The Mentalist

This is the episode you've been waiting for...

So states the preview for "His Red Right Hand" below.

While promos often over-hype episodes, this really does appear to be the episode The Mentalist viewers have been waiting for.

It kicks off with a shot of Rigsby and Grace Van Pelt in bed; and goes on to document a crime committed in the CBI offices. Who's the culprit? Who do you think?

We'll update our section of The Mentalist quotes soon after the episode concludes. For now, enjoy the following images from it...

It's been a year and a half of foreplay.

But The Mentalist viewers that have been waiting for Wayne Rigsby and Grace Van Pelt to get together will finally be rewarded for their patience next week, when this pair hit the sheets together.

In an interview with TV Guide Magazine, Owain Yeoman spoke about the evolution of their characters and their relationship. A few excerpts:

On the photo/scene above: "This is at the start of the episode. I hope this will give fans a taste of what they want. People seem to have a taste for blood and a taste for romance. If you’re in a vampire show, that normally unites the two, but for us this is the pay-off to a season and a half’s worth of teasing."

On Jane's reaction to the relationship: "I think he knew before even we did. Jane called it in the pilot when he turned around and said, ‘Why doesn’t Rigsby invite you to his bedroom?’ And then I proceeded to choke on a lobster. I think what you’re going to see over the next several episodes is Jane enjoying that leverage."

On professional vs. personal lives: "These people are cops first so there’s the responsibility that if you’ve got people out there focused on your well-being you want them to be focused on that. There is a situation in an upcoming episode where those loyalties are tested."

One week, Bosco is sending Jane to the jail.

The next, he's teaming up with our favorite detective to solve the case of a woman being held for random.

Such is this case on Thursday's new episode, "Red Bulls." Check out the official CBS promo below, followed by a trio of images from the hour - and remember to visit TV Fanatic each week for the latest The Mentalist quotes!

Less than a season and a half in to its run, The Mentalist has already been syndicated for cable.

Based on the deal between TNT and Warner Bros. TV, reruns of the drama will start airing on the network in 2012.

It's unusual for a series to be picked up this soon, but the season's biggest newcomer actually has The Mentalist beat.

After just a handful of episodes, NCIS: Los Angeles sold at a hefty price to USA Network, which already airs repeats of NCIS.

It will begin airing the spin-off weekly in September 2011.

On tonight's new episode of The Mentalist, Patrick Jane goes to jail.

As for the next couple weeks? Creator Bruno Heller previewed upcoming storylines in a recent chat with TV Guide Magazine. Stop reading now if you prefer to be surprised...

November 12: Jane gets walloped on the head while working on a case at a baseball stadium. As a result, says Heller:

“We have a series of flashbacks showing how Jane was raised as this psychic boy wonder in the morally ambiguous world of traveling carnies. It’s like a Gypsy Rose Lee scenario. Fans will get some very interesting insight into Jane’s character.”

Later in the month: As Jane and the CBI team look into a dead body that’s been hidden for two years under the floorboards of a house, Bosco appears at the same resident, seeking a woman that’s been kidnapped.

The pair is forced to team up and, as Heller puts it: “Cue the fireworks.”

He's coming back.

Red John, the man that murdered Patrick Jane's family, is getting ready to kill again on The Mentalist. Viewers should circle November 19 on their calendars - and then possibly hide under a desk.

On the episode titled "His Red Right Hand," the CBI team finds a dead body in a cemetery.

"And then [the case] takes some twists and turns involving Red John,” producer Ashley Gable told TV Guide Magazine. “It is clear they are dealing with something much darker. And our [main cast] will be in jeopardy.”

Fans can look forward to another appearance of the mystery murderer’s signature red smiley face.

But what about the man himself? Will we learn his identity on November 19?

“I can tell you for sure we will not,” said Gable. “The answer is locked in the brain of [show creator] Mr. Bruno Heller, the keeper of the secret. Talk to me in Season 7.”

We're gonna take that as a no. Darn.

The Mentalist airs a new episode this Thursday night.

While this may be good news for viewers, it won't be for Patrick Jane.

He actually gets sent to prison by Bosco after bugging the boss' office and sticking his nose too deeply into the Red John Case.

Below, we've posted a few photos from "Black Gold and Red Blood," which will also feature Jane trying to help his co-workers with an investigation, despite the fact that he's behind bars...

What does Halloween on The Mentalist entail?

The investigation into the death of a wealthy man, of course, who witnesses say was killed by a ghost that haunts his mansion. Naturally.

Take a look at the official CBS promo for "Red Scare" below:

We've also compiled a trio of pictures from the episode. Click on each for a larger image...

There's no new episode of The Mentalist this week, but there is news for fans to contemplate.

According to a CBS casting notice, the drama will add a new regular to the CBI unit in early 2010.

The character, Agent Beth Scott, is described as a forty-something, authoritative African American woman. She's a veteran in the California Bureau of Investigations headquarters and may remain on the show beyond this season.

The scoop raises two questions:

1. Is someone leaving the team?
2. Who should play the new character?

We await your answers and suggestions.

On Thursday's episode of The Mentalist, Teresa Lisbon is in trouble.

A pedophile she arrested, and who was recently paroled is found dead. Lison's fingerprints are on the gun's magazine and she's the prime suspect in the murder.

Naturally, Jane and the CBI team set out to prove their colleague's innocence. Watch the official CBS trailer for "Red Badge below," followed by a few episode stills from the hour: