Steve Zahn
Christian Slater
Megalyn Echikunwoke
Wynn Everett
Gregory Marcel
Cedric Sanders
Jaime Ray Newman

Created by:
Kyle Killen
John Luessenhop

2014
Drama
ABC
TV-14

(after watching the pilot)

“Mind Games,” created by Kyle Killen (“Awake,” “Lone Star”), is about two brothers, Clark and Ross Edwards, who have checkered pasts: Clark had an inappropriate relationship with one of his former college students, who was 22-years-old at the time. Ross went to prison for fraud, and his ex-wife helped to put him there. Clark and Ross are experts at manipulation. One character calls their skills Jedi mind-tricks. They’ve started a company together, but are having trouble convincing people with deep pockets to become clients.

In the first episode, they decide to take a case pro bono in order to establish credibility. Clark (played by Steve Zahn) does a lot of fast-talking and yelling; I guess they want us to believe that he’s a mad genius. Ross (played by Christian Slater) tries to keep his brother in check and winds up yelling back as a result. Also, Ross’s ex-wife of shows up to help Clark stay on track, which causes friction.

There’s a lot of energy in this show, and the acting is adequate; but it’s not funny, and it wants to be. “Mind Games” attempts to blend comedy with drama. It reminds me of “Lie to Me,” in a way: The subject matter’s similar, and both shows follow the procedural model.

If the premise sounds really good to you, then “Mind Games” may be worth a watch. I’ll probably watch the next episode, at least, based on what I’ve seen. It’s not great stuff, but I like the ideas; so I’ll see what happens next. If the premise doesn’t intrigue you at all, stay away. …

It’s the moralizing that gets in the way and makes “Mind Games” uneven. It doesn’t go for the jugular, and it needs to.

Verdict: OK

About: (Source: mindgames)

Need help getting a job? How about convincing your daughter not to marry her loser boyfriend? Whatever it is you want, Clark (Steve Zahn) and Ross Edwards (Christian Slater) can help you get it. Together, these two brothers – one an expert in human behavior and the other a former con artist – are partners in a unique agency that solves clients’ problems using the science of psychological manipulation and human behavior…and they’re changing lives along the way.