As far as unusual angles for a cop show go, Lie to Me is most certainly a winner: a series about a man who specializes in telling whether a suspect is lying or not, based solely on body language and so-called "microexpressions". That it works is essentially down to three things: it's based on a real person (series consultant Paul Ekman), Samuel Baum's writing is precise and entertaining at the same time, and the cast is very impressive.
Leading credentials belong to Cal Lightman (Tim Roth), founder and leader of the Lightman Group, an organization that is hired by various government agencies and/or private companies when cases get - you guessed it - complicated. Working with him are psychologist Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams), who tries to focus on the human side while Lightman is very cold and rational, and Eli Loker (Brendan Hines), whose penchant for "radical honesty" isn't as charming as he'd like to think (when coming late for work he calmly admits he got drunk the night before). While working on a delicate matter (a minor who's facing the death penalty for allegedly killing his teacher), Cal also hires airport security officer Ria Torres (Monica Raymund), whose track record indicates she's a "natural" when it comes to spotting lies.
What sets the show apart from any other cop show (except possibly the CSI franchise) is its staggering attention to detail: as Sherlock Holmes used to say, all the clues matter, and no other series highlights it more. Whether it's an eyebrow twitch or a seemingly casual shrug, nothing escapes Lightman and his team (see the highly entertaining teaser sequence), and that makes for a fascinating watch episode after episode (plus, it's intriguing to see guest actors deliberately pull off what normally is considered completely involuntary). Also, on a writing level, the show isn't afraid to explore delicate subjects, often with surprising results, as this episode's cases show (the second one involves a politician suspected of paying for sex).
More than anything, however, the show really stands alone thanks to Tim Roth's sardonic central performance. Not that the other three regulars aren't up to it (Hines' earnestness provides a nice contrast to Williams' warmth and Raymund's youthful energy), but it's the leading man's uncompromisingly quirky work that gives the show its admittedly weird heart and show (just watch the scene between Lightman and his daughter). Besides, it's a pleasure to finally hear a British actor speak with his own accent, as opposed to Hugh Laurie (House M.D.) and Damian Lewis (Life): it adds that extra dimension to a character who is already memorable.
The truth (pun not intended) is all in the details, and based on the pilot, Lie to Me has everything going for it. A brilliant program, worth watching over and over again.
Leading credentials belong to Cal Lightman (Tim Roth), founder and leader of the Lightman Group, an organization that is hired by various government agencies and/or private companies when cases get - you guessed it - complicated. Working with him are psychologist Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams), who tries to focus on the human side while Lightman is very cold and rational, and Eli Loker (Brendan Hines), whose penchant for "radical honesty" isn't as charming as he'd like to think (when coming late for work he calmly admits he got drunk the night before). While working on a delicate matter (a minor who's facing the death penalty for allegedly killing his teacher), Cal also hires airport security officer Ria Torres (Monica Raymund), whose track record indicates she's a "natural" when it comes to spotting lies.
What sets the show apart from any other cop show (except possibly the CSI franchise) is its staggering attention to detail: as Sherlock Holmes used to say, all the clues matter, and no other series highlights it more. Whether it's an eyebrow twitch or a seemingly casual shrug, nothing escapes Lightman and his team (see the highly entertaining teaser sequence), and that makes for a fascinating watch episode after episode (plus, it's intriguing to see guest actors deliberately pull off what normally is considered completely involuntary). Also, on a writing level, the show isn't afraid to explore delicate subjects, often with surprising results, as this episode's cases show (the second one involves a politician suspected of paying for sex).
More than anything, however, the show really stands alone thanks to Tim Roth's sardonic central performance. Not that the other three regulars aren't up to it (Hines' earnestness provides a nice contrast to Williams' warmth and Raymund's youthful energy), but it's the leading man's uncompromisingly quirky work that gives the show its admittedly weird heart and show (just watch the scene between Lightman and his daughter). Besides, it's a pleasure to finally hear a British actor speak with his own accent, as opposed to Hugh Laurie (House M.D.) and Damian Lewis (Life): it adds that extra dimension to a character who is already memorable.
The truth (pun not intended) is all in the details, and based on the pilot, Lie to Me has everything going for it. A brilliant program, worth watching over and over again.
