Dr. Linus Wagner, MD. is one of the minor antagonists of The Mentalist TV-show. He is a doctor, who robbed and later killed his patient. He was played by Zeljko Ivanek.
Biography[]
It all starts with Teresa Lisbon's team being called in to investigate another murder allegedly committed by Red John. This murder immediately attracts the attention of Patrick Jane, whose wife and daughter were killed by Red John. Patrick is a consultant (and, in fact, a staff psychologist) for Teresa Lisbon's team. After just one look at the crime scene, Patrick immediately determines that this murder was not committed by Red John. Red John usually paints his signature symbol at the entrance to his victims' houses so that the relatives of the murdered can immediately understand what happened upon entering, and in this case, the symbol is painted in such a way that you first have to turn around to see it. The investigation begins. The police meet the personal psychiatrist of the murdered couple, Linus Wagner. When Patrick asks if the deceased kept a diary, Linus claims that he did not. He also offers to prescribe Patrick sleeping pills. However, Linus soon sets off to look for that diary. Patrick catches him doing this, and Linus tries to convince Patrick that the detective in him has awakened. However, Patrick immediately guesses that Linus killed the couple. Linus threatens Patrick with a gun and takes away the diary, but there is only the inscription "confess". Patrick laughs that he forged the diary just for Linus. He had long guessed who the killer was, but he needed confirmation. Linus tries to kill Patrick, but Rigsby stops him. Linus is arrested. He soon appears in the third season. Patrick is kidnapped, and Linus suggests who can find him. Later, he is suspected of the murders of Ardilles and LaRoche, but the true culprit turns out to be Richard Haibach.
Trivia[]
- He is one of the first notable murderers in The Mentalist, aside Red John. He is also the second person to commit murder onscreen in the TV-show and the first known copycat of Red John (and the only to survive).
- Unlike most of other TV-show villains, he completely lacks selfish goals. He only steals money to help the children in Africa. This makes him one of the most sympathetic criminals in the TV-show. This makes him a rare villain in The Mentalist, who is amoral rather than evil.