Ep 2. Red Hair and Silver Tape

In The Mentalist season 1 episode 2, titled "Red Hair and Silver Tape," we continue following former psychic Patrick Jane as he now uses his powers of observation and manipulation to solve crimes. This episode opens with a flashback to Jane's past when he was still working as a psychic and his wife and daughter were murdered by a serial killer named Red John, which was the event that led to Jane's drastic change of career.

In the present day, a wealthy businessman named David Minkus is found dead in his office, tied up and with his head bashed in. The only piece of evidence is a piece of silver duct tape with red hair fibers on it, indicating that the killer may have been a woman with red hair.

The team at the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), including Agent Teresa Lisbon and her colleagues Cho, Van Pelt, and Rigsby, are called in to investigate the murder. Lisbon is skeptical of Jane's methods and believes that he is a liability to the investigation, but her boss, Virgil Minelli, believes that Jane's abilities could be helpful in solving the case.

Jane begins his own investigation, questioning Minkus's business partner and wife, and various other suspects in the case. He uses his charm and manipulation tactics to extract information from them, and also uses his keen sense of observation to notice small details that others may have overlooked. He also uses his knowledge of human behavior to create a psychological profile of the killer, deducing that she is likely a woman in her mid-30s who is intelligent, analytical, and methodical.

As the investigation progresses, Jane's theories about the killer are proven correct, and he begins to close in on the suspect. However, at the last minute, a surprising twist is revealed that throws the entire case into question and leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.

Throughout the episode, we also see glimpses of Jane's personal life, including his ongoing search for Red John and his feelings of guilt over his role in his family's murders. We also see the strained relationship between Jane and Lisbon, who is frustrated by his unorthodox methods and resistance to authority.

Overall, "Red Hair and Silver Tape" is a thrilling and engaging episode of The Mentalist that showcases Patrick Jane's unique talents and the challenges he faces in his work as a consultant for the CBI. With a strong mystery, well-developed characters, and plenty of suspense, this episode is sure to keep viewers hooked and eager for more.