Makes total sense: Jesse L. Martin in new NBC series ‘The Irrational’
nypost.compremiering Sept. 25 (10 p.m.) and starring an engaging Jesse L. Martin, has a solid premise that should suit it well if it can sustain its contextual arc.I like the fact that “The Irrational” gives us a protagonist with an out-of-the-box specialty.
Martin (“The Flash”) plays Alec Mercer, a renowned behavioral psychologist/college professor who moonlights for the FBI. The bureau calls him in tough cases, or, as he says, “brings me in when they’re screwed.” Alec’s specialty is something called “paradoxical persuasion,” illustrated in the series premiere during a hostage negotiation when he persuades a gunman holding a woman and her baby at gunpoint to consider his options.What’s going to happen if he does escape in the helicopter promised by Alec?
He’d probably have to kill the woman and her baby and then the helicopter pilot, right? (Alec wins that battle, of course.)Alec’s specialty is further emphasized by the opener’s main storyline involving the young, ex-Marine son of a powerful senator who admits to killing a young influencer in an alcoholic haze but can’t seem to remember any of the specifics (including the gun he used).
You can guess how that one turns out.Alec has the requisite messy personal life. He’s separated from his wife Marisa (Maarhra Hill), an FBI agent who relies on his judgment and expertise, and he lives with his younger sister, Kylie (Travina Springer), who enjoys his company.He’s also dealing with a trauma from his past which he can’t quite shake.
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