The Irrational Season 2 Episode 16 Featured a Unique Case With A Predictable Solution (But I Loved It Anyway)

Critic’s Rating: 4.8 / 5.0

4.8

One of the things I love about The Irrational is its unique cases.

Who else would have a consultant helping NASA evaluate whether two married astronauts were a good fit for a critical mission together?

The Irrational Season 2 Episode 16 would have been awesome if it had focused only on that. I was honestly surprised when there was a murder at the 20-minute mark!

(Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

The Irrational Season 2 Episode 16 Offered a Convoluted Case

It was super cool that Alec consulted for NASA, but the details of the murder investigation were confusing.

I got that Shel ordered the simulation to imitate emergency conditions without telling anyone, but beyond that, I found this case a bit hard to follow.

It was still fun. It was just… convoluted.

I THINK that Shel wanted to prove that Andre and Selena weren’t as happily married as they thought they’d be and that their relationship would crack under pressure.

His stated reason for thinking that was silly. According to Alec, Shel committed this overly complicated crime because he was single and resented that Selena and Andre were happily married.

Surely there had to be another way for him to express his feelings besides nearly killing Andre and then murdering Bo to keep him quiet.

(Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

Who Else Thought The Solution Was A Bit Obvious?

Ultimately, Shel — the staying-on-Earth leader of the mission, turned out to be guilty.

Once Bo died, Shel was really the only person on The Irrational Season 1 Episode 16 who could have been up to no good.

He had to have approved the simulation—no one else seemed to have much power.

Thus, this is one of the easiest to solve cases in The Irrational‘s history

(James Dittiger/NBC)

The Case Wasn’t Really The Point Though, Was It?

The astronauts’ dilemma was merely a jumping off point for exploring the theme of taking risks to live your best life.

The Irrational does this a lot. Season 2 is full of episodes whose theme is carpe diem — seize the day.

Phoebe’s entire arc this season has been about her learning to let go of her anxieties and embrace life. She ran away from Alec’s employment because she thought she would feel safer somewhere else, only to have to backtrack when she caught her new boss taking credit for student work.

Conversely, Alec’s arc has been about learning to take appropriate risks instead of always risking his life.

(Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

After he jumped in front of a speeding train to force the driver to slow down on The Irrational Season 2 Episode 6, Kylie made him promise to stop playing games with his continued survival, but it hasn’t been easy for him.

This time around, Alec — and everyone around him — learned an important lesson about following your heart before it’s too late.

Selena and Andre were the perfect couple.

They understood the idea of marriage being a commitment during good times and bad, which helped them keep going despite all the adversity they were experiencing.

Everyone wanted to be them — and for two different couples, they were an inspiration.

(Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

Alec’s Running Joke About Australia Proved He Needed To Be There With Rose

I appreciated the running joke about Alec being unable to get Rose her barbecue sauce while she was in Australia.

It was amazing to me that a man who is so brilliant at neuroscience couldn’t figure out time zones, but I laughed anyway.

Australia is so far ahead of the US, time zone wise, that it’s hard to figure out what time it is in one country when it’s a certain time on the other, and Alec’s dilemma demonstrated that beautifully.

Although it wasn’t realistic for him to hop a plane to Australia at the last minute (does he even know which part of the country/continent Rose is in?), I loved the last scene because it illustrated the theme of taking risks in service to your heart.

(Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

Wait… Simon and Phoebe Kissed On The Irrational Season 2 Episode 16?

I either forgot or blocked it out of my mind, so if one of you kind souls can leave me a comment telling me what episode it is in, I can rewatch.

Seriously, it must have happened a long time ago, because I didn’t remember it at all.

Honestly, I would have preferred the central conflict to have been that Simon was interested in Phoebe and was too shy to ask her out.

I wouldn’t have guessed that their awkwardness on The Irrational Season 2 Episode 16 was over a kiss rather than over Simon liking Phoebe and being afraid that she wouldn’t like him back.

These two are the cute but awkward stage of their relationship, and I didn’t mind seeing it. I also liked Rizwan’s semi-jealousy of Simon.

Hopefully, they won’t split this couple for the sake of drama before they get a proper start!

(James Dittiger/NBC)

Alec’s Lecture Was Cool, But I’m Not Sure What It Had To Do WIth Anything

Like many episodes of The Irrational, Season 2 Episode 17 began with a lecture in Alec’s classroom.

I loved his lecture. It was a great example of how marketing works — and how emotional messaging and can have unintended consequences.

However, I’m not sure what it had to do with this case.

Usually, Alec’s lectures tie directly into the case, but this time, it seemed like an interesting aside, nothing more.

(James Dittiger/NBC)

Over to you, The Irrational fanatics.

Was the case too predictable fo you? Did the case’s tie-in make sense?

Hit the comments with your thoughts, and don’t forget to vote in our poll.

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The Irrational airs on NBC on Tuesdays at 10/9c and on Peacock on Wednesdays.

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