I am sociologist/social scientist, who enjoys reading/analyzing media. None of what I'm saying is 'fixed in space' but rather a personal interpretation based off my own experiences. This is not a profressional article of any kind, but rather a brain dump to share my feelings and ideas.

Patrick Jane is from the hit series 'The Mentalist' first airing in September 23, 2008. Airing it's last episode in February 18, 2015 on CBS. He is played by Simon Baker, [Who was known as Simon Denny in his early career, and recieving the nickname the 'Baker Boy' after his name change to Simon Baker.] He has been in many other successful films like 'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006), 'Boy Swallows Universe' (2024) And also earned the lable 'the sexiest man on TV'. [This will be a very important detail for later, focusing on how they're speaking about Simon Baker within the provided video below will also be very important...]

The Mentalist is a series Patrick Jane, who is a super genius or 'Mentalist' working for the CBI (The California Burea of Intellegence). A mentalist is a performing artist who simulates highly developed mental abilities—such as mind-reading, clairvoyance, hypnosis, or precognition—using techniques like psychology, deception, and body language analysis. Unlike magicians, mentalists create the illusion of genuine psychic or supernatural power through theatrical performance. who has a past of being a phony TV-Psychic

Many people had interrpreted his actions as him being a cold, narcisstic and emotional manipulator due to his behaviours and actions that he engages in to help solve cases, including decieving people. Though, that was very shocking, my entire time watching the show, I had a much more different impression. I very much found comfort - Being unable to control how he is and how he masks

For the time, he was meant to be written as a mass manipulator, w though in reotrospect one of the greatest representations of non-canon autism I've personally ever seen. - Innapropiate humor - Unable to speak during high stress situations - Sensory issues (sounds and textures) Feels need to psychally remove self during high stress situations(doesnt if he has it under control) Misunderstood, villainized for actions as people don't understand him How comforting it was to see my symtoms and behaviorus mostly portrayed, and how those behaviours are often more tolerated when it comes to covnentionally attractive cis white men

I am aware this is a very small detail to nitpick, although up until this point in the series, It's never established nor is it common knowledge that Patrick doesn't enjoy Cranberry Muffins. Yet what is portrayed in the scene was him being provided with an alternative for the Blueberry Muffin, and instead of taking it, completely rejects it. This dislike for Cranberry Muffins is never brought up within the series again after this point, I am assuming the reason for this Is not that he has a history of being not particularly fond of them, but would rather have something familiar [blueberry muffins] than even dare to eat something new, causing him visible discomfort and obvious disappointment. Comfort foods is very common for those within the autistic spectrum. It can be daunting and an energy draining task to try new things, having a large emotional toll on us in the process. This is especially due to our sensory issues. This includes sensitivity to light, sound, textures, smells, etc.) So for a good majority of us, we will only have a handful of meals we enjoy, and physically be unable to eat anything new and having a physical reaction to anything that triggers our sensitivities. Certain textures paired with certain tastes and smells of a particular drink or food can cause nausea, vomiting and, emotional distress.

Sensitivity to certain tastes/textures:

Patrick Jane often follows certain daily 'rituals' that many autistic people develop in their day to day lives. His job is to get accostumed to change whilst trying to keep hold of his daily routines. Sensitivity to sound: