Critic Reviews

This role is tailor-made for Baker, who has a flair for playing irreverent characters who are crucial to the success of the system even as they tweak its authority figures.

In its solidly crafted premiere, the CBS drama demonstrates admirable restraint while still telling a reasonably interesting story.

The Mentalist is safe, predictable, manufactured crime drama … and it works.

Psychological sleight of hand can't fill an hour every week. For that you need complicated, interesting crimes and complicated, interesting characters solving them. The Mentalist seems prepared to deliver just that.

Stunning opening suggests the potential. It's Baker's show, and he excels. But guest stars impress, too.

The tricks he performs are overshadowed by the glee with which Baker performs them. Like any good grifter, he gets a genuine thrill out of entertaining, manipulating, or confusing people.

The formula--must find murderer of beautiful woman before last commercial break--predates the dinosaurs, but also incorporates some satisfying twists.

The Mentalist may be a copy, but it's a well-done copy sparked by an actor who has come into his own as a TV star.

Because as much as Baker's suavely sly version of a gotcha artist is a welcome addition, thanks to a few not-so-hidden laws of character-actor placement, you'll guess the pilot scenario's killer before anybody else.

The CBS show has very little dramatic heft or distinction, but it's wily and brisk enough to engage you for an hour.