The last five seasons have shown an empty Jane looking to solve an intense mystery with clever plotlines and clues that left us satisfied; then, in one episode, Heller took our satisfaction and gave it to Jane while leaving us with his former emptiness and unsanswered questions. Jane was tormented by the unknown, now we are, thanks Bruno!
People are saying that average mentalist viewers are unable to process facts and don't have the attention span to take in background stories. One popular thread even wildly extrapolates that the people dissatisfied with the resolution amount to a few thousand fans. I think the only people who have ever watched the show that were satisfied are probably reliant on the Mentalist for income or related to Bruno Heller in some way.
Really, every non-Red John episode starts with a crime, builds a list of suspects, and eventually Jane figures out the suspect, lays a trap, and explains how he figured out the killer, how he laid the trap, and how the important clues are connected.
The only storyline that abandons the second half of the formula is MOST IMPORTANT STORYLINE IN THE ENTIRE SERIES. It would be like if every episode ended with Jane just bringing together the suspects, pointing, and saying "That one did it," then with no further explanation the credits role.
The major "clues" from past seasons are not wrapped up or addressed in any way to explain the connection to Visualize, "he is mar," what happened to Kristina Frye, how he knew the list, how he developed the loyalty of the non-law enforcement followers who were willing to die for him.
For those that say abandoning those storylines is justified so new viewers can follow along. Why did they include minor, one appearance characters (like McAllister) in the list? If they can handle entire new storylines around obscure characters, they can handle a couple of flashbacks and references that are set up to make sense to them and satisfy more committed viewers.
We've already had one person say he was Red John and not be, how are we supposed to believe McAllister is Red John just because he says he is. Why would Red John finally choose to reveal himself in a place he didn't control and allow Patrick to set him up for what was obviously going to be a trick.
This is the only incomplete storyline and there is nothing to satisfy, even an occasional viewer, that McAllister was cunning, charming, or capable enough to lead both a vast law enforcement conspiracy and a vast network of blindly loyal men and women to do his bidding and even die for him without a second thought.
This could always be dealt with in 1-2 episodes or interleaved through several with flashbacks, references between similar new cases, etc which would leave committed fans satisfied and casual fans not confused. I wouldn't be so upset with the episode or the wasted time on chases, etc, if Heller hadn't so resolutely stated that he would not be explaining or revisiting any of these compelling issues.
Is it too much to ask that the biggest mystery of the series be answered and treated like every other mystery solved in a single episode? I say it is not too much to ask.
