"Now that Allison's special abilities have been revealed to the public, everyone's lives have been turned upside down. Allison starts to have dreams about a boy who was kidnapped from a toy store, but is unable to turn to Devalos or Scanlon for help. She decides to call the company hired by the missing boy's family and makes an unusual deal with the company's investigator, Cynthia Keener."
The Ep titled 'And Then..." was perfect. there was not too much drama related to outing of Allison, but enough to make it seem real. It was nice to see (realistically) the family struggling with money, etc. That is something we have all gone through at some point, and nice to see it tastefully done (grocery store scene, Joe calling his mother, etc.)
Huston is really great here. I love how she is also speical, and she has a warmth to her. 6 episodes is not enough, and I am afraid for her character's life.
Nice to see Arquette back and looking ravishing, and her acting is, as usual, stand out.
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Good stuff, very "Medium" in its unsettling mix of humdrum everyday stuff and horror.
Kudos once again to the casting people, as I've posted many times before. Even actors in the smaller roles had punch.
Sofia Vassilieva is such an empathic young woman, someone you just understand completely and relate to as a human being.
Maria Lark didn't have much to do, but is still a total scene-stealer and a hambone.
I liked Anjelica Huston even if she wasn't a big part of the plot of this episode. In just a few short scenes her character was sketched out just enough to intrigue.
The little grace notes of this entire series are what make it truly special; sound design (a big part of this show), art direction, costumes and lighting, and so on. It's not reinventing television, but it's terrific entertainment and it will hold up over the years.
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Posts: 2180 | Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Registered: November 04, 2001
I am not sure if this is technically good news or bad news....
According to the Hollywood Reporter...
"The rest of NBC's lineup didn't hold up that well. Following a "Deal or No Deal" (3.6/8, 10.7 million) at 9 p.m., the season premiere of drama "Medium" (3.3/8, 9.6 million) posted the series' lowest original Monday rating in 18-49."
It still beats anything that has occupied that time slot since it was booted from it after its second season. Studio 60, The Black Donnoly's, and Journeyman all had much lower ratings than this.
So, I am thinking 'Medium' will make it to a season 5, when the writer's strike is over.
back to the actual ep: I thought it was a great start to the season. They had many issues to deal with, and was nice to see how Allison and Joe have to deal with money problems (Allison in the grocery store broke my heart).
I am predicting next episode with Allison dealing with, and working with, Larry Watt, will lead to some Emmy worthy moments of drama and humor.
Well, the little boy in the doll box creeped me the hell out. I loved the episode. The shakeup from last season has carried on into this season. This show just does a great job of depicting a realistic family and at it's core, that is what this show is. Mom just happens to be a medium. I look forward to seeing more of Anjelica Huston and more scenes with Arquette. The little screen time they did share was great.
Okay, Lindsay, are you forgetting that I was a professional twice over— an analyst and a therapist. The world’s first analrapist.
Yes, mom just happens to be a medium and have to deal with that on top of everything else. Allison gets down, but is never defeated. I love her realistically strong character, who has doubts about herself like everyone else. Anjelica will have more great scenes to come I am sure. I am scared to see what happens for her character to be off the show after 6 episodes...I hope she is not up to something fishy or is murdered...
I really like how they haven't allowed this show to be reduced to yet another procedural. They have maintained the character core, create dthis accessible relatable environment within the standard procedural format, and as this episode proves, they are always loyal to their characters. There are no contrived means-to-a-cliffhanger Grey's Anatomy-ish arcs and everything, whether its' Ariel's guilt, Joe asking his mother, or Scanlon getting himself outta public relations, is true to the characters we have grown to love. Really glad that its back and hoping Arquette gets that Golden Globe.
"Deadwood was defiantly and noisily unlike anything else on television.", Tom Shales "It’s very rare to see a television show that revolves around three generations of strong, smart, opinionated women, let alone one that was so well written and acted...Gilmore Girls! TV is going to be a lot less witty without you", Roxanne Connolly
The episode that airs tonight is very good. It really gives Sofia Vassilieva a chance to shine and she does. Anjelica Huston again has very little to do. I sure hope they plan on using her more in her remaining episodes. No Devalos in this one, very little Scanlon and no Bridget. Did the show have some budget cuts?
Okay, Lindsay, are you forgetting that I was a professional twice over— an analyst and a therapist. The world’s first analrapist.
Was, Sofia is getting better and ebtter as the series goes on. That girl can cry, eh? I was not excited to see another actress playing Allsion instead of Jessie Schram was not my favorite as she was not sensitive nor sweet, but then again she was supposed to be 4 years or so than the last time we saw high school flash backs. The way the daughter and the missing girl story worked together was well thought out, and the final 'dream' of the show involving Ariel and roller skating with mom was a sweet touch that tugged at my heart. I also appreciate how Arquette is playing Allison's hurt from ehr daughter, not in hysterics, but deep and quiet pain and sadness. Perfectly done. her crying scenes after dreaming of Ariel in the car crash were also done very well.
I really enjoyed this episode. All the frills were pared away, just a few characters and two storylines that joined in the final minutes in an unexpected way. Agreed, that final dream of Ariel's as she was roller-skating with her mother was a heart-tugger. And that scene at the kitchen table when she tearily told her mother how cool she thought she was...20 years ago. Painful, but moving.
Posts: 2180 | Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Registered: November 04, 2001
I agree, the dinner table crying scene was done very well. I also liked the bare bones cast episode this time around. it was nice to focus on Ariel, Allison, and somewhat on Ms. Kineer. Allsion and her new 'friend and partner' are shaping up to have explosive scenes and events in the 4 more eps w/ Anjelica... There are only 7 more eps to go this season. Not enough!
Down .1 million from last week's 9.6 million, not too shabby.
Not huge ratings of course, but up from alst year's 8.5 average. CSI NY was all new and gets over 14 million viewers, but i suspect it will run out of new eps soon enough, which will benefit 'Medium'.
Yes, Anjelica has always been good like that. She definately knows how to control her facial expressions. 'Adams Family' movies anyone? patricia is the same, she does not need to speak to convey her emotions. I think it is funny how Patricia's favorite movies are silent films, and she would be perfect for a silent film. Hm.
Interesting observation earlier that Arquette conveys pain and desperation almost silently (although it was powerful when she lost it last season).
Still, when she flashes a look of anger, I almost quake in my boots. Yikes. She's like a mama lion.
Huston is a good match for her, conveying much with body language and vocal intonations, even though she doesn't have to do a lot of heavy lifting. She's able to down-shift her bigscreen presence to the silver screen and effectively conveys the attitudes of this on-the-skids woman. I also like how she's supposed to be poor, so they have her wear cheap clothes (or at least clothes that someone with her budget could afford). Lesser shows would glam her up. Little grace notes like that are what sets this show apart.
Posts: 2180 | Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Registered: November 04, 2001
The best actors do not have to convey emotions with speech.... It makes for more realistic, and less melo-dramatic, acting and entertaining. Kudos to Arquette and Huston.
Joe brings a reluctant Allison with him to a party at a prospective employer's house. Later on, the employer's daughter disappears, leading Allison to connect her recent dreams about Paris to the disappearance. Now it's up to Allison to save the daughter, which coincidentally will also secure Joe a job.
Ok, guys, what do you think? great ep, great moral conflict for Allison. I figured out the kidnapping early o (the gloves were a dead giveaway), but I loved the drama and the guest actors were great. Allison is looking hot this season!
Ok, no 'Medium' for 4 weeks, and it is moving to Tuesdays????????
Originally posted by BuffyMars: And so of course NBC pulls it for all of February sweeps. 4 week until the next new episode? Ugh, the way NBC has treated this show is just crap.
I know, how frustrating is that? Ugh.
Nice interplay between Arquette and Weber last night. He just doesn't get his due.
Posts: 2180 | Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Registered: November 04, 2001
I'm catching up here, but I just have to say that I completely agree with everything everyone has said here so far about this show. The first few eps of the season have been outstanding. I love the way they have focused the first few on the family's struggles with Allison being outed (Ariel being ribbed at school, Joe having to face people asking questions about Allison, and Allison using a fake name to call in a tip in the first episode). Also the way they have handled the family's financial struggles is fantastic (the scene at the grocery store, Joe asking his mom for money, Joe applying for unemployment,and searching for a job, juggling the bills, etc.) All of that was handled very realistically without being over the top or heavy handed with it. And the mysteries have been chilling and frightening. I screamed out loud when Scanlon found the little boy in the box. And the car crash scene was frightening, and I LOVED the way Patricia played, with fear and panic, but without being over the top, again.
And the comments about her ability to act without saying a word are so right on. That is probably her greatest strenght as an actress. I loved what Turtle said about "quaking in his boots" when she flashes a look of anger. Lol! That is so true. She can flash a look that would cut you to pieces, if looks could kill. Like the scene in the last episode when Joe tells her "Just give me that look you always give me." and she says "What look?" as she glares at him. And with typical aplomb, he replies,"Yep, that's the one." LMAO!
And Arquette and Huston on screen together. WOW!! I knew that was going to be a great pairing, but those two have really been fantastic in the first couple of episodes together. Can't wait to see what's in store for them.
In the next episode, titled "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (which was directed by Patricia Arquette's brother, David), Allison loses her hearing when she begins dreaming about a deaf girl who's gone missing. So Joe must work with Cynthia Keener to find the missing girl. That should be a really good one. This is scheduled to air on February 18th (as per NBC) and not the 19th,as reported by TV Guide. I really hope NBC plans to leave it on Mondays, as it seems to be doing very well there (as we all knew it would). Hopefully when it returns in February, the numbers will be just as strong, (hopefully stronger) and that will ensure it at least one more season on NBC. It's great to see this fantastic show getting such positive ratings and feedback. It truly deserves it.
HUGE Kudos to all the cast and crew and writers who make this show. They always do a great job, and I hope the strike ends soon, so we can see lots more from them.
quote:
Nice interplay between Arquette and Weber last night. He just doesn't get his due.
SO TRUE, Buffymars. He is THE most underrated actor on television today. Without him, this show just wouldn't be the same.
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