I Am Already Gleefully Exclaiming 'WAY TO GO, PATRICK' At The Screen.

[rionaleonhart]

The general message I received from the comments to my earlier 'should I watch The Mentalist?' entry was 'NOOOOOOO RIONA WATCH PSYCH INSTEAD'.

Fair enough, I thought, but as I had access to the pilot of The Mentalist I'd give it a try. Just a couple of minutes. It would be unfeasible to watch more anyway, as for the moment the only computer to which I had access was the very old, very overloaded desktop, so the video quality would be irritatingly jerky.

Two minutes in, I entirely failed to hit 'stop'.

Ten minutes in, I paused, grabbed a notebook and wrote 'THIS IS ESSENTIALLY A SHOW ABOUT DERREN BROWN USING HIS ABILITIES TO SOLVE CRIMES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF LISA CUDDY. I AM ALREADY IN LOVE.'

And then, of course, I watched the rest of the episode, ignoring the rubbishness of this computer.

I'm sorry, Psych fans. I've let you all down.

Thoughts!

- Patrick Jane is so clearly based on Derren Brown that I am amazed they're not paying him royalties. There's the mentalism, obviously, but then there's the arrogance, the suits, the disdain for genuine belief in the paranormal, the turning against his earlier life, the smirks, the delight in theatrics...

- Lisbon is probably not actually based on Lisa Cuddy, but I cannot stop thinking of her as 'Cuddy' anyway. I do not have a problem with this.

- Patrick's backstory made my heart hurt. (I actually feel oddly as if I should apologise to Patrick for calling him 'Patrick' so soon in our acquaintance, but I feel weird calling him 'Jane'. STOP HAVING A FIRST NAME FOR YOUR LAST NAME, JANE.) AND THE FINAL SCENE. OH.

- Actually, Patrick's backstory completely freaked me out, and it took me some consideration to realise that I was actually thinking of him as Derren Brown, and so horrible things of that magnitude happening to him make me recoil for the same reason that I have trouble reading real-person fiction in which anything too awful happens. I had to help myself handle it by reminding myself firmly that Derren Brown was unlikely ever to have a wife.

- I was going to say that I love Patrick's smugness and arrogance, and then I thought 'wait, they already know that', and then I realised that I was thinking of Derren Brown.

This is going to be so confusing.

Er. Hmm. Now I'm trying to think of something I like about Patrick Jane that you won't already have guessed from my ramblings about Derren Brown.

I love his smile! There we go. That's something they don't share, because Patrick Jane is not, in fact, played by Derren Brown. (Although I bet the writers wish he were.)

- ...that said, when I play scenes from the episode back in my head, Patrick Jane is played not by Derren Brown but by Robert Downey Jr.

I have no idea why.

Comments

[timydamonkey.livejournal.com]

I tried to watch Psych but unfortunately the ratio of moments I enjoyed the show to moments I wanted to punch the main character in the face was disappointingly the wrong way around to actually convince me to watch any more.

The Mentalist, however, sounds quite interesting.

[rionaleonhart]

The Mentalist is quite interesting! Or so I think from the first episode, at least.

[loz]

Oh yeah, Shawn is totally obnoxious a lot of the time. Some episodes balance him out well, but I'll admit there are some where I totally want to bitchslap him.

[amy-wolf.livejournal.com]

Also, when it comes to Riona's interests, Shawn really isn't much like Derren Brown. He doesn't wear suits or anything.

[loz]

See now you just have me thinking about hot hot Shawn would be in a suit. (He kind of wore one once. It was hot.)

Damn.

[emmarrrrr.livejournal.com]

mmmmmm chuck. </random>

[amy-wolf.livejournal.com]

I AM CRUSHED! I MAY NEVER RECOVER!

Although that's mostly because I lost the bit of paper saying what time the bus too and from the scuba resort is, and thus can't get there until tomorrow (it's a horribly early bus).

[rionaleonhart]

Oh, dear. I wish you luck on your bus travels! (Jeremy Clarkson would say you deserved it for relying on public transport, but fortunately I am not Jeremy Clarkson.)

[amy-wolf.livejournal.com]

Jeremy would insist that the bus was properly called a coach, therefore slightly less bad. But yeah, he'd say I deserved it.

(And by 'may never recover' I mean 'will be perfectly happy riding the bus to scuba tomorrow', of course.)

[http://users.livejournal.com/tick_/]

I love Jane so much. His awesomeness is the only thing that makes up for the absolutely terible plots. ...Okay, and Cho. And Van Pelt being gorgeous. And... Okay, so I love the characters. XD

But the plots can be awful. You'll know who killed who and why within the first ten minutes usually.

But it's okay, because Jane is pretty and clever.

[rionaleonhart]

Pfft, I watch Torchwood. Bring on the terrible plots, The Mentalist! (And, yes, he is pretty awesome! I haven't developed much of an opinion on the other characters, apart from Lisbon, whom I rather like, so I'm looking forward to getting to know them better.)

[http://users.livejournal.com/tick_/]

That's a good point. Though admittedly I've never watched Torchwood, I just couldn't bring myself to.

I do like Lisbon, but I think we're supposed to ship her with Jane, and I can't ship who I'm supposed to, that takes the fun out of it! I am so contrary sometimes.

[bubbles-san.livejournal.com]

In Psych they not only tell you the killer but they point out all the clues.

[make-a-move.livejournal.com]

I think the creators of The Mentalist have actually said they've based some of it on Derren Brown. I think. Or I may be making that up. Hmmm.

[rionaleonhart]

Well, if they haven't outright said it they are liars. Or... not truth-tellers, at least.

[honeymull.livejournal.com]

AHHH I MISSED THAT ORIGINAL POST BECAUSE I TOTES WOULD HAVE PULLED FOR YOU WATCHING THE MENTALIST.

I love how Jane exhibits fantastic awareness and intelligence, and yes, arrogance, and then turns around and acts like a twelve-year old boy all giggly with excitement about...whatever it is. It's fascinating how he can switch so swiftly between outer-cohesion and inner-brokenness AND I LOVE IT.

Also, I'm firmly of the opinion that this show has seriously, seriously kickass side characters. Mainly because they don't *stay* side characters, and also, they are all pure awesome.

This show is totally my happy-place, even when it's making me want to cry. ♥!

[rionaleonhart]

I love how Jane exhibits fantastic awareness and intelligence, and yes, arrogance, and then turns around and acts like a twelve-year old boy all giggly with excitement about...whatever it is.

...I am not sure I have yet seen him acting like a twelve-year-old boy, but that could so be a description of Derren Brown.

YOU ARE RIDICULOUS, MENTALIST. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM ACTUALLY WATCHING WHAT IS BASICALLY AN RPF AU.

I'm glad I have Mentalist fans on my flist! It is so lonely when I'm rambling about something nobody else watches.

[honeymull.livejournal.com]

JUST WAIT. HE IS ADORABLE. LISBON HAS AN EXCELLENT SMILE-SUPPRESSING EYE-ROLL EXPRESSION IN RESPONSE TO JANE'S PARTICULAR BRAND OF ADORABLE AND IT IS ~SUPERB.

HE SO IS DERREN BROWN. I can't decide if that is more amazing or more terrifying. Since it's Derren Brown, the default goes to amazing.

I haven't squeed about this show at all in LJ posts, since my watching of it has been so very spotty. I still think there's an episode or two from the first season that I've missed somewhere along the road, and I'm too anal about those things to start watching the new season without catching up. I JUST NEED TO FIND THE TIME.

Enjoy it, this show is ridiculous and amazing and adorable and gleeful. YAY.

[moogle62.livejournal.com]

THE MENTALIST. ALL YES, ALL THE TIME

OH PATRICK JANE

HIS FACE
MAKES ME HAPPY

CAPS ARE THE ONLY TRUE WAY TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS ON THIS MATTER

(changed the icon on this comment!)

[rionaleonhart]

I am confused by your switching from a Mentalist icon to what is, as far as I can tell, not a Mentalist icon for this Mentalist-related comment!

BUT IN ANY CASE I SHARE A NEW FANDOM WITH YOU, AWESOME. Fandoms containing Moogs are the best fandoms!

[ladyofshallnot.livejournal.com]

I watch The Mentalist because the characters amuse the crap out of me.

And, in my secret shame that is so secret I will not let myself remember their names, I ship the two dude cops. So that Jane can have a harem? I don't even know.

EVERYONE SAYS ADORABLE, CRAZY THINGS.

[rionaleonhart]

I think Jane would enjoy a harem. And by 'Jane' I mean 'Derren Brown', but basing my estimation of Jane's character on what I know of Derren's hasn't failed me yet. Although admittedly I have been familiar with The Mentalist for approximately an afternoon.

I don't know much about the two dude cops yet, but I shall keep an eye out for 'shippability in future episodes! And I am very much looking forward to hearing adorable, crazy things.

[dracothelizard.livejournal.com]

I know nothing of The Mentalist, but now I am imagining The Events As Performed By Tony Stark, and it is hilarious. Tony would fail at it quite a bit, but not care and buy everyone drinks and giant giraffes.

Also, does this mean you ship Derren Brown/Lisa Cuddy in some way, or Tony Stark/Lisa Cuddy?

Actually, the correct ship would be Tony Stark/All the ladies in the world.

[amy-wolf.livejournal.com]

Tony Stark definitely ships himself/all the ladies in the world.

Whereas I, for some inexplicable reason, ship Tony Stark/Dr. Yinsen, and keep vaguely intending to do some sort of hostagey tragic-romance thing, only I'm worried it will turn out stupid (and possibly culturally insensitive in some way I have not yet realized).

[rionaleonhart]

Tony Stark would indeed be quite a rubbish mentalist. I have no idea why my mind insists on dropping him into Patrick Jane's place.

Well, I haven't really started 'shipping Jane/Lisbon yet, but I'm only one episode in. If I do end up 'shipping them, I suppose I will also 'ship Derren/Cuddy by default. (Jane's straightness confuses me quite a lot.) I'm already entirely in favour of Stark/Cuddy, though.

[dracothelizard.livejournal.com]

Tony would go to some fundraiser in the hospital and spend the entire night flirting outrageously with Cameron, 13 and Cuddy.

[loz]

I think it's so hilarious that you had that, because I checked my flist in the middle of the night, saw your previous post and thought 'must comment in morning when coherent. must plug Psych, which Mentalist is blatant rip-off of.' I am glad I am not the only one.

I do know people who like BOTH shows...

[galaxysong9.livejournal.com]

That's EXACTLY what I thought. I am personally a big Psych fan, as well!

[rionaleonhart]

I do know people who like BOTH shows...

This is quite a relief to hear, because I was getting the impression that YOU MUST CHOOSE ONE. CHOOOOOOOOSE. DECIDE WHICH HALF OF YOUR FLIST YOU ARE PREPARED TO KEEP.

[amy-wolf.livejournal.com]

Aw, and you voted me off Riona Island? :(

(Riona Island would be the best island........in the world. Even better than Clarkson Island.)

[rionaleonhart]

People leave Riona Island voluntarily! If you're actually going to desert me for liking The Mentalist, I suppose I indirectly voted you off. (In an actual choice between The Mentalist and you, I'd probably pick you, but I'd rather you didn't present me with that ultimatum.)

[amy-wolf.livejournal.com]

I would never leave Riona Island! My only thing with The Mentalist is the fear of acquiring another fandom, when I've got so many (and one perfectly good show with basically the same plot). If you want me off Riona Island, you're going to have to chase me away.

[meisalliam.livejournal.com]

The Mentalist is pretty awesome is just gets better as the series progresses!

[rionaleonhart]

Ooh, that's good to hear! Especially as I appear to be so smitten by the first episode.

[meisalliam.livejournal.com]

Chole and I were both totally obsessed with it when it was on five! And i have told you before i am normally queen of the spoilers but this is one show i am determinded not to find aything about it because it ruins the magic!

[theoret.livejournal.com]

AND NOW I AM TEMPTED TO WATCH. Dammit, I don't need a new TV show!

[rionaleonhart]

Or do you?

(Seriously. Derren Brown's crime-fighting adventures. How can you resist?)