The antagonist of two-parter "The Fisher King" isn't a criminal mastermind. He's simply a man who's experienced a level of tragedy and physical pain that would push just about anyone over the edge. Randall Garner (Charles Haid, Charley Rossman) lost most of his family in a house fire caused by faulty wiring. Though he survived, he's severely scarred, as is his only surviving daughter, Rebecca (Amanda Bernero). Due to a subsequent mental break, he is institutionalized in the same hospital as Reid's mother, Diana. A bit removed from reality herself, Diana taps into her past life as a literary scholar and tells Garner the legend of the Fisher King. Sadly, this sends him further into his spiral, which reaches a fever pitch when he kidnaps Rebecca and holds her captive.
Here, we're introduced to Reid's concerns regarding his mother's mental health. He cares deeply for her, but he's also afraid of sharing her schizophrenia. Indeed, he and his mother share many things in common, including a sharp intellect and surprising insight into human nature. It's through the stories Diana shares with him that Reid comes to understand what's going on in this truly one-of-a-kind two-parter. Though things don't work out for Garner, Reid is able to rescue Rebecca before the episode's end.
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
