As a seasoned gamer of both screens big and small, I must confess that revisiting the gripping drama of “The Mentalist” has been a rollercoaster ride down memory lane. With its recent availability on Hulu, I couldn’t resist diving back into the world of Patrick Jane and his relentless pursuit of Red John. What I didn’t expect was to uncover the mind-blowing secret that Simon Baker himself was the voice behind Red John for much of the show!
A fantastic moment to revisit is catching up with episodes of “The Mentalist”. This long-running CBS series, featuring Simon Baker, has been accessible on Hulu since March, and can also be found with a Max subscription, among other platforms. Given that some top streaming services currently carry the show, I thought it was time for a rewatch, and I must say, it’s proven to be quite engaging. Interestingly enough, as I’ve been enjoying this revisit, I stumbled upon a Behind-the-Scenes secret about Patrick Jane and Red John that I hadn’t noticed during the show’s initial broadcast.
Yes, Simon Baker Actually Played Red John For The Majority Of The Show
Throughout the series, Red John was frequently mentioned as the primary adversary. Interestingly, Simon Baker was the one who gave voice to Red John, but only until the creators, led by Bruno Heller, had decided on the details of the climactic confrontation at the end of the show.
On numerous occasions when we thought we were hearing Red John’s voice, it was actually mine. Yes! During the Season 2 finale, when Jane was taken and Red John performed his ‘Tyger, Tyger’ act while wearing a mask? I was the one playing both roles in that scene.
During the initial run of the show, there circulated a speculative theory suggesting that character Patrick Jane could be Red John himself. Actor Simon Baker, who played Jane, acknowledged this hypothesis, stating it was a significant factor for him and the creators to repeatedly incorporate such an Easter egg as a subtle nod to the intriguing theory.
The reason for my action was because of that situation where Bruno questioned who would play [the masked Red John]. I responded by suggesting, “Don’t worry about casting anyone! I’ll take on the role.” Bruno seemed thrilled, exclaiming, “I love it! I love it!” So, I put on a mask and adopted that amusing, ethereal voice. From then on, for several seasons, every time Red John spoke, I had to record the voice.
Honestly, I’ve been watching with a Hulu subscription and would never have guessed this.
Why Patrick Jane’s Final Scene With Red John Played Out The Way It Did
Throughout the majority of “The Mentalist’s” seven seasons, the character Patrick Jane is tormented by the loss of his wife and child, who were murdered by a twisted serial killer known as Red John. He bears some guilt because he provoked the killer during a television interview, which had severe repercussions for him. The storyline involving Red John culminates with Patrick Jane resorting to violence, and initially, this scene was intended to be portrayed quite differently in the script. There was even a chance that this pivotal moment could have been made public as well.
In an unexpected twist, it was only fitting that the duo were involved. The scenario unfolded rather like a romantic sequence, though unconventional in its nature. Initially, the finale of Red John was intended to occur under the cover of night on a bustling street with spectators present. However, I advocated for a more secluded, picturesque location where they could be undisturbed. There is no human action more intimately personal – not even sexual intimacy – than taking another life with your bare hands and witnessing their demise. This portrayal is rather subversive within the context of network television, carrying a significant risk.
In a striking TV scene, the baker had no qualms discussing the controversial aspect of depicting a TV character engaging in cold-blooded revenge on live television. This incident caused a stir back then, with viewers having vastly differing opinions about the portrayal. Some appreciated the edgy approach, while others didn’t, and as he himself admitted during the interview, “Some were eager for it to end.”
Originally, Jane’s confrontation with Red John might have been quite different from what we saw in the final episode. It could have been more of a public spectacle, but maybe not as emotionally impactful. However, creators often need to make decisions based on what serves their characters best, and these specifics were clarified during production. Here’s how Baker explained it…
I don’t think even he thought he had the stomach for it but there was just so much momentum built up that he had to go through with it and choke the guy to death. It was a hard thing for Jane to do but there was also some weird sort of release in it. I didn’t know how that scene was going to go until I actually shot it. It was really full on.
Initially, the Red John plotline was woven into the series right from the beginning, so it’s a bit surprising that the show decided to move on after this storyline ended on network television. The Red John storyline was resolved halfway through Season 6. Prior to this episode, each title of the series incorporated some form of red or reddish imagery, but following the relevant episode, the titles of the show started displaying various colors such as violet, silver, orange, green, and a variety of other rainbow hues.
After the complex dynamic between Patrick and Red John’s relationship reached its climax, lasting only one and a half seasons, the show ended. As I revisit those episodes, it’s worth noting that Simon Baker decided to focus on other endeavors following his acting stint, though there are rumors of his return to acting as early as 2024.
Despite any previous thoughts, I believe it’s worth noting that the audience is privy to The Mentalist dealing with the repercussions and venturing into fresh chapters, new partnerships, and even a fresh role within the FBI. In essence, it’s a series rich in character development, and if you haven’t seen it for a while, this could be an excellent opportunity to revisit, especially now that you’re aware Baker’s voice is part of the experience.
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2024-08-16 21:37