Rian Johnson's Peacock murder mystery series, "Poker Face" features Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne), a cocktail waitress who has an unusual ability to tell if someone is lying. It seems like she has a supernatural sense. She feels a slight twinge when someone lies. Although the feeling is not always right, it does not give her any clues as to why someone is lying. That's where her true talents lie. Charlie is not one of the fictional detectives who are praised for their detached and logical investigation style. She is the anti-Sherlock Holmes. She investigates the lies she tells and the murders that she stumbles into out of a sense to do right by her fellow humans. She is able to connect with victims, witnesses and even the perpetrators because of her profound empathy. Lyonne is non-judgmental, easy-going, and has Lyonne's effortless cool and genuine warmth. People open up to Lyonne and share their secrets with her.

Johnson stated that he wanted Poker Face to feel like a "hangout" show, where people just want to spend time talking to Charlie Cale. This goal is met with great success. It's not only that the audience wants to spend time with Charlie Cale, but it is also understandable why the people on the show trust her and are open to her. Johnson's detective hero Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is more reserved and distant than Johnson. He has a lot of empathy and warmth, but is much more reserved. Charlie is, however, a rough-and-tumble, rock-hard, and incredibly lovable. Charlie is a rare TV detective who uses her nose, gut and brains to solve crimes. And, most importantly, her heart.

Charlie Cale is without doubt one of the most popular characters in television history. She is funny, smart, relatable, as well as a great host. She is often tempted to run and hide when she comes across a crime but she always does the right thing even though it means she is at great risk. She is a real one, who can be as at ease chatting to a sour-mouthed trucker (the ever amazing Hong Chau) than she is with a grinning, frustrated rock star (Chloe Sevigny). She is as neutral as possible. When she hears a lie she will only occasionally murmur "bulls ***"" and then she will usually assure the person that most lies can be benign and that people lie all of the time.

Charlie isn't fake. This makes her an open book people will be more likely to trust. She is not a Machiavellian genius or a tortured genius. She is just someone with street smarts and the ability to listen instead of pretending to pay attention. People who have something to hide tend to distrust Charlie and dislike her. And that's before they learn about her ability to spot lies. They are more likely to believe her since she is more truthful than their lies.

Although being able tell when someone lies may seem like the ultimate detective superpower it doesn't work the same way as Charlie simply being able interview people and then telling the police that she has a superpower. Charlie is under the sway of a powerful and dangerous mobster, who could convince local cops that she should be turned in. This means that law enforcement officers are not her best friends. Any crimes she solves will need to be solved with creativity and wit. Lyonne explained her character in an interview with Empire Magazine.

While there are many detectives who feel compelled to solve mysteries due to the mystery, Charlie feels different because of her motivation. She's willing to look at a mystery until she sees an innocent person being arrested in the second episode. Episode 5 features a villain calling Charlie a cop, and she is rightfully offended. Charlie is not working for law and order, or any egotistical need of her detective skills. She's just solving these mysteries because she believes it's the right thing to.

Charlie is a cozy detective like Angela Lansbury from "Murder, She Wrote", but she's quite a different character to any other TV detective. Easy to get along with, she's cool and easy to understand. She also has a love for fine food and is open to trying new things. Although she enjoys her vices, she is dependent on them. This is similar to TV detectives who smoke or drink excessively. Despite swearing like an sailor at times, she is incredibly kind and wholesome. She is the type of character that can make themselves at home in any situation. The fun part about "Poker Face," each week, is watching Charlie interact with the guest stars. They will likely get along and play shuffleboard, smoke closet weed, buttheads, or have fun flirting.

"Poker Face," which is receiving a second season, will allow us to see Charlie Cale's incredible empathy and more of her. Although she doesn't possess the same preternatural empathy as Will Graham from "Hannibal," it's not by accident. Her ability to detect lies is a kind of magical empathy. This, combined with her ability get people to relax, makes her a formidable competitor to Columbo.

Every Thursday, new episodes of Poker Face premiere on Peacock.

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