Dr. Cal Lightman offers the closest thing you are going to get to a super power; the ability to read people and know exactly their motive, their truth, and, most importantly, their guilt.
In the Fox TV series, Lie to Me, Dr. Cal Lightman and his Associates act almost like mind readers by reading suspects lip movement, body stance, eye fluctuation, breathing rhythm, and more to determine what is true and what is simply a lie. His Associates include Dr. Gillian Foster, Eli Loker, Ria Torres, and Ben Reynolds. Each has a knack for reading people, though Dr. Lightman proves his superiority each episode through his flawless assessments.
Called in by local or government officials, Dr. Lightman is often met with skepticism of his ability, until, of course, he begins to tell others what they are thinking and feeling before they themselves know. This is an amazing ability in the workplace, but does not bode well for building personal relationships; talk about feeling over-exposed.
Lie to Me carries the audience through Dr. Lightman's process as he explains every twitch, breathe, and blink of the eye, determining who the true culprit is. One could say, though Dr. Lightman is great at reading others, his social etiquette could use improvement; he is often abrasive and confrontational with suspects, escalating emotions and causing problems within the team.
Airing in January of 2009, Lie to Me is a newer show and began in midseason as a replacement for a failing show, making it a bit more difficult to stand out and gain a following. But, with season two beginning Sept. 29, 2009, more will be revealed on this shows longevity and staying power.
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