Ep 19. Pink Champagne on Ice

As the fourth season of The Mentalist approaches its end, episode 19 continues to draw attention towards the ongoing investigation of Red John’s myserious identity. In this episode, titled “Pink Champagne on Ice,” Patrick Jane (played by Simon Baker) and his team investigate the murder of the owner of a luxurious country club that caters to the wealthy and famous. The victim, Nolan Sharp, is found dead inside an ice room where he stores expensive bottles of pink champagne. The room’s temperature has dropped to a point that caused Sharp to die of hypothermia, and the murder weapon is a shard of broken ice.

While investigating, Jane discovers that Sharp’s life was much more complicated than what it may have seemed on the surface. The country club owner was in debt and had been gambling heavily to pay for his lavish lifestyle, leaving him to owe money to multiple people, including a notorious casino owner and a bookie who was also one of the club’s employees. Meanwhile, Rigsby (played by Owain Yeoman) and Van Pelt (played by Amanda Righetti) begin discussing their relationship and the future together. This subplot adds a layer of human interest to the ongoing investigation, as they explore their feelings and begin to plan their future lives together.

Back at the crime scene, Jane uncovers a critical clue when he discovers that there is a missing bottle of the pink champagne which was stored in the ice room with the dead body. This leads him to investigate the last time this bottle was handled, which takes him to Nolan’s personal assistant, Kelly (played by Emily Swallow). Kelly seems to have the perfect explanation for her whereabouts but upon further scrutiny, Jane uncovers inconsistencies in her story, leading him to believe that she may have had a motive for murder.

Throughout the episode, the audience is also given glimpses into Jane’s personal life, including the ongoing tension between him and FBI agent Alexa Schultz (played by Polly Walker). Jane has been working to clear his name after being falsely accused of killing a former Visualize member in the previous season. Agent Schultz is equally invested in this case, as she is determined to prove that Jane is guilty.

The investigation into Sharp’s murder takes a dramatic turn when Jane realizes that the killer may have a personal connection to the victim, leading him to follow the trail of another suspect, Nolan’s estranged wife, Crystal (played by Cindy Ambuehl). As Jane and Crystal come face-to-face, events quickly escalate, leading to a tense, action-packed conclusion.

Overall, "Pink Champagne on Ice" provides a thrilling story arc that combines suspense and personal relationships. The episode continues to develop the main characters' storylines, specifically Jane's ongoing investigation into Red John, while simultaneously showcasing the interpersonal dynamics between the characters. With a satisfying ending and a well-executed crime drama plot, this episode continues to prove why The Mentalist was such a popular show during its run.