I know a lot of people have said the mentalist has ripped off other shows well listen to this.
The hbo show "true detectives" with Mathew maconahey and Woody Harleson is a really good show but it is just like the mentalist in many ways.
Main character lost his daughter , cant sleep, and can see right thru people. Same religious views as jane as he could care less. Very pessimistic view of life and humans.
He is looking for a serial killer with his partner woody harelson who has a lot of accolades and plays things by the logical book.
The serial killer kills woman and uses cult like tattoos and symbols on the victim. He or she most likely is part of a crazy church in a red barn like southern setting. His followers call him god.
There is a BA like political pull and push putting pressure on the investigation. A religious head of church type guy has a lot of power . Friend of mayor. Seems evil.

It made me even more pumped up for the mentalist cuz i know Macalister was NOT godlike or had the mental fortitude to be a crazy serial killer with followers who would die for him happily and not gang members like the BA.