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TV Series: Medium
NBC, Monday, 10 PM
Reviewed by DJ Johnson
The idea of a psychic helping law enforcement officers solve crimes isn't as wacky as a lot of people probably think it is. If you don't read many non-fiction crime stories you might not be aware that quite a few high profile investigations have benefited from the help of psychics. Seems like a natural premise for a television series, doesn't it?
It would be a good one, too, if it was actually about the investigations, but NBC's mid-season replacement series, Medium, seems to be all about convincing us that mediums are just people, with lives to lead, just like us. Well, sure they are, but that's not what makes them interesting, so don't give us an hour of domestic squabbling, please. There are soap operas for that. This should be different.
The medium at the center of the screen is Allison (Patricia Arquette). Allison works as an intern for the Mariposa County (Arizona) District Attorney, played by Miguel Sandoval, who is aware of and grateful for her gift. When Allison listens to a witness or a suspect, she sees what that person really knows and isn't telling.
And that's interesting. Even chilling at times, but far too rare. Instead of lots of that we're given way too much arguing between Allison and husband Joe (Jake Weber), who just wants a normal family life. Worse yet, we're given far, far too much irritating nastiness from oldest daughter Ariel (Sofia Vassilieva). Whenever this elementary school-aged child wants the floor and feels she's not getting 100% of the attention, she goes into "staccato brat mode," shouting "Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!" until Allison gives in. Apparently Allison's gift doesn't include the ability to foresee the social leper Ariel will be in later life as a result of such indulgence.
Sadly, even when they do get busy with the crime stories they often sink into the obvious or the ridiculous. When Allison dreams of being chased by a ruthless killer while dressed like Little Red Riding Hood, the silly resolution comes when the crime witness they are protecting dons a red cape as a disguise to hide from the aforementioned killer. Ooo! Deja vu! Allison yells "duck" just in time. In another episode, Ariel has inherited mom's "gift" and has been haunted by dreams of a young princess held hostage by an ogre in a castle. It turns out the girl is real, alive, in grave danger, and somewhat dangerous herself. In a last second resolution so convoluted you're too numb to think about the questions you should be asking regarding the giant plot holes it just left open, Allison and Ariel hook up via cell phone to talk about another dream, and the gun IN the dream.
Allison yells "duck!"
Will Allison do anything interesting with her gift? Will Joe leave his family for giftless people? Will Ariel continue dreaming, screaming and being a little mini-bitch? Will Allison DuBois, the real-life psychic the show is based on, demand a more interesting set of scripts? Apparently you'll get a chance to find out, because the ratings have been good and the network has ordered another season's worth of Medium. Dull TV, good ratings. Didn't have to be a psychic to see that one coming.
© 2005 - DJ Johnson