The Mentalist: The charm of nihilism

The amusing detective work of a whimsical but charming nihilist.  Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) works as a “consultant” for the FBI, but is perfectly candid that his real mission is to seek revenge against the serial killer who murdered his family, legal procedures be damned.

In each episode, Jane uses ESP-like skills to uncover the real killer in startling ways. Yet he steadfastly insists that his apparent powers are only based on careful observation and logical deduction, because, as he says in almost every episode, there is no such thing as psychic powers.

Protected by his weak boss, Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) protects Jane with convoluted logic and speeches about his “effectiveness. (Jane has never lost a case.) So the ends justify the means, and Jane manages to stay employed while openly defying FBI rules and all manner of normal legal restraints when it suits his purposes.

It’s no surprise that entertainment like this prepares the public for Trump’s nihilism and Republican immorality.