Alec Mercer is a world-renowned behavioral scientist who lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement and corporations with his unique and unex... Read allAlec Mercer is a world-renowned behavioral scientist who lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement and corporations with his unique and unexpected approach to understanding human behavior.Alec Mercer is a world-renowned behavioral scientist who lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, law enforcement and corporations with his unique and unexpected approach to understanding human behavior.
- Awards
- 2 nominations total
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Kinda Interesting but also Corny
I was excited to start watching this new show as the preview clips were pretty good. It started out fine but halfway through seemed to be very predictable as far as the plot goes. Was nice to see Lauren Holly in it but she obviously looks different with all the work she has had.
I was really liking it until the scene where killer and he were outside chatting at their vehicles. When the guy pulled out the gun - it was a bit strange because he hadn't yet been accused. Then they drive around and get in a car crash? I mean c'mon, that's the best the writers could do? I'll watch next episode and see.
I was really liking it until the scene where killer and he were outside chatting at their vehicles. When the guy pulled out the gun - it was a bit strange because he hadn't yet been accused. Then they drive around and get in a car crash? I mean c'mon, that's the best the writers could do? I'll watch next episode and see.
Average. Dan Ariely review references don't help.
It's predictable, simple and somewhat interesting. The expected jokes and one liners about cops and murder cases done in a light and cheery atmosphere perfectly suited for a television audience.
The characters and actors are generally competent in portraying the subject matter and the baddies are of the usual made for tv genre.
This is the show that could go on for 2-3 seasons, letting out tidbits every now and then in order to solve an underlying case involving the main character. Overall it's just an average show, with no shocking or big reveals.
It is not serious enough of a cop show to hold my interest and this reminds me of the series Unforgettable with a woman and a her photographic memory. The interesting bits just are not enough to carry the entire show.
5/10 as there is little else to go on besides the main character and his story. A one and done for me.
Please don't mention Dan Ariely in your reviews about subjects involving psychology. He is a confirmed fraud, multiple times, with none of his experiments being repeatable. I was a fan; but who knew that in order to have counterintuitive experiment results you had to fudge all the data????
The characters and actors are generally competent in portraying the subject matter and the baddies are of the usual made for tv genre.
This is the show that could go on for 2-3 seasons, letting out tidbits every now and then in order to solve an underlying case involving the main character. Overall it's just an average show, with no shocking or big reveals.
It is not serious enough of a cop show to hold my interest and this reminds me of the series Unforgettable with a woman and a her photographic memory. The interesting bits just are not enough to carry the entire show.
5/10 as there is little else to go on besides the main character and his story. A one and done for me.
Please don't mention Dan Ariely in your reviews about subjects involving psychology. He is a confirmed fraud, multiple times, with none of his experiments being repeatable. I was a fan; but who knew that in order to have counterintuitive experiment results you had to fudge all the data????
Entertaining And Educational
Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) teaches and does research in Behavioral Science at Wylton University. He is sometimes called in to consult with law enforcement when they need his professional talents.
This show has the bones of a police procedural, but it is more than that. Mercer can help solve cases because he is observant and he understands human psychology. But he also deals with criminals in hostage situations or any time the police think an understanding of human psychology might help in dealing with a crisis. Because local government officials know of him, he may also be used behind the scenes in delicate situations where public relations are top priority.
But one of the most interesting facets of this series is that Mercer explains the psychology behind his decisions, often citing well-known behavioral experiments. And he can use his academic resources to help conduct his own experiments to test theories.
Jesse L. Martin is perfecting suited to this role. And he is surrounded by a good cast. The first two episodes were about interesting cases, but viewers who like learning about human psychology may enjoy this series most.
This show has the bones of a police procedural, but it is more than that. Mercer can help solve cases because he is observant and he understands human psychology. But he also deals with criminals in hostage situations or any time the police think an understanding of human psychology might help in dealing with a crisis. Because local government officials know of him, he may also be used behind the scenes in delicate situations where public relations are top priority.
But one of the most interesting facets of this series is that Mercer explains the psychology behind his decisions, often citing well-known behavioral experiments. And he can use his academic resources to help conduct his own experiments to test theories.
Jesse L. Martin is perfecting suited to this role. And he is surrounded by a good cast. The first two episodes were about interesting cases, but viewers who like learning about human psychology may enjoy this series most.
Thought-provoking so far
After only a couple of episodes, I'll continue to tune in. The psychology is intriguing, and we'll have to see if the story lines hold up as the series progresses. It certainly provides a lot of food for thought, and a refreshing, original slant on mystery shows.
The first episodes may have stretched reality a bit, in terms of interactions and results, but they pulled it off. If you're into such shows as "The Mentalist", this may be a good choice for you.
I'll definitely continue watching and hope that they flesh out some of the support characters as the show develops. There's a lot of potential here.
The first episodes may have stretched reality a bit, in terms of interactions and results, but they pulled it off. If you're into such shows as "The Mentalist", this may be a good choice for you.
I'll definitely continue watching and hope that they flesh out some of the support characters as the show develops. There's a lot of potential here.
Trite, hackneyed, warmed-over rehash of staid memes
Too many tropes in this show to enumerate. There's the brilliant college proffessor who does this crime-fighting thing as a sideline. Of course he has a dark past with some damage, in this rare case visible to the naked eye. He drives an oddball car that stands out. He is well respected by his (naturally) ex-wife and students, but not so much by other professionals in various disciplines. And on, and on, and on.
This thing is kinda predictable, like a not-well-written Columbo episode with the clowns all dropping their hints flat on the floor in front of the audience -- and the coppers. I don't think I'll have the patience to struggle through another episode of this show. The first one was enough to turn me away.
Conclusion: not terrible, but not good either. I just don't have the time in my limited entertainment budget to waste on bland pate like this.
This thing is kinda predictable, like a not-well-written Columbo episode with the clowns all dropping their hints flat on the floor in front of the audience -- and the coppers. I don't think I'll have the patience to struggle through another episode of this show. The first one was enough to turn me away.
Conclusion: not terrible, but not good either. I just don't have the time in my limited entertainment budget to waste on bland pate like this.
Did you know
- TriviaThe main character, Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) is based on the real-life Duke University psychology and behavioral economics professor Dan Ariely. Part of Ariely's fame has come from his research into the psychological principles behind dishonesty, including in his book "The Honest Truth about Dishonesty", a documentary, "(Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies", and many academic papers. However, in 2021, a 2012 paper coauthored by Ariely and several others and purporting to study issues of dishonesty was itself retracted due to evidence that the data in it was falsified. The second episode of "The Irrational" nods to and then dismisses this controversy: a crusading investigative reporter who had previously been skeptical of Mercer's methodology (formerly calling it "pop culture junk science") comes to him for help, explaining that when she further investigated his work, she found it "unimpeachable."
- Quotes
Alec Mercer: Memory is the greatest con man of human nature.
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