Perception

Dr. Daniel Pierce is a brilliant, unconventional neuroscience professor who gets called on by the federal government to consult on unusually complicated criminal cases. He reads people using cognitive science, statistical reasoning, and a deep grasp of human behavior, which helps unravel motives and spot hidden patterns. Pierce's eccentric habits and awkward social manner make teamwork tricky, and his personal struggles sometimes intersect with the investigations, creating tension between clinical objectivity and personal bias. Working with FBI agent Kate Moretti, his former student Max, and other allies, Pierce applies his academic mind to fieldwork, translating theory into interrogation strategies and crime-solving techniques without revealing major plot turns or endings.

Created by Kenneth Biller and Michael Sussman in 2012, the series stars Eric McCormack as Dr. Daniel Pierce, with Rachael Leigh Cook, Kelly Rowan, Arjay Smith, and LeVar Burton in supporting roles, bringing a mix of TV veterans and newer faces to the ensemble.

The show had a modest cultural footprint, since it mixed neuroscience with a familiar procedural format. Viewers often remarked on how it introduced psychological and neurological concepts into mainstream crime drama, and it sparked conversations about how media portrays cognitive differences and the ethical use of brain science in policing.

Critical response was mixed to positive, reflected in a 7.154/10 user vote average from 259 votes. Many reviewers highlighted McCormack's engaging lead turn and the series' focus on perception, memory, trust, and moral ambiguity, while some critics pointed to episodic predictability and formulaic cases as limitations.

While the series didn't collect major industry awards, it sustained a steady audience over its run and earned recognition for blending academic ideas with procedural storytelling. Fans appreciated the character dynamics and recurring moral questions, and the show maintained a faithful following that valued its thought-provoking approach to crime drama.