The Mentalist

Right now you can watch The Mentalist in Australia on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Hulu — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. 7 seasons in, and the quality has not slipped. With 4,416 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Watch Simon Baker work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

The Mentalist is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The plotting in The Mentalist is tight enough that the twists feel earned rather than assembled. Patrick Jane, a former celebrity psychic medium, uses his razor sharp skills of observation and expertise at "reading" people to solve serious crimes with the California Bureau of Investigation. The writing gets a boost from Simon Baker and Robin Tunney, who sell every scene they're in. The series ran for 7 seasons (2008–2015), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly. What makes The Mentalist hold up is that the resolution matters less than how the characters get there. The consistency throughout is what elevates it — not every moment is the best, but none of them are a reason to stop watching.

Viewers who think they have seen every crime drama tend to find The Mentalist proves them wrong. Viewers who responded to Criminal Minds will find a lot to like here too. 7 seasons gives the story real room to develop. Simon Baker anchors it, but the writing does the real work. If you are going to commit to one crime drama this month, make it this one.

The Mentalist wrapped up in 2015, created by Bruno Heller — and 7 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.