Why ‘The Mentalist’ Was Canceled After Season 7, Explained

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As a long-time fan of crime dramas, I must say that The Mentalist was one of my all-time favorites. The unique premise, the intriguing cases, and the chemistry between Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) and Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) kept me hooked week after week.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about my favorite series, “The Mentalist,” where I followed the gripping tale of Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, a keen-eyed consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Previously, he was a high-profile psychic medium, a fact that infuriated notorious serial killer Red John, who tragically took the lives of Jane’s wife and daughter. After six captivating seasons, CBS made the announcement that the seventh season of “The Mentalist” would be its grand finale. Some argue that the show was canceled, while others believe it simply reached its natural end. In stark contrast to the previous seasons, the final season consisted of only 13 episodes, a significant departure from the 20-plus episodes each prior season had offered.

Following the news that The Mentalist was concluding, viewers held onto the belief that Warner Brothers might discover a fresh platform for the series. However, this didn’t come to pass, leaving many fans puzzled about why The Mentalist was canceled.

Once ‘The Mentalist’ Revealed Red John’s Identity, There Wasn’t Much Left to Do

In October 2014, it was announced that the series, known as The Mentalist, would be renewed for a seventh season. Despite rumors suggesting this would be its last run, the show had experienced a decline in ratings. However, the final episodes of Season 6 were particularly significant as they wrapped up the Red John storyline.

In the course of events, it was unmasked that the elusive figure known as Red John was none other than Sheriff Thomas McAllister (played by Zander Berkeley). A character introduced in Season 1, McAllister had been a menacing presence throughout the series, leaving a trail of victims in his wake. All along, Patrick Jane and the CBI were on his tail, but they could never quite catch up to him. It was only when Jane managed to uncover Red John’s true identity that McAllister confessed to Jane that he was also the founder of the Blake Association, a clandestine group of corrupt law enforcement officers who had aided him in his crimes.

Following the unmasking of Red John, the creator of “The Mentalist,” Bruno Heller, admitted he wasn’t certain about the exact moment he decided McAllister would be the antagonist. Meanwhile, actor Simon Baker expressed satisfaction with how Jane handled the demise of Red John but also harbored a sense of disappointment, stating, “There’s a level of dissatisfaction because, much like any mystery, you create a mental image of what it will turn out to be, especially when it’s a mystery that has kept you submerged for so long – the enigma of Red John’s identity.

The public reaction towards McAllister being Red John was mixed, as noted by James Hibberd from Entertainment Weekly, who felt that both McAllister’s portrayal and the reveal itself were underwhelming. Hibberd questioned the point of prolonging the mystery if Red John turned out to be a forgettable minor character with no significant connection to Jane. According to Baker in 2008, McAllister’s character had experienced such immense tragedy that he was left with nothing but a desire for revenge and justice, which is exactly what Patrick Jane eventually received with the death of Red John.

The Slow Decline in Ratings Didn’t Bode Well for ‘The Mentalist’

Unlike many other prime-time shows, The Mentalist stood out with its protagonist, a detective boasting exceptional observational skills and claimed psychic abilities. This unique premise helped it hold steady ratings for the first four seasons. However, by Season 5, there was a significant drop in viewership for the show, a fact that is sometimes underestimated when considering The Mentalist’s overall success.

In Season 6 of The Mentalist, the shifts were aimed at giving a fresh boost to the series. The quest for Red John, spearheaded by Patrick Jane, was scheduled to conclude, potentially paving the way for the show to explore fresh mysteries and progress its narrative as a whole. Regrettably, these attempts didn’t bear fruit.

When it was announced that The Mentalist‘s final season would air sooner than planned, CBS also revealed that the remaining episodes would replace The Good Wife on Sunday evenings in late 2014 and then move to Wednesday slots until the series finale aired in February 2015. CBS executive Kelly Kahl commented, “One of our objectives for this season was to continually grow our year-round, original programming offerings while reducing repeat cycles.” Essentially, due to fluctuating ratings, The Mentalist stepped in to fill scheduling gaps as CBS fine-tuned its overall broadcast schedule.

‘The Mentalist’s Stars Didn’t Count Out Coming Back for More at Some Point in the Future

At the finale of the series The Mentalist, Patrick Jane and Teresa Lisbon, portrayed by Robin Tunney, made their relationship known to their coworkers and got married. Additionally, Lisbon shared that she was carrying Jane’s child. Furthermore, the show kept fans guessing every week. Bruno Heller stated that the wedding symbolized a natural progression for the characters.

Tunney expressed joy for her character’s impending parenthood. She mentioned that if the series were renewed for additional episodes, she would be delighted and appreciated the fact that the story ended with viewers craving more. She believed this was an excellent way to conclude the series. Heller indicated he was open to the idea, but emphasized that the final decision lay with Simon and Robin.

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2024-12-25 22:31