Verdict
Summary
Rather thrilling and stimulating plot-wise, this new show definitely merits a second season due to its intense yet original plot twists and making proper use of its gimmick.
Plot: This FOX show explores ex-FBI criminal psychologist Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne, MindGamers), the son of imprisoned serial killer Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen, Blood Diamond). Malcolm is hired by surrogate father and NYPD Lt. Gil Arroyo (Lou Diamond Phillips, Longmire) and helps solve the various crime cases, all while questioning if his mother, Jessica (Bellamy Young, CSI: Miami), was complicit with his father’s crimes years ago.
Review: Playing like a reverse Lie to Me/Criminal Minds and coming out the same time as CBS’ new serial killer thriller Evil. Having seen Evil, it left me feeling empty in the worst possible way, especially with the style being there but all the actors, substance and annoying edits being extremely uninvolving. This show however fit the bill for countless reasons. It also helps that it’ll easily appeal to fans of Hannibal, Dexter, The Fall, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Bones, Rizzoli & Isles, The Following and CSI shows as well. The brooding suspense and unsettling nature is the main star of this show but don’t get me wrong, all the actors are lovely from the unknowns to the newcomers and veteran performers. It also helps that the supporting detectives also try to predict how Malcolm will solve the crimes so that they can both be invaluable partners but also make it fun for the viewer to guess who’s instinct is correct.
The show’s various mysteries are various but never repetitive or forgettable even and it especially helps that they don’t try to be too witty and instead rely on creepy music to set the mood and the occasionally Malcolm’s various nightmares to see if he’s even in his right mind (no pun intended) when it even comes to solving the cases. it’s also interesting how they incorporate the main character’s sister, Ainsley (Halston Sage, The Orville), being a ratings hungry TV reporter who decides to visit dad so that she can both learn more about him and further her career.
This just ups the stakes and make shit hit the fan faster, however easily annoying the character is otherwise. Lead actor Payne is bound to become a bigger star and really does handle the various emotional conflicts and head-scratching cases well for both the character and plot’s sake. Phillips has never been any stranger to play authority figures but gets to really give a different vibe to this high-ranking detective by making his character be overprotective yet honest of Malcolm as he doesn’t want to lose him as either a stepchild or as a NYPD consultant. The other supporting serial killer mysteries like the “Junkyard Killer” are also beyond reasonable recurring mysteries and cool badasses in their own right!
You may not need to seek this show out right away but it’s better than browsing bored like no tomorrow through various crap on Netflix, let alone wandering aimlessly by channel surfing. This show will grab you from beginning to end by never letting a dull minute in, let alone giving you a reason to come back so hop on!