It's a "Brand New Day" For "Lie to Me"

You guys know I liked FOX’s “Lie to Me” from the beginning.

But I have to admit as the season wore on that the show’s concept started to get a little old. Lightman (the excellent Tim Roth) was just too smart and the constant pointing out of the micro-expressions was starting to get annoying.

That’s why last week’s episode was such a breath of fresh air. Normally, I’m working on my blog or playing on Facebook when the show is on, but last week, I actually put aside the computer to completely concentrate on what I was watching. The episode featured several great twists and turns as Lightman matched wits with a convicted serial rapist, who proved to be an adept liar himself. The final twist was a complete shock that I never saw coming.

The episode also introduced Mekhi Phifer as an FBI agent who ends up working with The Lightman Group much to his chagrin. His presence gives the show a new and interesting dynamic I’m actually looking forward to seeing more of in the finale (and hopefully next season).

Last week, in a conference call with reporters, Tim Roth revealed that “The Shield” creator Shawn Ryan had helped write last week’s episode. And even Roth admitted that it was a little different. “[T]his is kind of a different show for us. It was, all the characters, all the main characters were working on the same case and it had a very different feel, I think. It was interesting to act in, actually. It was fun. It was a lot of fun for us to act in.”

Roth later referred to the episode as his favorite so far. “I think the ‘Blinded’ one was a different kind of script. It was one story that traveled across the hour and to act in, from my perspective, it was quite at times, satisfying and interesting, and it was a page turner, and it was difficult at times.”

That’s why this report comes as such good news. Michael Ausiello of EW.com is reporting that FOX has renewed “Lie to Me” for a second 13-episode season and that Shawn Ryan will be taking over as showrunner. Ryan is also behind “The Unit,” so if CBS renews it—and that’s up in the air right now—he will juggle both shows.

If Ryan brings more stories like last week’s, next season is going to be a lot of fun. I just hope they keep Ryan Star’s “Brand New Day” as the theme song too…

The season finale of “Lie to Me” airs Wednesday, May 13th at 8 p.m. on FOX…

Photo Credit: Isabella Vosmikova/FOX