If CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) investigates crimes through science and high technology, The Mentalist does so through reading the details of people’s emotions and minds. You may wonder how this works. However, what Patrick Jane, the main character of The Mentalist, is capable of doing and how quickly he closes cases will surprise you. Although most of the female fans of The Mentalist would say that Jane’s irresistible smile is the secret of The Mentalist’s popularity, I found another secret. It is in Jane’s as well as the other actors’ lines which are full of wit that give hints about Jane’s personality and make you laugh.
SITUATION 1
After the Red John case was handed over to Jane’s co-worker Bosco, Jane, curious about the progress of the investigation, spies on Bosco. However, soon he gets caught. Although Jane tells him that he simply wanted to know how much progress Bosco’s team has made, Bosco threatens Jane by claiming eavesdropping is a serious crime.
Jane: Come on.
Bosco: Eavesdropping is a felony.
Lisbon: How could you be so stupid?
Jane: He has the Red John case. He won’t keep me informed. So I have to keep myself informed. I was low-key about it. I could have turned on his agents or used blackmail or bribery. I didn’t.
| serious criminal offense, felony 중대한 형사범죄 eavesdropping 도청 low-key 자제하는, 감정을 내색하지 않는 turn on 꾀어내다, 내편으로 만들다 blackmail 공갈, 갈취 bribery 뇌물 |
SITUATION 2
Jane goes to a murdered attorney’s house while investigating a case and meets the attorney’s son, Lucas there. As Lucas is practicing driving, Jane gives him instructions.
Lucas: It’s not gonna help. I’m never gonna get the hang of this.
Jane: That’s an easy fix. You need the right instructor. (Lucas speeds up.)
Jane: All right. So now you speed up a little. Excellent. I like how you’re keeping your distance. Just trust your instincts. They’re always right.
Lucas: You’re a good instructor.
Jane: Yeah, I am, probably because I have zero emotional investment in how you do. Unlike your father, who I’m guessing got annoyed with every mistake you made.
| get the hang of~ ~의 요령을 익히다, 터득하다 easy fix 쉽게 해결할 수 있는것 emotional investment 감정의 투자, 즉 감정적인 관련 |
SITUATION 3
Jane and Van Pelt, who are on night duty, order pizza and talk about their respective tastes in food. Pelt, who usually does not complain a lot, says sometimes it is necessary to put others first before herself.
Van Pelt : Hawaiian? / Jane : Yeah.
Van Pelt : Cho hates pineapple.
Jane : Well, he can take it off, can’t he?
Van Pelt : Yeah, I guess. I don’t complain when he and Rigsby order Mexican.
Jane : What is it you don’t like about Mexican?
Van Pelt : Cilantro. I can’t stand it. But I don’t make a fuss.
Jane : Oh, you don’t, do you? Why is that?
Van Pelt : Sometimes you have to go along to get along.
| What is it you don’t like about~ ~에 관해 싫은 점이 무엇인지 (직접적으로 묻는 질문) can’t stand~ ~를 참을 수 없다 make a fuss 소란을 피우다 go along 비위를 맞추다, 따르다 get along 사이좋게 지내다 |
SITUATION 4
At the dinner table, Pelt says that she believes in psychic powers and that her cousin is a real psychic. However, Jane tells her that real psychics do not exist, creating a conflict.
Jane: Fire away.
Van Pelt: When you met with other psychics, real psychics, could they tell you were just pretending?
Jane: There is no such thing as real psychics.
Van Pelt: I beg to differ. My cousin Yolanda is a psychic.
Jane: Your cousin is deluded or dishonest, or both.
Rigsby: Hey, steady.
Van Pelt: No, no, he is entitled to his opinion. He’s wrong, though.
| Fire away 거리낌 없이 다 질문해도 좋다 (=Go ahead, Sure, Of course) psychic 심령술사, 영적의 I beg to differ ‘전 생각이 달라요’라고 정중하게 반대하는 말 deluded 망상하는, 착각하는 steady 말조심해라 |
source: CBS Entertainment