Genre: Fantasy | Procedural | Drama

Air Date/Time: March 29 at 10/9c

Network: NBC

Created by: Kyle Killen

Director: Aaron Lipstadt

Writer: Lisa Zwerling

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).

The green side of this episode opens with Michael and Rex stuck in traffic. Michael: “What could be worse than not moving?” Rex: “Maybe you go backwards.” And right there, you get the theme of the episode. It’s touches like this that make this show a joy to watch, if you’re willing to really watch and not just have it on while doing three other things. It’s even better on a rewatch, because that allows you to pick up on these beautiful little moments.

I love that this show has not become formulaic, like I was concerned might happen after the second episode. There is enough of a standard format to be familiar, but it’s not an “every week you get two cases, and they each solve each other, just drop them in the slots” setup. Yes, the two sides inform each other for Michael, but they have changed it up nearly every time. Two weeks ago, remember, it was different because it was ultimately the same bad guy – his partner – on each side. Last week it was one witness with one difference on each side that changed everything for her, and affected both the professional and private aspects of Michael’s life.

I also love that they show that Michael is an excellent detective even without what is, in effect, a superpower. The crossover gives him an edge, a jump, a boost, but it is his talent as a detective that enables him to use the boost effectively. This lends credence to the theory of some viewers that it really is all in his head somehow, that the two sides are just what the psychiatrists are saying, one way or another, and that the conspiracy mythology is just another thought in his head. I’m not buying it. Not yet, anyway; I’m still on board with him somehow jumping realities/parallel universes. I’m personally not, however, one to get too deeply into theorizing; I’d rather just wait and let the writers tell us the story.

And while we have yet another week of no further word on that conspiracy mythology, this episode takes the step of adding two layers, or levels, of continuing questions/story lines.  I think this is a bold but smart step on their part. My interpretation, correct or not, is that they believe we can handle more at this point, and if they’re not going to feed us answers about the (real or imagined) conspiracy, they’re going to give us other things to think about. How cool is that?

Excellent performances from the excellent ensemble, with as always an especially strong, subtle, and varied performance by Jason Isaacs. As for the production aspects of the episode, I noticed particularly that the music that is teamed with Michael’s “awakening” – sorry – to an idea, is absolutely perfect. Quiet and supportive and just right. Beyond that, color wash as always is perfect, editing, lighting, sound, all unobtrusive and therefore also perfect.

Not jaw-dropping but a great building episode with enough conclusion to be satisfying as well. I love this show.

I give Awake: Season 1, Episode 5 “Oregon” Four Out of Five Stars.