Comments on: The Mentalist: review http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:09:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: To: All The Skeptics, The Mentalist Researcher http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-471883 To: All The Skeptics, The Mentalist Researcher Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:14:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-471883 A majority of the seemingly magic or psychic things that Patrick Jane does are based off of actual psychological studies. His methods of remembering many things, the way that he guesses what people are thinking, and most importantly, in the pilot episode, his ability to “psychically” know her favorite color, are all legitimate concepts. He doesn’t learn everything about a person by simply reading their body language, there are other aspects involved. Here are some published works, enjoyable to read as well, that go over real psychological studies that Patrick Jane uses in his show. How he remembers things: http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Power-Develop-Memory-Americas-Master/dp/074327265X The way he knows what people are thinking: http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Book-Body-Language/dp/0553804723 How he knows what their favorite color is: http://www.amazon.com/Snoop-What-Your-Stuff-About/dp/0465027814 Enjoy! A majority of the seemingly magic or psychic things that Patrick Jane does are based off of actual psychological studies.
His methods of remembering many things, the way that he guesses what people are thinking, and most importantly, in the pilot episode, his ability to “psychically” know her favorite color, are all legitimate concepts.

He doesn’t learn everything about a person by simply reading their body language, there are other aspects involved.

Here are some published works, enjoyable to read as well, that go over real psychological studies that Patrick Jane uses in his show.

How he remembers things: http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Power-Develop-Memory-Americas-Master/dp/074327265X

The way he knows what people are thinking: http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Book-Body-Language/dp/0553804723

How he knows what their favorite color is: http://www.amazon.com/Snoop-What-Your-Stuff-About/dp/0465027814

Enjoy!

]]> By: From Ghost Hunters to The Mentalist » Skepticality - The Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine and the Skeptics Society http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-386487 From Ghost Hunters to The Mentalist » Skepticality - The Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine and the Skeptics Society Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:53:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-386487 [...] with Monk. Simon Baker plays Patrick Jane an admitted psychic fraud inThe Mentalist. Read The Bad Astronomer's impressions of The Mentalist at his blog. The Ghost Whisperer was developed by [...] [...] with Monk. Simon Baker plays Patrick Jane an admitted psychic fraud inThe Mentalist. Read The Bad Astronomer's impressions of The Mentalist at his blog. The Ghost Whisperer was developed by [...]

]]> By: Carol http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-281116 Carol Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:49:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-281116 1) I work across the street from the Los Angeles Public Library and have read scads of books written over the past 40 years by scientists who have done tests regarding psychic abilities. It exists, people! Just because the casual "expert" or dedicated skeptic disbelieves, do some "serious" research and discover the facts. The more current the research, the more sophisticated the verification and now possible explanations are being offered. The right side of the brain is where these abilities originate and that part of the brain sees things "wholistically" and not in detail. Reminds me of idiot savants who simply "don't know how they do it." 2) Although not a psychic, I've had a number of precognitive experiences. One of them likely saved me from grave injury or worse. This was a premonition with a 30-second window to act! I was a passenger in a car on a freeway in the rain where we were stopped. Another car severely rammed us from behind. My seat broke loose and after the accident it was about 3" higher than the driver's seat. The seat belt was bolted to the floor entirely *separate* from the car seat. If I had had it on, I would likely have been squished. However, just before we were hit, I had become very warm - although it was a cold rainy day. It became hotter so fast that I realized something was truly weird and that I was supposed to take my coat off. But I liked the safety of my seat belt. Suddenly I felt like I was almost on fire and so maybe "somebody up there" wanted me to die and if they were that superior I'd obey-- but I'd do my best to survive. So I braced my legs and as fast as I could, unhooked my seat belt and began removing my coat. Before I could get it entirely off, we were struck from behind by a girl student who was driving on bald tires. 3) Regarding "The Mentalist" I'm wondering if I'm watching the same show as everybody else. It seems obvious to me that both Kristina and Jane are psychic. Jane was emotionally damaged as a child by his con artist father. In the first episode with Kristina, she called him a "damaged" psychic. And he said regarding the car in the reservoir, "She's either implicated or she's a real psychic." Well, she wasn't implicated. There are oodles of little tidbits and clues for me that point out that the writers are hinting he's psychic and Kristina is authentic. The camera focuses in and dwells on Jane touching people. Some bloggers explain that he always has a legitimate reason when doing any touching. My answer is, "He has an overabundance of legitimate reasons." Anyway, he may "hate" psychics but he truly falls apart around Kristina (the supposed psychic fraud) and all his supposed cool and superiority evaporates. For the vast majority that would argue with me, I simply say, "wait and see." Furthermore there's some literary clues regarding William Blake's work (Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright). I really think this show has got 2 levels and is far more sophisticated than most viewers realize. I'm loving it. Anyway, it was fun having my say. Thank you! 1) I work across the street from the Los Angeles Public Library and have read scads of books written over the past 40 years by scientists who have done tests regarding psychic abilities. It exists, people! Just because the casual “expert” or dedicated skeptic disbelieves, do some “serious” research and discover the facts. The more current the research, the more sophisticated the verification and now possible explanations are being offered. The right side of the brain is where these abilities originate and that part of the brain sees things “wholistically” and not in detail. Reminds me of idiot savants who simply “don’t know how they do it.”

2) Although not a psychic, I’ve had a number of precognitive experiences. One of them likely saved me from grave injury or worse. This was a premonition with a 30-second window to act! I was a passenger in a car on a freeway in the rain where we were stopped. Another car severely rammed us from behind. My seat broke loose and after the accident it was about 3″ higher than the driver’s seat. The seat belt was bolted to the floor entirely *separate* from the car seat. If I had had it on, I would likely have been squished. However, just before we were hit, I had become very warm – although it was a cold rainy day. It became hotter so fast that I realized something was truly weird and that I was supposed to take my coat off. But I liked the safety of my seat belt. Suddenly I felt like I was almost on fire and so maybe “somebody up there” wanted me to die and if they were that superior I’d obey– but I’d do my best to survive. So I braced my legs and as fast as I could, unhooked my seat belt and began removing my coat. Before I could get it entirely off, we were struck from behind by a girl student who was driving on bald tires.

3) Regarding “The Mentalist” I’m wondering if I’m watching the same show as everybody else. It seems obvious to me that both Kristina and Jane are psychic. Jane was emotionally damaged as a child by his con artist father. In the first episode with Kristina, she called him a “damaged” psychic. And he said regarding the car in the reservoir, “She’s either implicated or she’s a real psychic.” Well, she wasn’t implicated. There are oodles of little tidbits and clues for me that point out that the writers are hinting he’s psychic and Kristina is authentic. The camera focuses in and dwells on Jane touching people. Some bloggers explain that he always has a legitimate reason when doing any touching. My answer is, “He has an overabundance of legitimate reasons.” Anyway, he may “hate” psychics but he truly falls apart around Kristina (the supposed psychic fraud) and all his supposed cool and superiority evaporates. For the vast majority that would argue with me, I simply say, “wait and see.”

Furthermore there’s some literary clues regarding William Blake’s work (Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright). I really think this show has got 2 levels and is far more sophisticated than most viewers realize. I’m loving it.

Anyway, it was fun having my say. Thank you!

]]> By: Guthrie Prentice http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-250074 Guthrie Prentice Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:09:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-250074 Ironically, my own life patterns itself a bit after the mentalist. I got lucky in that I took a sailing trip around the world back during my preteens with my family. While I was in India, I got trained in some systems which supposedly enhanced psychic ability. Due to a few hits and the forer effect, I completely believed I was psychic, so when I returned to Canada, I actually opened, and got paid for, a psychic consultation business during my late teens. That lasted for 4 years. It wasn't until about 5 years ago that I actually found the James Randi website, found out what cold reading was, and then tested myself. Luckily for me, I had kept transcripts of most of my readings from the 4 years previous. I proceeded to go back over my transcripts and determine what my actual accuracy rate was based on immediate feedback during the readings, and after removing areas where I had repeated stuff already told to me, vagueries, etc, I discovered I only had a 40% accuracy rating. When I actually tested myself using random number generator based ESP tests, my results, while statistically significant, were only a percent above chance, at around 21 or 22%. Looking at these data sets, I determined I was most likely using cold reading, and promptly became a skeptic. I then expanded my specialty in mentalism over the last 5 years, while also training in other areas of magic, and managed to take advantage of a syndrome I have to give my mentalism training a little extra edge. (I have Asperger's Syndrome, which like most autism spectrum disorders, gives me a form of heightened sensory perception, namely slightly heightened senses of smell hearing and touch, and also hyper attention to detail.) For that same period, I have worked as a debunker of various psychics and a skeptical paranormal investigator. In the last 2 years, I have opened what I call a consulting detective service, primarily using my mentalism and magic training to catch various forms of theft and fraud. All my cases of course have been volunteer, and only one or two of them are actually posted on my youtube site. Anyway, as a former ignorant person who genuinely believed in psychic abilities, I'm just saying, keep up the good work, and if you know of anyone who needs a consulting detective, a magician/mentalist, or a skeptic debunker, send them my way. lol Ironically, my own life patterns itself a bit after the mentalist.

I got lucky in that I took a sailing trip around the world back during my preteens with my family. While I was in India, I got trained in some systems which supposedly enhanced psychic ability. Due to a few hits and the forer effect, I completely believed I was psychic, so when I returned to Canada, I actually opened, and got paid for, a psychic consultation business during my late teens. That lasted for 4 years. It wasn’t until about 5 years ago that I actually found the James Randi website, found out what cold reading was, and then tested myself. Luckily for me, I had kept transcripts of most of my readings from the 4 years previous.

I proceeded to go back over my transcripts and determine what my actual accuracy rate was based on immediate feedback during the readings, and after removing areas where I had repeated stuff already told to me, vagueries, etc, I discovered I only had a 40% accuracy rating. When I actually tested myself using random number generator based ESP tests, my results, while statistically significant, were only a percent above chance, at around 21 or 22%. Looking at these data sets, I determined I was most likely using cold reading, and promptly became a skeptic.

I then expanded my specialty in mentalism over the last 5 years, while also training in other areas of magic, and managed to take advantage of a syndrome I have to give my mentalism training a little extra edge. (I have Asperger’s Syndrome, which like most autism spectrum disorders, gives me a form of heightened sensory perception, namely slightly heightened senses of smell hearing and touch, and also hyper attention to detail.)

For that same period, I have worked as a debunker of various psychics and a skeptical paranormal investigator. In the last 2 years, I have opened what I call a consulting detective service, primarily using my mentalism and magic training to catch various forms of theft and fraud. All my cases of course have been volunteer, and only one or two of them are actually posted on my youtube site.

Anyway, as a former ignorant person who genuinely believed in psychic abilities, I’m just saying, keep up the good work, and if you know of anyone who needs a consulting detective, a magician/mentalist, or a skeptic debunker, send them my way. lol

]]> By: paratracker http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-224183 paratracker Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:51:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-224183 I take issue with the author's (and supportive knee-jerk skeptics') claim that psychics have never solved a case How about Edgar Cayce? He solved thousands of documented medical cases without any medical training. How about Sue Nicholson. Nancy Weber, Alex Tsakiris, Phil Jordan, Etta Smith, Annette Martin, Pascarella Downey, Laurie McQuary, Noreen Renier, ... all work with police to solve current and cold cases (successfully). If you don't have the facts or refuse to consider them, the rest of the planet would all be better off if you just kept your mouth shut. We certainly need skeptics. In fact, I'm as skeptical as anyone, but I apply skepticism with objectivity. I am capable of recognizing the truth even if it's at odds with my preconceptions. To do anything else is no more informed than atheists who are convinced that God doesn't exist. Atheists and the religious faithful are really two sides of the same coin. Both have faith that their beliefs are true. Give me an agnostic any day - they're the only people standing on defensible philosophical ground. I take issue with the author’s (and supportive knee-jerk skeptics’) claim that psychics have never solved a case How about Edgar Cayce? He solved thousands of documented medical cases without any medical training. How about Sue Nicholson. Nancy Weber, Alex Tsakiris, Phil Jordan, Etta Smith, Annette Martin, Pascarella Downey, Laurie McQuary, Noreen Renier, … all work with police to solve current and cold cases (successfully). If you don’t have the facts or refuse to consider them, the rest of the planet would all be better off if you just kept your mouth shut. We certainly need skeptics. In fact, I’m as skeptical as anyone, but I apply skepticism with objectivity. I am capable of recognizing the truth even if it’s at odds with my preconceptions. To do anything else is no more informed than atheists who are convinced that God doesn’t exist. Atheists and the religious faithful are really two sides of the same coin. Both have faith that their beliefs are true. Give me an agnostic any day – they’re the only people standing on defensible philosophical ground.

]]> By: Maria http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-155681 Maria Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:15:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-155681 I liked the Mentalist at first, but the more I watch the less I like. Patrick is a bully. He gets what he wants not by clever manipulation, but by being crass and disrespectful to people he decides deserve it. He feels like the world owes him. Its a sin to lie to him, its a sin to joke with him. But he can say the cruelest things possible to anyone. Obviously if you pester people they will get defensive. That isn't clever. Its illegal. Cops can't just dance through any persons life because they feel its deserved. Nor can cop consultants, or whatever that little whinny bully happens to be. I wouldn't mind someone putting him in his place. I wouldn't mind seeing him get his face punched either. For the sake of my blood pressure I want nothing more to do with this disgusting show. I liked the Mentalist at first, but the more I watch the less I like. Patrick is a bully. He gets what he wants not by clever manipulation, but by being crass and disrespectful to people he decides deserve it. He feels like the world owes him. Its a sin to lie to him, its a sin to joke with him. But he can say the cruelest things possible to anyone. Obviously if you pester people they will get defensive. That isn’t clever. Its illegal. Cops can’t just dance through any persons life because they feel its deserved. Nor can cop consultants, or whatever that little whinny bully happens to be. I wouldn’t mind someone putting him in his place. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get his face punched either. For the sake of my blood pressure I want nothing more to do with this disgusting show.

]]> By: mari http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-148116 mari Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:57:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-148116 I liked the Mentalist at first when he was easier to take seriously. I liked him even more when they showed how affected he was by his wifes death, but lately he is just irritating. He always has that stupid"I am so smart and everyone else just wishes they were half as smart as me" smile, and it just makes me itch! Ok, Ok, of course he is always right! Its a tv show and the writers control the outcome. I also feel a bit peeved at his constant debunking. Im a skeptic myself, for the most part, but this borders on rudeness. I liked the Mentalist at first when he was easier to take seriously. I liked him even more when they showed how affected he was by his wifes death, but lately he is just irritating. He always has that stupid”I am so smart and everyone else just wishes they were half as smart as me” smile, and it just makes me itch! Ok, Ok, of course he is always right! Its a tv show and the writers control the outcome. I also feel a bit peeved at his constant debunking. Im a skeptic myself, for the most part, but this borders on rudeness.

]]> By: Dawn http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-136409 Dawn Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:07:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-136409 I have watched every episode out so far and i love it! I do not regret watching that show at all!!!!! I have watched every episode out so far and i love it! I do not regret watching that show at all!!!!!

]]> By: Podblack http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-136092 Podblack Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:55:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-136092 Has The Mentalist jumped the shark? http://podblack.com/?p=1069 'Patrick Jane ends up finishing the episode called ‘Seeing Red‘ with a bit of a quandary for me - because it seemed to imply that he got a valid ‘psychic message’ from the character Kristina Frye, who featured in that episode as a professional medium.' Has The Mentalist jumped the shark?
http://podblack.com/?p=1069
‘Patrick Jane ends up finishing the episode called ‘Seeing Red‘ with a bit of a quandary for me – because it seemed to imply that he got a valid ‘psychic message’ from the character Kristina Frye, who featured in that episode as a professional medium.’

]]> By: Gary http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-3/#comment-128590 Gary Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:43:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-128590 I had hopes it would be like MEDIUM. Not even close, boring and slow to follow. Hopefully this show will be removed and this time slot will not be wasted any longer. I had hopes it would be like MEDIUM. Not even close, boring and slow to follow. Hopefully this show will be removed and this time slot will not be wasted any longer.

]]> By: eric http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-122436 eric Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:57:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-122436 Dismal, hopeless crap. Mindless and braindead. Not the psychic part, just the writing, which was abysmal and stupid beyond belief. When the fat chef dragged in the body at the end it looked like a SNL sketch, only lamer. Absolute trash, and Baker has no character. He is simply a smiling idiot. Hopeless. Dismal, hopeless crap. Mindless and braindead. Not the psychic part, just the writing, which was abysmal and stupid beyond belief. When the fat chef dragged in the body at the end it looked like a SNL sketch, only lamer.

Absolute trash, and Baker has no character. He is simply a smiling idiot. Hopeless.

]]> By: Jose http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121732 Jose Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:39:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121732 Well I finally saw it. It’s good enough, for me to give it a few more chances, but there was one thing that really bothered me. As Dark Jaguar mentions, he was just too good of a psychic/detective. There were some things he knew with either no explanation or a poor explanation. Basically, we’re just told that he knew something because he’s really good at reading clues. The fun part of Sherlock Holmes (or even Psych) is that we’re taken along for the ride. They show us every step they took to arrive at a conclusion. I feel like not doing this is cheating. Well I finally saw it. It’s good enough, for me to give it a few more chances, but there was one thing that really bothered me. As Dark Jaguar mentions, he was just too good of a psychic/detective. There were some things he knew with either no explanation or a poor explanation. Basically, we’re just told that he knew something because he’s really good at reading clues. The fun part of Sherlock Holmes (or even Psych) is that we’re taken along for the ride. They show us every step they took to arrive at a conclusion. I feel like not doing this is cheating.

]]> By: Katherine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121722 Katherine Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:37:28 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121722 I loved the pilot of The Mentalist! It feels very much like a cross between Psych and House, and it doesn't hurt that Robin Tunney (the actress who plays Teresa) played Rebecca Adler, the schoolteacher who was House's patient in the pilot episode. I'll definitely keep watching this series. :) I loved the pilot of The Mentalist! It feels very much like a cross between Psych and House, and it doesn’t hurt that Robin Tunney (the actress who plays Teresa) played Rebecca Adler, the schoolteacher who was House’s patient in the pilot episode.

I’ll definitely keep watching this series. :)

]]> By: Joe Anderson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121706 Joe Anderson Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:02:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121706 Phil, I've been off of the intertubes for a bit, but in catching up with BAD ASTRONOMY I was pleased to find your recc0omendation for "The Mentalist". Thanks!! BTW, check out the pilot episode at 8:24. one of my airplanes (ok, SkyWest's) makes a cameo at the Palm Springs airport. Very cool. (Yes I am, among other things, an airplane geek.) Gonna watch the rest of the show. -Joe Phil,

I’ve been off of the intertubes for a bit, but in catching up with BAD ASTRONOMY I was pleased to find your recc0omendation for “The Mentalist”. Thanks!!

BTW, check out the pilot episode at 8:24. one of my airplanes (ok, SkyWest’s) makes a cameo at the Palm Springs airport. Very cool. (Yes I am, among other things, an airplane geek.)

Gonna watch the rest of the show.

-Joe

]]> By: John Merrell http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121636 John Merrell Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:46:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121636 Among the largest web skeptics --- and to my knowledge the only person who has both lost and won lawsuits against a psychic detective --- the show has my interest. Tonight I've posted some feedback I've just received about fund investors who apparently lost millions after following "business psychics" who promoted themselves as global fund investment psychic forecasters. That posting is at http://www.amindformurder.com/BattleContinues.htm and for a complete critical overview of the leading FBI crime psychic, Noreen Renier --- regularly seen on cable's Psychic Detectives and Psychic Investigators and dozens of talk shows including Larry King --- see http://www.amindformurder.com/index.htm All the postings are commercial free and might give some writers some additional creative ammunition. Meanwhile I'll start tuning in. Among the largest web skeptics — and to my knowledge the only person who has both lost and won lawsuits against a psychic detective — the show has my interest. Tonight I’ve posted some feedback I’ve just received about fund investors who apparently lost millions after following “business psychics” who promoted themselves as global fund investment psychic forecasters. That posting is at http://www.amindformurder.com/BattleContinues.htm and for a complete critical overview of the leading FBI crime psychic, Noreen Renier — regularly seen on cable’s Psychic Detectives and Psychic Investigators and dozens of talk shows including Larry King — see http://www.amindformurder.com/index.htm
All the postings are commercial free and might give some writers some additional creative ammunition. Meanwhile I’ll start tuning in.

]]> By: Rick http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121595 Rick Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:55:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121595 >>>>>"I was astonished by this. The character of Patrick Jane feels tremendous guilt — as well he should — over the death of his family. Because of this, he punishes himself by staying in the same house, removing all the trappings of a happy life, and by leaving Red John’s mark on the wall."<<<<<<<<<< How do we know Patrick isn't Red John a' la Dexter? >>>>>”I was astonished by this. The character of Patrick Jane feels tremendous guilt — as well he should — over the death of his family. Because of this, he punishes himself by staying in the same house, removing all the trappings of a happy life, and by leaving Red John’s mark on the wall.”<<<<<<<<<<

How do we know Patrick isn’t Red John a’ la Dexter?

]]> By: Wendy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121541 Wendy Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:26:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121541 I caught this last night!! I'm pleased to announce it's my new favourite show. LOL! I caught this last night!! I’m pleased to announce it’s my new favourite show. LOL!

]]> By: andyo http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121471 andyo Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:16:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121471 It was pretty funny. Pretty much the same reason I watch that funny douchebag <i>House</i> religiously (yeah). This guy, though could have done much more with the "Kingdom of god" deluded girl, I guess he's just more polite than good ol' Greg. My favorite scene:<blockquote> (Jane performing a "magic" trick) GodGirl: "How'd you do that?!" Patrick Jane: "Telekinesis." Other cop (unimpressed): "He blew on it." P. J.: "That's <i>another</i> way to do it." </blockquote> I think that, besides being hilarious, wasn't this a nod to Randi and that hack Hydrick? Didn't Hydrick had something similar to say (only not joking) when Randi did the same thing as he did on a TV show? It was pretty funny. Pretty much the same reason I watch that funny douchebag House religiously (yeah). This guy, though could have done much more with the “Kingdom of god” deluded girl, I guess he’s just more polite than good ol’ Greg.

My favorite scene:

(Jane performing a “magic” trick)

GodGirl: “How’d you do that?!”

Patrick Jane: “Telekinesis.”

Other cop (unimpressed): “He blew on it.”

P. J.: “That’s another way to do it.”

I think that, besides being hilarious, wasn’t this a nod to Randi and that hack Hydrick? Didn’t Hydrick had something similar to say (only not joking) when Randi did the same thing as he did on a TV show?

]]> By: Dan DeLeon http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121371 Dan DeLeon Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:05:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121371 Bah. All one had to do was look at the list of guest stars to discover who the killer was. Željko Ivanek is always the guilty party. Bah. All one had to do was look at the list of guest stars to discover who the killer was. Željko Ivanek is always the guilty party.

]]> By: Becky http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121320 Becky Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:53:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121320 Loved the show!!! I was looking forward to it because I love Simon Baker from is Guardian days. I loved how the humor was added in and I think Simon can totally pull it off. He plays confident, slightly arrogant characters and the added humor only makes it better. Again, I loved the show and I hope it is successful so we can keep watching. Loved the show!!! I was looking forward to it because I love Simon Baker from is Guardian days. I loved how the humor was added in and I think Simon can totally pull it off. He plays confident, slightly arrogant characters and the added humor only makes it better. Again, I loved the show and I hope it is successful so we can keep watching.

]]> By: WB http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121245 WB Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:55:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121245 I enjoyed the show and am adding it to my DVR schedule. Simon Baker is hawt. I did think the male sidekicks were too blunt in front of the family. But it does happen. One of my friends is a police oficer and was assigned to CSI for a couple of years until his recent promotion to Lieutenant. His job was to secure the crime scene, keep the public and news crews away from the police tape, etc. He and one of the other officers got in a bit of trouble for being filmed by the TV news crews laughing over a joke at the expense of the deceased. Yes, you do have to suspend disbelief for this show to accept the concept that somebody could be so perceptive and so good at cold reading as to get and understand all of the cues that Jane does. The real-life fake psychics aren't 1/10 as good as Jane. He must have been astounding on stage. But that bit of buy-in is fine by me. Did I mention that Simon Baker is hawt? I enjoyed the show and am adding it to my DVR schedule. Simon Baker is hawt. I did think the male sidekicks were too blunt in front of the family. But it does happen. One of my friends is a police oficer and was assigned to CSI for a couple of years until his recent promotion to Lieutenant. His job was to secure the crime scene, keep the public and news crews away from the police tape, etc. He and one of the other officers got in a bit of trouble for being filmed by the TV news crews laughing over a joke at the expense of the deceased.

Yes, you do have to suspend disbelief for this show to accept the concept that somebody could be so perceptive and so good at cold reading as to get and understand all of the cues that Jane does. The real-life fake psychics aren’t 1/10 as good as Jane. He must have been astounding on stage. But that bit of buy-in is fine by me. Did I mention that Simon Baker is hawt?

]]> By: Bevans http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121187 Bevans Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:43:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121187 Thanks for this post. I'm always looking for quality TV to watch, but I don't have the time to wade through the sludge. I'm downloading the first episode right now. Thanks for this post. I’m always looking for quality TV to watch, but I don’t have the time to wade through the sludge. I’m downloading the first episode right now.

]]> By: Tesarra http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121168 Tesarra Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:12:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121168 Here's a link to a Derren Brown video that applies somewhat to the "cold reading" techniques. And, no, it's not "psychic" reading, strictly speaking but he makes terrific use of the practical psychology techniques that the "psychics" use while claiming falsely to have "special" powers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOvM_I8t6pY There are lots of others on You Tube. Just search Derren Brown and enjoy! Tes Here’s a link to a Derren Brown video that applies somewhat to the “cold reading” techniques. And, no, it’s not “psychic” reading, strictly speaking but he makes terrific use of the practical psychology techniques that the “psychics” use while claiming falsely to have “special” powers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOvM_I8t6pY

There are lots of others on You Tube. Just search Derren Brown and enjoy!

Tes

]]> By: New TV Show, The Mentalist, may have appeal to skeptics - SobreNatural.NET http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121154 New TV Show, The Mentalist, may have appeal to skeptics - SobreNatural.NET Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:01:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121154 [...] Excerpts from http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/ [...] [...] Excerpts from http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/ [...]

]]> By: Elizabeth McQuern http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/comment-page-2/#comment-121144 Elizabeth McQuern Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:06:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/24/the-mentalist-review/#comment-121144 Excellent review! I saw an ad for this show and sort of shrugged my shoulders. Might actually tune in, now. Phil Plait, defender of critical thinking. Rock on. Excellent review! I saw an ad for this show and sort of shrugged my shoulders. Might actually tune in, now. Phil Plait, defender of critical thinking. Rock on.

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