Genre: Fantasy | Procedural | Drama
Air Date/Time: March 22 at 10/9c
Network: NBC
Created by: Kyle Killen
Director: Sarah Pia Anderson
Writer: Kyle Killen
Summary:
When Detective Michael Britten (Jason Isaacs, Brotherhood and Harry Potter) regains consciousness following his family’s car accident, he is told that his wife Hannah (Laura Allen, Terriers) perished, but that his teen son, Rex (Dylan Minnette, Lost), has survived. As he tries to put the pieces of his life back together he awakens again in a world in which his wife is very much alive, but his son Rex died in the accident. In order to keep both of his loved ones alive he begins living two dueling realities. Trying to regain some normalcy Michael turns to his work solving crimes in both worlds with the help of two different partners, Detective Isaiah “Bird” Freeman (Steve Harris, The Practice) and Detective Efrem Vega (Wilmer Valderrama, That 70’s Show). He begins to solve impossible cases by using his dueling realities to gain unique perspectives and link clues that cross over from world to world. Helping Michael to navigate his new existence are his bureau assigned therapists Dr. Evans (Emmy Award winner Cherry Jones, 24) and Dr. Lee (BD Wong, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit).
This is one of those episodes that makes you wonder whether we’ve been wrong all along, that maybe one side IS all in his imagination, and I suppose that’s the point. He doesn’t have the benefit of the insider knowledge that was so shockingly dispensed at the end of episode 2. So although he must have a certain amount of confidence at this point in his ability to cope with his two-sided life, his psychiatrists, whom WE know are both professionals and not figments, make some very compelling arguments, particularly in this episode. Dr. Lee has voiced his concern that Michael will crack under the strain, when ironically it’s the psychiatrists who make him confront the “impossibility” of the two sides. If left to his own devices, he could probably manage the two very real sides very nicely. He is certainly learning to use the information he gathers on one side to great advantage on the other.
Although it’s a minor spoiler, I would always want to know if this is a mythology episode, meaning one in which we learn even a little bit about whatever bizarre conspiracy is afoot involving Dr. Carrie the captain on the red side. Does she also know about both universes? Can she cross over like he does? Or is she maybe a Martian princess…? These are things I want to know, and I find myself holding my breath through every episode I’ve seen since the end of the second, waiting for more information. We don’t get it in this episode. There, now you can relax and enjoy this very excellent offering without that pesky mosquito of “I wonder” buzzing around your head.
Because it is an excellent episode. As seems to always be the case, there are some elements of the puzzle that are pretty easy to figure out, but I wonder if they don’t make them easy on purpose. How much, after all, can they expect the audience to have to figure out, when you already are asking them to keep track of the two sides (remember, green for Rex’s side, red for Hannah’s) and two different investigations? Shows that ask too much of an audience generally don’t last, so I appreciate their effort in keeping certain aspects simple.
Although it isn’t a mythology episode, like the first three it continues to move forward. This is somewhat ironic as “Kate is Enough” was originally scheduled as episode 8. It works well here, though, so well done, Those Who Choose the Order. I’ll be interested to see where they place “Oregon,” the episode originally numbered fourth. Because I’ve seen it, and Wow.
Jason Isaacs is so good in this as The Dad. He is of course also great as The Detective and The Husband, but this episode leans quite a bit towards the green side, and I love to watch him struggle with how to be with his grieving son, especially when he has the added burden of not actually needing to grieve, himself. While, of course, holding down a far-more-than-full-time job. Well done, writers, director, and Mr. Isaac.
Dylan Minnette continues to do terrifically good work as a grieving teenage son. Obviously it helps that he’s an actual teen, but I’ve seen plenty who overact. Dylan knows how to play distant, withdrawn, and angry very believably, and if his Twitter feed is any indication, this does not reflect is usual state of being. Brianna Brown does a lovely job as Kate, and although she doesn’t look quite the part on the green side, take a look at her teeth! Nice job, makeup department! And wonderful production and post-production work as always.
Yet another solid episode of a really solid show. Other new series try to plant seeds throughout an episode and come up with a big miraculous coming-together-of-everything at the end. This series knows how to treat the style, and therefore the audience, with respect. Subtle weaving, superb performances, and polished production make the setup and the payoff elegant and satisfying.
I give Awake: Season 1, Episode 4 “Kate is Enough” Four Out of Five Stars.
