Mental: The Complete First Season

Mental season 01-Video On Demand--Shows Promise
This is a review of the whole season, not just one episode.

This series shows promise. In its present incarnation it is roughly 3 stars but with work could make it to 4. The premise is psychiatry as practiced by a psychiatrist who is willing to try new and controversial methods in order to make a breakthrough with the seriously ill mental patient. For example, with a patient who thinks he is a werewolf, Gallagher has him bite him and then the two lie side by side waiting for the moon to come up. Gallagher has told the patient they will not change to werewolves and he is now in it with him to show him it is in his mind.

Dr. Jack Gallagher, the psychiatrist, is the whole show. Everyone else could be recast. In fact, you could put the whole show into an entirely different hospital and not miss a thing. When the show detoured into hospital politics and jockeying for position, it was not good. When it stuck with Gallagher, his methods and the patients, it was...

Great show
Mental is an excellent show. It is very reminiscent of House, but is much more positive. The main character is unorthodox and has a slight problem with authority and some rules. He is also extremely enthusiastic and joyful which is very refreshing in with how much sarcasm is on TV now.

One of the Best Summer Shows
It is completely ridiculous when people compare this show to House because there is absolutely no comparison. Jack Gallagher is a psychologist who uses any unconventional method to try to heal a patient, even when he has his own demons.
I definitely recommend this show. Chris Vance gives an amazing performance as Dr. Gallagher, the cast has enough chemistry and the cases are very interesting to keep you watching and enjoying the craziness, and I'm not mocking.
Too bad the season was short. I really hope FOX brings it back. There is so much more to be explored.

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