Like most cop procedurals,The Mentalistpackaged its weekly cases with strokes of friendship, enemies, and romance, where each relationship between the cast members made us even more invested in the show. The CBI team’s leader, Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney), was not immune to romance, although it was few and far between. Apart from her overarching will-they-won’t-they arc with the CBI’s resident faux-psychic-turned-consultant Patrick Jane (Simon Baker),Lisbon’s most memorable romantic foray was actually with a recurring character in Season 6, Marcus Pike, played bypre-Game of Thrones(just by one week)Pedro Pascal.
Pike entered the show in Season 6, Episode 16, “Violets,” which followed the team as they investigated a robbery and murder at an art gallery, and, of course, one of Jane’s unorthodox, elaborate ruses to catch the perpetrator. At this point in the show, Jane and Lisbon had joined the FBI, and during this case, they were briefed by the FBI’s art-theft squad, represented by Agent Pike. After the successful investigation, Pike started dating Lisbon and eventually proposed to her before the end of the season.She even accepted the proposal initially, but theirrelationship ended on a sour noteby the season finale, which did a disservice to both characters.
Pedro Pascal’s ‘Mentalist’ Character Rivaled Jane as a Love Interest
Pike, as a character, was memorable in his own right, from his intriguing field of art-theft to his charming and easy-going personality. As such, he quicklymade a viable and enticing love interestfor Lisbon, from their very first flirty interaction down in the stolen art basement. The striking difference between Pike and Jane as potential romantic partners was how they treated Lisbon. Throughout their relationship,Pike showered Lisbon with swoony dates, flirty banter, and, most importantly, respect. When he proposed and was trying to convince Lisbon to move to D.C. with him after his promotion, he promised her a life, a home, a family (only if she wanted) and a future. He made her a priority.
Unfortunately, after years of single-mindedly chasing downhis arch-nemesis, Red John, Jane didn’t have the room to make her a priority for years. He certainly respected her as a companion, eventually being able to confide in her about some things emotionally, but his obstinate lack of respect for authority constantly challenged their professional relationship, andby bulldozing over her decisions repeatedly, Jane didn’t really respect Lisbon as a person, even if he said he did. But at this point, with the Red John arc over and his vengeance being satisfied, Jane finally had room for Lisbon in his life, but the past had already put him miles behind Pike.
What Jane did have over Pike was the years' worth of unsaid chemistry between him and Lisbon. The air between Jane and Lisbon could sometimes be tantalizing, but Pike offers another kind of chemistry that is equally valuable: comfort. His treatment of and promises to Lisbon paved the way to a more traditional (and perhaps bland, especially compared to the eccentric excitement of Jane) romantic option for her. Butmaybe forming a relationship off of safety, stability and trust was something Lisbon sorely neededafter spending so many years trying to rein in the epitome of chaos that was Jane.Whichever couple you rooted for moreinThe Mentalist, you cannot deny that Pike was a love interest that rivaled Jane, which is why his fate was so bitterly disappointing.
‘The Mentalist’ Undermines Lisbon and Pike’s Characters
InThe MentalistSeason 6 finale, Lisbon goes to the airport to fly to D.C. to join Pike, only to have Janeperform the cliché rom-com gestureof rushing after her, jumping past TSA gates, all the way to the tarmac and quite literally finds her on the plane by confessing his love for her. She says it’s too late. Then a few minutes later, she finds him arrested by the TSA and confesses her love back. Where is Pike during all this? Totally clueless in D.C.We never got to see Lisbon even talk to the man who promised her the worldand who she made a promise to by wearing the ring – is that not worth an on-screen break-up? Instead, we’re swept away by Lisbon and Jane’s first kiss with an implied happily ever after that rings hollow.
Nearly the whole ofThe Mentalistfailed Lisbon’s character, but this episode in particular was frustrating. Throughout Lisbon’s romance with Pike, Jane was annoyingly supportive and when he found out Lisbon was considering moving to D.C., he never tried to convince her otherwise, even when she point-blank asked him about his thoughts.Yet, two days before the flight, covered in the finale,Jane schemed to try and make Lisbon miss her flight by reopening a cold case that had grounded Lisbon until it was solved.His last-minute reactions, however genuine they may be, still appear as manipulative, like a job giving you an overdue raise or promotion only when they find out you’re quitting.
While Lisbon is dragged back under Jane’s spell, Pike’s characterization also suffers the consequences, especially when he makes a brief reappearance inThe MentalistSeason 7 premiere. The fact that we never got an on-screen break-up was strange enough, but when Pike returns with a fully-grown beard for an undercover assignment, he decides to have one last word with Jane. Not Lisbon, Jane. He threatens Jane to treat Lisbon well,reducing the charming, confident character from the previous season into a sniveling, lovesick puppy, utterly devoted to someone he knew for a season. For a character that the personal-life-averse Lisbon fell for and that essentially acted as the catalyst to Lisbon and Jane’s relationship, his exit fromThe Mentalistleft little to be desired, making it one of the weirdest moments in the show.
The Mentalist
