In the first episode of this TV procedural, Dr. Dylan Reinhart (Alan Cumming), a retired CIA profiler turned bestselling author and psychology professor, teams up with NYPD detective Lizzie Needham (Bojana Novakovic) to track a serial killer who is using Reinhart’s first book as a blueprint. Reinhart enjoys the gig so much that he signs on as a police consultant and unofficial partner to Lizzie, who prefers to work alone but soon warms to the eccentric Reinhart. The first season follows the growing relationship between the partners over the course of a dozen or so high-profile cases. Based on a 2017 novel by James Patterson, this CBS drama is a largely formulaic series, sustained by Cumming's performance as the brilliant, bubbly, eccentric genius and his chemistry with the no-nonsense Novakovic and with a fellow former CIA agent (Naveen Andrews) who helps skirt police procedure with illegally-obtained information. But the most unique aspect of this mismatched partner buddy show is that Reinhart is an openly gay man who is married to his partner (Daniel Ings), a former lawyer turned restaurateur—a relationship that the show refreshingly presents without comment and explores like any other romantic pairing. Unfortunately, the rest is just another mystery-of-the-week show, albeit reasonably well done. Presenting all 13 episodes from the 2018 debut season, extras include extended/deleted scenes, a gag reel, and bonus pilot episodes of other CBS shows. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)
Instinct: Season One
Paramount, 4 discs, 540 min., not rated, DVD: $39.99
Instinct: Season One
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