Scorpion: The Final Season

The fourth and final season of the high-concept show about a team of eccentric geniuses who contract their services out to solve problems for both government agencies and private companies opens with super-genius leader Walter (Elyes Gabel) and civilian Paige (Katharine McPhee)—who helps the team deal with the outside world—navigating a tricky romance. It's just another challenge for the geek squad who bring sophisticated concepts and practical science to often deadly situations on a weekly basis. Scorpion offers another take on the familiar TV trope of the intellectually brilliant but socially challenged expert, with stereotypes out of The Big Bang Theory and adventures out of MacGyver. But while the show's pro-science theme is positive, the characters are often cartoonish, and the plots tends to fall into predictable rhythms: the team applies a sophisticated solution to a unique situation (from terrorist attack to natural disaster), then improvises when inevitable complications arise (often caused by their own unconventional engineering), with individual eccentricities played broadly to add conflict to the drama. After a strong first season, the ratings dropped off, but the series still maintained a fan base, thanks to the colorful personalities and lively chemistry. Compiling all 22 episodes from 2017-18, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)