ABC’s new show, “Mind Games,” is the outcome of producers trying to put a new twist on a “been there, done that” plot. Pulling ideas from various television shows, such as “Sherlock,” “Dr. Watson,” and “The Mentalist,” “Mind Games” definitely doesn’t come off as terribly original. The pilot episode starts off with strange men yelling, and me, cringing in my seat and rubbing my temples.

The show stars two brothers, Ross and Clark Edwards (played by Christian Slater and Steve Zahn), who run an unsuccessful business using  psychological manipulation to help clients get want they want. Oh, hey, and it also happens that Ross is an ex-conman fresh out of prison, and Clark is a bipolar and slightly crazy man who got fired from his job as a professor because he was having an affair with a young student. It also features two men and a woman who are part of their business: Claire, the ex-wife of Ross; and Beth, Clark’s former student.  All the parts are like pieces of a puzzle that don’t fit together.

As the first episode drags on, Clark can be seen throwing dangerous objects and yelling some more. The two brothers fight (predictably), then make up and share a hug on a windy rooftop as an attempt to arouse emotion in the viewing audience. Admittedly, this part is slightly different than other shows with romantic leads. Instead of thinking, “Get a room!,” audiences will think a slight “Aw,” and then get on with their lives.

“Mind Games” truly does play games on minds in the sense that it confuses people’s  brains. This show tries to excite audiences by weaving many subplots among the main plot, but it was just utterly complicated. Add personal relationships, business struggles, and helping people in need with psychological skills up, and it equals chaos.

This show exposed what our entertainment industry has come to. Recycling old ideas and trying to regurgitate them as new shows is not going to cut it. Mediocre actors and actresses don’t help the cause either.

All in all, don’t watch this if you have good taste in television shows. Much better things could be done with an hour of life. Make sure to sleep or do anything other than watch this show on Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

To see the counter review by Shea Fairbanks, check out her article here.