‘The Irrational’: Everything You Need To Know Before the Season 2 Premiere
Professor Alec Mercer is back… and he’s got his girlfriend to save.
Collateral damage. That’s what you can expect in the first episode of season two of NBC’s behavioral science procedural drama, “The Irrational,” returning on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC – with episodes available the next day on Peacock. Jesse L. Martin reprises his role as Professor Alec Mercer, a world-renowned psychology expert and professor who uses his understanding of human behavior and body language to solve complex criminal cases. After the explosive Season 1 finale, where Alec’s girlfriend Rose was kidnapped, Season 2 promises to bring more high-stakes drama, blending Mercer’s knack for reading people with his quest for justice. Before you tune in, let’s get you caught up on everything you need about “The Irrational” (based on Dan Ariely’s book “Predictably Irrational,”) on NBC.
Everything You Need to Know About ‘The Irrational’ Season 2:
What Happened at the End of ‘The Irrational’ Season 1?
At the end of Season 1 of “The Irrational,” Alec Mercer finally uncovers the truth behind the church bombing. Bob Caswith, Alec’s former FBI mentor, arranged the bombing on behalf of Senator Kevin Sanford to cover up the accidental death of Natalie Price – one of his campaign aides. Sanford gave her opioids – not knowing she was allergic - and the bombing was staged to prevent a scandal that would have destroyed his political career. Alec sets Sanford up by using a hidden microphone to record his confession, leading to the implosion of Sanford’s presidential campaign.
Obviously, a show like this can’t end on a high note in a season finale. And so, in the final moments of the episode, Alec’s girlfriend, Rose, is kidnapped by assailants unknown in a black van. Now, Alec has to save his girlfriend, giving us a solid push (or more like a hard shove) into Season 2.
Meanwhile, Phoebe, one of Alec’s research assistants, quits the team citing too much stress from working on high-stakes cases, adding a big question mark to the team’s future.
If this short synopsis isn’t enough to get you ready for Season 2, you can stream the first season of “The Irrational” on Peacock now.
The Irrational
Alec Mercer is a world-renowned professor of behavioral psychology with a unique insight into human nature who lends his expertise to an array of high-stakes cases involving governments, corporations and law enforcement. However, he meets his match in a female domestic terror suspect who turns his world upside down.
What Is Season 2 of ‘The Irrational’ About?
Season 2 of “The Irrational” follows Alec Mercer - a key consultant for law enforcement - as he uses his skill in behavioral science to help solve crimes. Alec and his team are sure to face new mysteries that require a combination of behavioral insight and unconventional problem-solving. But this time, the fate of his girlfriend, Rose, is at stake. She’s been kidnapped, and getting her back (and holding those who took her accountable) will likely be the driving force behind Season 2.
In the meantime, Alec’s tech-savvy sister, Kylie, will likely get more professional interactions with her brother as she helps out the FBI as an independent contractor. Season 2 could see her conflicts with law enforcement deepen, which was set up in Season 1.
Finally, Alec’s ex-wife, Marisa, is dealing with the murder of her boyfriend, Jace, at the hand of Bob Caswith. There are bound to be a bunch of emotional strands that need tying after the events of the Season 1 finale.
Who’s Who on ‘The Irrational’?
Main Characters
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Alec Mercer: Played by Jesse L. Martin. Alec is a world-renowned behavioral science professor whose deep understanding of human psychology allows him to solve complex cases. Known for his unconventional methods, Alec works with law enforcement and government agencies to unravel irrational human behavior.
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Marisa Clark: Played by Maahra Hill. Marisa is Alec’s ex-wife and a skilled FBI agent. She frequently teams up with Alec to solve cases. Despite their divorce, Marisa remains a close friend to Alec.
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Kylie Mercer: Played by Travina Springer. Kylie is Alec’s younger sister and emotional anchor. She lives with Alec and helps him deal with both personal and professional dilemmas.
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Phoebe: Played by Molly Kunz, Phoebe is one of Alec’s dedicated research assistants. Eager to follow in his footsteps, she helps however she can to uncover the psychological complexities behind each case.
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Rizwan: Played by Arash DeMaxi, Rizwan is Alec’s other research assistant, a psychology student who looks up to Alec. He contrasts Phoebe’s investigative skills with a more analytical approach.
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Rose Dinshaw: Played by Karen David, Rose is Alec Mercer’s girlfriend. She was kidnapped in the Season 1 finale, setting up a major storyline for Season 2 as Alec must find her. Rose’s abduction is one of the most important plotlines heading into the new season.
New Characters
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Alec and Kylie’s Father: Played by Ron Canada, adding a father to the mix should give more insight into the family dynamics of a family only too good at reading each other. The father’s introduction is expected to shed more light on Alec’s and Kylie’s backstories.
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Characters Unknown - With Season 2 headed for ship hijacking, celebrity crime, and kidnapping, there’s bound to be more characters to up the stakes and keep Alec Mercer on his toes.
When Will ‘The Irrational’ Season 2 Episodes Be Released?
The Season 2 premiere for “The Irrational” is set for Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC – with episodes available the next day on Peacock. It’s likely to reoccur each Tuesday in that same time slot.
| Episode # | Air Date | Episode Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuesday, Oct. 8 | “Collateral Damage” |
| 2 | Tuesday, Oct. 15* | “Ghost Ship” |
*Not confirmed
How to Catch Up on ‘The Irrational’
If you’re looking to catch up on The Irrational before Season 2, Peacock has you covered. Every episode from Season 1 is available to stream on-demand. Peacock also offers the latest episodes from Season 2 the day after they air on NBC, making it the perfect option for binge-watching and staying up-to-date.
There are two pricing options with Peacock: Peacock Premium which starts at $7.99 a month with ads and $13.99 a month without ads. If you are an Xfinity X1 or Xfinity Flex customer — you will get a $5 discount on either plan — meaning you can get Peacock Premium at no extra charge.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” and “The Office,” as well as original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports including NFL, MLB, WWE, Olympics, Premier League, NASCAR, French Open, College Football and Basketball, and PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.