The Mentalist Complete Series Blu-ray Page
The Mentalist: The Complete Series is primarily available as a comprehensive DVD box set, while Blu-ray releases have largely been limited to individual seasons, such as the first season. Series Overview The show follows Patrick Jane
(played by Simon Baker), a former celebrity psychic who joins the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as an independent consultant. After a serial killer known as
murders his wife and daughter, Jane uses his "mentalist" skills—extreme observation, suggestion, and psychological manipulation—to solve crimes while hunting for his family's killer. Physical Media Details The Mentalist: The Complete Series [DVD] [2015] - Amazon UK
The Mentalist: The Complete Series Blu-ray – A Critical Examination of the Ultimate Home Video Edition
7. Comparative Value Analysis
| Medium | Resolution | Bitrate | Extras | Portability | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Blu-ray Complete Series | 1080p | High (25–30 Mbps) | DVD extras + 1 new | Low | | Streaming (Max, Prime) | 1080p | Low (5–10 Mbps) | None | High | | DVD Box Set | 480i | Very Low | Same as Blu-ray (minus S7) | Medium | The Mentalist Complete Series Blu-ray
Verdict: The Blu-ray is superior visually/aurally, but streaming offers convenience. For collectors, the physical set is definitive.
Why the Blu-ray Upgrade Matters
If you’ve only seen The Mentalist via streaming or syndicated TV, you are missing the show’s secret weapon: visual texture.
- Picture Quality (1080p): The show is famous for its sun-drenched California aesthetic. On Blu-ray, the golden hour lighting, the sterile whites of the CBI office, and the subtle shadows of Red John’s crime scenes are rendered with stunning clarity. The grain is natural, the colors are vibrant, and the black levels are deep—far superior to compressed streaming artifacts.
- Audio (DTS-HD Master Audio): The score by Blake Neely (who would go on to compose The Flash and Arrow) is punchy and theatrical. On Blu-ray, the dialogue is crisp (essential for Jane’s whispered manipulations), and the ambient sound design of busy Sacramento streets or silent warehouses pulls you into the scene.
The Verdict: Buy It Now
If you are a collector, a procedural lover, or simply someone who wants to watch Simon Baker give a career-defining performance in the highest possible quality, pull the trigger. The Mentalist: The Complete Series is primarily available
Pros:
- Superior video/audio quality over streaming and DVD.
- Hours of exclusive special features.
- No reliance on internet speed or streaming rights.
- Aesthetically pleasing shelf display.
Cons:
- The packaging (in some versions) uses cardboard sleeves that can scratch discs if removed carelessly. (Solution: Buy a separate multi-disc plastic case.)
- No 4K UHD release (unlikely to ever happen).
The Mentalist: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) – A Masterclass in Charm, Deception, and Redemption
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Starring: Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, Amanda Righetti
Created by: Bruno Heller The Mentalist: The Complete Series Blu-ray – A
Bonus Features: The Hidden Gold
Streaming services rarely include extras. This is where the Blu-ray set earns its keep. Depending on the edition, you get:
- Commentaries: Select episodes feature Simon Baker, creator Bruno Heller, and Robin Tunney discussing character motivation. Baker’s commentary on "Red John’s Rules" is worth the price alone.
- Gag Reels: Seven seasons of blooper reels. Watching Baker break character mid-monologue is hilarious.
- Deleted Scenes: Crucial character moments for Cho (Tim Kang) and Rigsby (Owain Yeoman) that were cut for time.
- "The Mentalist: A Dynamic Duo" Featurette: Focusing on the Jane/Lisbon dynamic.
- "The Red Journal" (Season 6 Exclusive): A mini-doc about wrapping the Red John storyline.
3. Video Quality Analysis
The most compelling reason to purchase the Blu-ray set over streaming services is the bitrate. Streaming platforms typically compress The Mentalist to 5–10 Mbps, resulting in visible banding in dark scenes (common in the show’s interrogation room shots). The Blu-ray averages 25–30 Mbps, offering three key improvements:
- Film grain preservation: The show was shot on 35mm film (season 1) and later digitally; the Blu-ray retains natural grain without excessive DNR (Digital Noise Reduction).
- Reduced banding: Red Sun episodes and nighttime exteriors show smooth gradients.
- Texture detail: The distinctive pattern on Patrick Jane’s three-piece suits and the CBI office’s wood paneling are sharp without artificial edge enhancement.
However, early season 1 episodes exhibit slight softness compared to later seasons, likely due to original camera and lighting limitations rather than authoring errors.