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2 TV ENCORE By K.A. Taylor TV Media P olice procedural dramas are a staple of North American television. Just mentioning the term, or the words "Law and Order," immediately transports you to the world of whodunnit (and that catchy theme song). Obsessed and fascinated as we are by the motives behind the deadliest of crimes, the success of this kind of series may seem like a given, but the odds of a show being a hit greatly increase when it includes just the right kind of twist. On Sunday, March 18, CBS introduces the world to a clever, subversive police proce- dural, when "Instinct" premieres. Dylan Reinhart (Alan Cumming, "The Good Wife") is a quirky, highly intellectual profes- sor and author, currently teach- ing abnormal behavior while try- ing to compose his next bestsell- er. Reinhart's inability to com- plete another stunning work of prose may be due to a lack of inspiration, as he's no longer able to draw on years of experi- ence from his former life work- ing as a CIA operative. That is, however, until a visit from the NYPD to his classroom coaxes him back into the thrill of inves- tigative work. Det. Lizzie Needham (Bojana Novakovic, "Shameless") informs Reinhart that his book has been implicated in a murder. The book, a bestseller on crimi- nal theory, is being brought to life by a killer, with clues left behind taken directly from the pages of Reinhart's work. Cass Co Family YMCA 2 x 2" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" On the Cover Without any motives or addition- al leads, Needham reaches out to Reinhart for his help, knowing that his unique perspective as author — and former CIA opera- tive — is her best hope at stop- ping this mysterious murderer. To better prepare himself for the chase, Reinhart calls on some old friends for assistance from his previous life, including Julian Cousins (Naveen Andrews, "Sense8"). Utilizing his pool of resources, Reinhart begins to cre- ate a profile of the killer, with a mix of fascination and determi- nation to see justice served. The popularity of police proce- durals started long before the invention of the television, with novels birthing this intriguing subset of detective fiction. While the literary origins find their roots in the mid-1800s, the genre's popularity rapidly grew post-World War II, with many of the tales now unfolding on the big screen. Everything changed with "Dragnet," a radio play that leaped onto the small screen and then upgraded to the big screen. The show garnered a massive following and firmly established the demand for the police procedural drama. "Instinct" pulls from this tran- sitory past, as the story began in the pages of a novel. The series is an adaptation of James Patterson's novel "Murder Games," with much of the series' content staying true to Patterson's own words. Fans of literary, small-screen and cine- matic adaptations of police pro- cedurals are no stranger to Patterson's works, as he is a dominant force in the genre. Notable early hits for the author on the big screen include 1997's "Kiss the Girls" and 2001's "Along Came a Spider," both of which are clear emblems of the police procedural genre. So, where lies the twist? While most would expect that to be found in the killer's reveal — which it may very well be — what makes this latest genre series stand out above the rest is the lead character, Reinhart, who, like his novel counterpart, is a married gay man. This move is set to be the first broad-range broadcast of an hour-long series that features a queer lead char- acter, a progressive and timely move by the network. CBS is no stranger to paving the way for cultural and sexual diversity, though, after the recent success of CBS All Access's "Star Trek: Discovery." This opportunity meant so much to Cumming, who admit- ted to the Hollywood Reporter that "it was one of the reasons [he] wanted to do the show." The Scottish-American actor is a longtime LGBTQ2+ activist and advocate, openly bisexual and compassionately proud. The chance to portray Reinhart's character, with all of his layers, was both "an incredible thing and a terrible thing" to Cumming. Given the current political fervor in America — "a time in America where gay peo- ple are being persecuted ... our rights are being removed," as Cumming puts it — the actor saw that it was "all the more important to have a character with a healthy same-sex mar- riage on TV." While the politics are clearly present in the writing of "Instinct," the series places greater emphasis on its execu- tion of sarcastic wit. Reinhart is a master of words and clever one-liners, always one to note the most culturally and momen- tarily significant things with an ample dose of observational humor. This plays well alongside Needham's professional drive, as she plays a strong, leading role in the investigation, not afraid to smile but constant in her devo- tion to the case. The two follow the tradition of unlikely pairings, though it is plain to see they have a chemistry and make a formidable team. The new era of the police pro- cedurals has arrived, amply stacked with drama, laughs and cultural relevance. With a stellar cast and intriguing premise, it's easy to see why CBS was quick to transform this recent James Patterson novel into a fully real- ized, hour-long series. Find out if Reinhart and Needham have the skills needed to uncover this lit- erary-loving killer when "Instinct" premieres Sunday, March 18, on CBS. Naveen Andrews stars in "Instinct" Remixing police procedurals with 'Instinct' D&J Liquors 3 x 2" Direct Maytag 2 x 1.5" Edward Jones 2 x 1.5" United Methodist Church 2 x 2.5" Which IRA is best for you? Let's talk. Member SIPC Amanda A Hedrick Financial Advisor 2501 East Market St Logansport, IN 46947 574-753-3676 www.edwardjones.com

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