NBC’s The Irrational isn’t just about solving complex cases through the lens of behavioral science—it’s also about the unpredictability of human connection. And no storyline exemplifies that better than the slow-burning, emotionally charged romance between Jesse L. Martin’s Alec Mercer and Karen David’s Rose Dinshaw. The chemistry between the two characters is undeniable, but as Martin and David shared, love isn’t always logical—it’s messy, imperfect, and often a little ridiculous.

An Unlikely Pairing

For Jesse L. Martin, stepping into Alec Mercer’s shoes was an unexpected yet rewarding challenge. “I never saw this role coming,” he admitted. “I’ve played detectives before, but I didn’t expect to be fighting crime again. But here I am—only this time, through the lens of science, teaching, and the everyman perspective.”

THE IRRATIONAL — “Suddenly Alec” Episode 217 — Pictured: Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: James Dittiger/NBC)

However, despite Alec’s structured and rational approach to life, he finds himself completely disoriented by Rose. Describing his character’s emotional turmoil, Martin explained, “Alec has done the Lord’s work in dealing with his past with his ex-wife. Now, they can work together, they can be friends, everything’s all good. He has his work and science to keep him fulfilled—that’s all he ever thought he needed. And then along comes this woman, and suddenly, he realizes he needs more, wants more. It makes him self-conscious about needing, wanting, and loving. And boy, do they make it complicated because Rose isn’t the easiest woman in the world. She’s got so much going on in her own career. Alec has outside scars, but she has inside scars. He can’t see them, but they show up in ways he never expected—sometimes in the form of other people.”

Karen David echoed the sentiment, revealing how Rose, a former MI6 operative, has buried her traumas under layers of detachment. “Jesse said it perfectly. He’s got his scars on the outside and inside, and certainly Rose has buried and become very good at burying and stifling her traumas,” she explained. “Being ex-MI6 allowed Rose to not have to deal with everything she’s been through, whereas Alec has a much healthier approach to his past. Meeting him has been life-altering for her, whether she likes it or not.”

The result? A relationship that is as rewarding as it is frustrating. “One thing she’s gotten from Alec is a sense of belonging, of feeling seen,” David said. “And that terrifies her.” Unlike Alec, who openly processes his emotions through his work and teaching, Rose has spent years burying hers. This stark contrast is what makes their dynamic so compelling. They challenge each other, forcing one another to confront aspects of themselves they might otherwise ignore.

Romance, The Irrational Way

What does a date look like for two people who overanalyze everything? Exactly as you’d expect—full of unexpected turns and sharp observations. “It can’t just be a normal date,” David laughed. “It’s got to be a 24-hour date filled with analysis. Normally, that might scare someone away—but not them.”

THE IRRATIONAL — “Now You Don’t” Episode 211 — Pictured: (l-r) Karen David as Rose Dinshaw, Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

Their connection is built on mutual admiration, but it also exposes their vulnerabilities in ways neither of them anticipated. “We’re talking about two very intelligent people,” Martin noted. “But suddenly, I’m aware of a scar I hadn’t thought about in years. Suddenly, I care.”

This vulnerability is what makes their relationship so rich and layered. Rose, who has spent years suppressing her emotions, finds herself opening up in ways she never imagined. Alec, who prides himself on understanding human nature, realizes that love doesn’t always follow a logical path.

“The beauty of their relationship is in its flaws,” David reflected. “I don’t want perfect. I want perfectly imperfect.” Martin echoed this sentiment: “If it were perfect, it wouldn’t last. The reason we keep going is because it’s hard.”

Music, Food, and Therapy (Lots of It)

When asked to describe Alec and Rose’s relationship in a single phrase, the actors took two very different approaches. Martin, ever the poet, turned to music: “On the dark end of the street is where we meet.” The line, a nod to the classic soul song by James Carr, encapsulates the shadowy, complicated nature of their connection—two people meeting in the in-between spaces of their lives, unsure but drawn together nonetheless.

THE IRRATIONAL — “The Milgram Experiment” Episode 214 — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Karen David as Rose Dinshaw — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

David, however, saw things through a more culinary lens. “It’s a tossed salad,” she said. “Some of the lettuce leaves are shiny and wonderful, and then you find a tomato that’s… questionable.” The unpredictability of their relationship, much like a salad full of unexpected ingredients, keeps things exciting, even when it’s frustrating.

One thing they both agreed on? Their characters could use a little therapy. “Oh my gosh, they need therapy, don’t they?” David joked. Martin didn’t hesitate to agree.:

As The Irrational continues to dive deeper into Alec and Rose’s tangled emotions, one thing is certain—love may not always make sense, but watching it unfold is utterly compelling. With each new episode, audiences get to see not just the science of behavior, but the very human, very irrational nature of love itself.