The Irrational "Pilot"

 

The new fall TV season started this past week, and one of the new shows to hit the fall season is NBC's The Irrational. And It's a series to check out. Here are my thoughts.

We meet Alec Mercer (played by Jessie L. Martin (Law & Order and The Flash), as a world-renowned professor of behavioral psychology with a unique insight into human nature. While getting pulled into a case that involves the murder of a viral celebrity, everything from the evidence points to the suspect, the ex-boyfriend, who also believes that he did it. But Mercer believes that the ex-boyfriend isn't the murderer and proves his point that ends him in the hospital. 

While investigating the case, we learn about our lead character's backstory of the scar burns that he suffered years ago from a bombing, not to mention that the suspect was up for parole but before he could ever clear his innocence, a mysterious person who's at the door gets a look at the suspect who happens to change his mind of not asking for early parole.

It's not a bad first episode, but it's okay. I think the police procedural style of the story is a bit stale. However, I do believe it still has the potential. But I hope writers can balance out the crime-solving with behavioral psychology science.  What comes to my mind as an example is the series Profiler, which added crime procedural with thrillers and science. Martin is perfect for what he's given, and I hope they can develop the character more. If you love Martin solving crime, you'll enjoy this series. 

Overall, I give this episode a 7.5/10.

Have you seen The Irrational? What did you think of the pilot? Leave a comment below!

You can catch The Irrational Mondays at 10/9c on NBC and Peacock.

This Is Us: Quick Recap and Final Thoughts Before Series Finale

We're just hours away from the end of an era when the series finale of This Is Us airs. While I haven't been writing a recap/review of the episodes this season, I thought this would be the perfect time to write a quick recap and final thoughts. Here we go!

NBC 2022 Fall Schedule: La Brea Takes This Is Us Time slot, The Blacklist Moved to Midseason

 

On Monday, NBC released their 2022 fall schedule as May Upfronts begin this week. The 2021-2022 top-rated freshman series, La Brea, will take over the Tuesdays at 9pm timeslot (which has been the home of This Is Us for the past six years).

The most significant buzz for any new NBC series, the Quantum Leap reboot starring Raymond Lee, has landed the network's most prominent real estate, Mondays at 10/9c leading out of The Voice. While the Night Court revival, which stars John Larroquette and Big Bang Theory alum Melissa Rauch, and has been ordered to series back in September, won't make its debut until midseason.

Meanwhile, Young Rock will be moving to Fridays for its third season, starting in Movember, where it will be paired with the new George Lopez sitcom, Lopez vs. Lopez. This will make The Blacklist's 10th season premiere held back to midseason.

Here's a look at the schedule:

MONDAY:

8/7c The Voice

10/9c Quantum Leap

TUESDAY

8/7c The Voice

9/8c La Brea

10/9c New Amsterdam (final season)

WEDNESDAY

8/7c Chicago Med

9/8c Chicago Fire 

10/9c Chicago PD

THURSDAY

8/7c Law & Order

9/8c Law & Order SVU

10/9 Law & Order Organized Crime

FRIDAY

8/7c College Bowl

9/8c Dateline NBC

FRIDAY (In November)

8/7c Lopez Vs. Lopez

8:30/7:30c Young Rock

9/8c Dateline NBC

SATURDAY

8/7c Drama encores

9/8c Dateline Weekend Mystery

10/9c SNL Vintage

11:30/10:30c Saturday Night Live

SUNDAY

7/6c Football Night In America

8/7c Sunday Night Football

MIDSEASON:

The Blacklist, American Auto, Grand Crew, Night Court (NEW). The Wheel (NEW), Million Dollar Island (NEW), That's My Jame, The Wall, and Dick Wolf's LA Fire and Rescue (NEW Reality Series about the LAFD).

TBD on the fate of the pilots for Blank Slate, Found, Irrational, Unbroken, and the untitled drama from Mike Daniels.

CANCELLED:

The Endgame, Kenan, Mr. Mayor, Ordinary Joe

While NBC has made some changes, mainly bringing back comedy in late fall. But I do wish that network could have renewed Mr. Mayor.

 We'll see how La Brea can be when moving to Tuesdays and wonder if it will keep close to what the ratings would be in the first season. 

And what the heck happened with some of the competition shows like AGT Extreme or Family Game Night? Was it renewed or put on hold until something goes wrong with the new series? 

Overall, this first look fall schedule looks good. I look forward to seeing what the reboot of Quantum Leap will bring. 

What did you think of the NBC fall schedule? Leave a comment below!

NBC Midseason Schedule: This Is Us Farewell Run, Blacklist Moves For L&O Revival

 

On Friday, NBC has announced their midseason schedule game plan, which includes the premiere dates for the final season of This Is Us and Law & Order revival. Renee Zellweger's The Thing About Pam, and the Morena Baccarin series The Endgame.

Also, for the pre and post-Olympics game plans, both Kenan and The Blacklist are on the move while American Song Contest will take place in The Voice's springtime run. While there's no date set for the revival of Night Court (starring Melissa Rauch and John Larroquette) on the schedule. 

Here's a look at the schedule:

MONDAY, Jan. 3

8/7c Kenan (Season 2 premiere, new timeslot)

8:30/7:30c Kenan (airing two episodes each week).

9/8c That's My Jam (regular time slot premiere)

10/9c Ordinary Joe

TUESDAY, JAN. 4

8/7c American Auto (regular time slot premiere with two episodes airing on December 13).

8:30/7:30c Grand Crew (regular time slot premiere with two episodes airing on December 14).

9/8c This Is Us (final season premiere)

10/9c New Amsterdam

WEDNESDAY, JAN 5

8/7c Chicago Med

9/8c Chicago Fire

10/9c Chicago PD

THURSDAY, JAN 6

8/7c The Blacklist

9/8c Law & Order: SVU

10/9c Law & Order: Organized Crimes

WEDNESDAY, FEB 23

8/7c Chicago Med

9/8c Chicago Fire

10/9c Chicago PD

THURSDAY, FEB 24

8/7c Law & Order (revival premiere)

9/8c Law & Order: SVU

10/9c Law & Order: Organized Crimes

FRIDAY, FEB. 25

8/7c The Blacklist (new time slot)

TUESDAY, MARCH 8

10/9c The Thing About Pam (Six-Episode limited series premiere)

TUESDAY, MARCH 15

8/7c Young Rock (Season 2 Premiere)

8:30/7:30 Mr. Mayor (Season 2 Premiere)

TUESDAY, APRIL 19

10/9c New Amsterdam 

What do you think of the schedule? Leave a comment below.

Departure Season 2

 Archie Panjabi is back in the second season of the Canadian mystery drama Departure. If you enjoyed the first season, you'll enjoy this new season.

One Chicago Preview: Chicago Med "To Lean In, or To Let Go"/Chicago Fire "Head Count"/Chicago PD "Rage"

 

Here's a preview of this week's new #OneChicago! 

Chicago Med

"To Lean In, or To Let God" 

Vanessa and Archer disagree on how to handle the victim of a motorcycle accident. Dylan and Charles deal with a UNICEF negotiator with repressed trauma. Stevie and Will treat a high schooler with Addison's disease and a clingy mother.

Photos:

Chicago Fire 

"Head Count"

A video of Casey from the roof rescue goes viral. Mouch sets up a Little Free Library at Firehouse 51. Herrmann breaks protocol.

Photos:

Chicago PD

"Rage"

When a P.D. informant has been murdered, the team digs in to track down the perpetrator only to learn a shocking truth. Voight and Ruzek strategize to help Burgess.

Photos:

Thoughts:

Med: I'm looking forward to this week's episode. With the promo for this week's episode, I really want to see what will happen after Scott argues with Archer about the E.R. not having enough beds. Also, I look forward to seeing how Scott and Charles will work together and Hammer working with Halstead, as we learned they have a bit of a history in medical school. 

And I think that we'll see more Maggie and Vanessa time after that moment in last week's episode. I hope we get to see where Halstead is with that doctor that Goodwin wants to spy on. 

Fire: I do look forward to this week's episode as well. I can't wait to see how Casey does with that viral video. Mouch brings a mini library to 51; they must be one of those "take a book, leave a book" programs. I wonder if that's how his and Brett's novel will come back? 

And it looks like with Herrmann in trouble, Ritter could be the one to help him out of this situation. I wonder if Boden will be moving to his new office this week's episode or maybe in the 200th episode. 

P.D.: I won't disagree that Burgess might have to work in emergency dispatch for a while. She needs to take it easy for a time, and with the aftermath of what she went through that, she's gonna need help dealing with the trauma, even if Burgess says she's okay. 

I wonder if Halstead and Upton will announce their engagement to the squad. That would be something. Also, does anyone believe that Burgess took Upton's answer about not finding Roy? Do you think that she doesn't believe her? 

What do you think of the upcoming episodes? Are you excited? Leave a comment below!

One Chicago airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC and streaming all episodes on PeacockTV.

The Fall Television Season is Finally Here

 

With the weather changing, football back, and daylight shortening up, that could only mean one thing: the fall television season is back! Yes, it's that time of the season when new and return shows give us what we love: to laugh, love, cry, and be thrilled. 

With the Primetime Emmy Awards airing last night, today is the most exciting week for me as Premiere Week is like Christmas, and the Super Bowl all wrapped up in one week. We've been waiting all summer for this week to come, and now it's finally here!

Returning shows like One Chicago or FBI series, The Conners, or not to mention Station 19 and Grey's Anatomy, gives us that our shows are back. With an exciting new season full of drama and excitement with our favorite characters and what will happen to them this new season. 

Plus, the season premieres of our returning shows are either having an epic crossover event (FBI series, Station 19-Grey's Anatomy) or picking up with the cliffhangers that we're left at the end of last season (Chicago Fire and Chicago PD).

And let us not leave out the new shows like NCIS: Hawaii, Ghost, and The Big Leap. American Rust and LA BREA, to name a few, are trying to become the next new hit. Some of these new shows look exciting to tune in and see where they would go. 

While last season didn't start every day, it feels good to return to normalcy, knowing that we get to see our favorite characters back and escape for a half-hour to an hour from the madness in our daily lives. Here's to having a great fall season and premiere week because as soon as fall hits, winter is just around the corner.

One Chicago: Chicago Med "You Can't Always Trust What You See"/Chicago Fire "Mayday"/"Chicago PD "Closure" Season Premiere Preview

 

We're just two weeks until the season premiere of One Chicago. Here's a preview of the season premieres.

Chicago Med 

"You Can't Always Trust What You See"

In the season seven premiere, Will Halstead returns to Med to help Goodwin with a secret investigation. Archer and Charles deal with twins who insist on being identical inside and out. Stevie and Dylan treat a young patient with sickle cell anemia.

Photos:

Chicago Fire

"May Day"

In the season ten premiere, Firehouse 51 deals with the aftermath of the capsized boat rescue. Gallo, Ritter, and Violet discuss plans for a side gig.

Photos:

Chicago PD

Closure

In the season nine premiere, when a P.D. informant is murdered, the team digs in to track down the perpetrator only to learn a shocking truth. Voight and Ruzek strategize to help Burgess.

Photo:

Promo:

Thoughts:

While we know that Med will pick up months or so after the finale, I'm still looking forward to seeing where Halstead will be after his butt was saved by Natalie. Hows the relationship between Charles and Archer will be like. But one of my favorite when it comes to medical dramas is the fresh faces coming into the show I can't wait to see Dylan and Stevie. 

As for Fire and PD, it is a Must-See Premiere night no doubt about it. Both finales left me with so many emotions both happy and intense. Will Squad make it out? How's Brett and Casey's relationship going after that AMAZING coming to arms or kiss in that finale? Also, I can just picture the humor with Gallo, Violet, and Ritter. 

Will Burgess make it out alive after the aftermath of the finale? How will Ruzek handle all of this? As I'm writing this I'm just getting goosebumps just thinking about it. I literally can't wait for the season premiere. 

What are your thoughts going into the season premiere of Med, Fire and PD? What are you expecting? How excited are you? Leave your comments below!

The season premiere of Chicago Med, Fire and PD begins Wednesday, September 22 beginning at 8/7c on NBC.

Chicago Med Up Steven Weber to series regular; Adds Two to Cast

Looks like Dr. Dean Archer will be staying at Chicago Med for a while.

Deadline is reporting that Chicago Med has added Weber to series regular as the series enters its seventh season this fall.

Also,  there will be two new doctors coming to Med as Guy Lockard and Kristen Hager have landed to series regular. The new cast additions come after the casting departures of Yaya DaCosta and Torrey DeVitto.

Lockard will portray Dr. Dylan Scott, who left a career as a Chicago police officer to become a doctor. Whether the doctor has any connections to characters in Chicago PD is as yet unknown.

Hager will play Dr. Stevie Hammer, a brilliant and scrappy emergency room attending physician. 

After what the season six finale brought, I didn't think that Archer would be back but never say never. Weber did do a great job this past season and I look forward to seeing what his character will do in season seven. Meanwhile, I always look forward to new casting additions and the additions of Lockard and Hager sound interesting. 

What do you think of the casting news? Excited? Leave a comment! 

Chicago Med returns on September 22 on NBC.

NBC's 2021 Fall Premiere Dates

 

On Thursday, NBC comes the fourth broadcasting TV network to announced their premiere dates for their fall schedule. 

Kicking off Monday, Sept. 20, Ariana Grande and James Wolk will kick things off with The Voice and Ordinary Joe. The mighty #OneChicago lineup returns on Wednesday, Sept. 22 while The Blacklist's ninth season, originally set for Fridays, will eventually lead off Thursday nights (due to Law Order spinoff not moving forward).

This Is Us' sixth and final season will premiere at midseason ,yet air it's 18 episodes almost uninterrupted), while The Voice will air one cycle this TV season.

Here are the premiere dates:

Monday, Sept. 20

8/7c The Voice

10/9c Ordinary Joe (series premiere)

Tuesday, Sept. 21

10/9c New Amsterdam

Wednesday, Sept. 22

8/7c Chicago Med

9/8c Chicago Fire 

10/9c Chicago PD

Thursday, Sept. 23

8/7c Law & Order SVU (2-hour premiere, speical time)

10/9c Law & Order: Organized Crime

Friday, Sept. 24

10/9c Dateline

Tuesday, Sept. 28

9/8c La Brea (series premiere)

Thursday, Sept. 28

8/7c Law & Order SVU (special time)

9/8c Law & Order: Organize Crime (two episodes)

Thursday, Oct. 21

8/7c The Blacklist (replaces Law & Order: For the Defense, which is no longer moving forward).

Midseason: AGT: Extreme, American Auto, American Song Contest, Grand Crew, Kenan, Mr. Mayor, The Thing About Pam, This Is Us, Transplant, Young Rock, and Weakest Link.

With all the networks announcing their fall premiere dates, I'm looking forward to getting back to normal with shows returning in September. Sad to hear about the Law & Order spinoff isn't moving forward, was looking forward to having three full nights of Dick Wolf shows in a week. 

We're just two months away from premiere night! 

Are you excited about the returns shows and new shows? Leave a comment below!

Moving Forward: This Is Us "The Adirondacks" Season Finale

 

The season five finale was as good as it could have gotten, especially for that twisted ending. Here's a recap!

It's Kevin and Madison's wedding day, and it's not going too well with Kevin, as things are going the way he had hoped it would be, perfect. As Kevin shows his groomzilla, Randall, Miguel, Tobey, and Uncle Nicky try to help as much as possible. 

Meanwhile, as everyone had arrived, Rebecca wanted to hear about Randall's trip and learn about his biological mother, which she got overwhelmed and made Randall uncomfortable. But the two resolved the issue, and she learned quite a bit about Laura. 

Tess wasn't too happy with the bride's maid of honor dress, so Beth decided to help her make it into her own style. Deja awaited her from Malik about his college interviews and got a surprise when he told her that he not only got four out of four but five out of five because he's got an offer from Harvard.

Tobey gives Kate good news about him taking that job offer in San Fransico, but that means he'll have to be there three times a week, which he thought that they could move. As Kate called her boss to tell him that she would resign but he wouldn't because she's the best assistant that he's had, even if he didn't really want her at first. 

In a flashback, we see Rebecca upset that Jack taped a Pittsburgh Pirates game over her taped Dynasty wedding episode and had the kids see them fight for the first time. Not only did they try to show them that they love each other, but they put on a wedding for them as well.

As Madison prepares for her wedding, she looks back to when her mother left her and her father and the time that her father wasn't all there for her. Not to mention learning how she got into the eating disorder program in the pilot episode. That's when she decided that she didn't want to marry Kevin and called off the wedding. 

After the wedding was called off, Rebecca, Randall, and Kate comfort Kevin. In their conversation, Rebecca asks Kevin to build her that house that Jack had planned to do. Plus, in a five-year flash-forward, we come back to when Kevin was practicing his speech, we thought it was for his wedding, but it turns out to be Kate's wedding...to her boss from the music school! WTF!

"The Adirondacks" was such a great season finale that had many great moments; one of them I just ate up was Randall being there for Kevin, like holding the umbrella for him as he tries to avoid Rebecca talking about his mother. Nicky's wedding gift and well that powerful seen when we see the Pearsons together talking about what would Jack have said and talked about the future (which had me in tears). 

Talk about shocker, right? I didn't see that one coming at all. Kate and her boss getting married? Wow! I was at least thinking of Kevin and Sophie getting married. Man, I can't wait to see where the final season will go and how it will end. 

Overall, I give this episode a 9/10 and the season a 9/10.

What did you think of the season finale? Leave a comment below!

This Is Us returns in 2022 with the final season. Check out for more recaps of this season and previous seasons of This Is Us.

A Season Burning Brighter: Chicago Fire Season 9 (Episode 7-16)

 

Season Nine of Chicago Fire burns so brightly with such amazing stories. Once again, this season was a step up from last season, even though we got a shorter season. Here's a recap and thoughts.