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Ok, so... she just happened to have a bottle of 151 and a book of matches in her desk drawer? Either she was planning on this or girl's got some other issues. She's a teenager and all, but having those specific items on hand seems a bit convenient.

Heather's dad Gary explains that her mom committed suicide when Heather was 10. She's a track star with good grades and college scholarships waiting in the wings. He just pressured her too hard during workouts. Right... a little "hey honey, run that faster next time" and it's light 'em up time! Someone's in denial.

When they inventory the medicine found in Heather's room, they discover she's been taking estrogen pills. She tells Chloe she hasn't gotten her period yet -- which her dad says can happen with female athletes. Gary says Dr. Paul can explain better what's going on with Heather, as "it's complicated." Curiouser and curiouser.

Dr. Timothy Paul, from the Harrison School of Medicine, tells Jack and Nora that he sees Heather occasionally. Apparently he's well known for his research on psycho-sexual flexibility. Flashes from Heather's memory indicate he gave her gynecological exams as a young girl and she admits he's her only doctor. Ok, big, loud warning bells already ringing. As she talks about Dr. Paul, she sees a blank face in the mirror again. She says her mother couldn't stand to look at her (always with tears in her eyes) before she died.

Gary finally admits to Jack that Heather was born as a boy, but the hospital screwed up the circumcision and left him mutilated. The hospital offered a settlement -- the free services of Dr. Paul for life. He said their son would go through life a cripple, but their daughter didn't have to. So, they set about transforming her into a girl using drug therapies and surgeries. You know... without her knowledge.

Jack, who is usually affable but firm, is really, really angry by this revelation. After Dr. Paul casually mentions Heather is about to have a second surgery to get an artificial vagina, Jack's heard enough. He threatens Dr. Paul with a public humiliation if he tries to contact the Masters and says in the meantime he'll have his license.

Jack suggests a re-birthing ceremony. Instead of suffocation (like religious cults), they choose a bonfire, because fire was Heather's method of choice. They get all her childhood mementos from her dad and tell her to burn what she wants, keep what she wants. Burn what no longer represents her.

We get a little more back story on Chloe as she councils Heather. She confides to Heather that she came out to her parents when she was 15. Her dad threw her out of the house and she took a bus to San Francisco. Chloe found herself at the gay and lesbian center and was adopted by two great guys. Ok, so we may be warming up to Chloe a little bit -- now that she's had something more to do in an episode besides get annoying research assignments from Jack.

Heather asks Chloe to cut her hair short (hey -- you might want to reconsider, have you seen her hair?!). She hasn't made her gender decision, but thinks she should see the world from another perspective before she does. Dad Gary shows up and they hug.

In other news, Jack hired a private investigator to find Becky, but so far all is has is a bunch of pictures of homeless women who aren't his schizophrenic twin sister. He and Zan are getting pretty hot and heavy and she offers a timeshare in Vail for Christmas. Jack jokes he doesn't even know what he's doing tomorrow. Ouch. Zan pushes to know what's really going on between the two of them, so Jack explains about his sister and why he can't leave town. They kiss and Nora walks by and sees them. If Nora was holding out hope of another, more serious romp with Jack, she can kiss that dream goodbye.

Do you think patient issues are tied up a little too neatly at the end of each episode? Or does Mental do a good job of indicating a breakthrough, but the not the end of the road to mental health? Talk in the comments!