Reviewer Rating: 4.9/5.0
4.9
I didn’t think I’d enjoy the latest episode of a loved one being kidnapped by an unstable person, but here we are.
There are some questionable things to discuss in this review of Irrational Season 1, Episode 2, but for the most part, Rose’s Kidnapping is must-see television.
Alec’s use of neuroscience-backed psychological techniques to slow down his kidnappers makes this episode more compelling than it otherwise would be, and the fast pace doesn’t hurt either.
Irrational Season 2 Episode 1 Faster Than Most Other Kidnapping Stories
The police have a suspect and a motive before the end of the first act
Starting a new season with a story about a kidnapped loved one is risky.
Viewers have seen this tired drama a million times before, including the first episode of Discovery’s second season four days ago.
However, Irrational manages to make its version compelling, and one of the reasons is the increased pace.
Rather than dragging out the story, the FBI captured one kidnapper almost immediately, and he provided the police with important clues that would soon lead to the identification of the other kidnapper.
The first episode of Season 2 of “Irrational” wasn’t about finding Rose’s kidnapper. This was to get her out of the situation safely.
This subtle plot twist makes the episode even more interesting and makes it must-see TV once Alec is deliberately kidnapped.
The first episode of Irrational Season 2 is the second time Alec is kidnapped, but it doesn’t matter
Alec’s psychological manipulation of the killer makes this show unique
Technically, Alec is a serial kidnapper, as he was held hostage in the Season 1 finale.
This may be annoying or redundant, but this episode feels very original.
There are long breaks between episodes, so the feeling of Alec being tied up and having to talk his way out of trouble isn’t repetitive.
This time he deliberately surrendered just so that he could take Marisa to where Rose was being held, which also made the matter more eye-catching.
After surrendering, Alec sets out to do the impossible, using his knowledge of psychology to distract Gavin from his destructive goals and trick him into opening his phone so the FBI can track it.
This makes this story different from similar stories in other police procedurals.
That doesn’t mean the stakes aren’t high in the first episode of “Irrational” season 2.
Alec: Rizwan conducted an experiment that demonstrated what my past research has shown. There is no quick way to get someone to give up on revenge.
Ross: Is there a slow road?
Alec: There is a scientifically tested method, but it involves a lot of concern and takes a full three months. Depending on the traffic, I guess we have about 14 minutes.
Still, it’s much better for Alec to be there and try to save himself and Rose than to spend almost the entire episode trying to find the kidnapper and praying it’s not too late to get there.
Irrational Season 2 Mystery Episode 1 Perfectly Fits Alec’s Class Lecture
Marisa shows a rational ability that no one else has
This episode could also have easily fallen into the trap of so many other stories, with an annoying love triangle distracting from the characters’ goals.
When Alec calls Marissa to ask about Rose’s disappearance, she doesn’t care that her ex-husband needs her help finding his missing new girlfriend.
In the first episode of Irrational Season 2, her only two concerns are getting Rose home safely and making sure Alec doesn’t kill himself trying to help.
This should be a given (sorry, I’m not sorry for the bad pun!), but for too many people who are supposed to be professionals on these shows, it’s not.
I’m glad we didn’t have to waste time having Alec convince Marissa to take the case instead of handing it over to someone else because she couldn’t be objective.
Marissa: Let’s do our jobs.
Alec: Nothing can keep you from standing by while Jace is killed.
Marisa: Jace is dead. I believe and hope that Rose is alive and I want to keep her that way.
Alec: Then let me help you.
It’s refreshing to worry about getting too close to Alec instead of herself, as it would be easy to get sucked into the kind of drama that would be more suited to Days of Our Lives than Irrational.
There’s an undercurrent running through the first episode of Season 2 of “Irrational” about how people deal with trauma.
Rose doesn’t want Alec to sacrifice himself to help her, just like Alec can’t admit to Callie that he cares about Rose without focusing on the neuroscience behind his desire to help.
Kelly: Hey? How are you?
Alec: I’m fine.
Kelly: I know you better than anyone, so that’s what I’m saying. You’re not fine.
Alec: I admit I have a hard time staying objective on this matter. This is called egocentric bias.
Kelly: No, it’s called love, you idiot.
This theme ties in perfectly with Alec’s speech about the status of hot spots at the beginning of the hour. Both he and Rose are unable to act rationally due to their trauma, both during and after the kidnapping.
It also ties into Phoebe’s inability to admit she made a mistake and wants to work with Alec again.
Phoebe decided to look for work elsewhere because she felt Alec was taking too many risks and her mental health needed a safer, more stable situation.
However, she was hurt when Rizwan did not call her to assist with the case.
It will be interesting to see how this conflict develops in the coming episodes. Phoebe can’t seem to resist working with Alec, but is this her true calling, or has she become addicted to the adrenaline rush?
Molly Kunz is a permanent cast member for Irrational season 2, so Phoebe will eventually have to return to work with Alec, but it’ll be interesting if it takes her a while to make that decision journey.
Irrational Season 2 Episode 1 isn’t perfect, but it’s close
Only some small details did not play a very good role
While I love Alec’s ability to outwit his kidnappers, I have a hard time believing that MI6 asked a former agent to write about his experiences in the first place.
Yes, Harry took precautions to cover up classified information, but the spy community should be concerned that someone could put the pieces together.
Marissa: Can we rely on your resources?
MI6 Agent: Officially, according to my superiors, Ross doesn’t exist and Harry is retired. Secretly, I loved Rose and would do anything to help her.
Harry is also an annoying character.
Maybe it’s because he’s stressed out and facing death, but I wouldn’t want to hang out with someone so negative and cynical.
He thought he was going to die and just wanted to end it all and told the truth when he could have easily lied to make Gavin think he had more information and save his own life.
Of course, Rose had a similar fateful plan before Alec showed up, so maybe this was part Harry’s MI6 training.
Still, he’s a disposable character whose only purpose is to die, so Rose will also be worried about losing Alec. Maybe he was being annoying on purpose so I wouldn’t be upset that he died for it.
Over to you, irrational fanatic!
What did you think of the first episode of Season 2 of Irrational? Is the long wait worth it?
Rate the episode in our poll and voice your thoughts in the comments.
Irrational airs Thursdays at 10/9c on NBC and Fridays on Peacock
