The Irrational Season 2 Episode 2 sees our team of academic excellence embrace changes and growth. The team heads up a new investigation – a grizzly murder where the victims all seem to be related, and the answer? Not obvious. If there’s one thing, it’s that this show is phenomenal at leading you to believe the most obvious answer is wrong.
This case proved that all the victims could also be all the suspects, which was almost overlooked over the appearance of teeth. Yes, teeth. In fact, turns out that cilantro and an experiment were all that was necessary to break the case, which isn’t par for the course in this show. After all is said and done, our team of unsung heroes manages to find justice and a little personal introspection along the way.
For Alec, his biases are challenged in this episode with heartfelt conversations and advice regarding scar healing, and while he helps out a former burn victim, in turn, he helps himself and his relationships. Meanwhile, in a different space completely, we see Phoebe striving for more responsibility and undertaking an advisement role for students on their respective research papers. While she may not be saving a life per se, she does help a student prevent her work from being stolen.
And Rizwan? Well, Rizwan has an undertaking of his own. Bringing in Simon Wylton, played by Max Lloyd-Jones, as a potential replacement for Phoebe, and an additional research assistant. We got the chance to talk to Arash DeMaxi about his character’s defining moment in this episode, and what viewers will have to look forward to this season.
This episode saw Rizwan embark on a leadership front, by bringing Simon in to fill the team’s roster. What was it like seeing someone new interact with Alec and the team and almost being taken back to that newbie feeling?
Arash DeMaxi: Yeah, it’s so weird because at the beginning of season one, I was the new guy, and I didn’t know anyone, and I was the one being brought in, and now I’m head RA. I’m helping initiate a new RA, so it’s funny how it echoes the first season, but it’s like I’ve now been bumped up to head RA, and I think that is a bit daunting for Rizwan to, you know, his first big task is to bring in a new RA and I’m the one that found Simon. I think that he doubts himself, maybe like is this the right decision? Is this the right thing to do? But yeah, it’s been really interesting to be the head RA and on the other side of that going into season two. And yeah, he’s not the new guy anymore. He’s been around for the first season and adapted to the world at WIFAH. So, it’s been enjoyable bringing in Simon Wilton, played by Max Lloyd Jones, And that’s been really interesting to see how those dynamics change once we have that new RA come in.
Can we expect to see more of Rizwan taking Simon under his wing, and them becoming a mentor/mentee relationship?
AD: Yeah, at least definitely in the beginning because when Rizwan joined in season one, Phoebe really helped get him acclimated to what’s happening at WIFAH, and now I’m doing the same thing for Simon. So especially at the beginning, uh, you know, you gotta learn the ropes and Rizwan has been around. So I had to teach him the ropes and see how he fits, hoping I made the right decision and bringing him on. And so, yeah, as a head RA, there’s definitely a sort of mentor, mentee thing happening. And then there’s also that same Dynamic happening between Alec and Rizwan. So that’s funny. There’s this hierarchy of like being taught and also learning.
So, speaking about Alec. It’s clear that Simon and Alec have some history. Do we see any drama unfold later in the season that could have team repercussions?
AD: Yeah, it’s Simon Wilton, and we’re at Wilton University. So he comes from a long, wealthy line of Wiltons that have been involved with the university over the years, which is why Alec knows Simon and his mom as well. And you’ll see that play out a little over the season. Um, there’s also some history for Simon that we’ll get to find out about, which is part of the reason he gets triggered in episode two as we saw and leaves the crime scene because he’s got something in his past that is traumatic for him, and so I’m excited for people to see that play out. So yeah, the Wilton line and all that family history will play a small part in our storytelling this season.
Moving into other characters, Rizwan and Phoebe definitely have a noticeable bond, especially considering how upset Rizwan was that Phoebe was taking a break and pursuing more academic investigations we could say. What can you tease in terms of Rizwan and Phoebe continuing to stay in touch as we’ve seen, grow their friendship, and eventually be back on the same team?
AD: It’s possible. It’s possible. Yeah, at first, there may be a little bit of like a sibling rivalry thing going on. We’re both like, you know, wanting Alec’s attention, and we both, you know, want to be like the number one RA. Then, quickly, it develops into a close friendship throughout season one. And even though Phoebe has left her position at WIFAH, that friendship doesn’t go away. They’re still really close. I’m calling her in episode one, asking for help already because I’m holding it down and overwhelmed. And so yeah, that friendship remains strong, and you know, if you’ve been held hostage with someone, it’s a bonding experience, so the friendship between Phoebe and Rizwan is so much fun to play. And I’m, I’m so glad to say that it reflects in real life. Uh, Molly Coons and I are really good friends, and we hang out all the time, and we’re just so glad that we like each other because so many of our scenes were together. Um, and so, yeah, that friendship is not going anywhere; Phoebe’s not going anywhere. There’s plenty more stories to be told with Phoebe, um, and we’ll see if she decides to come back.
Moving into the season overall, is there anything you hope your character gets to explore like delving more into personal storylines, or any screen time you hope to share with other characters?
AD: Yeah, some of the episodes that I find really exciting are the ones where I get to go on the field and I get to go undercover with Alec. Sometimes, I’m holding it down at the University, and we’re doing experiments, which is so much fun and really cool that we have this educational twist on our show. But every now and then, I get to go out on the field with Alec, and we get to go undercover. And those are always the scenes that I’m like, really excited about. Um, And so there will be some of that coming up in the second season, I will tease. Um, and so yeah, those are, those are the episodes. I’m most excited that episode four may or may not be that kind of episode. So stay tuned.
So, the show does not shy away from darker psychological constructs, and one thing I’ve noticed when watching the show is that while the characters are obviously sensitive to the nature of the circumstances, there is that giddy moment when their psychological analysis pans out. We also see the deep concern and personal attachment that the team has, so will we see the giddiness of being right fade away and be replaced with the weight and the emotions of the work?
AD: Yeah, that’s exactly what happened in season one. As I was saying with Rizwan and Phoebe at first, it’s about being the number one RA and impressing Alec, but then, you know, once you go through like life-threatening situations like that together, I really think it brings you closer and, uh, there are just such good friends now, and they really care about each other. And it’s fun to provide some moments of levity in a show that can sometimes otherwise be pretty dark with these, you know, murder cases, and so, it’s fun to kind of, um, hold down the university aspect of it, all, and turn things into lessons and experiments. Um, and then sometimes get involved directly with the case and be out there on the field. So the way that that fluctuates keeps things exciting and fresh, and it’s a lot of fun to be a part of that.
Now, what’s the process like in terms of approaching the content of the show? How comfortable are you with the psychological lingo?
AD: Yeah, with experience, I definitely get a better handle on it and get better at tackling it, but I can’t kick my feet up and settle into it at the same time, either. I think that especially something that we’re strengthening even more in season two is that each episode is totally different. So you can’t really lock into one way of approaching it because it changes so much every episode, um, which I think is really exciting, and I think that’s one of our strengths, uh, in season two. So yeah, it’s constantly changing. Every episode is different from the one before. So Yeah, it keeps us on our toes and viewers on our toes and allows us to not be redundant. Uh, keeps things fresh.
Finally, two words you’d use to describe your character’s journey so far?
AD: Good question. I would say. Adapting and bravery.
The Irrational airs Tuesdays, at 10/9c on NBC.
