Following the trail of the series. What is a mentalist?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

It has been 5 years since the series "Mentalist" appeared on TV screens. During this time, 6 seasons were filmed, and millions of viewers learned a new concept for themselves - mentalism. But while it's not the most widely known term, the idea behind the TV series itself is far from new. With his storyline, he resembles many films shot before him, for example, "Lie to Me", "Psych" and others.

The authors themselves consider "Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle to be their primary source. As you know, the main character was distinguished by the ability to think clearly even in the most critical situation. You can, for example, recall his first meeting with Dr. Watson. Sherlock Holmes, throwing a cursory glance at his new acquaintance, not only described his habits, but also spoke about his past. This is exactly what the main character of the series, Patrick Jane, does.

From series to series, he helps the police to find criminals with the help of his abilities. But Jane was not always a positive hero. As a circus performer, his father taught him different tricks as a child. Who is the mentalist? From an early age, knowing the answer to this question, Patrick decided to earn a living in this way. He claimed to be able to readother people's thoughts and even talk to the dead.

But his life was about to change. Once the paths of Patrick Jane and one maniac crossed. The latter, offended by the arrogant statements of the mentalist, decided to punish him - to kill his wife and daughter. And then Jane, unable to help her family anymore, decides to offer her services to the local Bureau of Investigation. This is how the series begins.

And yet the question remains: "Who is the mentalist? Clairvoyant? Psychic?". Why is this term not known to most people? There are reasons for this. The fact is that mentalism is the ability, using only your mind and the skills of suggestion, to control the minds of people. And, of course, such a technique in skillful hands can be used both for good and for evil. In life, most often you can meet a mentalist either among swindlers or magicians.

Scammers, using these skills, like Jane in her time, impersonate mediums or sorcerers. But in fact, they just know the secrets of mental magic, and it helps them. But magicians usually do not hide the fact that they use it. But that doesn't make their stunts any less spectacular. It may really seem to the layman that he is able to see the future. But hardly anyone is capable of it. And yet, the mentalist - who is this? One who can read people like an open book.

For example, one of the most famous tricks of mental magic is the following. A street magician invites a crowd of onlookers to tell a story on a given topic. And then he takes out a piece of paper from his pocket.with a printed story that complete strangers have just written together. Naturally, this comes as a shock to the uninitiated. They think they have a prophet in front of them. In fact, this is a mentalist. Who among them would think so? Most likely no one.

This is exactly what Patrick Jane says from episode to episode. He claims that all so-called psychics are scammers, and everyone, using the sharpness of his mind, can become such a seer. This is essentially the main idea of the series "The Mentalist", the 5th season of which was released last year and the premiere of the 6th has already taken place.