DVD Corner

Mental Season 1 DVD Review

“Mental” is nothing you haven’t seen before.

GRADES:

Content: C+

Picture: B

Audio: B

Extras: C

If you’ve seen “House” and “The Mentalist,” you’ve basically seen “Mental.” This 13 episode TV series revolves around the eccentric Dr. Jack Gallagher (the director of psychiatric services at a psychiatric hospital). The episodes mainly revolve around Gallagher helping out patients in a controversial way that lands him in hot water with his boss (Nora) and colleagues. Among the patients he encounters: a stressed actor, a man who thinks he is a wolf, a bi-polar boy, a patient missing two fingers, a war veteran, a construction worker, an autistic girl, a teen girl, a philosopher, a man with OCD, and a man with a gambling addiction. There are also storylines concerning Jack’s past and family.

As you can tell from the above summary, “Mental” is a standard “patient of the week” type of television series. It’s a cheaply made, by-the-numbers show that manages to get by on a talented cast (namely charismatic star Chris Vance and Jacqueline Mckenzie of “The 4400” fame who plays a psychiatrist). If you’re into this genre of show, then by all means check out “Mental.” Otherwise, you’re better off finding something more original.

The 1.78:1 widescreen picture quality is not the greatest, but it’s passable.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is clear enough (albeit nothing special).

Extras include an unrated alternate pilot, FOX TV show ads, and a quick featurette on the Dr. Gallagher character titled “Paging Dr. Gallagher.”

December 13, 2009 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 1 | Mental Season 1 DVD Review