The Mentalist

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:

The Mentalist viewers should prepare to meet the father of Patrick Jane, courtesy of a flashback.

On the November 12 episode of this hit drama, Nick Chinlund - who has guest-starred on Desperate Housewives and The Sopranos - will appear as Alex, the dad of Simon Baker's character, in an installment that takes fans back to the 1980s.

During the hour, we'll learn that a young Patrick worked as a psychic at various carnivals, with his showman father keeping an eye on his unique offspring.

For now, Chinlund is only booked for this single episode.

On this week's episode of The Mentalist, the team investigates the murder of a senator's intern. Welcome to the really ugly side of politics.

Meanwhile, Jane attempts to discover what new information Bosco has turned up on the Red John case. Click on the photos below for an early look at scenes from "The Scarlet Letter."

Remember to check TV Fanatic each week for the latest The Mentalist quotes. For now, we've posted the official CBS preview for Thursday's episode below:

Last year, The Mentalist was the top-rated new show on television.

Heading into the fall season, CBS hopes that NCIS: Los Angeles can replicate that feat, as its two main stars - Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J - made their debuts on an episode of NCIS last season.

The network has released promotional posters for each of these dramas: