The Mentalist

So I'm watching season 1 (currently in season 2) and I gotta say - this is a total fluff murder mystery dramedy starring Simon Baker as Patrick Jane.

He started off as a fake but extremely talented psychic obviously bilking people out of money using his incredible powers of observation. He was called in as a consultant to help the police capture the 'Red John' serial killer. After fluffing up his powers on a tv show, basically trying to make Red John look like an idiot he'll help catch, he returns home to find a note on his bedroom door.

The gist of it is: Red John didn't appreciate him trying to humiliate him on national tv and if he was a real psychic, Jane wouldn't have to open the door to see what Red John did to his wife and young child.

Fast forward some years: he is an official consultant with the CBI (FBI) and has given up his psychic gig, trying to find Red John and help Agent Lisban and her team in what would basically be major case crimes in California. Most of the EP's are ridiculous if you're a die hard mystery/police procedural fan. It's pretty far fetched, but it is hilarious. The supporting characters are amazing: Lisban, the 'boss' who thinks Jane is both an idiot and strangely appealing, Agent Chow, the straight face token minority who is fucking hilarious and the go to guy for interrogations, Agent Rigsby - the boy scout arson expert who is in love with Vanpelt, junior agent and IT chick.

One of the best character dynamics in the show isn't the unrequited love between Lisban and Jane - refreshing if you ask me, all shows are trying to capture that XFile feel. It's the unrequited love between VanPelt and Rigsby. They are fucking adorable. Vanpelt is too ambitious (and worried about the romantic coworker thing) to actually pursue a relationship with Rigsby. Rigsby is just too shy to even articulate the words, although he has told her he loved her through a drugged induced haze.

In 1X18 Rigsby is hypnotized by the murderer, unbeknownst to him and Jane (a talented hypnotist in his own right) managed to confirm this by having Rigsby do the one thing IN THE WORLD that he wants to do. Which is, of course, kiss Vanpelt. Apparently in 2X05 they finally hook up (thanks youtube) but I haven't started season 2 yet but I think it's adorable anyway.

Pretty decent show, now one of my favs since Bones seems to be failing this season capturing the chemistry between Brennan and Booth.