Lie to Me: The Complete Second Season

Tim Roth headlines Fox's high-concept forensic series, starring as Dr. Cal Lightman, the top player in a private firm of human lie detectors, or “deception experts,” who hire themselves out to law enforcement agencies, corporations, or citizens with enough money (or an interesting enough challenge). Although the first season was both dramatically stiff and full of contrivances, this second set from 2009-10 eases up a bit on the techno-babble and humanizes the characters, thanks to Shawn Ryan (of The Shield and The Unit) taking the helm as executive producer and giving the supporting cast fuller lives. Agency partner Dr. Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams) works through a divorce from a cheating husband here, while junior agents Eli Loker and Ria Torres (Brendan Hines and Monica Raymund) are more actively involved in cases. Newcomer Mekhi Phifer plays FBI contact Ben Reynolds, who takes the brittle edge off the caustic Lightman, exploring Lightman's private life with his ex-wife (Jennifer Beals) and teenage daughter (Hayley McFarland). Familiar faces show up in guest spots, including five veterans of The Shield in the standout serial-killer episode, “Pied Piper.” But otherwise Lie to Me is essentially just another crime procedural series, despite its distinctive angle. Compiling all 22 episodes, DVD extras include two behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and “Dr. Ekman's Blogs” (notes on each episode). Optional. (S. Axmaker)