Perception is an American crime drama created by Kenneth Biller & Mike Sussman, which aired on TNT from July 9, 2012, through March 17, 2015. The series stars Eric McCormack as Dr. Daniel J. Pierce, a schizophrenic neuropsychiatrist and college professor, who is enlisted by the FBI to assist on some of their most complex cases.
The FBI investigate a case involving the death of a mail order bride whose husband has a medical condition that makes him unable to recognize faces. Kate catches the eye of a new professor, who doesn't get the warmest of welcomes from Pierce.
During a case involving the resurfacing of the "date night" killer, a serial killer from 1986, Kate and Pierce are led to a woman named Lacey, who escaped the killer's attack but who still believes it's 1986. Meanwhile, Lewicki takes issue with Kate constantly coming to Pierce for help.
Pierce helps Kate investigate the death of a therapist who tried to "cure" his patients of their homosexuality. Pierce attends a fundraiser gala held by Dean Haley.
Pierce witnesses the murder of a young man claiming a conspiracy involving big business and Chicago politicians, and then discovers that the murder may not have been real after all.
After Pierce commits himself to a psychiatric ward, Kate discovers that the murder Pierce witnessed actually happened. Pierce meets his new psychiatrist, Dr. Caroline Newsome, on whom he based his imaginary friend Natalie.
Pierce is asked to be an expert witness in a trial against a biker who is facing the death penalty for torturing and murdering his wife. The District Attorney prosecuting the case is Donnie, Kate's soon-to-be ex-husband. After examining the biker, Pierce comes to the conclusion that he is psychologically a completely different person. Meanwhile, Pierce has begun a relationship with Caroline, however she wants to keep it a secret as he was a patient of hers.
Pierce and Kate investigate the strange case of a woman claiming her husband has been replaced by an alien. Natalie's return to Pierce's life puts strain on his and Caroline's relationship.
A judge is murdered during a court hearing. A referee is stabbed in the middle of a basketball game. No one claims to have seen the killings happen. Pierce believes that the victims are somehow connected, but the rest of the FBI, save Kate, are putting their money on the theories of a behavioral analyst.
Pierce accepts an invitation to work on a case from a renowned environmental activist concerning a chain of abnormal neurological reactions in a group of young girls. However, upon examining the girls, Pierce discovers that a dark secret is at the root of their ailments. Meanwhile, Kate questions Pierce's motives in working on a case without her.
Pierce tries to communicate with an asocial man, who can describe the details of a murder, using a social simulation game called Caleidoscope. He gets sucked in and is enchanted by a virtual lady - and virtual karaoke.
Pierce and Donnie work together after a brain device meant to control tremors seems to be defective with multiple reports across the nation. When a doctor agrees to talk with Pierce and Donnie, he is later found dead with his wife in a coma. The two must determine if the corporation making this product is to blame, or if something more is going on. Meanwhile, Max dates a Brazilian girl whom he is trying to help get a scholarship.
A man makes a confession on his deathbed to Kate, but she has trouble buying it so she calls Pierce to see if he is telling the truth. Meanwhile, the two look into a series of killings from the past.
Pierce is called to look into a stabbing at a psychiatric hospital; while in a series of hallucinations, Pierce realizes there is something dark going on in the hospital.
Pierce is asked to look into the case of a war hero that exhibits violent, erratic behavior and realizes she has a neurological disorder from contracting herpes. Later she is accused of murdering a former platoon colleague and it's up to Pierce and Kate to prove her innocence. Meanwhile, Pierce's college girlfriend returns to teach for a semester.
Moretti faces criminal charges after taking things into her own hands while working on a dangerous case. Pierce and Donnie strive to clear her name, but as conflicting evidence builds, even Kate begins to question her own innocence. Donnie and Kate gets closer together.
Pierce helps out when an autistic teen is under investigation for murder with help from his hallucination Hall of Fame Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown. Dean Haley sets out to convince a neuroscience prodigy to attend CLMU.
Lewicki's brother, Kenny, makes a surprise visit. When he's later named as the suspect in a murder, Pierce's loyalties are torn between friendship and justice. An enticing offer makes Lewicki question Pierce's loyalty to him.
Tensions arise between the CIA and FBI after Pierce receives a tip that the CIA might be assassinating U.S. citizens. Things become more complicated when one of Pierce's close friends is murdered. Meanwhile, Moretti tries to overcome her trust issues with Donnie.
Pierce's mental stability is questioned and his job threatened when he is accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend, Caroline Newsome. As the situation escalates, Moretti works to find the real stalker with help from a visiting inspector from Canada.
Pierce is approached in Paris by the FBI to help with a dangerous international case. Meanwhile, Max and Dean Haley devise a plan to get Pierce back in Chicago.
Pierce is brought in to interview a young bank robbery hostage with a developmental disorder. More than money is involved regarding the case. Meanwhile, Pierce's estranged father James (Peter Coyote) visits him.
Moretti asks Pierce to examine Elena Douglas (Rya Kihlstedt), who has confessed to murder and claims to be possessed by the Devil. Meanwhile, Donnie and Moretti's wedding plans must be re-examined.
Moretti and Pierce investigate how renowned neuroscientist Landon Jennings is found dead in his impenetrable study. Lewicki gets double duty, now that Pierce's father James moves in with them.
Moretti must find an infant and its kidnapper, only to discover the baby is a doll. When the baby's mother is discovered murdered, she and Pierce must track down the killer and find out what happened to the real baby, that is if there even was one. Meanwhile, Donnie looks into buying a house in the suburbs, causing another discussion with Moretti.
Pierce witnesses a gallery owner die during a seizure caused by a video installation and convinces Moretti that it was actually a murder. The search for the killer uncovers a bold art heist. The casework also forces Pierce to re-examine his relationship with Natalie.
A sniper fires upon the lobby of the Federal Building, wounding an agent. However, Pierce believes the shooter was targeting the nearby security scanning machine as an act against technology. Meanwhile, Donnie is asked by Shelby Coulson to run as alderman.
After Donnie finds himself accused of murder, Pierce and Moretti set out to clear his name. Meanwhile, Pierce's father poses as the husband of Ruby (Joanna Cassidy), a woman with Alzheimer's, while asking Pierce and Moretti to find a fugitive that Ruby insists she has recognised. The seemingly innocuous investigation puts Pierce in danger.
After Pierce suffers a traumatic injury, his father and Paul must choose to allow a high-risk surgery. Meanwhile, Pierce works to solve an Agatha Christie style murder case that causes him to question everything.
Moretti goes undercover to investigate an animal rights group suspected of foul play in the brutal murders of a meat company's owners. While helping solve the case, Pierce considers making a deeply personal confession to Moretti.
Pierce and Moretti investigate an international scandal with the murders of a diplomat and a reporter. At the same time, Moretti tries to write her vows for her wedding to Donnie.
Days before Moretti's wedding, Pierce solves the case of the murder of one of his students. The victim's boyfriend is suspected of the crime and being mentally ill. Pierce also realizes his feelings for Moretti.
