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The Mentalist starring Simon Baker

Posted on April 19, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Simon Baker as Patrick Jane in The Mentalist
Simon Baker as Patrick Jane in The Mentalist. Photo from: photobucket

Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) is a mentalist, helping the CBI (California Bureau of Investigation) with their cases.

A mentalist-as the definition appears on the screen right before each episode starts- is someone who uses mental acuity, hypnosis and/or suggestion.

Patrick used to pass himself off as a psychic and had more than a good 15 minutes of fame too. But when the serial killer he was helping the police catch killed his family to show he wasn’t as smooth or smart he believed himself to believe. After that, Patrick assists the CBI full-time. He profiles the suspects and the victims. By using his mental capabilities, he makes almost perfect assumptions. Although his theories don’t always amuse the detective in charge, Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney), she is aware of how big an asset he is. Mind you, she doesn’t always approve of his tactics. However, more often than not, he ends up being right.

A good friend of mine suggested I should watch The Mentalist. His reasoning was that I loved House and there was a big chance I would like this show too. As a fellow House addict, he wasn’t wrong. There are some uncanny similarities in the way how their mind works, how smart they are and how much attention they pay to details and how much they can derive from little stuff that could mean not much to others.

There are of course many differences as well. Patrick Jane doesn’t really mind talking to people. He takes pleasure in figuring them out whereas House really hates every extra “social” minute he has to spend. He is less of a loner and he used to be much less unconventional. He was married with a kid, until it was taken away from him. He sure gets to smile more often. But the thing is, there is no reason a fan of House can’t enjoy The Mentalist and vice versa.

Simon Baker is a good actor. You might have dismissed the tv show The Guardian he was previously starring in. I did. And you could have just labeled him as the pretty boy in The Devil Wears Prada. However, when I watched him in Sex and Death 101, I realized that he could indeed be worthy of all the fuss. Don’t be fooled by IMDB’s genre tags for Sex and Death 101. It is not a romantic comedy by any means. It is a black/dark comedy and obviously the romance is attached is very unconventional to say the least. Not a great movie but it is interesting and different. And then I watched him in The Lodger. He plays the mysterious lodger who may or may not be a serial killer, highly admiring Jack The Ripper. And again, although the movie wasn’t that good, Simon was.

Finally, Baker is the leading actor in a show well worthy of his talent and of your time. It is interesting, captivating and sometimes gruesome (due to the nature of the crimes). But our character Patrick does not come without a sense of humor. And neither do Teresa and the members of her team. And it is set in California, my favorite place on earth.

As the tagline of the show states, let the mind games begin. And I do love a good mind game!

Posts featuring The Mentalist

 Castle vs The Mentalist- Comparing the two addictive shows

 Television’s 3 Most Brilliant, Emotionally Broken Men: Patrick Jane, Gregory House and Jack Bauer

 Use of Social Media in TV Series featuring Castle, The Mentalist, House, Cougar Town and NCIS Los Angeles

 Seven Engaging Tv Shows with Suspense Featuring Castle, The Mentalist, House, Ncis Los Angeles and More

All Posts Featuring Simon Baker

Simon Baker Trivia: 21 Facts About Australian Actor Simon Baker

Not Forgotten Movie Review

The Lodger Movie Review

Top Nine Aussies in The Entertainment World: Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue and More

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Filed Under: TV shows Tagged With: California, California Bureau of Investigation, CBI, crime, drama, House, mystery, Robin Tunney, Simon Baker, The Mentalist, the mentalist tv series, the mentalist tv show, thriller, TV shows

Robert Pattinson isn’t vain. He is British!

Posted on December 1, 2009 Written by ripitup

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Silly me! All this time I had been thinking that he was a spoiled star and he just was complaining about the fame he got after the Twilight saga. While I am not falling for the real life Pattinson any time soon (Oh, I always have and will love Edward); I just realized, he is not vain. He is just British! No, seriously I think I’m onto something here. I was watching Jay Leno and Hugh Laurie (Gregory House of the brilliant TV show House) was the guest. Leno was half-joking that Laurie felt so much more comfortable when things were going badly because he would be expecting it. But when things ran smoothly, that ‘s when he would be upset. Because he would have been caught off-guard. So Laurie responds by saying that “You know me so well!”. Later they both agree that it is a very British thing to do.
So it kinda make sense that Pattinson looks and acts like a fish fresh out of water during interviews and other appearances. He is a major star, the movie has made tons of money and suddenly girls are all over him. Oh, poor bugger!!!
But seriously,Rob! Get a grip and relax! I know you need many more roles to be considered as a talented and serious actor, but you are on the right track. Remember me is due in 2010, where he shares the screen with Chris Cooper and Pierce Brosnan. Not to mention he plays Salvador Dali in Little Ashes (2008). It is OK when things go well, Rob! Seriously, dude… : )
Robert Pattinson, not as Edward Cullen
Robert Pattinson, not as Edward Cullen

My Other Juicy Stuff on Pattinson:


* Robert Pattinson vs. Taylor Lautner

http://socyberty.com/people/pattinson-vs-lautner/

* New Moon Movie Review: New Moon Dissected

http://cinemaroll.com/fantasy/new-moon-dissected/

* Pattinson vs. Edward Cullen: The Cute Robert Pattinson, The Beautiful Edward Cullen

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-cute-robert-pattinson-the-beautiful-edward-cullen/

* Twilight Movie Review: Twilight Mania

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/twilight-mania/

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Filed Under: For Fun: Celebrities, dating, relationships and everything else Tagged With: Edward Cullen, House, Hugh Laurie, New Moon, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Twilight, Twilight saga

House: Better than Sherlock Holmes and CSI combined!

Posted on November 2, 2009 Written by ripitup

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Hugh Laurie as Gregory House
Hugh Laurie as the hilarious and eccentric Gregory House

Foreman: “Isn’t treating patients why we became doctors?”
House: “No, treating illnesses is why we became doctors. Treating patients is what makes most doctors miserable.”

It took me about 10 minutes of one episode to be hooked to this guy. I am saying guy- the show House revolves around a doctor named Gregory House- who approaches to medical cases scientifically. The creators never hide the fact that they were inspired by Sherlock Holmes . Add a little CSI factor as he sends his medical team to the patient’s homes to investigate. Oh, that’s right. Because he doesn’t trust his patients. And he is right. Almost always they lie to save their asses from getting into trouble – even though it means risking their lives. House does not tolerate stupidity or insincerity. He tells whatever he thinks and is not concerned about faking anything. He is brilliant and although thought to be arrogant, I just think he is blunt. Now let’s see why I think this has been the most interesting show on TV. Yes, there have been brilliant comedies (Friends, Married with Children) and some kick-ass action series (first seasons of Alias, 24), but House rises above. Because the thing is, it does not waste its time on creating romance so that the audience will come back. Oh there is some romance going on between the staff alright. But how House reacts to them is hilarious. Oh, and it is so exciting without any action scenes. It is more captivating than the action series and it manages this in a hospital setting. And no, again it is not about the drama caused by the patients or their relatives. It is House’s race against time in trying to save the patient. His team is so concerned about labeling him as apathetic and/or as an asshole, since he always seems to care more about solving the case, rather than saving a life. Of course what the idiots are not considering is that without the solution, the patient will already be dead. So why should House’s intentions and lack of bedside manners matter?

Let’s take a brief look at characters.

Lisa Cuddy

Hugh Laurie's House vs. Lisa Edelstein's Cuddy
Hugh Laurie's House vs. Lisa Edelstein's Cuddy

Lisa is the dean of medicine at the hospital House works in. She is long-lost in administrative business and clashes with House all the time. Sure there are some chemistry issues and sexual innuendos underneath but it doesn’t help Cuddy that House is the least politically correct person to walk the earth. He doesn’t care about pleasing anyone or ethics or hospital rules. The fact that he defies norms all the time has helped a lot of patients lived, but then Cuddy has a career and hospital to protect. Of course the show never ever wastes time about them trying to date. House’s lines are just brilliant. Cuddy never ceases to be shocked and/or outraged by House’s next insane idea.

She has to bear with him because he is an amazing doctor who only takes seemingly impossible cases. But he hates clinic duty, watches TV in coma patients’ room and so forth. The guy is a riot to watch and a nightmare to work with.

*****

one of my favorite dialogs; from Season 1, Episode 3

House: Hello, sick people and their loved ones! In the interest of saving time and avoiding a lot of boring chitchat later, I’m Doctor Gregory House; you can call me “Greg”. I’m one of three doctors staffing this clinic this morning.

Cuddy: Short, sweet, grab a file.

House: This ray of sunshine is Doctor Lisa Cuddy. Doctor Cuddy runs this whole hospital, so unfortunately she’s much too busy to deal with you. I am a board … certified diagnostician with a double specialty of infectious disease and nephrology. I am also the only doctor currently employed at this hospital who is forced to be here against his will.
That is true, isn’t it? But not to worry, because for most of you, this job could be done by a monkey with a bottle of Motrin. Speaking of which, if you’re particularly annoying, you may see me reach for this: this is Vicodin. It’s mine! You can’t have any! And no, I do not have a pain management problem, I have a pain problem … but who knows? Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m too stoned to tell. So, who wants me?

*****

The Team: Dr. Foreman, Dr. Chase and Dr. Cameron.

These three had leading parts in the first three seasons. Seasons 4 and 5 had Chase and Cameron’s roles cut and a new team joining under Foreman. However, these three provide the substructure.

FOREMAN

Omar Epps as Dr. Eric Foreman in House
Omar Epps as Dr. Eric Foreman in House

Foreman has had a troubled childhood and House always refers to his “shady” past. Foreman always looks for an opportunity to prove House is wrong and he just can’t.

And of course House loves to get on Foreman’s nerves. Because House is the wittiest one, people.

Foreman: “Why are you riding me?”
House: “It’s what I do…has it gotten worse lately?”
Foreman: “Yeah. Seems to me.”
House: “Really. Well, that rules out the race thing. ‘Cause you were just as black last week.”

CHASE

Jesse Spencer as Dr. Chase in House
Jesse Spencer as Dr. Chase

Chase is an Australian doctor played by real life Australian actor Jesse Spencer. I must admit, when I first saw him, I thought he was really good-looking. However it is not the cute face of someone but it the attitude and the brains and the wit that win you over. 10 minutes into the show, I couldn’t care less about Chase. I wanted Hugh Laurie’s House on screen, every minute.

House calls him British and Chase says :

“I’m Australian.”

House: “You put the queen on your money. You are British.”

CAMERON

Jennifer Morrison as Dr. Cameron in House
Jennifer Morrison as Dr. Cameron in House

Cameron has had the hots for house for a while. House thinks she is pretty and smart and everything. But please don’t tell me you are expecting a relationship, a whirlwind romance after everything I told you. Towards the end of season 1, Cameron quits her job and forces House to have a date with her; this is her condition to come back. House reluctantly agrees. The thing is House things, if she wants him, she is nuts. He says so at their date. He is older than her, his leg is injured, he is addicted to pain medication, he is not a nice guy and he is not good-looking. Wow, this is so not how she pictured their date would go…

WILSON

Robert Sean Leonard as Dr. Wilson in House
Robert Sean Leonard as Dr. Wilson in House

House’s best friend. As opposite as they seem, they seem to complete each other. Just like House was loosely based on Sherlock, Wilson is loosely based on Watson. They quarrel and disagree on almost everything. Yet somehow, they have fun together.

Wilson: “She’s hot, so she’s a hooker? What kind of pathetic logic is that?”
House: “The envious, jealous, I-never-got-any-in-high-school kind of logic, hello! “

The great thing about House is that although you know he is going to do something unpredictable and fun to watch, you just can’t guess his next step. Just see a couple of episodes and you will know what I mean. And it is funny how he got rid off Cameron at their date by stating all the negative things about himself and all the while I was thinking how sexy he was. No, it is not about girls being attracted to assholes as a friend (also attracted to Hugh Laurie’s wonderful portrayal of House) suggested. The thing is, I don’t think House is an asshole. He is smart and blunt. He is not into any kind of politics. Oh, and there is the fun aspect: He has amazing blue eyes, rugged good – looks and an awfully charismatic voice- a very real American accent. Hugh is English in real life. Oh and he is not a bastard when he cares about the people who deserve to be cared about. An ex-girlfriend/the love of his life ( Stacey, played by Sela Ward) comes to the show and you see how he is when he is in love.

End note: One philosophy of House is that “Everybody lies”. Yet once in a while he believes that a patient of his is telling the truth. One of the team members asks:

“What happened to “everybody lies”?  House replies: “I lied.”

quote source:

http://www.housemdquotes.com/

If you liked House, you might enjoy

The Mentalist

If you like a good detective/mystery show with less drama, more humor and less sarcasm, you might want to try

Castle

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Filed Under: TV shows Tagged With: Gregory House, House, House M.D., Hugh Laurie, Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Sela Ward

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