Nev Schulman, who is the star of this show, is also one of the stars of another MTV show--"Catfish". There are similarities. In both shows, Nev and a friend respond to people who write to them with problems. They act like detectives to find the truth and solve those problems. The big difference is that there is always a potential victim in Catfish", someone who feels he might be the victim of fraud. In "Suspect", Nev and his co-star iO sign up to alleviate the suspicions of people who think a friend or family member is lying to them.
We can see how this might benefit the person who is suspicious. What does it do for viewers? It incites curiosity. After watching a few episodes, I have mixed feelings about the results.
The suspicious people are called "Truth Seekers". This term unnecessarily ennobles the premise of the show and promotes the idea that it is always okay to delve into the secrets and personal circumstances of others in the name of truth.
There was one episode that involved a young man who was using a harmful diet method due to serious body dysmorphia. In all other cases I viewed, there was no potential bodily harm. Having said that, I will say that in my opinion Nev's motivations are humane. As in "Catfish", he always seems genuinely concerned about the well-being of all parties involved.
Another observation is that the suspicions of the "Truth Seeker" are always wrong. If they think their friend is sick, it turns out they are lying about something entirely different. If they think the sister is involved in a dubious way of earning money, it turns out she is spending her time and efforts on another endeavor. This ups the surprise factor, but it also shows how clueless the "Truth Seekers" are.
In essence, the show performs interventions without the aid of mental health professionals. Some of their "let's poke around" detective work leads to situations that could become volatile. It only takes one. The road to legal prosecution and/or social media condemnation is paved with good intentions.
If you enjoy the curious stories uncovered by "Catfish", this show might be entertaining for you. Just bear in mind that "Catfish" included examples of people manipulating the show for publicity, and "Suspect" carries the same risk.
