"The Mentalist's" sixth season will see potential character exits, a "Jisbon" love triangle and the long-awaited capture of Red John. But the biggest question remains: will the sixth season be the beginning of the end for the CBS hit?
"The Mentalist's" fifth season finale ended with the apparent reveal of the seven Red John suspects, any one of whom could be the psychopath who murdered Patrick's (Simon Baker) wife and daughter. According to the International Business Times, creator Bruno Heller revealed that the sixth season will include the capture of the elusive Red John. The sixth season premiere will show Patrick ruling out one of the suspects, leaving six possible murderers remaining. But with the capture of Red John as the series climax, fans are wondering if the storyline will continue. Heller has said that he can not say for sure if the show will returning for a seventh season.
Although the show's return for a seventh season remains uncertain, Entertainment Weekly reports that Heller called the upcoming season "game changing."
"This is the most dramatic and game changing season and anything can happen," Heller said.
In addition to the apprehending of Red John, next season will feature some potential cast changes and more romantic intrigue. Entertainment Weekly reports that recurring cast members Amanda Righetti, who plays Grace Van Pelt, and Owain Yeoman, who plays Wayne Rigsby, may be leaving in the upcoming season. Heller said he could not "confirm or deny" the couple's departure.
Heller shared some insight about what is in store for the on-again, off-again couple. "They've always been in love with each other," Heller said. "As we get closer to Red John, all of the team members will start thinking about their major life decisions. That applies to both Lisbon [Robin Tunney] and Grace. They haven't been able to look to their own feelings. As the show rolls on, those feelings will come to the fore."
Fan favorite couple "Jisbon," (Patrick Jane and Teresa Lisbon) may also have some trouble in paradise in upcoming episodes. Another woman will set her sights on Patrick, creating a love triangle conundrum.
"Up until now, they've been tied by this professional dynamic and this mission they're on, and that held their personal relationship in suspense," Heller added. "Once the Red John saga is done, how do they find a new way to relate to each other? The chemistry has always been there bubbling up. But he now has other priorities and other agendas and other pressures."
Although the new female lead will complicate the popular relationship, she may have a positive impact on the show as well.
"When you're as good a detective as Jane is, it's very hard to walk away even when you want to walk away," Heller said. "Some people won't let Jane walk away from what he's so good at. And our new female lead has something to do with that."
Find out the answers to these mysteries when the next season airs on Sunday, Sept. 29 on CBS.