LITTLE ROCK — What is it? The Mentalist, 23 episodes on six discs from Warner Home Video.
When will it be available? Tuesday.
How much? $59.98
What's the story? Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) spent years making the rounds as a well-known psychic, until his wife and daughter were murdered by serial killer Red John. After the tragedy, he admitted his act was a fake and turned his life around. Now, he uses his gifts of observation to help the California Bureau of Investigation bring killers to justice. He's also always looking for a chance to catch Red John and get his revenge.
The CBI team he works with is made up of tough leader Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney), stone-faced Kimball Cho (Tim Kang), boyish Wayne Rigsby (Owain Yeoman) and rookie Grace Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti).
Using Jane's uncanny knack for reading people - he can spot liars, secret hiding places and clandestine lovers in a second - they work together to solve kidnapping and murder cases.
While the team sees him as invaluable and like and trust him, his attitude and unconventional style also annoys them on occasion - particularly when he turns his "special powers" on them.
So, another procedural, huh? Well, not exactly. It's more lighthearted than the CSI and Law & Order types. It has a personality and charm of its own, thanks in large part to Baker's performance as the complicated and very entertaining Jane and the easy chemistry among the cast.
Thankfully, Jane isn't the dark and broody sort. For someone with such a tragic past, Jane is almost surprisingly cheerful. He's at timesarrogant, annoying and playful, but he becomes deadly serious when Red John is the issue.
The mysteries aren't terribly complicated. Anyone familiar with procedurals and whodunnits should be able to spot the guilty party pretty quickly.
So, what are the extras? There's a 24-minute piece on the creation and making of the series with the usual cast and creator interviews. "Cracking the Crystal Ball: Mentalist vs. Psychic," examines the world of psychics (from believers and skeptics) and the role psychics play in law enforcement. There's also a 7-minute gag reel and a few deleted scenes.
Brand new: Castle, Season 1; 30 Rock, Season 3; Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Season 2; Ghost Whisperer, Season 4; Ugly Betty, Season 3; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Season 10; Taxi, Season 4.
Coming down the road: How I Met Your Mother, Season 4; The Unit, Season 4; CSI: NY, Season 5; Life on Mars, complete U.S. series; Foyle's War, Seasons 1-5; The Patty Duke Show, Season 1.
Style, Pages 56 on 09/20/2009