I just watched the pilot of Instinct and it’s a surprisingly really good show. It looked stupid as all hell from the previews, but it’s a pretty solid show with amazingly rich characters. It’s pretty obvious the show is based on a book because the characters have so much depth.
My favorite things so far...
One of the main characters is LGBTQIA and happily married (and I highly doubt they’re going to kill said spouse later so score there, too). His being gay is just a fact of his character and not a plot point. He’s also in his 50′s and has a mysterious past.
Other main character is a woman in her late-30′s who is badass without being the cliche “tough girl that punches stuff and wears black”. She has no partner, not because she’s “difficult” or a “bitch”, but because she expects competence and to be treated with respect. At one point, she tries to kick a heavy door down and fails so she asks her male partner to help out and there’s no eye-rolling “me man me strong me kick door down puny woman get out of man’s way” moment just a “dude help me out and pitch in, we got shit to do here”.
A man and female partner will actually be friends and not be an endgame romantic couple!!!! Thank god. a.) I am so tired out 2 opposite gender partners not being able to just be close friends. b.) There’s nearly a 20 year age gap (and while there’s nothing wrong with age gaps of course, I am so tired of only seeing younger women being in relationships with older men when the reverse is rarely if ever seen).
Full disclosure, I really was not into the first case, but I was fascinated by the characters and will 100% stick around to see what adventures these two partners will find themselves in next.
BONUS: The actor, Alan Cumming, who plays a LGBTQIA character is LGBTQIA! More specifically he’s bisexual and shuts down the biphobic bullshit of anyone who claims he must be gay since he’s married to man.
Reminder, bisexuals aren’t suddenly gay or straight depending on who they’re in a relationship with--they’re still bi hence identifying themselves as bisexual in the first place.
Sundays, 8/7c on CBS. Episodes are available to watch for free on cbs.com