Perception

:

Season 1
  • Network: TNT
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 9, 2012
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 59
  3. Negative: 6 out of 59
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. MarcDoyle
    Jul 10, 2012
    6
    I've only seen the pilot, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. McCormack is excellent in his role, but they really need to give Rachel Leigh Cook some backbone if I'm going to keep watching the show. TNT, USA, FX - they specialize in strong female leads. Even though Cook showed some gutsiness in tackling someone from a 2nd floor fire escape, she needs to be able to exude moreI've only seen the pilot, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. McCormack is excellent in his role, but they really need to give Rachel Leigh Cook some backbone if I'm going to keep watching the show. TNT, USA, FX - they specialize in strong female leads. Even though Cook showed some gutsiness in tackling someone from a 2nd floor fire escape, she needs to be able to exude more confidence in her verbal exchanges to make it truly interesting.… Expand
  2. Rattazustra
    Jul 30, 2012
    3
    The first episode seemed interesting, but as soon as with the second episode it started to go downhill. The basic concept of the series is not bad, but the execution is. Most importantly, the foreshadowing technique that is used is essentially sloppy and not credible, the plots are clearly based on a very simple formula and so far there is no meta-plot visible. The main character isThe first episode seemed interesting, but as soon as with the second episode it started to go downhill. The basic concept of the series is not bad, but the execution is. Most importantly, the foreshadowing technique that is used is essentially sloppy and not credible, the plots are clearly based on a very simple formula and so far there is no meta-plot visible. The main character is likable and quirky in a nice way, but unfortunately most of the other characters are not.… Expand
  3. JJohnson
    Aug 1, 2012
    10
    McCormack is brilliant. This is a mix of Monk, the Mentalist and A Beautiful Mind. In response to somebody's criticism that the disorders are too outlandish--you mean too interesting? Would it be that great of a show if the mental disorders were ordinary? It's quirky yet smart, the dialogue is poetic, and the problems are complex yet simple to follow in context. Cook is very likeable andMcCormack is brilliant. This is a mix of Monk, the Mentalist and A Beautiful Mind. In response to somebody's criticism that the disorders are too outlandish--you mean too interesting? Would it be that great of a show if the mental disorders were ordinary? It's quirky yet smart, the dialogue is poetic, and the problems are complex yet simple to follow in context. Cook is very likeable and contrary to the opinions of some critics, she is smart and confident in her role. It's a nice break to have youth and excitement along with experience in a head law enforcement role, instead of the stereotypical cold, sarcastic and/or angry narcissist with a control fetish. I hope for many more seasons, and that the pretentious critics don't spoil it for the rest of us.… Expand
  4. HoolaTallulah
    Jul 28, 2012
    8
    I've watched the pilot and one ep. The pilot had a grittier edge, which was no doubt deemed too gritty for the US audience. Suited me tho. Hope Eric McCormack is allowed to return to the darker version of the character as presented in the pilot, which seemed more believable and authentic -- except for the conducting movements (too much like those Mrs Haig taught me in Year 5, orI've watched the pilot and one ep. The pilot had a grittier edge, which was no doubt deemed too gritty for the US audience. Suited me tho. Hope Eric McCormack is allowed to return to the darker version of the character as presented in the pilot, which seemed more believable and authentic -- except for the conducting movements (too much like those Mrs Haig taught me in Year 5, or whatever the 10-year-old equivalent is in your part of the world). Fingers crossed that it doesn't become US pap.… Expand
  5. mommore
    Jul 12, 2012
    7
    Saw the pilot of Perception. Like the premise and McCormick is excellent. Totally unconvincing:

    Rachel Cook as an FBI agent.
    This role needs a more mature actress. Ms Cook is not convincing in this role. She seems more like a coed than a professional.

    Supporting roles very good, especially Arjay Smith and Kathy Rowan.

    I'll watch another episode or two to see how the show develops.
  6. pegmac
    Jul 30, 2012
    1
    Thought it would be good. But it's formulaic, the characters obvious and uninteresting. It was a good idea in A Beautiful Mind. Here it just seems silly. Waste of time.
  7. LanaY
    Sep 11, 2012
    9
    I am really enjoying this show. Yes, it feels a bit ridiculous that an unmedicated, brilliant schizophrenic could be so focused to solve crimes, but hey - this is fiction, right? If you get over that, the method that the show reveals real and imaginary characters in McCormack's world is interesting. The mysteries to be solved are fun to watch and holds my attention.
  8. theasset
    Nov 20, 2012
    7
    It's a show that needs time to 'boil' but I'm content with it 'simmering'. Each episode presents great plot twists and help from various medical conditions and although the show is brought down by the abysmal acting of Rachael Leigh Cook it regains points with clever cameo hallucinations and McCormack's continuing outstanding performance.
  9. AvantGuardian
    Oct 10, 2013
    8
    Perception is a relatively new Drama focused on a neuroscientist turned college professor turned FBI consultant. Played by Eric McCormack, Dr. Daniel Pierce is a schizophrenic who, like Eli Stone before him, finds ways to use his hallucinations to help solve cases. In each case, the solution lies not in finding missed clues that Sherlock Holmes might detect, but on reading the witnessesPerception is a relatively new Drama focused on a neuroscientist turned college professor turned FBI consultant. Played by Eric McCormack, Dr. Daniel Pierce is a schizophrenic who, like Eli Stone before him, finds ways to use his hallucinations to help solve cases. In each case, the solution lies not in finding missed clues that Sherlock Holmes might detect, but on reading the witnesses and victims for clues only an expert on reading faces and understanding human behavior and conditions could find. Perception is the new Lie to Me. It's intelligent and well written. It's like the Sherlock Holmes of Brian Science. Check it out, you'll dig it. The only complaint you might have is that there is no story-arc and the cases are not very epic. But it is what it is. Also, it has Rachel Leigh Cook, and she's a cutie.… Expand
  10. RichardGonci
    Aug 14, 2014
    2
    The scripts are getting painfully predictable as this show slogs on. A recent one involving an art heist from an art gallery was just embarrassingly sophomoric in its utter lack of knowledge about fine art or the gallery world. The steam has mostly run out of the boiler on what once promised to be a good locomotive of storytelling.
  11. nashzero1
    May 3, 2015
    10
    A very good tv show, with a very good plot. Dr Pierce is a very special character. Each show has a sort of learning final. Pretty good show, a shame is was cancel

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Most Discussed TV Season of 2012
42
#42 Most Shared TV Season of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 21
  3. Negative: 3 out of 21
  1. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Aug 27, 2012
    75
    People who like procedurals will enjoy playing along. But the real charm of the series--as in a lot of cable originals--is in its ensemble.
    Read full review
  2. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Jul 18, 2012
    63
    It's an enjoyable enough whodunit. The problem is McCormack. [23 Jul 2012, p.38]
  3. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Jul 9, 2012
    50
    This reduction of a serious, debilitating illness to a personality quirk would be as unwatchable as it is insulting were it not for one thing: an appealingly disheveled star turn from Will & Grace's Eric McCormack as Daniel.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »