Instinct

Everyone is looking to replicate the success of whodunit shows such as Elementary and Castle. Instinct is CBS's latest attempt which pairs a university professor with the police in solving crimes. Mr. Cumming and Ms. Novakovic work well together. Mr. Cumming is quite talented and enjoyable to watch, and the show's camera and visual scenes are also enjoyable. The plots so far have been average, and this is the problem. The mystery plots are so difficult to write! There has to be a lot of creativity to keep this stuff coming. Therefore, the future of Instinct is unclear.

Possibly the worst show currently on network television. Aside from having Alan Cumming in the lead role, there is absolutely nothing positive to say about this show. It's a total mess. Save your time and money...you deserve better!

The first season the writers were struggling with the tone and rhythm of the cast, which is strong from Alan Cummings to the dog Gary. There is a lot to work with between Alan Cummings character's work history and very strong relationship and clearly troubled parental relationship. The writers tried to add in his working as a teacher and working as a writer and avoiding his agent also and it all simply was too much. Added to that was Bojana Novakovic's character which they had struggling with the loss of her fiance and the pending loss of her only living connection to him, his dog. Now, as a disabled service dog handler, I can personally understand how close one gets to a canine partner and her attachment to Gary was understandable, especially since he was a Police Officer himself and had previously been her partner's right paw man. It just wasn't handled as well as it could have been by the writers. Season two was, by far, much better managed. Less was more in Dylan's life (Alan Cumming's character). Focusing solely on the crime factor with cameos of his family issues with his Dad and writing issues with a new agent/editor actually made the crime portion of the story lines much more focused on the telling of the victims story. I was glad they continued with the adoption, which ended Season 1. A decision Andy, Dylan's husband had he had chosen to do as a major choice together. The strength of that relationship is paramount to who Dylan is in how he solves crime. Had they taken that storyline another direction it would have undermined the truth of what the show finally settled and told the fan base they would tell us about. Dylan and Andy, together, supporting each other in solving crime in their own ways while building a family which included Aunt Lizzie. Season 2 not only picked up there, but continued to forge that part of the story. Dylan talking to Gary while Lizzie went off to vacation with his blessings. LIzzie plotting with Andy on Dylan's behalf. Both bringing her first into their happiness. All of them deeply and emotionally adult enough to know that each has to do their part and supports the other when that part is being done. A healthy family. What will the next, stronger writing a third Season will bring us? I can't wait! Can you?