick Jane DOES meet Red John and Simon Baker has an amazing scene at the end of the episode.
For the sleuths…just remember the previews are edited and lots of stuff can be missing in any given scene, but it is not unsolvable as I have seen a very good analysis online that sorted out RJ’s id with visual proof.
You do NOT want to miss this episode.
dellizh
November 20, 2013 @ 3:15 am
Can u send me a link via my my email!! Please! !!!!!!!!
BlindFreddy
November 20, 2013 @ 4:01 pm
Sorry it’s a Media credentialed release. However, here are a few tidbits to savor over…
– RJ ALWAYS has a backup plan and even backups to backups. Is that enough this time? PJ and RJ are NOT the only ones in that chapel. There are 5 present at one time or another which presents many plot options.
– PJ’s choice of the chapel to meet RJ was not by chance(tho RJ might think it is) and PJ prepared last episode(and more than you might glean from any promos)…so this has been in the works and doing his homework pays off. But neither PJ or RJ can predict everything or prepare for same. That’s the ‘game’ they have played… and why the show is so interesting.
– RJ’s voice is a red herring…not gonna help you.
– Bruno Heller /writers have left a trail of breadcrumbs for several seasons so none of this is happenstance.
– RJ’s fate is somewhat unexpectedly handled by PJ and delivered by Simon Baker in a potentially emmy nominated way. You’ll have to close your dropped jaw.
So all in all the RJ storyline does deliver. And as has always been the case w/The Mentalist, it’s the journey woven by the writers and directed to its course that is the beauty in this series. Do your analysis, make your best guesses…then sit back and enjoy the ride. Thank you Bruno et al.
voxleo
November 24, 2013 @ 2:43 pm
is it as satisfying as the Breaking Bad Finale? I can’t find fault with the way they wrapped up that show, so if this is on par I will be very impressed.
BlindFreddy
November 24, 2013 @ 6:09 pm
Yes, it was for me. There are many possible end scenerios the writers could have taken….some ridiculous and some blatantly obvious. With so many loose ends and wild leads to address, I think the writer’s made what they considered their best choice. For me, I’d have preferred some tweaks to the BrBa finale but it was fine as it transpired. It’s probably impossible to meet the expectations of any rabid fanbase.
I will say I enjoyed the way the various clues were brought together in the Mentalist Red John finale….and the show did its best to explain as much as they could fit into an hour(~40 min) show.
There will be at least 2 loose ends that could possibly extend into a Mentalist future storyline as obviously not all the Red John cronies out there have been eliminated. But if their manipulator is compromised, is there any reason to move forward with their actions?
One huge plus in presenting this mini finale(storyline…not series) is that it gives new life and new opportunites to the actors and writers. It will be a complete re-boot to the show. So instead of a show going 8-10 years and limping its way out the door, we’re getting 2 shows in one. And the startup time for the actors and writers to grow into the show over the first season or so is negligible as they are ALREADY in sync to their roles, making it fresh and interesting again for them. To me that is a good thing.
The best thing a Fan can do is to enjoy the moment and take the one good lesson from the LOST finale…and ‘let go’.
voxleo
November 25, 2013 @ 1:24 am
So excited – can’t wait! =)
roland
November 18, 2013 @ 12:40 pm
is it kirkland voice ?
voxleo
November 18, 2013 @ 2:29 pm
I saw ppl say the actor for brett partridge (who was the first of the list of 7 suspects to die,but we never exactly saw a body ) is credited on the red john ep on imdb, so I’d bet it’s him if it must be one of those seven, as that makes better sense than other choices , I don’t think its Bertram,(in part just because that is what they want us to think, but also because the voice is wrong and his character doesn’t have the right charisma necessary to be RJ). I would have not been surprised if it were the tupperware weirdo, but he wasn’t on the list. The other possible is Kirklands twin brother, but that involves some cheating on behalf of the list and hints the producers gave. I think Partridge isn’t dead, but plAYED SO before KO’ing Lisbon.
voxleo
November 18, 2013 @ 4:41 am
well that was not Bertram’s voice saying he won, so I think there is another
Happy Turtle
November 18, 2013 @ 2:02 pm
RJ is like jane smart etc , i dont think bertram is RJ but who is he ? :( cant wait
voxleo
November 18, 2013 @ 2:30 pm
my $ is on Partridge not being dead.
Happy Turtle
November 19, 2013 @ 2:34 pm
RJ is a member of Tiger Tiger from jane view so unless jane was wrong i really doubt it ,my guess RJ is the leader of tiger tiger and hes not from the list