"Red and Itchy" featured everything you could want in an episode of The Mentalist: A compelling mystery, great teamwork and lots fun banter. 

Throw in Patrick Jane working hand in hand with J.J. LaRoche and how could you lose?

Did you see how Jane immediately perked up when he heard that LaRoche was asking for him? He couldn't resist that. Not even the hunt for Red John could keep him away.

It was all of the little things about the opening crime scene that I enjoyed. Jane noticing that the Hummels were broken. Rigsby holding LaRoche's dog. And finding out that Lisbon is not a canine lover, or perhaps it's that they don't like her.

LaRoche looked so distraught sitting in that ambulance as he accused Jane of being his puppet master. Jane's response and LaRoche's reply in this The Mentalist quote spoke to the odd affection that seems to have grown between the two…

Jane: I never thought of you as a puppet.
LaRoche: You ever thought of me as a friend? | permalink

I loved watching these two men together.  They're both such odd ducks that their relationship is strangely refreshing.

But everyone provided us with great banter in this episode. From Teresa, Wayne and Grace discussing the pros and cons of Tupperware... to Jane comparing LaRoche to a Sharpei puppy, every conversation alluded to a comfort and affection they all had for one another.

And then there was Jane calling Lisbon sexy. Of course he also referred to her as a spinster in the same sentence but I'll settle for the little things.

When Sayney's ex-cellmate mentioned how quiet he was, that's when I knew what was in the box. LaRoche's mother begged for mercy for hours. LaRoche made sure her rapist would never be able to beg for anything ever again.

I did find it amusing that Jane was so concerned for LaRoche's privacy, considering all of this started with him hiring a petty thief to break into the man's home.

As for Brenda, it was about time they took down the evil witch. Whose pocket wasn't she in? Miguel, Volker... maybe Red John?

Other Notes:

• Lisbon did six months of anger management for covering Jane's butt. That would make me angry.
• I couldn't believe Jane locked the poor cat in the safe. I was yelling, No, no no! as he shut the door.
• LaRoche looking down at his belly as Jane said he'd be happy to rub it was hysterical.
• Lisbon telling the team, "Bye, bye. Bring back a drug lord," may have been even funnier.

So is this the last we'll see of LaRoche? I certainly hope not. Do you think Brenda is the only leak in the CBI? And what are your guesses for the final seven Red John suspects. Speculate away as we fast approach The Mentalist season 5 finale, previewed here:

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.