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The Irrational

{{Short description|2023 American crime drama TV series}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox television

| image = The Irrational (NBC television series logo).svg

| caption =

| genre = {{Plainlist|

}}

| creator = Arika Mittman

| based_on = {{Based on|Predictably Irrational|Dan Ariely}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| opentheme =

| endtheme =

| composer = Danny Lux

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_seasons = 2

| num_episodes = 29

| list_episodes =

| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| producer = Jesse L. Martin

| cinematography =

| camera =

| runtime = 42 minutes

| company = {{Plainlist|

}}

| network = NBC

| first_aired = {{Start date|2023|09|25}}

| last_aired = present

| related =

}}

The Irrational is an American crime drama television series created by Arika Mittman. It is loosely based on the life of Dan Ariely, a behavioral economist and professor at Duke University, and his 2008 non-fiction book Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. The show features Jesse L. Martin in the role of Alec Mercer, a behavioral scientist who, like Ariely, lends his expertise to governments, law enforcement, and corporations to solve complex issues. Co-stars include Molly Kunz as Pheobe, Alec's grad student, and Maahra Hill as Special Agent Marisa Clark.

Season one of The Irrational premiered on September{{nbsp}}25, 2023, on NBC and season two began airing a year later, on October{{nbsp}}8, 2024. With the series' premiere attracting over 3.8 million viewers, it received mixed reviews from critics and a 5.1/10 rating on Rotten Tomatoes.https://www.thewrap.com/the-irrational-the-voice-nbc-ratings-viewership

Premise

Professor Alec Mercer is a professor of behavioral psychology, whose interests, human irrationality in particular, reflect Ariely’s own work in behavioral economics. Like his prototype, Mercer demonstrates how unconscious biases and emotional impulses influence decision-making, often in ways that defy logical reasoning. Throughout the show, Mercer applies his insights into human nature to help the police and the FBI solve high-stakes criminal cases, including murders, plane crashes, and kidnappings. It echoes Ariely’s real-life role as a consultant to governments and corporations, where he leverages his expertise in behavioral science to address complex societal challenges such as policy-making, health decisions, and fraud detection.

Additionally, Mercer's personal backstory, including the life-changing injury that left him physically scarred, mirrors Ariely’s experience of suffering injuries after an explosion–an accident that aroused his interest in understanding the emotional and psychological dimensions of pain and human behavior.https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/learned-about-motivation-teenage-burn-victim

Cast

=Main=

  • Jesse L. Martin as Professor Alec Mercer, an expert in behavioral science
  • Maahra Hill as Special Agent Marisa Clark, an FBI agent and Alec's ex-wife
  • Arash DeMaxi as Rizwan Asadi, Alec's newest grad student
  • Molly Kunz as Phoebe Duncan, Alec's grad student assistant
  • Travina Springer as Kylie Mercer, Alec's younger sister and new FBI cyber analyst

=Recurring=

  • Brian King as Special Agent Jace Richards, an FBI agent and Marisa's new boyfriend (season 1)
  • Karen David as Rose Dinshaw, a crisis management professional, and Alec's new girlfriend (season 1–present)
  • Ben Cotton as Wes Banning, a criminal convicted of the bombing that injured Alec (season 1)
  • Max Lloyd-Jones as Simon Wylton, a new grad student research assistant who replaces Phoebe, and the son of the Dean of Wylton Institute. (season 2–present)

Episodes

=Series overview=

{{Series overview

| color1 = #1E2247

| link1 = #Season 1 (2023–24)

| episodes1 = 11

| start1 = {{Start date|2023|9|25}}

| end1 = {{End date|2024|2|19}}

| color2 = #B30300

| link2 = #Season 2 (2024–25)

| episodes2 = 18

| start2 = {{Start date|2024|10|8}}

| end2 = {{End date|2025|3|25}}

}}

=Season 1 (2023–24)=

{{Episode table |background=#1E2247 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |country=U.S. |viewers= |aux4= |aux4T=Rating/share
(18-49) |episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|EpisodeNumber2 = 1

|Title = Pilot

|DirectedBy = David Frankel

|WrittenBy = Arika Lisanne Mittman

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|9|25}}

|Viewers = 3.81{{cite web|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-decent-results-for-the-voice-24th-season-premiere-and-the-irrational-debut-on-nbc/|title=Monday Ratings: Decent Results for The Voice 24th Season Premiere and The Irrational Debut on NBC|website=Programming Insider|date=September 26, 2023|access-date=October 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007004550/https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-decent-results-for-the-voice-24th-season-premiere-and-the-irrational-debut-on-nbc/|archive-date=October 7, 2023|url-status=live}}

|Aux4 = 0.34/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|EpisodeNumber2 = 2

|Title = Dead Woman Walking

|DirectedBy = Jesse Warn

|WrittenBy = Arika Lisanne Mittman

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|10|2}}

|Viewers = 3.98{{cite web|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-cbs-debuted-game-show-loteria-loca/|title=Monday Ratings: CBS Debuted Game Show Loteria Loca|website=Programming Insider|date=October 3, 2023|access-date=October 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007005701/https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-cbs-debuted-game-show-loteria-loca/|archive-date=October 7, 2023|url-status=live}}

|Aux4 = 0.29/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|EpisodeNumber2 = 3

|Title = The Barnum Effect

|DirectedBy = John Terlesky

|WrittenBy = Mark Goffman

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|10|9}}

|Viewers = 3.94{{cite web|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-the-irrational-on-nbc-remains-a-decent-draw-in-total-viewers-in-week-three/|title=Monday Ratings: The Irrational on NBC Remains a Decent Draw in Total Viewers in Week Three|website=Programming Insider|date=October 10, 2023|access-date=October 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010234207/https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-the-irrational-on-nbc-remains-a-decent-draw-in-total-viewers-in-week-three/|archive-date=October 10, 2023|url-status=live}}

|Aux4 = 0.31/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|EpisodeNumber2 = 4

|Title = Zero Sum

|DirectedBy = Janice Cooke

|WrittenBy = Robert Hewitt Wolfe

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|10|16}}

|Viewers = 3.50{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-abc-and-espns-nfl-monday-night-football-and-mlbs-nlcs-game-1-on-tbs-and-trutv-dominate-in-prime-time-key-demos/|title=Monday Ratings: ABC and ESPN's NFL Monday Night Football and MLB's NLCS Game 1 on TBS and truTV Dominate in Prime Time Key Demos|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=October 17, 2023|access-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018044716/https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-abc-and-espns-nfl-monday-night-football-and-mlbs-nlcs-game-1-on-tbs-and-trutv-dominate-in-prime-time-key-demos/|archive-date=October 18, 2023|url-status=live}}

|Aux4 = 0.24/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|EpisodeNumber2 = 5

|Title = Lucky Charms

|DirectedBy = Amanda Tapping

|WrittenBy = Lydia Teffera

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|10|23}}

|Viewers = 3.73{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-fox-and-fs1-earn-decent-numbers-with-game-7-of-mlbs-alcs-despite-opposite-the-nfl/|title=Monday Ratings: Fox and FS1 Earn Decent Numbers with Game 7 of MLB's ALCS Despite Opposite the NFL|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=October 26, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026174843/https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-fox-and-fs1-earn-decent-numbers-with-game-7-of-mlbs-alcs-despite-opposite-the-nfl/|archive-date=October 26, 2023|url-status=live}}

|Aux4 = 0.29/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|EpisodeNumber2 = 6

|Title = Point and Shoot

|DirectedBy = Ernest Dickerson

|WrittenBy = {{WritingCredits|order=t|t=Kirk Moore|s=Kirk Moore & Jordan Rosenberg}}

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|10|30}}

|Viewers = 3.54{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-nfl-monday-night-football-on-abc-and-espn-unsurprisingly-tops-mlb-world-series-game-three-on-fox/|title=Monday Ratings: NFL Monday Night Football on ABC and ESPN Unsurprisingly Tops MLB World Series Game Three on Fox|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=October 31, 2023|access-date=November 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101062037/https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-nfl-monday-night-football-on-abc-and-espn-unsurprisingly-tops-mlb-world-series-game-three-on-fox/|archive-date=November 1, 2023|url-status=live}}

|Aux4 = 0.27/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|EpisodeNumber2 = 7

|Title = The Real Deal

|DirectedBy = Jesse Warn

|WrittenBy = Mira Z. Barnum

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|11|6}}

|Viewers = 3.74{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-abc-and-espn-share-prime-time-leadership-with-nfl/|title=Monday Ratings: ABC and ESPN Share Prime Time Leadership with NFL|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=November 8, 2023|access-date=November 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108211731/https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-abc-and-espn-share-prime-time-leadership-with-nfl/|archive-date=November 8, 2023|url-status=live}}

|Aux4 = 0.28/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|EpisodeNumber2 = 8

|Title = Scorched Earth

|DirectedBy = Maja Vrvilo

|WrittenBy = Jordan Rosenberg

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|1|29}}

|Viewers = 3.18{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-nbcs-the-irrational-wins-its-hour-among-broadcast-nets-upon-its-return/|title=Monday Ratings: NBC's The Irrational Wins its Hour Among Broadcast Nets Upon its Return|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=January 30, 2024|access-date=January 31, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.28/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|EpisodeNumber2 = 9

|Title = Cheating Life

|DirectedBy = Carl Seaton

|WrittenBy = Jordan Rosenberg & Mira Z. Barnum

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|2|5}}

|Viewers = 3.30{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-nbc-and-usa-share-prime-time-victory/|title=Monday Ratings: NBC and USA Share Prime Time Victory|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=February 6, 2024|access-date=February 7, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.26/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|EpisodeNumber2 = 10

|Title = Bombshell

|DirectedBy = Jesse Warn

|WrittenBy = Mark Goffman & Robert Hewitt Wolfe

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|2|12}}

|Viewers = 2.60{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-cbs-leads-all-in-total-viewers-with-season-premieres-of-its-regular-lineup/|title=Monday Ratings: CBS Leads All in Total Viewers with Season Premieres of its Regular Lineup|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=February 13, 2024|access-date=February 13, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.19/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 11

|EpisodeNumber2 = 11

|Title = Reciprocity

|DirectedBy = Ernest Dickerson

|WrittenBy = Arika Lisanne Mittman

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|2|19}}

|Viewers = 2.42{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/monday-ratings-ncis-on-cbs-pays-tribute-to-ducky-a-k-a-the-late-david-mccallum/|title=Monday Ratings: NCIS on CBS Pays Tribute to 'Ducky' a.k.a. the Late David McCallum|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=February 20, 2024|access-date=February 21, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.18/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 1E2247

}}

}}

=Season 2 (2024–25)=

{{Episode table |background=#B30300 |overall= |season= |title= |titleR= |director= |writer= |writerR={{Cite web|url=https://directories.wga.org/project/1243274/the-irrational|title=The Irrational|website=Writers Guild of America West|access-date=November 13, 2024}} |airdate= |airdateR={{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/irrational/listings/|title=Shows A-Z - The Irrational on NBC|website=The Futon Critic|access-date=March 10, 2025}} |country=U.S. |viewers= |aux4= |aux4T=Rating/share
(18-49) |aux4R= |episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 12

|EpisodeNumber2 = 1

|Title = Collateral Damage

|DirectedBy = John Terlesky

|WrittenBy = Arika Lisanne Mittman

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|10|8}}

|Viewers = 3.09{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-the-irrational-returns-okay-for-nbc-airing-out-of-the-voice-the-most-watched-telecast-in-prime-time/|title=Tuesday Ratings: The Irrational Returns Okay for NBC, Airing Out of The Voice the Most-Watched Telecast in Prime Time|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|website=Programming Insider|date=October 9, 2024|access-date=October 9, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.31/4

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 13

|EpisodeNumber2 = 2

|Title = A Kick in the Teeth

|DirectedBy = Ernest Dickerson

|WrittenBy = Lydia Teffera

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|10|15}}

|Viewers = 2.63{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-new-york-yankees-propel-tbs-to-top-fbi-fueled-cbs-in-total-viewers-and-win-prime-time-overall/|title=Tuesday Ratings: New York Yankees Propel TBS to Top FBI-Fueled CBS in Total Viewers and Win Prime Time Overall|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=October 16, 2024|access-date=October 16, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.26/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 14

|EpisodeNumber2 = 3

|Title = Bad Blood

|DirectedBy = Jeff W. Byrd

|WrittenBy = Mark Goffman & Robert Hewitt Wolfe & Jojo S. Wright

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|10|22}}

|Viewers = 2.41{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-tnt-leads-prime-time-demos-with-nba-season-tip-off-doubleheader/|title=Tuesday Ratings: TNT Leads Prime Time Demos with NBA Season Tip-Off Doubleheader|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=October 23, 2024|access-date=October 23, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.19/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 15

|EpisodeNumber2 = 4

|Title = Formal Ties

|DirectedBy = Jesse Warn

|WrittenBy = Katie Wech

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|10|29}}

|Viewers = 2.29{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-mlb-world-series-ascends-in-game-4-for-fox/|title=Tuesday Ratings: MLB World Series Ascends in Game 4 for Fox|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|website=Programming Insider|date=October 30, 2024|access-date=October 30, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.19/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 16

|EpisodeNumber2 = 5

|Title = Anatomy of a Fall

|DirectedBy = Darnell Martin

|WrittenBy = Mira Z. Barnum

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|11|12}}

|Viewers = 2.19{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-nbc-comedy-st-denis-medical-delivers-solid-demos-in-debut/|title=Tuesday Ratings: NBC Comedy St. Denis Medical Delivers Solid Demos in Debut|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=November 13, 2024|access-date=November 13, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.17/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 17

|EpisodeNumber2 = 6

|Title = The Wrong Side of Maybe

|DirectedBy = Holly Dale

|WrittenBy = Jordan Rosenberg

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|11|26}}

|Viewers = 2.41{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-dancing-with-the-stars-on-abc-hits-four-year-highs-with-its-33rd-season-finale/|title=Tuesday Ratings: Dancing with the Stars on ABC Hits Four-Year High with its 33rd Season Finale|last=Pucci|first=Dougles|website=Programming Insider|date=November 27, 2024|access-date=November 27, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.19/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 18

|EpisodeNumber2 = 7

|Title = Stan by Me

|DirectedBy = Sarah Wayne Callies

|WrittenBy = Kirk Moore

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|12|3}}

|Viewers = 2.39{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-cma-country-christmas-on-abc-relatively-steady-in-demos-year-to-year/|title=Tuesday Ratings: CMA Country Christmas on ABC Relatively Steady in Demos Year-to-Year|last=Pucci|first=Dougles|website=Programming Insider|date=December 5, 2024|access-date=December 5, 2024}}

|Aux4 = 0.17/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 19

|EpisodeNumber2 = 8

|Title = Lost Souls

|DirectedBy = John F. Showalter

|WrittenBy = Robert Hewitt Wolfe

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|7}}

|Viewers = 2.16{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-will-trent-and-high-potential-on-abc-both-hit-series-highs-wwe-nxt-rises-to-its-5-year-high/|title=Tuesday Ratings: Will Trent and High Potential on ABC Both Hit Series-Highs, WWE NXT Rises to its 5-Year High|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=January 8, 2025|access-date=January 8, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.18/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 20

|EpisodeNumber2 = 9

|Title = Another Man's Treasure

|DirectedBy = Doug Aarniokoski

|WrittenBy = Tommar Wilson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|14}}

|Viewers = 2.09{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-high-potential-on-abc-and-doc-on-fox-each-grow-in-total-viewers-from-week-ago-telecasts/|title=Tuesday Ratings: High Potential on ABC and Doc on Fox Each Grow in Total Viewers from Week-Ago Telecasts|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=January 15, 2025|access-date=January 15, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.16/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 21

|EpisodeNumber2 = 10

|Title = Now You Don't

|DirectedBy = Jesse Warn

|WrittenBy = Aadrita Mukerji

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|21}}

|Viewers = 1.90{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-led-by-high-potential-abc-tops-prime-time/|title=Tuesday Ratings: Led by High Potential, ABC Tops Prime Time|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=January 23, 2025|access-date=January 23, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.10/1

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 22

|EpisodeNumber2 = 11

|Title = Ghost Ship

|DirectedBy = Jesse Warn

|WrittenBy = Kirk Moore & Lydia Teffera

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|28}}

|Viewers = 1.64{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-cbs-retakes-prime-time-crown-with-winter-premieres-of-fbi-dramas/|title=Tuesday Ratings: CBS Retakes Prime Time Crown with Winter Premieres of FBI Dramas|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=January 29, 2025|access-date=January 29, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.12/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 23

|EpisodeNumber2 = 12

|Title = Straight from the Heart

|DirectedBy = Rebecca Moline

|WrittenBy = Jojo S. Wright

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|4}}

|Viewers = 1.67{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-cbs-and-tnt-share-leadership-on-the-night/|title=Tuesday Ratings: CBS and TNT Share Leadership on the Night|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=February 5, 2025|access-date=February 5, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.15/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 24

|EpisodeNumber2 = 13

|Title = Murder She Rode

|DirectedBy = Jon Huertas

|WrittenBy = Lydia Teffera & Katie Wech

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|11}}

|Viewers = 1.81{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-high-potential-season-finale-wins-its-hour-lifts-abc-to-top-broadcast-networks-in-18-49-and-25-54/|title=Tuesday Ratings: High Potential Season Finale Wins its Hour, Lifts ABC to Top Broadcast Networks in 18-49 and 25-54|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=February 13, 2025|access-date=February 13, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.14/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 25

|EpisodeNumber2 = 14

|Title = The Milgram Experiment

|DirectedBy = Jesse Warn

|WrittenBy = Kirk Moore & Mira Z. Barnum

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|18}}

|Viewers = 1.78{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-cbs-wins-again-with-fbi-lineup/|title=Tuesday Ratings: CBS Wins Again with FBI Lineup|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=February 20, 2025|access-date=February 20, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.15/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 26

|EpisodeNumber2 = 15

|Title = Conversation Games

|DirectedBy = Cherie Nowlan

|WrittenBy = Robert Hewitt Wolfe & Jordan Rosenberg

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|25}}

|Viewers = 1.65{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-fbi-trio-makes-cbs-the-leader-in-total-viewers-18-49-and-25-54/|title=Tuesday Ratings: FBI Trio Makes CBS the Leader in Total Viewers, 18-49 and 25-54|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=February 26, 2025|access-date=February 26, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.16/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 27

|EpisodeNumber2 = 16

|Title = The Overview Effect

|DirectedBy = Anna Mastro

|WrittenBy = Mark Goffman

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|11}}

|Viewers = 1.60{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-cbs-leads-in-viewers-and-all-female-demos-with-the-fbi-shows/|title=Tuesday Ratings: CBS Leads in Viewers and All Female Demos with the FBI Shows|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=March 12, 2025|access-date=March 12, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.12/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 28

|EpisodeNumber2 = 17

|Title = Suddenly Alec

|DirectedBy = Ernest Dickerson

|WrittenBy = Aadrita Mukerji & Tommar Wilson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|18}}

|Viewers = 1.67{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-doc-on-fox-hits-regular-timeslot-high-among-adults-18-49-with-season-finale/|title=Tuesday Ratings: Doc on Fox Hits Regular Timeslot High Among Adults 18-49 with Season Finale|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=March 19, 2025|access-date=March 19, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.13/2

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 29

|EpisodeNumber2 = 18

|Title = The Exchange

|DirectedBy = Dawn Wilkinson

|WrittenBy = Arika Lisanne Mittman

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|25}}

|Viewers = 2.26{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/tuesday-ratings-deal-or-no-deal-island-on-nbc-hits-11-week-viewer-high-with-season-finale/|title=Tuesday Ratings: ‘Deal or No Deal Island’ on NBC Hits 11-Week Viewer High with Season Finale|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=March 26, 2025|access-date=March 26, 2025}}

|Aux4 = 0.17/3

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = B30300

}}

}}

Production

=Development=

In November 2021, NBC announced it had given a put pilot commitment to The Irrational, and Arika Mittman stepped in as the show's writer and executive producer. So did Mark Goffman, Samuel Baum, David Frankel, and Dan Ariely.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=NBC Nabs 'The Irrational' Drama From Arika Lisanne Mittman Inspired By Dan Ariely's Book As Put Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/the-irrational-nbc-drama-arika-lisanne-mittman-dan-ariely-mark-goffman-put-pilot-1234882366/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=November 30, 2021 |access-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405200655/https://deadline.com/2021/11/the-irrational-nbc-drama-arika-lisanne-mittman-dan-ariely-mark-goffman-put-pilot-1234882366/ |url-status=live }} In February 2022, The Irrational received a pilot order. In April 2022, it was announced Jesse L. Martin had been cast as the show's lead character, Alec Mercer, and would also serve as a producer for the pilot. It was also announced that the series would be written by Arika Mittman, with Dan Ariely serving as consultant.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Jesse L. Martin Departs 'The Flash' As Series Regular After 8 Seasons, Will Headline NBC Pilot 'The Irrational' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/jesse-l-martin-exits-the-flash-series-regular-8-seasons-star-the-irrational-nbc-pilot-1235001375/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 13, 2022 |access-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414004526/https://deadline.com/2022/04/jesse-l-martin-exits-the-flash-series-regular-8-seasons-star-the-irrational-nbc-pilot-1235001375/ |url-status=live }} In September 2022, NBC commissioned a mini-room to produce a couple of backup scripts to go with the well-received pilot.{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=Dean Georgaris' 'Blank Slate' & Arika Mittman's 'The Irrational' Land Pilot Orders At NBC |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/dean-georgaris-blank-slate-arika-mittmans-the-irrational-pilot-orders-nbc-1234927110/ |website=Deadline |access-date=September 15, 2023 |date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924204618/https://deadline.com/2022/02/dean-georgaris-blank-slate-arika-mittmans-the-irrational-pilot-orders-nbc-1234927110/ |url-status=live }} In October 2022, NBC extended its options on the cast, which were due to expire in October, to that December.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=NBC Pilot 'The Irrational' Extends Options On Cast Led By Jesse L. Martin |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/the-irrational-nbc-pilot-cast-options-extended-jesse-l-martin-1235155933/ |website=Deadline |access-date=September 15, 2023 |date=October 27, 2022 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003021900/https://deadline.com/2022/10/the-irrational-nbc-pilot-cast-options-extended-jesse-l-martin-1235155933/ |url-status=live }} In December 2022, NBC picked up The Irrational pilot and gave it a series order. It was revealed at this time that David Frankel was the director and would also be serving as an executive producer along with Mittman, Mark Goffman and Samuel Baum.{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title='The Irrational' Drama Starring Jesse L. Martin Lands NBC Series Order |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/the-irrational-drama-jesse-l-martin-nbc-series-order-1235207247/ |website=Deadline |access-date=September 15, 2023 |date=December 27, 2022 |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830001012/https://deadline.com/2022/12/the-irrational-drama-jesse-l-martin-nbc-series-order-1235207247/ |url-status=live }} On November 17, 2023, NBC ordered an extra episode for the series, bringing the first-season order to a total of 11 episodes.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/the-irrational-extra-episode-lopez-vs-lopez-order-cut-nbc-1235617738/|title=NBC's 'The Irrational' Gets Extra Episode, 'Lopez vs. Lopez' Order Is Trimmed As Network Finalizes Midseason Schedule|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 17, 2023}} On November 29, 2023, NBC renewed the series for a second season.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/found-the-irrational-renewed-season-2-nbc-1235643621/|title='Found' & 'The Irrational' Renewed For Season 2 At NBC|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Peter|last=White|date=November 29, 2023|access-date=November 29, 2023}}

=Casting=

In May 2022, it was announced that Maahra Hill would join the cast in a lead role opposite Martin.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='Delilah's Maahra Hill To Star In NBC Pilot 'The Irrational' As OWN Series Has Ended |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/delilahs-maahra-hill-to-star-in-nbc-pilot-the-irrational-as-own-series-has-ended-1235028679/ |website=Deadline |access-date=September 15, 2023 |date=May 19, 2022 |archive-date=April 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423212325/https://deadline.com/2022/05/delilahs-maahra-hill-to-star-in-nbc-pilot-the-irrational-as-own-series-has-ended-1235028679/ |url-status=live }} In June 2022, Travina Springer, Molly Kunz, and Arash DeMaxi were added to the cast. In June 2023, Brian King joined the cast in a recurring role.{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title='The Irrational': Brian King Joins NBC Drama Series As Recurring |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/the-irrational-brian-king-nbc-drama-series-recurring-1235411417/ |website=Deadline |date=June 7, 2023 |access-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003021859/https://deadline.com/2023/06/the-irrational-brian-king-nbc-drama-series-recurring-1235411417/ |url-status=live }}

Season 2 featured the same actors, along with Ariely himself, who joined the cast as a psychiatric patient.

=Filming=

Filming of the pilot took place from late May to early June 2022 in Vancouver, Canada, standing in for Washington, D.C. and the adjoining Virginia area.{{cite web |title=Where Does The Irrational Starring Jesse L. Martin Take Place, and Where Did it Film? |first=Stephanie |last=Gomulka |date=2023-10-03 |work=NBC Insider |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/undefined |access-date=2023-10-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008054447/https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/undefined |archive-date=2023-10-08}} After seven episodes were filmed, production stopped due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.{{cite web |title=The Irrational's Next Episode Won't Air for a While — Here's Why |first=Kimberly |last=Roots |date=2023-11-13 |url=https://tvline.com/news/the-irrational-season-1-episode-8-return-date-schedule-nbc-1235079169/}} Filming for the second season began on March 11, 2024 and concluded on November 2, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.dgc.ca/en/british-columbia/productions|title=DGC BC Production List|website=Directors Guild of Canada|date=October 25, 2024|access-date=October 28, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241028004103/https://www.dgc.ca/en/british-columbia/productions|archive-date=October 28, 2024}}

Release

The Irrational premiered on September 25, 2023, on NBC. It is available to stream on Peacock.{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title='The Irrational' Trailer: 'Law & Order' Alum Jesse L. Martin Is Back To Crime-Solving In NBC Procedural |url=https://deadline.com/video/the-irrational-trailer-law-and-order-jesse-l-martin-nbc-procedural/ |website=Deadline |access-date=September 15, 2023 |date=August 28, 2023 |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902065511/https://deadline.com/video/the-irrational-trailer-law-and-order-jesse-l-martin-nbc-procedural/ |url-status=live }} The pilot episode of The Irrational then premiered on September 27, 2023, on USA Network.{{cite web|title=The Irrational on USA Network|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928165735/https://usanetwork.com/the-irrational|work=USA Network|access-date=October 9, 2023|archive-date=September 28, 2023|archive-url=https://usanetwork.com/the-irrational|url-status=live}} The second season premiered on October 8, 2024 on NBC.{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/news/fall-tv-premieres-delayed-vice-presidential-debate-1235319796/|title=The Irrational Among Fall TV Premieres Delayed by Vice Presidential Debate|work=TVLine|first1=Ryan|last1=Schwartz|first2=Matt Webb|last2=Mitovich|date=August 20, 2024|access-date=August 20, 2024}}

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 47% with an average rating of 5.1/10, based on 17 critic reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Irrational could've used a lot more originality to live up to its promise, although Martin's shrewd presence makes even the utterly conventional pretty watchable."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=the_irrational|title=The Irrational|type=tv|season=1|access-date=November 14, 2023|publisher_hide=y}}{{cbignore}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 55 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{Cite Metacritic|id=the-irrational|title=The Irrational|type=tv|season=1|access-date=September 26, 2023|publisher_hide=y}}{{cbignore}}

=Ratings=

{{Television season ratings

| link1 = #Season 1 (2023–24)

| episodes1 = 11

| timeslot1 = Monday 10:00{{nbsp}}p.m.

| start1 = {{Start date|2023|9|25}}

| startrating1 = 3.81

| end1 = {{End date|2024|2|19}}

| endrating1 = 2.42

| season1 = 2023–24

| rank1 =

| viewers1 =

| 18_49_rank1 =

| 18_49_rating1 =

| link2 = #Season 2 (2024–25)

| episodes2 = 18

| timeslot2 = Tuesday 10:00{{nbsp}}p.m.

| start2 = {{Start date|2024|10|8}}

| startrating2 = 3.09

| end2 = {{End date|2025|3|25}}

| endrating2 = 2.26

| season2 = 2024–25

| rank2 =

| viewers2 =

}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website}}
  • {{IMDb title}}

{{NBCNetwork Shows (current and upcoming)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Irrational}}

Category:2020s American crime drama television series

Category:2020s American police procedural television series

Category:2023 American television series debuts

Category:American English-language television shows

Category:NBC crime dramas

Category:Psychological television series

Category:Television series by Universal Television

Category:Television shows based on non-fiction books