With an intimate knowledge of human behaviour and the way the mind works, Daniel has the ability to see behavioural patterns no one else can see. But these abilities don't come easy to Daniel - he struggles with hallucinations and paranoid delusions brought on by his schizophrenia.
Oddly, Daniel considers some of his hallucinations to be a gift. They occasionally allow him to make connections that his conscious mind can't yet process. At other times, the hallucinations become Daniel's greatest curse, leading him to behave in irrational, potentially dangerous ways.
Daniel's mental condition and offbeat manner make it difficult for him to achieve the close friendships and intimate relationships he craves. He's in his element when solving an intricate puzzle or a coded message. But in unfamiliar situations, he can quickly become overwhelmed, and only his favourite music and a crossword puzzle have the power to make things right again.
Rachael Leigh Cook co-stars as FBI agent Kate Moretti, Arjay Smith plays Max Lewicki, who serves as his teaching assistant, and Star Trek's LeVar Burton has a recurring role as Paul Haley, a dean at the university and Pierce's friend.