Prodigal Son

2019
4.7
97 reviews
TV-UNRATED
Rating
Eligible
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Prodigal Son: Season 1 episodes (20)

1 Pilot
9/24/19
Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) knows how killers think and how their minds work, because his father, Dr. Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen), was one of the most notorious serial killers, called “The Surgeon.” Alongside his longtime mentor, Gil Arroyo (Lou Diamond Phillips), and detectives Dani Powell (Aurora Perrineau) and Jt Tarmel (Frank Harts), he helps the NYPD solve crimes by profiling killers, while also dealing with a manipulative mother, Jessica Whitly (Bellamy Young), an annoyingly normal sister, Ainsley Whitly (Halston Sage) and a homicidal father still looking to bond with his prodigal son.
2 Annihilator
9/30/19
Bright jumps at the chance to help Arroyo solve a quadruple homicide for the NYPD. As Bright slips into the mind of this serial killer, he finds himself dealing with the repercussions of seeing his father for the first time in years. Tormented by the terrors of his childhood, Bright is faced with a question: are his dreams just nightmares or did they actually happen?
3 Fear Response
10/7/19
Malcolm gets his dream interview opportunity when the NYPD zeroes in on one of his and Martin’s favorite psychologists, Dr. Elaine Brown (guest star Sakina Jaffrey), who may be involved in a homicide linked to an LSD-laced psychology trial. Meanwhile, as his night terrors continue to evolve, Malcolm checks in with his trusted childhood therapist to discuss new theories on what exactly he witnessed as a child, and the consequences of Malcolm’s visits with The Surgeon begin to add up when Gil, Jessica and Ainsley catch wind that he has been seeing his father again.
4 Designer Complicity
10/14/19
As Malcolm’s childhood memories start to take shape, he realizes his father’s killing spree may not have been a surprise to everyone in his family. While Malcolm continues to investigate his past, the murder of a famous model and social media influencer sends him, Gil, Dani and JT on the hunt for a stalker with a creepy eye for design.
5 The Trip
10/21/19
Malcolm searches the depths of his mind to unravel the mystery of “the girl in the box,” but with his night terrors and lack of sleep increasing, his real life becomes more and more of a blur. When the NYPD investigates a homicide, they assume it is linked to a drug cartel. Plus, Malcolm discovers a secret about Dani’s past that draws them closer together.
6 All Souls and Sadists
10/28/19
When Bright uncovers a photo of himself and Martin from when he was a kid, he is forced to focus on the repressed memories from his childhood psyche. Meanwhile, he finds himself bonding with a young boy connected to the NYPD’s latest homicide. Also, Jessica and Malcolm finally agree on one thing – they must put a stop to Ainsley’s idea to interview “The Surgeon.”
7 Q&A
11/4/19
Bright’s quest for answers about his childhood leads him to a junkyard, where he’s bombarded with gunshots. Narrowly escaping, Bright and the NYPD discover multiple bodies on the scene, with victims spanning decades. Gil, Dani, Frank and Bright must investigate this serial killer who Bright suspects has something to do with “The Surgeon.” Meanwhile, Ainsley’s exclusive interview with Martin takes an unexpected turn, forcing her to team up with Bright.
8 Family Friend
11/11/19
As the NYPD digs into the “Junkyard Killer” case, Malcolm realizes the main suspect may have had a connection to his father. As news regarding this serial killer spreads, Ainsley itches to be the first one on the case, while Jessica panics, fearing she may never be able to leave the past behind her.
9 Pied-A-Terre
11/25/19
When Martin is locked away in solitary confinement and the FBI takes over the Junkyard Killer case, Malcolm uses his spare time as an excuse to try out a “normal” lifestyle. Things go well, until he accepts a challenge to “profile” his date. Meanwhile, the NYPD tracks a new homicide that’s linked to an elite underground sex club.
10 Silent Night
12/2/19
Knowing that the “Junkyard Killer” was in cahoots with his father, Malcolm goes against the FBI’s wishes and continues to investigate. His findings reconnect him with a disgruntled ex-detective who was once heavily involved in the search for “The Surgeon,” delivering them both into danger. Meanwhile, the holidays are anything but jolly for the Whitly family, when an epic blowout with Ainsley leads Jessica to take matters into her own hands. Also, Colette Swanson (guest star Meagan Good), the steadfast FBI detective who’s now in charge of the case, seems to have a personal vendetta against Malcolm in the fall finale episode.
11 Alone Time
1/20/20
The FBI and NYPD band together to save Malcolm from the “Junkyard Killer,” aka John Watkins (guest star Michael Raymond-James), who reveals shocking details about his involvement in the camping trip memories that have been plaguing his psyche. Meanwhile, as Gil looks for answers from The Surgeon, Ainsley and Jessica search through their memories of the past, hoping to find some sort of clue as to where Malcolm could be hidden.
12 Internal Affairs
1/27/20
Following a mysterious and catastrophic incident in the precinct, Bright faces an internal affairs review as Gil and the team worry about his mental health.
13 Wait and Hope
2/3/20
Malcolm takes a detour from his mandated vacation time when he finds out a killer on the loose is mimicking homicides from one his favorite children’s books, “The Count of Monte Cristo.” With added help from a very excited Martin Whitly, the NYPD trace the case back to a high society family planning one of the biggest weddings of the season, so Malcolm and Dani get dressed up to attend the event and track down their culprit. Meanwhile, Jessica scores an invite herself and is eager to make her return to the New York elite.
14 Eye of the Needle
2/10/20
Jessica continues to search for more information on the “Girl in the Box,” but is confronted by the “Carousel Killer,” who has a very public vendetta against the Whitlys. While the NYPD investigates families tied to Martin’s victims, it’s ultimately up to Malcolm and Jessica to track down the tip-line caller – turned killer – who is blackmailing her. Meanwhile, Ainsley receives a big promotion at work, but quickly realizes she may never escape the high demand for serial killer reports.
15 Death's Door
2/17/20
When a body is found professionally preserved and embalmed, the NYPD teams up with Edrisa to go undercover at a convention of funeral directors. While there, they discover their top suspects – morticians Tilda (guest star Ana Gasteyer) and Dev (guest star Sathya Sridharan) – who used to be in business with the victim. Then, enter the mind of a serial killer as Martin revisits his past through a series of hallucinations.
16 The Job
3/16/20
When a motorcycle gang robbery turns into a murder, Malcolm and team are called to the scene to investigate. While he’s working on a profile, he runs into an old friend from boarding school, licensed insurance investigator Vijay (guest star Druhv Singh). Together they work to uncover the identity of the murderer and his accomplices who stole millions in watches. Meanwhile, Martin blackmails Jessica, exchanging his silence about who stabbed him for more quality time with his son.
17 Stranger Beside You
3/23/20
The NYPD dives into a case surrounding a famous mommy blogger, whose husband was mysteriously stabbed just days after their baby was born. Meanwhile, Bright finds his way back to Eve, but can’t shake his paranoia that there’s more to her than meets the eye. To help ease his nerves, Ainsley helps him do some investigating and uncovers a secret she has been keeping.
18 Scheherazade
3/30/20
When an up-and-coming ballet dancer is mysteriously poisoned, the NYPD dives deep into the rigorous world of dance. Meanwhile, Jessica reunites with an old friend, socialite Nicholas Endicott (guest star Dermot Mulroney), and Bright and Eve turn to Martin for answers regarding the girl in the box.
19 The Professionals
4/20/20
After a catastrophic turn of events, Malcolm and Ainsley are convinced there’s more to Nicholas Endicott (guest star Dermot Mulroney) than meets the eye. Their only hope just might be an impromptu Whitly family reunion.
20 Like Father...
4/27/20
Malcolm continues to unravel as the mystery of the girl in the box comes to a head. As Nicholas Endicott’s (guest star Dermot Mulroney) true colors continue to show, the Whitlys must decide to what lengths they are willing to go in order to take him down.

About this show

Malcolm Bright knows how killers think and how their minds work. Why? His father is “The Surgeon,” a serial killer who has taken the lives of more than 20 people. PRODIGAL SON follows criminal psychologist Bright as he goes inside the minds of murderers to help the NYPD solve cases. He works with NYPD Detective Gil Arroyo, a seasoned lawman and Bright’s surrogate father; Detective Dani Powell, a headstrong cop; Edrisa Tanaka, an off-center coroner; and Detective JT Tarmel, who questions whether Bright is a psychopath himself. But Bright’s best resource for solving crimes is his homicidal-yet-oddly-loving father, Martin Whitly. As Bright helps track down dangerous criminals, he also battles his own demons — and it doesn’t help that his mother, former leading socialite Jessica Whitly, has an opinion on every aspect of Bright’s life. He has the support of his annoyingly normal sister Ainsley, a news reporter. Malcolm Bright isn’t a serial killer — he was just raised by one.

Ratings and reviews

4.7
97 reviews
Sharon Sanders (NativeSquaw, GypsySquaw)
December 24, 2019
It seems to be starting out a little jerkily, clumsy cutaways at times, but i think the actors pull it together again nicely. I like the "at-loose-ends, confused and conflicted aspect to Malcolms character. It rings true to me, i mean, how would you act if in his (character's) shoes? Im pretty sure id be even more anxious, sleepless (already have bad insomnia), restless, uneasy, indirectly terriffied, in a turmoil of surety of what i saw back then, w/a lack of surety about my mind & memory.
28 people found this review helpful
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Brian P.
October 1, 2019
Incompetent investigators, vapid sister, annoying mother, Hannibal Lector knock-off father... I often find myself rooting for the villains, considering the mostly vile cast. Even Lou Diamond Phillips can't save this trainwreck. Such a pity.
21 people found this review helpful
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Jamie thomas
January 15, 2021
I gave it 5 stars last season , 4 this second season only because it brought racism and covid into the show, I watch tv shows to escape Reality!!! i dont need my FAVORITE shows to dredge up reality that we desperately need to escape from from time to time so i hope they dont continue this whole season
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