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Forum » Television Series » The Mentalist - Season 7 » Season 7 SPOILERS (Spoilers, from reputable sources, about unaired episodes)
Season 7 SPOILERS
redbird Date: Monday, 24-Nov-14, 2:09 PM | Message # 106
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Two endings ......... one tragic and one happy. What an interesting idea!
 
Fran Date: Monday, 24-Nov-14, 7:04 PM | Message # 107
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Bruno Heller interview for Entertainment Weekly

http://insidetv.ew.com/2014....0136f78

'The Mentalist' scoop: Eighth season 'possible' but CBS finale will have closure
With CBS’ The Mentalist entering its seventh and final season, we spoke to series creator Bruno Heller about what fans expect now that crime-solvers Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) and Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) are officially an item, if there’s a wedding in their future, whether the CBS finale will have a true ending, and the odds of the popular detective series having an eighth season afterlife on another network.

EW: In broad strokes, what’s unique about the final season?
BRUNO HELLER: From a professional point of view, we got a chance that’s rarely given in this business to really end the story, to tell the story exactly as we wanted to do, and give you the coda, the happily-ever-after chapter. It was a great move and suggestion on the part of [Warner Bros. TV chief Peter Roth] to end the Red John story [last season] and move on to life after that. What’s different and fun about this season is it’s the same characters, but with life ahead of them—with options, possibilities and joy in their lives. It’s the same Mentalist, but with more sunshine peeping through.

How long after the last scene of the finale does the story pick up?
Couple weeks.

Now that Jane and Lisbon have expressed their true feelings for each other, how does that change things?
Well it makes things very difficult for them because they’re both very private, self-contained independent people and have kept a tight control on their emotions at the job. And now they have this wonderful thing between them that they feel obliged to cover up. They don’t fool many people for long. The next question is: What are we going to do? Do they really want to spend the rest of their lives as homicide detectives? They have conflicting views on that issue and there hangs a lot of the drama.

We’ve been told before with Rigsby and Van Pelt that there are rules against a dating couple working too closely together. Is that an issue here?
That was CBI. Much stricter rules in the California Bureau of Investigation. They’re okay that way. That’s a story point I came up with in season one to stop Rigsby and Van Pelt from making love on the desks and it’s come back every season to bite us on the ass!

There have been rumors of a wedding this year, are fans getting ahead of things?
They’re getting ahead of things. But a wedding is always something to be wished for. It’s certainly a question that arises at different times for both Jane and Lisbon—if they love each other, and they’re living together, then why don’t we get married? I don’t want to give away too much. The season is very much about how do these two people become a couple and work as a couple and still survive as a couple.

Erica Flynn [Morena Baccarin] is returning, that should be interesting given her and Patrick’s history now that he’s with Lisbon.
Yeah that’s a fabulous episode. Morena Baccarin kills it. This is early on in their relationship between Jane and Lisbon when she’s still uncertain about his level of commitment and ability to be a good boyfriend/spouse/husband. And here’s this incredibly suave gorgeous clever woman who’s very much a match for Jane; probably the only woman in the show’s history who was a match for him, and she’s working her wiles on him. And as always with Flynn, she has more than one agenda and more than one plan in process. That’s a really fun episode. And the fun is from Lisbon grappling with the appearance of her character.

That episode also goes to Lebanon—are we spending more time out of Austin this season?
We’re going further afield, if not necessarily spending more time away.

Will any element from the Red John storyline resurface or is that completely put to bed?
It’s put to bed. I don’t want anybody to think we didn’t get the right guy and he’s still running around—because he ain’t. There are story elements that resonate with that story, because something as traumatic as that is never going to leave you alone the rest of your life, but Red John does not come back in that way.

How much of the storytelling is serialized, and how many are stand-alone mysteries in this final run?
It’s the usual mix. Every week—even the finale—there’s a stand-alone story along with the serialized story. It’s less urgent, if you like, because they’re not chasing down a monstrous serial killer.

Any particular crimes you’d like to tease to?
My favorite of the storylines is Jane has to go back to his old psychic tricks. It’s the return of Jane the psychic con man. That’s going to be a fun one.

You always have said in past seasons that you write finales like they could potentially be a series finale, that they could serve either purpose. This time, it sounds like you’re writing one that’s more definitive?
[Spoiler alert] Yeah, absolutely. I would never say never, because it’s such a vibrant character, but the chance to actually end the story is something rarely given in this business, so were taking full advantage of that. It’s the end of this story, but no one dies. Somebody, I won’t tell you who, said, “We should kill them all in a massive explosion.” That’s not going to happen. The great thing about being able to do a final season is it’s a gift, an encore, it’s being able to do all the things people love about the show, all the nuances humor and suspense. We’re trying to make it as classic of a season of The Mentalist as we can.

There’s always the potential of the show being shopped to another network. What are your feelings about that? Would Simon be up for that? Or do you think this is it?
It’s possible. This is a business. And it’s been such a wonderful part of my life and Simon and Robin and [co-star Tim Kang's] life. No one involved is walking away and throwing down the mike and saying, “F–k y’all, I’m done with this.” It’s been a remarkably happy experience. There’s no reason why it couldn’t continue. But when you’ve done seven years and have an end date, people concentrate on that. For the audience it’s important to give a sense of closure. To a degree, it’s up to Simon, and I’d do whatever Simon wants to do.

So you guys haven’t talked about it?
Oh, we talk about all sorts of things…
 
marta75 Date: Monday, 24-Nov-14, 9:51 PM | Message # 108
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Quote Fran ()
To a degree, it’s up to Simon, and I’d do whatever Simon wants to do.

They are real friends. It's rare in that business.
Thanks Fran !
 
DS_Pallas Date: Monday, 24-Nov-14, 10:10 PM | Message # 109
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Wow… tongue

Thanks Fran.

Seems this last season will give the fans a lot of the things they had been dreaming of...
 
bee Date: Monday, 24-Nov-14, 10:13 PM | Message # 110
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Thanks Fran, great article. There would be pros and cons in doing another Season but I'm not sure Simon would really want to go any further with TM. The hours are long and he wants to spend more time with his family and I think his mind is set on new challenges but who knows! If there were to be short seasons leaving him enough time to pursue other projects and perhaps direct more episodes he may be tempted. There is security in TM but also a fear of being typecast! I'm just happy there's to be a 7th Season which sounds exciting!
 
kim Date: Monday, 24-Nov-14, 10:21 PM | Message # 111
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That was a fun interview to read. I am excited to see the psychic episode that Bruno refers to in the interview. I love those episodes with Jane hijinks!
 
AliceR Date: Monday, 24-Nov-14, 10:37 PM | Message # 112
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Perhaps the show could come back as a couple of movies per year. I'd certainly watch them. My real dream is that Lisbon gets pregnant so Jane can get back a family like the one he lost. Could happen cool
 
Fran Date: Tuesday, 25-Nov-14, 0:37 AM | Message # 113
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I pretty much agree with Redbird's comment on the HomePage - this interview has made me think that perhaps Bruno has written the Finale episode.

Quote AliceR ()
Perhaps the show could come back as a couple of movies per year.
I've always thought it would be nice for there to be a follow-up TV movie set in France, as the show is so popular there.
 
Tina Date: Tuesday, 25-Nov-14, 8:50 AM | Message # 114
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I'm really happy about this interview. I was really worried ...with what I read about the final 2 episodes and the "could" about the happy ending in another Bruno interview, I thought that maybe they decide to end it not well. But Bruno makes it clear that nobody dies! So this is what I needed to know to really enjoy now these 13 episodes.

I love this man! I was a bit disappointed by the way he seemed to have left TM, but this interview showed me again why I like him so much. And yes, I think he will write the finale. I was really hoping for that. It is his show after all, so he should end it.
It's a great thing to write finales that they could be a series finale. I've seen a few shows now with really bad endings, that were cancelled then. That leaves the viewers "hanging in the air". If you love a show, it's unfair in my eyes. Bruno is different and that's so nice.

I don't know why he makes hope for a season 8 ....I don't think it will happen. I'm okay now with it. Since Simon has said he will do Breath after TM, and that he will be starring and directing, I'm ready to move on and let go. I love this show more than I will ever love another show, and Jane will stay in my life, but it is okay that it will be only with my DVDs and no new episodes after Season 7. Once this season is over, we will have more than 150 episodes to watch again and again. That's a good number.

What I'd love though is that maybe, in a few years, we get a Jane movie. Other shows did it. And 24 even did another short season years after the show had ended.
But right now I'd love to see Simon doing other things (Breath biggrin biggrin biggrin ), and as much as I like Robin, I'm looking foward to seeing him working with another woman.
 
Fran Date: Tuesday, 25-Nov-14, 6:39 PM | Message # 115
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Sneak Peek: Has The Mentalist Caught the FBI's New Recruit in a Lie?
As CBS’ The Mentalist opens its farewell run this Sunday at 9:30/8:30c, the FBI team has bid adieu to Agent Fisher. A fresh new recruit, though, is joining their ranks — but she’d perhaps be wise to behold Patrick Jane’s mad skills.

As seen in the above sneak peek, Michelle Vega (played by new series regular Josie Loren, Make It or Break It) has barely exchanged her first hellos when Jane tenders an observation about her background. Vega, though, rebuffs his suggestion and instead offers an alternate scenario. Is the noob hiding something, or is this a rare instance of Jane missing the mark? Or is there possibly a third explanation?

Video (1:02): http://tvline.com/2014....ne-vega
 
kim Date: Wednesday, 26-Nov-14, 5:21 AM | Message # 116
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Bruno, Robin and Simon Interview about season 7: Spoiler tv

As “The Mentalist” prepares to debut its final season on CBS beginning this Sunday, the team behind its success is revealing what viewers can expect to see over the next few months. Creator Bruno Heller says being gifted with one last “encore” season allows them to give fans the strongest sendoff possible. Viewers will be treated to a lighter, happier season seven with an underlying focus on Jane and Lisbon’s relationship.

We got a chance to talk with Heller, along with stars Simon Baker and Robin Tunney. They dished on everything from season seven spoilers to the type of relationship we will see from Jane and Lisbon to favorite memories working together. And we can tell you this: These three clearly enjoy each other’s company. Throughout the interview they laughed a lot and joked back and forth. Baker continuously teased Heller while he tried to answer questions. Several times Heller apologized for taking his time to answer, saying Baker was razzing him in the background or whispering in his ear or even giving Heller nuts. And at one point Baker finished Tunney’s thoughts. Chemistry like this is undeniable. It’s one of the reasons the show has been such a success. And it’s a big reason fans can’t wait to see what lies ahead. So let’s get started. Here’s the scoop on season seven.

WHAT IS SEASON 7 ALL ABOUT?

Heller: Essentially this season is about what happens when life turns out the way you’d hoped. What happens when you do have a happy ending – what happens after that? Jane and Lisbon have been engaged in this epic journey for six years, trying to capture Red John, and now they’ve done that. How do you live again after that? How do you re-create a different kind of life? And leading on from the end of season six, how do you create a different relationship out of a relationship that was born in the kind of trauma that theirs was? This season is very much about the reconfiguring of that relationship that has been based on a mission, on a shared desire. That mission is now over and they have to find out: As much as they love each other, how can they live together? And what will they do with their lives?

Tunney: There’s also an aspect to Simon’s character that is really authentic the way they’ve explored it. Up until he caught Red John, that’s why he was there [working in law enforcement]. He wasn’t fighting crime because it was something he was born to do or wanted to do. He didn’t want to work in law enforcement. It was settling this personal score. And now he’s there and I think he’s wondering why he is there. And I think that’s a really interesting thing to explore because it’s honest to the character.

Heller: It’s also about a modern woman with a career that she loves that she has a great talent for. And now she’s being confronted with a potentially different life path. How do you give up that career if that’s the way you want to go? Or how do you combine love and work in this particularly intense form of work? It’s difficult.

Tunney: Because it defines you. It’s so much of your life. I think that Lisbon definitely feels like it defines her as a human being – what she does and not who she is.

WHAT KIND OF ROMANCE WILL WE SEE FROM JANE AND LISBON? ANY PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION?

Heller: These two are never going to be “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” because that’s not who they are. Both Jane and Lisbon are private, self-contained, protective people. So it’s a love story – but it’s not a very conventional love story. It’s a love story that is consonant with the relationship they’ve had, which is the interesting thing about it. When we started, it was very much… brother/sister is the wrong way to describe it, but it’s that kind of familial affection that over time has turned into something more. That, to a degree, makes the romance harder for both characters to negotiate because they’re not fiery, passionate, crazy people. They’re people who need to work their way towards seeing how this will play out in the future. It’s a very sort of Jane Austen type of romance – the good ones in Jane Austen. The ones you devoutly wish to be consummated [are] between two people who have known each other for years, and you can see that they’re made for each other – not in a fiery, kind of crazy way. But just in a human, gentle, correct way.

Tunney: Yeah, season seven is not “50 Shades of Grey” done by “The Mentalist.” It’s sort of interesting because they are two people who don’t know how to be in a relationship. They’ve both been alone for such a long time. And [we’re] sort of exploring two people who are adults, who’ve only been responsible for themselves and haven’t really shared their life with anybody in a very long time – what it feels like to sort of explore that intimacy, [including] that it’s uncomfortable.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO PLAY THAT ROMANCE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?

Baker: I think it’s relatively organic and natural and quite easy. We’re not exploring the sort of obvious side of having a relationship in a workplace, but more the pitfalls and speed bumps that you’ll come up against when you know someone so well and then you decide to have a relationship with them. I think there’s sort of a tenderness to it. And I think because I’ve spent so much of the last seven years looking into Robin Tunney’s lovely green eyes, we’re comfortable with each other in a way that is somewhat intimate.

Tunney: It’s funny the way everything turns out. I remember season one, we had a press conference and Bruno, Simon and I all swore up and down there is no way these two would ever be together romantically. And I think we were telling the truth!

Baker: I’m still saying that!

Heller: When these two characters first came together, Baker and Tunney were strangers, so the relationship was very much between two strangers who were in a transactional relationship, however intense. But as years go by, genuine love develops [between the actors], genuine friendship, genuine understanding. And then just as in real life, what seemed not possible or plausible becomes extremely possible because there is a real basis for it. If these two actors had grown to despise each other over the years, then it would never have occurred to anyone to develop that on-screen relationship in the way that it’s gone. Frankly for me, it’s one of the things I’m most proud of about the show is that after all these years the cast and crew and directors and writers and everyone involved is going to walk away with respect and love for each other. That’s what makes the difference. That’s why we can tell these kind of stories with truth.

Tunney: And I believe at that press conference that Bruno said if we had gotten together, we would have all the sexual chemistry of the Clintons. So the bar was really low for what people might expect. I mean, [now] it’s gonna seem hot.

Baker: Oh, yeah. Oh yeah.

Heller: You killed it with that one.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO PLAY A LIGHTER, HAPPIER VERSION OF THE CHARACTERS?

Tunney: I’ve got to tell you, it’s a bit of a relief. It’s easier to feel light and natural in scenes when stakes are so high all the time. And you can smile. So that’s been really fun. I think the idea of falling in love and feeling accepted makes [Lisbon’s] approach to work different than it was. And I also think as an actor you kind of get more comfortable in the role. In the beginning it seems so inappropriate to be doing things like [smiling] over dead bodies or while somebody is in so much pain. I was so worried that I wasn’t going to seem like an officer of the law if I smiled. I wanted to be taken seriously: ‘I’m supposed to be authoritative.’ And then I think you sort of feel a lot freer. And the character has permission to do that now. It’s been fun.

BEYOND JISBON'S RELATIONSHIP, WHAT ELSE WILL WE SEE IN SEASON 7?

Heller: One of the things we’re trying to do this season is both give you kind of classic “Mentalist” episodes – old-school puzzles, old-school Jane being as clever as he always was – but also expanding the landscape somewhat. We’re in Beirut for the [third] episode. We go all over America for the rest of the season. [Then there’s new character Michelle Vega, a rookie FBI agent.] She adds a different touch of romance to the show. There’s a bit of a love triangle going on there [with her and Cho]. (Heller never mentioned the third member of the love triangle, but after watching the first few episodes of season seven, we assume it’s Wylie.)

Tunney: Cho’s relationship with Vega is really interesting because he’s sort of a mentor to her. There’s a lot going on because I think generally when you have a male and a female and they’re close and they’re working together, it sort of [pushes] their romance, and with them, it’s a really fine line because he has taken responsibility for her and they have kind of a big arc through the season. And Josie Loren is fantastic in the role. She’s really great. Also Wylie, he gets a lot more to do this season. There’s a lot of character development with Abbott. His character gets really fleshed out. He’s sort of involved in a pretty big scandal. It’s a really big arc and we get to know who he is and his life and what his family’s life is like. So I think we get to know a lot of who these people are and it’s interesting because there isn’t this sort of ominous presence of Red John. So there’s a lightness to the episodes. They’re fun.

Heller: And I think because it’s an encore performance, we don’t introduce a whole bunch of new characters and a whole lot of elaborate plot because it’s very much about living in the moment of our two leads and living their life, as opposed to setting up story for more story.

WHAT IS THEIR WISH FOR THE CHARACTERS IN THE FINAL SEASON?

Baker: I want a nude sex tape.

Tunney: That’s really just for the wrap party, for the crew to watch.

Baker: I don’t actually want a nude sex tape.

Tunney: I kind of feel like I’ve gotten [my wish], that we’ve actually gotten a definitive last season and they can tie everything up. It’s really unusual and I know we’re putting it to bed in a proper way. Because it has been a really long run. And the fans are really attached to these characters. I feel lucky about that. I’m just really happy that we get to have a real ending. You get to satiate the characters and yourself that there is a solid ending to the story.

IS IT POSSIBLE THE SHOW COULD EVER RETURN ON ANOTHER NETWORK AFTER THIS SEASON?

Heller: Never say never about that sort of thing. It’s show business. It’s a testament to what these guys have done and the characters they’ve created that they still have a life. These are still living, breathing characters that people are interested in and want to keep looking at. [There is still] a certain appetite to keep these characters alive. But a breath needs to be taken. Whatever happens, we need to step back and take a look at what we’ve done and breathe a little. There’s no conversations here about coming back. But never say never.

Tunney: We have a whole season where we know we’re not going to have to follow it up. So even thinking, ‘Oh, it might come back’ or leaving a door open seems like it’d be inauthentic. It’s the sort of thing where we are trying to really finish it off in a different way. The episodes have wider scopes. They’re more serialized than they’ve been, with the exception of the Red John stuff at the very end. It’s a great season. I’m really proud of it. Getting to go out while still feeling like it’s strong is amazing. It’s not a big ensemble show like “Grey’s Anatomy” or even “House” where they just got new characters every year. It’s basically been Simon and I in most of the scenes. And that’s a really hard thing to keep up. We’ve never had more than five regulars and that’s not a lot of people. I’m excited to finish it. Grateful.

Baker: Sometimes the demand of the schedule or the demands of network television – they’re not necessarily story-friendly. Those things aren’t governed by, ‘Is the story finished?’ or ‘Can we juice it a little bit more?’ It’s generally, ‘We’ve got a hole that we’d like to fill with something.’ The last thing they consider is the story. The truth is, as an actor you put so much skin in the game that at the end, I’m happy to just be able to sort of scrape my skeleton up and be able to walk out of here in one piece. There’s so much effort and energy [put into] such a succinct period of time. Don’t get me wrong. I’m the luckiest [bastard] in the world to be able to be in this position. But it takes its toll.

Tunney: We made 150 episodes of television and it’s exhausting, keeping the story going and trying to keep the quality up. Physically you’re so tired by the end of the season. It’s a lot, it’s draining. But we’ve done it. I think the show this year is really strong. It’s wonderful to be able to get out without it feeling tired.

WHAT ARE THEIR FONDEST MEMORIES OF WORKING TOGETHER?

Tunney: So many. I think a lot of our joy at work [has revolved] around food. When you work this long, there are certain days where Simon looks over and says, ‘How about sushi?’ and I just feel excited. We eat food together. I bring him juices. It’s the little things.

Baker: Why don’t you tell about the time when you kissed me? We kissed….

Tunney: … And your wife was at the monitor? She called me ahead of time and asked if I mind if she watched. We’re all friends. I said, ‘Sure, why not?’ And she watched. And she was moved.

Heller: It’s very, very hard to keep up a rational, generous relationship with your costars on a show that runs this long. The pressures you’re under, the amount of time you have to spend together. And it’s been a great joy to watch these two support each other and back each other up and never turn on each other and always be there for each other.

WILL THE SERIES FINALE THRILL FANS LIKE THE SEASON 6 FINALE?

Baker: We’ll see.

Heller: Yeah, he would be very remiss to tell you what actually happens at the end.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS FOR FANS?

Heller: It’s tough after all these years to round out a show and make a final statement. But we’re very grateful to have that chance. You are not often given that chance in network TV to really tell the whole story and finish it where you would like to finish it. So we are incredibly grateful to get this opportunity. I want to thank everyone out there for watching the show all these years. We hope everyone likes the final season because we made it with love and respect for those fans that have been supporting us all these years. So thank you very much.


Message edited by kim - Wednesday, 26-Nov-14, 5:26 AM
 
Peithon Date: Wednesday, 26-Nov-14, 7:40 AM | Message # 117
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Twitter is saying season 7 premieres on Canada's CTV on Thursday, November 27th, 3 days before the USA. Looks like Heller might be planning a potential season 8, possibly another incarnation of the show a la Nick and Nora Charles.
 
Fran Date: Wednesday, 26-Nov-14, 12:48 PM | Message # 118
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Thanks Kim. Apparently this is from a phone conference with several reporters participating, so there are probably other similar articles on the horizon.

It's interesting that Simon often seems to recede into the background at these type of things. Although the reporter (Tonya Papanikolas @TonyaPap) did say that "Simon was pretty funny! He might have spent more time joking around than answering questions". But also that he "sounded tired".

Quote Peithon ()
Looks like Heller might be planning a potential season 8, possibly another incarnation of the show a la Nick and Nora Charles.
I'm afraid I have absolutely no idea what this means.
 
bee Date: Wednesday, 26-Nov-14, 2:47 PM | Message # 119
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Thanks Kim, great article, very glad they're going down the romantic route with Jane and Lisbon, more reminiscent of Jane Austen which suit their characters. I'd rather see a more Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet approach as in Pride and Prejudice than Fifty Shades of Grey any day! Having read the article it would seem more fitting to end the show now rather than drag it on indefinitely. Although it's sad that TM is coming to an end, personally I'm ready to see Simon do other projects (especially Breath). I also hope Simon takes a long relaxing vacation with his family to recharge his batteries!

Message edited by bee - Wednesday, 26-Nov-14, 3:03 PM
 
Peithon Date: Wednesday, 26-Nov-14, 6:08 PM | Message # 120
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Fran, I meant that he might have a season 8 in mind with Jane and Lisbon as husband/wife detectives like The Thin Man series (Although the thin man actually was the victim and not meant to be Powell but the moniker stuck) of movies based on a famous detective yarn starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles with their wirehair fox terrier Asta. Considered to have the best chemistry ever between two stars. If the show does well in ratings someone else might pick it up or perhaps again he might like to do a TV movie. But it seems CBS would rather not that happen making a big deal about it being the last season.
 
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