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Season 1 – The Irrational

Play trailer 1:34 Poster for Season 1 – The Irrational Sep 2023 Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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47% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
World-renowned behavioral science professor Alec Mercer uses his unique expertise in psychology, body language, emotion and more to help solve difficult, high-stakes cases. With the support of his research assistants, his tech-savvy sister and his ex-wife -- who also happens to be an FBI agent -- and guided by his fierce curiosity about human decision-making, Mercer truly has solving crime down to a science. By asking the right questions, making observations no one else can and studying every scene in new ways, there's no case too tough for his brilliant mind to crack -- except maybe his own mysterious past.
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The Irrational — Season 1

The Irrational — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

The Irrational could've used a lot more originality to live up to its promise, although Jesse L. Martin's shrewd presence makes even the utterly conventional pretty watchable.

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Critics Reviews

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Aramide Tinubu Variety Oct 19, 2023
While the true culprits of the crimes are usually glaringly obvious, a few stunners here and there make “The Irrational” enjoyable primetime viewing. It’s a classic drama that viewers can dive in and out of without missing a beat. Go to Full Review Verne Gay Newsday Oct 3, 2023
2.5/4
Overall, "The Irrational" is decently acted, competently written, and adequately directed. You will learn fun things, and presumably true ones, about behavioral science, as well as its forensic applications in police work. Go to Full Review Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com Sep 26, 2023
“The Irrational” works because it has a likable cast and reasonably tight plotting, even if every episode so far seems to rush to its conclusion. Go to Full Review Jen Maravegias Pajiba Oct 4, 2023
Irrational is a “just fine” show that hits above its weight because of its lead. Come for Martin showing off his strong leading-man vibe. Stay for the middling mysteries and sharp outfits. Go to Full Review Matt Roush TV Insider Sep 30, 2023
3/5
Thankfully, Martin rarely sheds his cool-cat persona, even when, to the dismay of his FBI agent ex-wife (Maahra Hill), he risks his neck to crack a case. Sounds irrational, but that’s how Mercer rolls. Go to Full Review Monique Jones Common Sense Media Sep 29, 2023
3/5
A twist on the usual procedural... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Fenil S @RT12210863 Apr 28, 2025 Great thougful show. See more Darren D @RT46304861 Dec 24, 2024 Has truly left agenda ... not my, as we say in England, my cup of tea...my wife really enjoys it so in our house we can love each other but not necessarily agree on everything... See more Sydney L @RT23836370 Dec 14, 2024 Great show with a really good cast; enjoy all the characters and the glimpses at the interesting science/profiling. See more Suresha H @RT76303478 Nov 27, 2024 This is such a unique way to look at why things happen the way they do and how often subconscious factors drive decisions. See more AM J @AMJORDAN Oct 28, 2024 A solidly good, very enjoyable watch. Jesse L. Martin has fantastic presence and he's surrounded by an interesting cast of characters. Each episode is a completely different scenario & there's a nicely woven thread of continuous stories about the main cast through it all. I found the science fascinating & really enjoyed watching it applied to real life situations. I binge watched the first season & was disappointed there were only a few episodes of S2 out. I'll wait eagerly for the next one & hope they get renewed for S3! See more Irina B @RT34155209 Oct 15, 2024 Caught The Irrational: Season 1 on Peacock recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait for each new episode of Season 2. See more Read all reviews
The Irrational — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Arika Lisanne Mittman

Creator

Carl Seaton

Director

Jesse Warn

Director

Janice Cooke

Director

John Terlesky

Director

Maja Vrvilo

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 25, 2023 Pilot Professor of behavioral science Alec Mercer is called upon to investigate the murder of a fashion influencer whose boyfriend, a decorated soldier and senator's son, has confessed to the crime; however, Mercer suspects there is more to the story. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 2, 2023 Dead Woman Walking Professor Mercer is approached by his old friend CJ, a prominent investigative journalist who asks for help after she's poisoned with a rare and deadly nerve agent; with time running out, Mercer pieces together scant clues. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 9, 2023 The Barnum Effect After a passenger plane crashes into the Potomac River, suspicions focus on the pilot; professor Mercer and the team are asked to investigate the pilot's personal motivations and piece together clues in the hope of revealing the truth. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 16, 2023 Zero Sum Alec and the team take on a kidnapping case at the request of a desperate father; their investigation is hampered by a complicated family dynamic that slowly reveals everyone's hidden motivations. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 23, 2023 Lucky Charms Alec and the team head to Las Vegas to help Camille, a former colleague turned expert poker player who's been lured into danger; they must take some risks to solve a gambling mystery before Camille gets hurt; Marisa makes a significant discovery. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 30, 2023 Point and Shoot Alec agrees to testify as an expert witness in a wrongful death trial for a friend of Kylie's; as he faces an old nemesis, he discovers competing emotions around an accidental shooting; Marisa reaches a decision about the bombing investigation. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 6, 2023 The Real Deal Alec's first date with Rose turns into a 24-hour excursion when they find themselves taking on an investigation involving a forged masterpiece; Marisa and Kylie attempt to revive their friendship, which has faltered since Alec and Marisa's divorce. Details Episode 8 Aired Jan 29, 2024 Scorched Earth Alec takes a case involving a young burn victim and arson that forces him to confront some trauma from his past; Phoebe and Rizwan compete for an important research grant. Details Episode 9 Aired Feb 5, 2024 Cheating Life After witnessing a hit-and-run during a friend's livestream, Alec and Kylie aim to prove it wasn't an accident; as Marisa and Jace continue their investigation into the church bombing, they set their sights on a prominent senator. Details Episode 10 Aired Feb 12, 2024 Bombshell Alec and his team come face to face with the man who was put away for the church bombing 20 years earlier; Marisa and Kylie work together to save Alec, Phoebe and Rizwan; Jace makes a critical break in the case that changes everything. Details Episode 11 Aired Feb 19, 2024 Reciprocity Alec and Marisa are close to finding the culprit of the church bombing; Kylie gets an interview with the FBI, but is pulled into the investigation; Rose tracks down a witness; Phoebe and Rizwan make a discovery that sheds light on the truth. Details

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The Irrational — Season 1

The Irrational: Season 1 Trailer The Irrational: Season 1 Trailer 1:34 Now Playing The Irrational: Season 1 Episode 1 Exclusive Sneak Peek - Paradoxical Persuasion The Irrational: Season 1 Episode 1 Exclusive Sneak Peek - Paradoxical Persuasion 0:34 Now Playing View more videos
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The Irrational — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Carl Seaton, Jesse Warn, Janice Cooke, John Terlesky, Maja Vrvilo, Amanda Tapping, David Frankel, Ernest R. Dickerson
Creator
Arika Lisanne Mittman
Executive Producer
Samuel Baum, David Frankel, Mark Goffman
Screenwriter
Arika Lisanne Mittman, Mira Z. Barnum, Mark Goffman, Robert H. Wolfe, Lydia Teffera, Dr. Kirk Moore, Jordan Rosenberg
Network
NBC
Rating
TV-14 (L)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 25, 2023
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