The Mentalist 4x06: Where in the World Is Carmine O'Brien?

Original Air Date: 27 October 2011

Storyline: When the CBI team travels to a resort town to find out who murdered a police chief, Lisbon crosses paths with her brother Tommy, now a bounty hunter, who's tracking a bail jumper.Best Quote:

Lisbon: I cannot believe my brother's a bounty hunter.
Jane: There we go.
Lisbon: I mean, all of a sudden he's some sort of tough guy? Who does he think he's fooling?
Jane: Not you.
Lisbon: You know what bugs me? He didn't even tell me. It's not like we don't talk. I could have told him this was a bad idea. All he had to do was pick up the phone and call, but instead, nothing.
Jane: I wonder why that is...
Lisbon: I basically raised that punk and his brothers, it's not my fault if he doesn't communicate. (pause) Oh, you think it is my fault?
Jane: No, I didn't say that. You said that. I say live and let live. You'll all be happier.
Lisbon: Oh, mind your own business.

Jane's Logic: A little partial to the cocaine, aren't you, Chad? [...] Okay, a lot partial. Dilated pupils, hyper-alert. You're burning up. That's why you have this, uh, personal air conditioner in an already-cool room. And when I shook your hand, your pulse was thumping like a jackhammer, my friend.Review: Is anyone else disappointed by this season? Most of the episodes are formulaic and quite far from what made The Mentalist so great in the beginning. And it's not even the Red John stuff - after all, not all episodes from the first three seasons were centered on him and they were mostly amazing. I miss Jane's original ruses and his readings have gotten poorer now. I still love this show, but it has to go back to its roots, otherwise we're left with just another crime procedural and there are already too many of these on TV.

Having a little bit of insight into Lisbon's family life was not a bad thing, of course. Once in a while, this helps character development and Lisbon desperately needs to be pictured as more than just the police agent who sleeps 5 hours a night and has no personal life. It was fun seeing her overprotective, almost motherly side in her interactions with her younger brother, whom she basically raised and is still wishing she could protect from danger, even though he's an adult with a child of his own. But the best scene was probably her venting to Jane - I always love his amusement when it comes to her, but I was surprised he didn't pry into her life more. Isn't that what he does best?
As for the case, it was mostly a reason to introduce Tommy's character and his relationship to Lisbon. Figuring out the killer was not difficult and the investigation in itself was not as entertaining as the Lisbon family. Jane pulled  a couple of his stints, but the funniest one was dressing Van Pelt as a masseuse to fulfill her need to catch yet another dubious guy. 
I was again disappointed by the killer confessing everything - one would think that rich guys would try harder to stay out of prison, even those with daddy issues. 
Some other highlights: Jane teaching Annie how to pick pockets (I was again amazed by his way with kids and it always makes me a little sad that he didn't get to see his daughter grow up). The conversation between Rigsby and Van Pelt about his love life. Cho's few - but hilarious - lines. 
I still have hopes for this season to turn around, but we need more of Jane and his insights into human condition and definitely more of Cho.The Mentalist 4x05: Blood and Sand Back to Season 4