The Irrational

• Title: The Irrational – The Real Deal
• IMDb: link

Maybe The Irrational should keep Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) as far away from the FBI as possible. For another week, the show offers Mercer working a case outside of his consultant role for the FBI finding a rhythm that has been missing in the previous episodes. “The Real Deal” gives us Alec on a date with Rose (Karen David) that turns into an investigation of a forged masterpiece. It’s easily the best episode of the series, in part to the chemistry between Martin and David, but also with the show capturing a bit more fun than the more gruesome cases Alec usually finds himself involved in.

…

The Irrational – The Real DealRead More »

• Title: The Irrational – Point and Shoot
• IMDb: link

With Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) helping a legal team rather than the FBI for an episode, “Point and Shoot” almost feels like a different show. I wonder if this plot was a hold over from a slightly different pitch for the series, since the FBI involvement is minimally shoehorned in as a separate B-story. The main story involves the death of Kylie’s (Travina Springer) friend in a police raid gone wrong and the court case by the victim’s husband looking for justice. Malcolm-Jamal Warner stars as an expert witness for the other side whose involvement in the case convinces Alec to sign on leading to some interesting back and forth between the experts on the stand and a frank discussion about the use of experts in court cases.

…

The Irrational – Point and ShootRead More »

• Title: The Irrational – Lucky Charms
• IMDb: link

While on a trip to Las Vegas to help out an old student, “Lucky Charms” offers the show’s most fun episode of the season but also one where it’s trademark use of psychology is less overt than normal leading to a more generic feeling episode. When Camille Lawson (Jocelyn Hudon), Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) former teaching assistant turned professional poker player, reaches out in need of help when she believes another player in the tournament is cheating, Alec, Phoebe (Molly Kunz), and Owen (Arash DeMaxi) all head to Vegas to offer their services and help prevent her from getting her legs broken by the easily manipulated members of the mob.

…

The Irrational – Lucky CharmsRead More »

• Title: The Irrational – Zero Sum
• IMDb: link

Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) is hired by a couple whose teenage daughter (Rhinnan Payne) is kidnapped and ransomed for a price they can’t possibly afford. Connecting the kidnapping to the missing girl’s connection to the wealthy family her mother once worked for, Alec eventually connects to dots and uncovers the identity and motivations of the kidnapper (Ben Cockell) who mistakenly believes his father’s (Vincent Gale) affection for the girl somehow means he loves him less. The episode is notable for Owen (Arash DeMaxi) teaching a pair of lectures in the professor’s absence, the first of which crashes and burns, and guest-starring Karen David as a K&R expert who takes an immediate shine to Alec. More of her, please.

…

The Irrational – Zero SumRead More »

• Title: The Irrational – The Barnum Effect
• IMDb: link

Three episodes in the show seems to have found its formula with the FBI being completely clueless about a crime, ready to place blame on the wrong suspect, and utterly reliant on Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) to find the truth. The case of the week involves a plane crash authorities are all too willing to blame on pilot error, although thanks to some sleuthing by Alex, his assistants, and the victim’s brother, someone far more sinister is eventually uncovered. Highlights continue to be how the show works in psychological experiments into the show’s premise while the breadcrumbs of Alec’s past tragedy and who his wife is currently aren’t nearly as engaging.

…

The Irrational – The Barnum EffectRead More »