In January 2009, FOX aired the first episode of a new series based on the work of Dr. Paul Ekman, an expert on body language and facial expressions, or facial "microexpressions," and the art of using them to ferret out the truth. In the TV show Lie To Me, actor Tim Roth plays Dr. Cal Lightman, loosely based on Dr. Ekman. Lightman knows all about using these microexpressions and has founded The Lightman Group, a private consulting company to help local and federal law enforcement in investigations.

Aiding Dr. Lightman are a number of colleagues, including Dr. Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams), Eli Loker (Brendan Hines), Ria Torres (Monica Raymund), and Ben Reynolds (Mekhi Phifer). All of these characters (including Lightman) have serious issues left to resolve from their pasts or that are currently being worked on.

Gillian's husband Alec (played by Tim Guinee) was suspected of having an affair throughout most of the season. Instead it was discovered that he was a recovering addict and the woman he'd been seeing had been his sponsor. At the end of the season, Gillian and Alec separated.

Loker is more of an academic than a people person, but has this unique quirk that he adheres to a principle of radical honesty — therefore he doesn't lie. This presents some unusual problems throughout the season, including when he divulges sensitive information during an investigation in one episode. Loker has a "thing" for Torres that he hints at even in the pilot episode by telling her he wants to have sex with her.

Torres is the newest member of the team during the first season, and is initially found working airport security. Lightman sees her as a natural lie detector when he observes her and hires her on the spot. She sometimes finds herself in conflict between what she sees in microexpressions and what she feels emotionally, which causes issues.

And Reynolds is an FBI agent who assisted the Lightman Group in several investigations throughout the season. His street smarts and connections in law enforcement made him a valuable asset. And by the end of the season, Lightman had made him a job offer he couldn't refuse.

Article Author: Fitz

Brian Fitzpatrick (aka "Fitz") is a software engineer and writer living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his wife, two daughters, two dogs, and two cats -- trying desperately to survive the chaos!

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