Review: The Mentalist Something Rotten in Redmund (2012, US)

Note: This episode is from the last complete season and the plot is discussed below.

The Mentalist had its own excellent contribution to the subject of hazing which strayed into abuse territory and its long-term effects in a previous episode, Rose Coloured Glasses from the second season. That show maintained a difficult balancing act of the heavy storyline with the show’s normally bouncy, comedic ensemble. Something Rotten in Redmund revisits the high school setting and does well to celebrate Shakespeare with the tradition of the school play.
Unfortunately this A-plot remains too light and the reveal of the murderer has been done before in CSI and Law and Order too many times. Like CSI’s “Bittersweet” this twist is meant to be a shock but fell flat completely. Whilst there are plenty of cases of teachers sleeping with students, being so totally under their spell that they would turn to crime for them, is thankfully much more rare in real life than the relationships in the first place.

Since the Mentalist is a much younger show than CSI and had a very strong episode to start with, having its balance tip over in favour of its comedic side isn’t as big a letdown as CSI, simply because any of its episodes not dealing with its over-arching serial killer storyline can be in danger of being forgettable filler. This one isn’t that bad, but unlike Private Practice and other well rendered portrayals of abuse or forbidden relationships, this one won’t stick in the mind.

– CBG

Extra Info: TV.com