NBC Fall TV Spotlight: Season 2 of ‘The Irrational’ – Nerds That Geek

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THE IRRATIONAL-- Pictured: "The Irrational" Key Art -- (Photo by: NBCUniversal)

It is definitely safe to say, that the hardest decision any showrunner has to make when it comes to the television show they are in charge of, is what direction to take a second season in. Because just getting to season two is a task in and of itself and the chance tell more story, really does leave one to wonder, what lie ahead? Should the show stand pat and stick with what works and hope that audiences just want the same? Or should it take a different direction and challenge the viewers and the characters and run the risk of going off of the rails when something new comes up. And well, we see a lot of showrunners choose either one, with great, mixed or disastrous results depending upon the subject matter of the show.
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But more and more, we are seeing more showrunners and more writers’ rooms ponder upon if balance and smaller progress is possible. If the passage of time can really come into play and move the characters and the story along in an organic manner that does give the audience more, because they do want that, alongside all they love, and that edict is happening more and more since it has been successful, and it is one that Showrunner Arika Lisanne Mittman is holding to for season two of The Irrational. For it returns on NBC later tonight and truly… this is a show about balance and growth and how we move from chapter to chapter. Something the show laid the groundwork down for in the season one finale, by way of having the man responsible for Alec’s darkest moment, face justice at last.

Which is a huge chapter to close, but that happens in life. We do sometimes lay to rest our darkest hour or let go of our traumas. So, what lie ahead? Well… we are happy to tell you in a spoiler-free manner of course, as to not ruin season two for you. But what we can say is that season two, leans into that growth. Because putting that behind Alec, allows for him to focus on the man he is without that hanging over his head, which is a fascinating journey to take a character on. Since it is so real-life in nature and so relatable, and Alec isn’t the only one on that journey here. After all, Kylie and Marisa are in new chapters as well and must navigate them accordingly and that too enriches this story and adds to that real-life vibe.

All of which provides something new for the audience to chew upon, and it does take the show in a fascinating direction not often seen by procedurals. But of course, we talked about how balance is the key here, and the show maintains that… by keeping all that we love. For there are still moments that Alec will spend with Kylie and Marisa to keep him grounded from his very taxing work, and of course, Riz and Phobe are still around and learning about life as college students always do, and above all… we have the case of the week. Those beautiful little treats for us to enjoy with Alec, that explore the human condition and everything that we want to learn about, when it comes to the strange decisions that we make.

Plus, there is more Rose, just so you know, and as an added bonus, the acting in season two is just sublime. For everyone is now comfortable with their characters and truly inhabit them and all of that brings forth, an amazing second season. One that truly does harbor balance. Because you feel progress happening before your eyes, and you feel the characters growing. But you also get to watch Alec use his amazing mind to do amazing things and teach us so much about our humanity, and our foolishness and the importance of what it means to think before we act, and we here at NTG cannot wait for you to see season two of this amazing show and geek out with all of you regarding Alec’s incredible gift of inner sight.

Nerds That Geek was also able to attend the NBC Segment of the Television Critics Association 2024 Summer Press Tour, where ‘The Irrational’’ was showcased and where Showrunner Arika Lisanne Mittman, and stars Jesse L. Martin (Alec), Maahra Hill (Marisa), and Travina Springer (Kylie) offered the following thoughts on the growth the character’s experience in season two.  

Arika Lisanne Mittman: “Well, I think I find that it’s really satisfying for an audience to wonder but to also get those answers. You know, I did not want -- I never wanted that storyline to be something that spanned five years of a series. I wanted it to have a satisfying ending to season one and to open up the second season for new questions, new mysteries, and new stories.

Jesse L. Martin: “I was going to say to add to that, yes, she did resolve it but what it led to was more questions for my character about it. Because oftentimes when people go through a traumatic experience, it -- for lack of a better way to put it -- becomes part of their identity. If the story is solved or the mystery of it is solved, there’s something that happens to your identity in it. That bleeds probably for the eternity of the series, which I think is really fascinating.”

Travina Springer: “I think one of the things I’m really excited about for this season is for Kylie and for the audience to see that she was trying to find more purpose in her work. She’s working on that, for getting more purpose in what she does for her career, and then also digging her heels as a contractor for the FBI.  She’s challenged with what this new position means for her and how it aligns with her values. So I think we’re going to see a lot more of that in situations where that happens for her, and then also see fanned out with the relationships with the other characters. Specifically, also like, we see the relationship with Alec, but we’re going to see more with the relationship with Marisa, which is very fun, because they were sisters for many years. And the relationship with Phoebe as well, so I’m excited for you guys to see that.”

Maahra Hill: "And Marisa, I feel like she’s realizing -- the writers have done a great job of exploring another layer to Marisa in season two. I think she’s realizing, like a lot of women do, she’s poured a lot of herself into other things, her job, her marriage, her relationships, and has lost a bit of herself along the way. So in season two, she’ll go on a journey of self-discovery, and she’ll find things that are surprising, I think, to her and both the audience as well. I feel like they’ve done a great job in the writers’ room of just unpacking the boxes that are within."

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