Index Of The Mentalist Season 1 [updated] Jun 2026

A leading scientist is poisoned at a university research center. The case becomes personal when the prime suspect turns out to be Jane’s former psychiatrist and ex-sister-in-law. Episode 11: "Red John's Friends" Director: John Polson

A state witness and his girlfriend are shot dead in a motel room. The investigation leads to tension with the local police department, pointing to a potential cover-up inside the force. Episode 9: "Flame Red" Director: Charles Beeson

The first season establishes the series' signature formula. It mixes standalone "monster-of-the-week" murder mysteries with the overarching, suspenseful mythology of the Red John investigation. Main Cast and Characters

A mobster in the witness protection program is executed. Jane uses a fishing trip and a fake shooting to outsmart a corrupt federal official. Episode 21: "Miss Red" Director: Martha Mitchell index of the mentalist season 1

| Episode # | Title | Original Air Date | Synopsis | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Pilot | September 23, 2008 | The series premiere. A double murder in Palm Springs is staged to look like the work of a notorious serial killer, Red John. CBI consultant Patrick Jane believes it's a copycat and uses his sharp skills of observation to guide the team to the real killer among a web of affairs and embezzlement. | | S1.E2 | Red Hair and Silver Tape | September 30, 2008 | The team investigates the murder of an 18-year-old in Napa County. Jane orchestrates an undercover operation with Agent Van Pelt as bait to trap a sexual predator, leading him into a dangerous situation with two killers. | | S1.E3 | Red Tide | October 14, 2008 | After a high school girl's body washes ashore, Jane's investigation leads him to a group of surfers. He sets a mentalist trap to uncover the truth behind a cover-up involving a murdered security guard. | | S1.E4 | Ladies in Red | October 21, 2008 | A wealthy investment banker is found murdered inside his hidden safe room. Jane uses his charm to investigate the man's secrets, discovering he was living a double life and stealing from clients. | | S1.E5 | Redwood | October 28, 2008 | A girl covered in her best friend's blood is the obvious suspect, but she has no memory of the murder. Despite evidence pointing to her, Jane is convinced of her innocence and sets out to find the real killer. | | S1.E6 | Red Handed | November 11, 2008 | Jane investigates the murder of a casino owner. While solving the case, he also takes the opportunity to try his hand at the blackjack table, leading to friction with the CBI team. | | S1.E7 | Seeing Red | November 18, 2008 | A psychic predicts a woman's murder, making her a key suspect. Patrick Jane holds a séance of his own to prove the psychic is a fake and the real killer. | | S1.E8 | The Thin Red Line | November 25, 2008 | The team investigates the murder of a drug dealer's girlfriend and the state's witness. Jane believes the primary suspect may have a different motive, leading to a tense trial. | | S1.E9 | Flame Red | December 2, 2008 | A murder in a small town is investigated, with Jane uncovering that the motive was an act of vengeance rather than a random crime. | | S1.E10 | Red Brick and Ivy | December 16, 2008 | Jane takes a personal interest in a professor's murder when he discovers the prime suspect is his former psychiatrist. | | S1.E11 | Red John's Friends | January 6, 2009 | A convicted murderer promises to give Jane information about Red John in exchange for his freedom. Jane becomes singularly focused, quitting the CBI to prove the prisoner's innocence. | | S1.E12 | Red Rum | January 13, 2009 | A high school boy who killed a local witch's cat is found dead. Jane sets a mentalist trap to get the witch and others to reveal the truth about his murder. | | S1.E13 | Paint It Red | January 20, 2009 | A $50 million painting is stolen, and the body of a business tycoon's son-in-law is found where it once hung. Jane suspects others, including a Russian oil baron, are behind the heist and murder. | | S1.E14 | Crimson Casanova | February 10, 2009 | A wealthy bachelor is murdered, and the team must sift through his many romantic conquests to find the killer with a motive. | | S1.E15 | Scarlett Fever | February 17, 2009 | The murder of a high-profile media consultant leads Jane into a world of public image and private lies. | | S1.E16 | Bloodshot | March 17, 2009 | Jane is temporarily blinded after an explosion at a crime scene. This forces him to rely solely on his other senses to help the team find the bomber. | | S1.E17 | Carnelian Inc. | March 24, 2009 | The team investigates a murder at a corporate retreat, uncovering a plot of corporate espionage and betrayal. | | S1.E18 | Russet Potatoes | March 31, 2009 | The body of a young woman is found buried in a potato field. The investigation leads to a family-run farming business with deep secrets. | | S1.E19 | A Dozen Red Roses | April 7, 2009 | A beautiful socialite is murdered, and Jane must identify the killer among her many admirers while navigating a world of wealth and power. | | S1.E20 | Red Sauce | April 28, 2009 | A former mobster is released from prison after 20 years, only to be killed. The investigation forces Jane to confront the CBI's director, who has a connection to the case. | | S1.E21 | Miss Red | May 5, 2009 | A beauty pageant contestant's sister is found dead. Jane goes undercover at the pageant to find a killer hidden among the contestants and their stage parents. | | S1.E22 | Blood Brothers | May 12, 2009 | A 16-year-old boy is found dead at a military academy. Jane and the team must go undercover at the school to uncover a conspiracy of bullying and murder among the students. | | S1.E23 | Red John's Footsteps | May 19, 2009 | The gripping season finale. Jane finally gets a lead on the real Red John, setting a trap that has devastating consequences for the CBI team and reveals a shocking truth. |

A mobster under witness protection is executed. Jane uses a dinner party setup to manipulate mafia figures and federal handlers to find the mole. Episode 21: "Miss Red" Director: Martha Mitchell

after Jane mocked him on television. Seeking revenge, Jane joins the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as an independent consultant. Methodology: A leading scientist is poisoned at a university

A consultant who is roughly 34 years old at the start of the series.

A wealthy software company founder goes missing and is later found dead. The investigation centers around a brilliant, beautiful con woman who was manipulating the victim. Episode 22: "Blood Brothers"

: Jane focuses on his past when a leading scientist (and his former doctor) is poisoned. Red John's Friends The investigation leads to tension with the local

The season laid the groundwork for a seven-year cat-and-mouse game, establishing Red John not just as a criminal, but as an omnipotent entity with eyes inside the justice system.

The show's success hinged not only on Patrick Jane but also on the tight-knit team at the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). These are the main characters you'll see throughout the first season:

The first season is characterized by a "case-of-the-week" structure, interspersed with key episodes that advance the Red John storyline.