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September 25 - October 1, 2023 Page 3 By Sarah Passingham Some investigators just have the knack when it comes to seeing the missing piece in confounding investigations. In "The Irrational," a brand-new crime procedural premiering Monday, Sept. 25, on NBC, Prof. Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Mar- tin, "The Flash") is pulled from the world of academia to lend his highly sought-after expertise to virtually unsolvable cases. "The Irrational" is based on the popular book "Predictably Irrational" by author Dan Ariely, about the theories behind decision-making and rational thought. The series drops Mercer into ac- tive investigations in dire need of a fresh perspective. With law enforcement and investigators at a loss for tying suspects and motives to shocking crimes, the pro- fessor joins the team to lead them down his unique path of discovery. In its series description, NBC notes that Mercer's "insight and unconventional approach to understanding human behav- ior lead him and the team on a series of in- tense, unexpected journeys to solve illogical puzzles and perplexing mysteries." In the official trailer for the series, Mercer is seen very much at home at the front of a lecture hall, teaching one of his psychology intro courses before he meets a little bit of resistance when he encoun- ters law enforcement. An investigator asks him if he's the "science guy," leading Mer- cer to quip, "That's Bill Nye. I'm actually the behavioral sciences guy." His sense of humor shows itself again when his theo- retical approaches are gently questioned before he remarks, "Gravity was just a theory at one point." What are the methods behind Mercer's breakthrough analysis of these high-profile, dead-end cases? Well, the trailer gives a glimpse into the theories he uses to shed light on where investigative trails have gone cold. Mercer shoots off a few choice $10 phrases like "predictable irrationality," "paradoxical persuasion," "attentional blindness" and "bereavement sex" as some of the things knocking around his head as he takes a new look at tough cases. While Mercer is increasingly pulled away from his academic work as he suc- cessfully aids federal investigations, he does make sure to keep two of his best and brightest graduate students in the loop. Molly Kunz ("Chicago Fire") stars as Phoebe, a protégé of Mercer's who enthusiastically follows in her professor's footsteps, both literally and figuratively. Arash DeMaxi ("Partner Track") is Owen, another one of Mercer's students who gets pulled into his new side gig. The new series also stars Maahra Hill ("Delilah") as FBI agent Marisa, Mercer's main contact and partner in these investi- gations. Travina Springer ("Ms. Marvel") is Kylie, Mercer's sister and current room- mate. While the pair are close siblings, Kylie is more of a free spirit than Mercer, who uses his own creativity to shake up bureaucracies. Soma Chhaya ("The Bread- winner," 2017) stars as Jasmine and Ella Cannon ("iZombie") is Lila. "The Irrational" debuts following the singing competition series "The Voice" on NBC and joins the new series "Found," the network's second new original series premiering this fall. Another procedural, "Found" follows a crisis management team that focuses on finding missing people. With most networks relying on non-script- ed series amid the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, NBC's new scripted dramas will be some of the fall's lone non-competition or reality offerings. Across 1. mark Harmon cbS series 5. Grp. that the Jennings worked for in "The Americans" 8. Steven Yeun/Ali Wong dark comedy 12. Italy's shape 13. "That's it!" 14. Spoken aloud 15. Elsa's sister in "Frozen" 16. poppycock 17. "We Own This ___" 18. Reality show family with Kim, Khloe, Kris, etc. 21. Ill-___ gains 22. mr. T's 80s action ensemble 25. ballroom dance 30. conductor Sir Georg ___ 31. "Stop!" in pirate parlance 32. Actress ___ Hunt 33. December runway routine 34. chemical cousin 38. charlie brooker's sci-fi anthology series 43. "better call ___" 44. Suffix with president 45. "___-daisy!" 47. Too 48. Italian monk's title 49. Left-handed, in chemistry 50. Davidson of "SNL" 51. m usic-lovers' game show on cbS: "Super___" 52. Locker room shower? Down 1. Nuggets org.? 2. bop on the bean 3. Isle near Scotland 4. 1994 sci-fi film with a 1997 spin-off TV series 5. Goldsmith's units 6. poltergeist 7. Soaked in a tub 8. Florida resort north of the Keys 9. "___ go bragh" 10. Has some lunch 11. bug out 19. Actor West of "The crown" 20. Attacking force 22. Refuse 23. baby's "piggie" 24. Letter after kay 26. Veto 27. moo goo ___ pan 28. The Trojans of the N.c.A.A. 29. Summer abroad 35. Small boat 36. "The man in the High castle" actor Jason 37. Where to see "The Last Supper" 38. bundle of hay 39. A deadly sin 40. ___ vera 41. Unlocks, poetically 42. Invitation request 43. maple product 46. Thither CoverStory New clues: 'The Irrational' takes an unexpected approach to investigating crime Solution is on page 2. Jesse L. Martin, Molly Kunz and Arash DeMaxi in "The Irrational" Advertise Here! (574) 533-2151

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