Mental is one of the best shows on television today. Though the name suggests that it may deal with paranormal activities, it is actually quite the opposite – showcasing the complexities of the human brain and mental illness. The main character on Mental is Dr. Jack Gallagher, who is a very unusual and untamed psychiatrist. We are introduced to him in the first episode as an "out of the box" physician who joins a hospital in Los Angeles as the Director of Mental Health Services. His unorthodox techniques cause some members of the hospital to question his leadership role, especially Dr. Carl Belle.
Dr. Belle is firmly against Dr. Gallagher, and makes it his mission to rid the hospital of his rival. He begins by blackmailing Dr. Arturo Suarez, a first year resident, to spy on Dr. Gallagher for him. He takes his findings to the program supporters in an effort to unseat Dr. Gallagher.
Nora Skoff is the administrator who hired Dr. Gallagher, despite his practice methods. Although she has a romantic past with Dr. Gallagher, we are led to believe that she hired him because of her extended battle with cancer.
Another psychiatrist upset with the leadership choice is Dr. Veronica Hayden-Jones. She believes that the position should have gone to her, but decides not to tender her resignation.
An interesting plot point is Dr. Gallagher’s sister, Becky, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and has been living on the streets for many years. This insight into Dr. Gallagher’s personal life sheds some light into his wacky methods shown on Mental.
[suggest edits
]