(S03E12) Well, that came as quite a surprise, and I'm not talking about the double twists to the plot, which we'll get to in a moment. Rather, I'm referring to the fact that this was what I would call a Joe episode. The previews for the episode made it pretty clear that Allison would wake up thinking she was somebody else, but I had no idea that we would be following the whole story through how Joe was dealing with it. It was a nice way to do it, and Jake Weber did a great job in the expanded role. From his character's perspective, it had to be terrifying. He's obviously bought in for the long haul where the dreams, visions, and other psychic bits and pieces of Allison are concerned. But a complete break, turning into another person. He had to be thinking on some level, "What if she doesn't come back?"
Patricia Arquette has to be acknowledged here as well. Her portrayal of Allison as Sandra was excellent. Right from the time she woke up and slapped Joe it was clear that she wasn't herself. The different voice and mannerisms were well done and made for such a great moment in the end when she says "Joe" and you instantly know that this is Allison.
The strange circumstances with Allison also made for a fresh and interesting mystery. I imagine that most viewers reacted just as Joe and Scanlon did, thinking that Sandra (Jessica Lundy) must have died. The first big twist was Allison/Sandra arriving at the hospital to find Sandra very much alive. That had me totally confused. How is she in two places at once?
Of course, the second twist, when we see Tom call Lisa out of the woods, cleared everything up. In one little moment they managed to hand us a murder mystery, and solve it, and it was still good. It's part of what makes Medium so good. There are so many different ways they go about telling the stories.
Really, the best part of the episode was the look at Joe and Allison's relationship. They are one of the great romances on television. When Joe tells Allison/Sandra, "Being with Allison is the party.", it is so genuine and sweet. You just have to feel for the guy. His scene leading up to that, where he leaves the Valentine's voice mail, was also very good. "Where are you?" It was a welcome look at just what it is that Joe puts into their relationship, and why he does it.
It was also fun watching all of the other characters react to Allison/Sandra. I liked how Scanlon and Devalos both jumped right in to do anything they could for her, having no qualms at all with believing Joe's story. Scanlon was very smooth in the interrogation, and led us to one of the really cool moments, when Allison turns to the mirror and the show goes all Quantum Leap on us. That was a nice effect. He also had the funniest line of the night. "At least she didn't wake up as Mr. O'Bannon."
Good stuff from the girls this week too. Ariel is a sharp one. She knew right away that something wasn't right. I think Brigitte was probably too occupied with her seven boyfriends to notice. Allsion/Sandra's continuing butchering of their names, and her nervousness about interacting with them, was funny. "I'm just going to go with girls."
Overall, another very good episode. Great performances from Weber and Arquette in a completely unexpected story. I'd probably slot this as one of the best two or three episodes of the season. Well done all around.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-15-2007 @ 1:16PM
Alicia said...
This was a really strong episode. It was nice to let Joe get the spotlight for once.
I hope that this episode isn't a one-off. Having your body completely taken over by another person (thing?) is a terrifying concept, so I hope Allison's behavior in next week's ep does something to reflect that. This also has to change Joe's perspective on his wife's abilities in a major way. Plus, Ariel seemed to know that something was up. Not to mention Allison now has a recent institutionalization in her record. I want this ep to have repercussions on the DuBois family.
Also, I was trying to remember as I was watching this - has Allison's body ever been taken over before on the series? Even for a minute? I don't recall that it has, but I haven't seen all the episodes. Does anyone remember it happening before?
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2-15-2007 @ 2:01PM
Jimmy said...
This had the potential to be a tired and well-used sci-fi plot, but in the hands of Medium's writers and actors -- who I must say are on fire this season -- it was something new and interesting. This really was Joe's episode. I always enjoy how the writers of this series depart from the norm of creating weak husbands and fathers for strong wifes and daughters. Joe's a strong, loving husband and father and you just know he would do anything to keep that family safe. That came through so obviously when he went off on Allison/Sandra and told her to move on so he could have his wife back. Of course, we have to acknwledge Arquette, as well. This is definately her finest work.
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2-15-2007 @ 3:16PM
La-di-dah said...
You called it - this episode was a love story and it is one of the strongest episodes of Medium ever! I love how Joe's character and feelings are drawn a little bit more in an episode where Alison basically disappears for 3 days (50 minutes real life). Chilling. Wow. As you said one of the greatest romances on TV without it being the usual first realization - more like a reaffirmation after 15? years of marriage. You are right, Joe was afraid she might not come back - he cried when she said "Joe." Weber and Arquette did wonderfully, and the girls, Scanlon and Devalos as usual, but Weber and Arquette portrayed something memorable here.
@ Alicia: I am afraid it IS probably going to be a one-off; they seemed to close the book on that terrifying 3 days with the ending, but while I will be disappointed if it is a stand-alone episode, I will cherish this as one of the best (right after a great Captain Push episode)!
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2-15-2007 @ 11:24PM
Marcus D. said...
Great episode, keep up the good work, after three season you expect it to slow down, but they keep getting better.
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2-15-2007 @ 7:32PM
La-di-dah said...
@ Alicia:
Yes, Alison has been possessed, at least once before. I believe it might have been season 2, where a millionaire (Church?) whose son was kidnapped disappears off a cliff in the rush to get the money to the kidnappers, and the irate ex-wife comes in, thinking Church had disappeared with her son. The episode starts with Alison in the middle of the highway, waving cars to stop, and Joe comes along, scares shitless for her and has to slap her out of it. Good episode too.
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2-15-2007 @ 7:31PM
getsheila said...
Alicia: The closest they came before to Allison being possessed was in Method to His Madness, where she takes on the characteristics of a serial killer who uses the bodies of his female victims as "art" as he carves designs in their skin. Allison started smoking and stalked a potential victim.
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2-16-2007 @ 5:33PM
bumpershine said...
It was a good episode, perhaps the best of the season, (which is not saying much), but I can't believe no one else commented on the annoying overuse of Corinne Bailey Rae’s song “Like A Star”. It must have been played like a dozen times during that episode, it really ruined what would have otherwise been an excellent episode.
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2-18-2007 @ 7:22AM
Jenny said...
What was the song that kept playing throughout the episode, and who sings it?
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2-18-2007 @ 1:42PM
La-di-dah said...
@ Jenny: They were playing Corrine Bailey Rae "Like a Star." I quite enjoyed the implementation of the song. I think it blended well.
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2-23-2007 @ 7:28PM
Betty said...
This was a really good episode. Great writing and acting by all!
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4-20-2007 @ 11:31PM
Rene said...
Loved this episode of Medium. Do you know the name of the recurring song throughout the episode and who sings it?
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