Finch, a computer genius, has created for the government a system capable of detecting information related to acts of violence or terrorism before they take place. The machine separates the accumulated information into two categories: relevant and irrelevant. However, Finch realizes that irrelevant information also often leads to homicide and other crimes.
Dead in the eyes of the authorities, former CIA Special Agent John Reese is contacted by Finch, who proposes to include him in the team. Motivated by the deception caused by the death of his girlfriend and the inconclusive investigation of the authorities, Reese will now fight, using the system created by Finch, to fight criminals.