Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Martin as Alec Mercer walking outside in a black suit with a tan trench coat and black beanie Preview — The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1: Pilot

Preview — The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1: Pilot

Previews, The Irrational

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

NBC’s new drama, The Irrational, will introduce viewers to professor of Behavioral Science and part-time law enforcement consultant Alec Mercer on its premiere episode, The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot.”

The series, which stars Jesse L. Martin (The Flash and Law & Order), is based on Dan Ariely’s 2008 book Perfectly Irrational. It follows the charismatic Alec Mercer, a world-renowned behavioral scientist who uses his unique insight into human behavior to solve confounding and illogical mysteries involving governments, law enforcement, and corporations.

Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Martin as Alec Mercer standing in front of a large lecture class teaching a class with a slide on large screens that say Introduction to Applied Psychology
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

On the premiere, Alec is asked to look into a case involving a murdered influencer and ex-boyfriend, who is a decorated soldier suspected of the murder. Alec believes that the ex is innocent. There’s only one problem. The soldier has confessed to the murder. 

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Of course, along with the first case of the week, like any good pilot, the episode will tease Alec’s backstory and introduce us to the supporting characters that make up Alec’s team, family, and friends.

In addition to Martin, the cast also includes Maahra Hill as “Marisa,” Travina Springer as “Kylie,” Molly Kunz as “Phoebe,” and Arash DeMaxi as “Rizwan.”

Check out the photos and promo video below for a preview!

Episode description: Professor of Behavioral Science Alec Mercer is called upon to investigate the murder of a fashion influencer whose boyfriend, a decorated soldier and son of a senator, has confessed to the crime. Mercer suspects there’s more to the story than meets the eye.

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Written by: Arika Lisanne Mittman
Directed by:  David Frankel

Photos from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1:
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jessie L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Travina Springer as Kylie looking at something off screen
THE IRRATIONAL — “Dead Woman Walking” Episode 102 — Pictured: (l-r) Jessie L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Travina Springer as Kylie — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from the Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer leaning against the back of a police car
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from the Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer leaning against the back of a police car
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa at a night time outdoor crime scene wiith the pair standing behind a car and Martin holding a phone and notebook
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin and Maahra Hill standing together at an outdoor night time crime scene
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of esse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa. Martin and Hill are walking in a outdoor night time crime scene behind some nameless FBI agents in the foreground
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa. Close shot of Martin holding a phone and standing behind a car with Hill blurred in the backgroud
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa standing behind a car at a night time crime scene
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 - Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa alking together at an outdoor night time crime scene
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode “Pilot” — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa standing together at a crime scene
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer and Maahra Hill as Marisa talking to a woman at a crime scene
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Maahra Hill as Marisa — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer. Sitting at a white counter looking at his phone
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer. Medium shot of Martin in a tan trench coat holding a notebook and pen
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer. Photo is a medium shot of Martin at a low angle
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode “Pilot” — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Molly Kunz as Phoebe, Arash DeMaxi as Rizwan from left to right of the three walking together
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Molly Kunz as Phoebe, Arash DeMaxi as Rizwan — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Molly Kunz as Phoebe, Arash DeMaxi as Owen. Shot of Trio standing together looking at something off screen
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode “Pilot” — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Molly Kunz as Phoebe, Arash DeMaxi as Owen — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer sitting in a red car
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: — Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Still from The Irrational Season 1 Episode 1 of Martin as Alec Mercer walking outside in a black suit with a tan trench coat and black beanie
THE IRRATIONAL — Episode 101 Pilot — Pictured: Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Promo video:

YouTube video

What are your hopes for this episode of The Irrational? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

The Irrational airs Mondays at 10/9c on NBC.

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Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.