The Mentalist: Up Sleeves OR Down Socks?

On Sunday night's latest episode of "The Mentalist",  Jane revealed to Lisbon right at the end that he has remembered everyone he has shaken hands with and has further narrowed down the list to where he is "close" to focusing on who Red John is. BAAAA!! (= sound of 'Loser Buzzer').

I caution you that they are no where close to finding out who Red John is. These are the episodes that will spin you around and around. You have to think of "The Mentalist" plot line as a magician's trick and the writers as the magician. When a magician says, "I have nothing up my sleeve." and shows you his sleeves, it's because he is taking your attention away from the fact that he is putting something in his socks. (You get the idea.)

The Mentalist is rife with clues, but they are NOT the ones they want you to think they are. I told you several weeks ago (before this season got under way) that they were going to bring the hunt for Red John right into the CBI. That we would be looking at EVERYONE suspiciously. And of course, that's exactly what we are doing.

Remember, there are still potentially a couple more years before "The Mentalist" is going to be anywhere near over. (It's making gobs of money right now). Although the writers have decided who Red John is, they are going to drag this out as long as possible. They are going to play little tricks with us like: have you noticed how many red heads they cast for guest stars?

Plus, I brag and flaunt remind you that I have figured out who Red John is, (I have a large knowledge of Philology and through that I stumbled onto the answer, even though I wasn't particularly looking for it). However, the writers are too smart to "paint themselves into a corner" and won't give us too much definite information that they can't write their way out of later, if they change their mind about something later.

So this plot line, (IE. Jane looking for Red John because Lorelei told Jane he had actually shaken hands with Red John without knowing he had) which has Jane narrowing down the list of people he's met, is just a decoy.

"Look. Nothing is in my sleeves."

Ask yourself: Does Lorelei herself actually know the identity of Red John? He has so many minions doing his bidding, how does she even know she's met the real Red John. We've been led to believe she's his #1 mistress. Does Red John strike you as a "one woman" type of person? Loyal and monogamous?
Therefore, if Lorelei might not actually have met the REAL Red John, then all the time and effort that Patrick Jane is putting into narrowing down his "Hand Shake List" is only wasted energy.

But I'm not telling you  that watching "The Mentalist" is "wasted energy". I'm just warning you to not get too worked up about Red John's identity right now. It is a long way off and the writers are just getting you "revved up" because the cast and crew of "The Mentalist" are about to head off for their hiatus (aka. summer vacation) and they want to make sure you are "on the hook" and coming back when the summer is over.

So just enjoy the mystery of the week, the banter between the main characters and Patrick's 'leger de main' (aka. slight of hand). Because they WILL resolve the Red John plot line and it may be even sweeter for having had to wait for it (as most things in life are).

Sincerely, Laura-Lee (fellow "Mentalista" - feminine version. Male version is: "Mentalisto")