‘The Irrational’ Recap: ‘Collateral Damage’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THE IRRATIONAL -- "Collateral Damage" Episode 201 -- Pictured: Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer -- (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘The Irrational’. To revisit the Season One Finale, click here.
​
One particular question that we ask often in this life, is how do we know when we are truly in love with someone? Which is a fair question. Because time and time again, we find ourselves in romantic situations that we genuinely believe are love-laden only to learn… they’re nothing more than a fleeting moment in time, wherein butterflies in our tummy ruled the day. So, we continue our search when it ends, looking for that genuine connection and that understanding. Because we are curious creatures that love proof and solid understanding of our situation, and well, believe it or not, the season two premiere of The Irrational on NBC, opted to explore the answer to that question.

Courtesy of one harrowing search for Rose. For ‘Collateral Damage’ wasted little time in revealing what happened to Rose at the end of season one. As it turned out, she was kidnapped by a man named Gavin. Who had a beef with Rose’s former employers since they helped bring death to his family and well, he wanted revenge, and thanks to another agent’s memoir, he was able to figure out who was who and that Rose was involved in that operation. So, he wanted a confession from Rose, and any other details she had on the case, to have closure before committing a terrorist act to finally feel peace about the loss he suffered and well, that meant Rose was in serious danger and her ugly situation… is what led to the exploration in question. 

Because as she feared for her life, and watched a former co-worker die horribly… Alec was eagerly looking forward to another date with Rose. One that of course, she did not show up for, and being a master of understanding human behavior and knowing Rose as well as he does, it became clear that something was wrong. Because ghosting someone was not her style, and that prompted him to dig in and try and learn what happened to her, and soon… it became clear that someone took Rose and that she was in clear danger. Which prompted him to get Marisa, and the FBI involved, but that process was a touch too slow for his liking, so Alec did the unthinkable and did everything within his power to get captured by very people that took Rose. To know if she was okay and to work his magic to see how best to free her, and his plan worked.

For Gavin’s lackeys came for him and Gavin went the extra mile to learn if this was something designed to trap him. Which was not the case immediately, but Alec did eventually bring him down by analyzing Gavin’s actions and pushing him to his limits, preventing that terrorist act and bringing closure to the whole mess. But what mattered more here, is Alec’s actions. Because that man literally put himself in harm’s way to make sure that Rose would come home, and that Rose would feel safe and that informs us, that we know we are in love with someone, when we are willing to do whatever, it takes to keep them safe and at peace. For that means their well-being takes priority above our own in that moment, and actions are what truly speak loud in a relationship, and if we are willing to go that route, then they have found their way into the center of our heart.

All of which made, for the most unique romance story to hit the airwaves in years. Because you don’t really see such an expression like this in popular media all that often. But unique is where this show thrives and it should come as no surprise that this show would explore how we do wild things to keep those we love safe because that is in line with the show’s central exploration of why we do the things we do and well, this premiere deserves a round of applause. For once again not wasting any time in resolving plot threads that linger, but for also giving us a tale that explores some of Alec’s motivations in life, and while Alec and Rose’s journey here didn’t end in a perfect manner, it is obvious this duo have something special in hand, and it will be interesting to see that grow in the weeks to come as season two of this brilliant series continues along. Until next time.

---

Watch ‘The Irrational’

Powered by JustWatch