Profiler (1996 — 2000)

Profiler (1996–2000), an American crime drama created by Cynthia Saunders, aired on NBC from September 21, 1996 to July 1, 2000. The show follows Dr. Samantha ‘Sam’ Waters, a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler for the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) in Atlanta, Georgia. Sam possesses a unique gift that allows her to see through the eyes of others and gives her valuable insights into the minds of criminals. Her dedication to her job stems from a personal tragedy years ago when her husband was murdered by a serial killer named ‘Jack of All Trades’. Due to Jack’s dangerous nature, Sam lives with constant police protection in a former firefighter station with her daughter Chloe and best friend Angel Brown, an artist.

After assisting her mentor Bailey Malone with a challenging case, Sam emerges from her retirement and solitude to join the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force. The team also includes detectives John Grant and Nathan Brubaker, computer expert George Fraley, and forensic pathologist Grace Álvarez. However, in season two (1997–1998) of Profiler, Brubaker departs from the VCTF, making room for Marcus Payton, who brings tension to the group due to his skepticism towards Sam’s methods. Additionally, Jack enlists the help of former felon Sharon Lesher as his partner ‘Jill of All Trades’. Meanwhile, Bailey must also navigate the rebellious behavior of his daughter Frances after she becomes embroiled in criminal activities.

During season three (1998–1999), the show let go of the new characters and reduced Chloe’s role to a recurring one. ‘Jack’ turned out to be Donald Lucas, a former schoolmate of Sam’s from childhood who had captured her. This plot shift led to a greater focus on VCTF cases and Sam’s journey to readjust to society. She and Chloe move into an upscale home in the Atlanta suburbs, while Sam also reconnects with her estranged father Walter Anderson and pursues a romantic relationship with prosecutor Paul Sterling. Additionally, Bailey reconciles with his ex-wife Janet. At the beginning of season four (1999–2000), Sam is taken by Newquay and Bailey enlists the help of profiler Rachel Burke, a former FBI instructor at Quantico who has a knack for profiling similar to Waters. Once Sam is rescued, she leaves VCTF while Burke joins the team. Initially, her assertive and direct approach rubs her new colleagues the wrong way unlike Sam’s more gentle demeanor. In particular, she clashes with John Grant over whether or not they had a sexual encounter during a drunken night together in the past.