Cumming’s ex-CIA agent lacks survival ‘Instinct’
It’s 2018 and CBS’ “Instinct” is a groundbreaking show.
It’s the first primetime commercial network drama with a gay character as the lead. You can’t swing your remote without hitting a sassy sidekick these days, but a character at the heart?
If only “Instinct” had a little more going for itself, it might be worth making room on your DVR.
Based on marathon typist James Patterson’s novel “Murder Games,” “Instinct” stars Alan Cumming (“The Good Wife”) as Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a former CIA operative turned college professor and bestselling author of a book about abnormal psychology, his specialty.
In the pilot Sunday, a serial killer is offing victims (the first, “Riverdale’s” Casey Cott) using Dylan’s book as a blueprint and leaving playing cards as clues to the identity of the next victim.
NYPD Detective Lizzie Needham (Bojana Novakovic, “Shameless”) implores Dylan to put away his twee jacket and help her catch the killer. Lt. Jasmine Gooden (Sharon Leal, “Supergirl”) approves: She’s not only Lizzie’s boss, but her BFF.
Dylan and Lizzie strike up the kind of bickering that might remind you of “Monk” or early “Castle.” The two respect each other, but also enjoy dragging their egos out of the clouds.
“Lost’s” Naveen Andrews is utterly wasted as Dylan’s CIA contact Julian Cousins. Academy Awardwinner Whoopi Goldberg has a recurring role as Joan, Dylan’s snarky book editor who wants another bestseller. “I need dangerous Dylan back. I need sexy Dylan,” she says. Let’s not get crazy. “Instinct” is sloppy.
In the premiere, Dylan is reluctant to help Lizzie because he promised his husband, Andy (Daniel Ings, “The Crown”), that he was done with dangerous work. Yet in the second episode CBS made available for review, Andy is so thrilled by Dylan’s police sideline, he makes over an office space at home. Which is it?
For a hardened CIA operative, Cumming’s Dylan is more Pee Wee Herman than “Homeland.” And he seems to have robbed the cradle — Andy looks at least 20 years younger.
The premiere goes to pains to note that Dylan is blessed with a “phonographic memory.” That is, when he hears a sound, he is able to repeat it flawlessly.
Having explained this curious gift, the three episodes CBS provided for review do absolutely nothing with it.
If the producers aren’t going to care, why should you?