PATRICK JANE IS KNOCKED OUT BY A BASEBALL AND FLASHES BACK TO HIS CHILDHOOD WHILE UNCONSCIOUS, ON "THE MENTALIST," THURSDAY, DEC. 17

Nick Chinlund ("Desperate Housewives") Guest Stars as Jane's Father

"Throwing Fire" - While Jane and the team examine the crime scene where a baseball scout is found murdered, Jane is clocked in the head by a ball and flashes back to his childhood with his overbearing father (Nick Chinlund), on THE MENTALIST, Thursday, Dec. 17 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

SERIES REGULARS:

Patrick Jane................................. Simon Baker
Teresa Lisbon............................. Robin Tunney
Kendall Cho..................................... Tim Kang
Wayne Rigsby......................... Owain Yeoman
Grace Van Pelt....................... Amanda Righetti

GUEST CAST:

Alex.......................................... Nick Chinlund
Doc............................................. Brent Sexton
Freddy Fitch............................. Jude Ciccolella
Gardener...................................... Omar Leyva
Jupiter...................................... Frank Gallegos
Scotty.......................................... Ben Bledsoe
Snake.................................. Alejandro Chaban
Leslie............................................. Lesley Fera
Woman................................... Gwen Holloway
Young Jane................................. Chris Brochu
Narcisco..................................... Matt Cedeno
Celia......................................... Abigail Mavity
Grandmother................................... Ellen Geer
Young Woman............................ Amy Crofoot

WRITTEN BY: John Mankiewicz

DIRECTED BY: Martha Mitchell

RATING: To Be Announced