This will not be about the heartwarming Thanksgiving episode of "The Mentalist," especially since there was none. And that is perfectly all right. A show such as this one does not really lend itself to such melodrama. Instead, this will be a somewhat whimsical, somewhat realistic look at what the show's cast can be thankful for, as we pass our latest Thanksgiving holiday. Naturally, the regular actors can be thankful they have not only a good long-term gig, but one that allows them to take advantage of their many talents in what may well be the world's most competitive occupation.
Kimball Cho can be thankful that he picked up a hooker. In the most recent episode before the Thanksgiving holiday, "Pink Tops," Cho has occasion to interview, arrest, un-arrest, then hire an intriguing prostitute named Summer Edgecombe. That is to say, he hires her to be an "informant" for the CBI. Surely we shall see this lady again. Will her inclusion in the recurring cast eventually mean wedding bells for the very stoic Mr. Cho? Well, that is a big stretch to be sure, but not absolutely impossible.
Wayne Rigsby should be thankful that he has another shot at Van Pelt's affections. There is another factor in his love life that could be either a blessing or a curse. If things don't work out with Van Pelt (highly unlikely), then he has a nice looking and interesting girlfriend from the public defender's office. On the other hand, if things do work out with Grace, he is going to have an unpleasant breakup to deal with.
Grace Van Pelt has a great deal more to be thankful for, starting with having been able to shoot quicker and straighter than FBI Agent O'Laughlin in the Season 3 finale. She should also be thankful that her conscience seems not to have overly plagued her over the two cops her carelessness caused to be killed in that same episode. Add to that, she has a shot (in the less lethal sense of the word) at Rigsby, with whom she belongs every bit as much as Rigsby belongs with her.
Theresa Lisbon, speaking of the gory story that wrapped the show's third season, was the only one of the many shooting victims who did not die from the deed. On top of that, add the not-inconsiderable blessing that she managed to get her job back when the higher-ups were itching to give her the sack.
J.J. LaRoche can be thankful that, after his investigation was concluded, he got to return to his former position in the Professional Standards Department. At least he still has a job, unlike his counterpart…
Madeline Hightower: If she had a post-Season 3 destiny, it ended up on the cutting-room floor. At least she can share in the same bounty that befell Van Pelt and (to a slightly lesser extent) Lisbon -- that she and her children were not among the many corpses in the Season 3 curtain closer.
Patrick Jane should be exceedingly grateful for an American justice system that does not really exist. He clearly would have been found guilty of the murder he committed, but for the grace of, not God, but Bruno (Heller).
Red John, along that same line, should be very grateful he is not Bradley Whitford. We still don't know who Red John is, but we now know he is not the stiff on the floor of the mall food court. We have to wonder to what extent he considers that happy circumstance as he chews pensively on a drumstick.
