Among the likes of Monk, Psych, and more, eccentrics at the head of a police procedural are a common trope of the genre, but Fox’s Lie to Me still stands out. The show also marks recurring Quentin Tarantino collaborator Tim Roth’s longest stint on TV as that eccentric: the obsessive Cal Lightman, who has mastered the science of reading people by the fleeting expressions on their faces.

Lie to Me is based on the real science of micro-expressions, pioneered by the real-life Dr. Paul Ekman, giving the show an exciting sense of credibility. It’s also a quintessential installment of its time, evoking a nostalgia for the 2010s TV that is so bingeable. The Tim Roth show left its mark despite being canceled at the end of Lie to Me‘s third season.

Lie To Me Was A Fresh Take On The Police Procedural

14 years before Poker Face, Lie to Me followed a human lie detector who used his skill to solve crimes. Lightman is the founder of The Lightman Group, an organization frequently sought out by law enforcement to assist in tricky cases. It’s a refreshing change of pace for a crime drama, a genre that typically spends much of its time at crime scenes and police stations.

Instead, Lie to Me lives in the modern, unique office of The Lightman Group. Lightman has plastered the walls with images of micro-expressions, and the office is complete with a unique interrogation box, making the show visually distinct. Lightman’s investigations are also inherently nuanced and emotional — rather than chasing clues, he’s unpacking people’s emotions.

The show’s stories take an emotional turn as The Lightman Group’s investigation inevitably reveals not only the information they were looking for, but any and everything someone might be trying to hide. As Lightman’s partner Gillian Foster points out, “The question is never simply if someone is lying. It’s why.”

Lie To Me Has The Best Kind Of 2010s Nostalgia

Lie to Me premiered in 2009, and it has the quintessential broody seriousness that makes the protagonists of its time so fun to watch (see Dexter, House). In its attempt to be both edgy and relevant, Lie to Me embraces a unique flavor of patriotism that challenges the standards of America.

An especially compelling episode, “Secret Santa,” finds Lightman travels to Afghanistan against the wishes of Gillian and his daughter Emily. In a bunker actively shaking from bombs, Lightman interrogates an American expatriate who has forsaken the Marines for the Taliban. While that ex-pat could have easily been a love-to-hate villain, Lightman uncovers that it was the U.S. government who left him behind.

You Can Watch Lie To Me In A Weekend

After its Lie to Me‘s shortened third season, the show comes out to 48 total episodes, a doable weekend binge for a dedicated viewer — or anyone who just can’t turn away. It’s a satisfying show to binge-watch as it blends elements of episodic and serialized storytelling. Each episode investigates a couple of new cases, but the show also builds on the characters’ relationships and overarching problems.

Lightman’s loving but strained relationship with Emily and unresolved romantic tension with Gillian give the show momentum, while looming financial struggles for The Lightman Group raise the stakes. The team is rounded out by the innately skilled people reader Ria Torres, whose abilities were underutilized at TSA until Lightman discovered her, and the long-suffering Eli Loker.

The show delves into the strange nature of their work and how it can be both a blessing and a curse. Lightman’s abilities are largely responsible for the devolution of his marriage, while Loker starts the show practicing what he calls “radical honesty,” where he says everything that crosses his mind at all times. All told, Lie to Me comes together to make your ideal next weekend watch.

Release Date

2009 – 2011-00-00

Network

FOX

Showrunner

Samuel Baum

Writers

Samuel Baum