Ep 23. Red John's Footsteps

The Mentalist is a popular crime drama series that ran from 2008 to 2015. The show follows the story of Patrick Jane, a former psychic turned crime consultant, as he helps the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) solve complex criminal cases.

Season 1 Episode 23, titled "Red John's Footsteps," is a pivotal episode in the series that brings the overarching storyline of the Red John serial killer to the forefront. Red John is a notorious serial killer who murdered Patrick Jane's wife and daughter, which led Jane to abandon his fraudulent psychic career and become a consultant for the CBI to track down the elusive killer.

In the beginning of this episode, Patrick Jane and the CBI team receive a break in the Red John case when a private investigator named Sam Bosco informs them of a list of names that may be associated with Red John. The CBI team immediately sets out to investigate the names on the list, hoping to find a lead that will help them catch the killer.

As Jane and the team delve deeper into the investigation, they begin to realize that the list of names might be a red herring, designed by Red John himself to throw them off his trail. Nevertheless, the team presses on, interviewing each of the names on the list and searching for any connections they might have to Red John.

Meanwhile, Jane begins to worry that his involvement with the Red John case will lead the killer to his doorstep once again. He confides in his friend and colleague, CBI Agent Teresa Lisbon, about his fears and urges her to keep him at arm's length from the case. However, Lisbon knows that Jane's expertise is invaluable to the investigation and refuses to let him back away from the case.

As the investigation unfolds, evidence begins to point towards one name on the list as a potential suspect. However, the team is wary of jumping to conclusions and wants to take their time gathering enough evidence to make an arrest. But when the suspect suddenly goes missing, the team becomes even more convinced of his guilt.

In the final moments of the episode, Jane receives a call from Red John himself, who taunts him with hints about his true identity and threatens to harm someone close to Jane. The call leaves Jane shaken and determined to catch Red John once and for all.

"Red John's Footsteps" is a thrilling episode that sets the stage for the rest of the series. It builds tension and suspense around the hunt for Red John, while also further developing the relationships between the characters on the show. The episode is a must-watch for fans of the series and leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the next season.