The Mentalist Season 2

Right now you can watch The Mentalist Season 2 on and — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. The show says what it needs to say in a single season, no filler. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch Simon Baker work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Start it whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Mentalist Season 2 earns its spot. The plotting in The Mentalist Season 2 is tight enough that the twists feel earned rather than assembled. California Bureau of Investigation consultant Patrick Jane has a blatant lack of protocol but is self-assured and driven. The former "psychic" uses his talent for seeing the clues everyone else misses to solve the most baffling crimes. But there's more than crime: Lisbon and Cho reveal hints about their troubled pasts. Simon Baker and Robin Tunney lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was aired in 2009. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — The Mentalist Season 2 passes that test consistently. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, The Mentalist Season 2 delivers. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch if your schedule allows. Simon Baker's performance is the kind that shows up on best-of lists years later. If you have been looking for something to fill the gap left by a recently finished story, this is a reliable answer.