Not a cat
I think the final season of "The Mentalist" had a boat load of problems, mostly stemming from the fact that CBS rather abruptly declared it the final season, and the writers were rushing to lead the show to some kind of ending. Even a mundane one.
The Mentalist always had a different feel to me than most other shows. it was unusual, with an unusual main character, but the final season, it just seemed "run-of-the-mill" crime drama series
If I had a nickel for every film where Emma Stone falls off a balcony... I'd only have two nickels, but weird that there's two of them.
Yeah, I did feel that. Killing of Vega felt almost like they were trying too hard to still have a dark moment. Although I was contractually obligated to love that episode because they namechecked League of Legends and I worked for Riot.
Didn't know CBS had decided half-way through that this would be the last season. That sucks a little, but of course the show was beginning to lose steam after Red John died.
Where force fails, cunning prevails
The show lost all credibility the moment everything went bad with Red John. You don't plot a murder mystery without having the killer in mind throughout the first 5 seasons or so then just choose someone random because you decide it's time to wrap it up.
Anyway, The Mentalist always had tons of potential - and good elements too, but the ending just sucked. Also, it was announced to be the final season well before midway point due to failing ratings after post-Red John stuff. I remember since when next season was announced, mentioned to be the final season.
edited 26th Feb '15 7:13:28 PM by Prime_of_Perfection
Improving as an author, one video at a time.
I don't think it was all that bad. You call it overly sweet, I call it relaxed. Which I liked. The positive tone was representing Jane moving forward when before he was frozen in time due to his history. That's the aspect of the post Red John Mentalist that I liked, there was a tone of "life goes on" in the background.
Not saying the show was at its best towards the end and I disliked how they handled Red John.
I'm glad its over and I don't think they went out on a bad note.
edited 27th Feb '15 6:07:51 AM by GabrieltheThird
So I just finished watching Season 7 / Episode 13 and, uh, I'm a little conflicted. Honestly not sure how to feel. TELL ME HOW TO FEEL INTERNET!
I adored The Mentalist for a lot of things, but most of all for how it subverted some things. (Pretty big spoilers to follow, you're warned) One of the things I respected was how straight they played Patrick Jane. He said he will find Red John and choke the life out of him, and that's precisely what he ends up doing. Granted, life post Red John felt a little bit like an epilogue that overstayed its welcome, but I do appreciate that the show looked at the hero's life PAST the moment of climax.
This is where the finale breaks down for me. I was expecting... I don't know, anything surprising. Instead they give us the most straight-forward zero suspense happy ending. It was the media equivalent of eating a jar of honey, just straight spoon to mouth. Sweet and sticky. The "adversary" they throw at him is a clearly inept serial killer who pales in comparison to the big bad and who Jane dispatches without much ceremony. The relationship "trouble" isn't really a wrap-up of the Jane/Lisbon arc either—it was clear the two were going to be together unless Jane was going to bail again.
And then the straight up bad: I give a series the freedom to bring back old faces for a last episode, but please do SOMETHING with them? When Parks and Rec brought Ann back for their last episode, at least they played it into the "it's happening, our children are falling in love" moment. This was just... "here's a bunch of old cast members dancing and taking selfies. Yay?"
And then the Babies Ever After moment in the end. I just... there's only so much honey I can spoon into my mouth.
You know what, The Internet? You already helped. I think I know how I feel. I don't wanna be a hater though! Someone change my mind!