Medium 2.3: "Time Out of Mind"
Written by N/A
Directed by N/A
In which Allison begins having dreams where she’s caught in an institution, and when she does her research, she discovers a woman who decades earlier claimed to be her…
This is another strong episode, largely because the central mystery was very complex and the evolution of the concept was quite intriguing. Unlike the season premiere, I was completely unable to predict how all the elements were going to fit together until the scene where the writers laid everything out. That usually doesn’t happen, and I credit the writers for making a lot of the visions compelling.
I’m still not sure what the connection was between Beverly and Allison was, but it was more than just the usual level of communication. Beverly was clearly acting as if she had been channeling the future Allison’s personality, and that is far beyond the usual situation. However, I don’t think that it was completely outside of Allison’s usual philosophy.
In a first season episode, Allison described her theory that everyone who lived, to some extent, is imprinted on the fabric of the universe itself. (Her version was somewhat more metaphorical.) In essence, she could interact and relive moments from these past lives as if they were a catalogue, able to be read (consciously or unconsciously) by those sensitive to the information. The implication is that this information is only available in one direction: a present individual getting in touch with past “recorded” events. But her visions immediately imply that future events are also available, as if these “recordings” are independent of time.
Still being very general here (I could go on and on with the subject), Beverly could have been sensitive enough to tap into Allison as much as Allison was later tapping into her memory. This would have created a connection so strong that Allison would literally believe that she was living those moments. In fact, from a certain point of view, Allison may have been the one controlling Beverly, albeit without knowing it, during those times that Beverly was claiming to be Allison.
That kind of rich conceptual soil is what makes this series so intriguing. The intersection of this unusual speculative world with the more mundane family elements are the main areas of interest for me. The mysteries themselves might be predictable from time to time, but if the other aspects are strong enough, it makes up for it. When the mystery is solid as well, it makes for a great bit of writing.
Also nice was the hint that the connection between Allison and Joe is beginning to have an effect on him as well. When Allison was talking to Joe at the spot where Beverly jumped from the bridge, Joe began doodling a rough picture of a woman standing on a bridge over a river. I really found that intriguing, and I hope that it wasn’t some kind of red herring.
And the best part? This episode actually had a satisfying ending. That sense of closure was something that the previous episode was missing. Overall, everything I liked about this episode highlights what I thought was missing from the season premiere. Perhaps my review for that episode makes a bit more sense within that context. Episodes like this one, with plenty of room for intriguing speculation, are what drew me to the series in the first place.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
Directed by N/A
In which Allison begins having dreams where she’s caught in an institution, and when she does her research, she discovers a woman who decades earlier claimed to be her…
This is another strong episode, largely because the central mystery was very complex and the evolution of the concept was quite intriguing. Unlike the season premiere, I was completely unable to predict how all the elements were going to fit together until the scene where the writers laid everything out. That usually doesn’t happen, and I credit the writers for making a lot of the visions compelling.
I’m still not sure what the connection was between Beverly and Allison was, but it was more than just the usual level of communication. Beverly was clearly acting as if she had been channeling the future Allison’s personality, and that is far beyond the usual situation. However, I don’t think that it was completely outside of Allison’s usual philosophy.
In a first season episode, Allison described her theory that everyone who lived, to some extent, is imprinted on the fabric of the universe itself. (Her version was somewhat more metaphorical.) In essence, she could interact and relive moments from these past lives as if they were a catalogue, able to be read (consciously or unconsciously) by those sensitive to the information. The implication is that this information is only available in one direction: a present individual getting in touch with past “recorded” events. But her visions immediately imply that future events are also available, as if these “recordings” are independent of time.
Still being very general here (I could go on and on with the subject), Beverly could have been sensitive enough to tap into Allison as much as Allison was later tapping into her memory. This would have created a connection so strong that Allison would literally believe that she was living those moments. In fact, from a certain point of view, Allison may have been the one controlling Beverly, albeit without knowing it, during those times that Beverly was claiming to be Allison.
That kind of rich conceptual soil is what makes this series so intriguing. The intersection of this unusual speculative world with the more mundane family elements are the main areas of interest for me. The mysteries themselves might be predictable from time to time, but if the other aspects are strong enough, it makes up for it. When the mystery is solid as well, it makes for a great bit of writing.
Also nice was the hint that the connection between Allison and Joe is beginning to have an effect on him as well. When Allison was talking to Joe at the spot where Beverly jumped from the bridge, Joe began doodling a rough picture of a woman standing on a bridge over a river. I really found that intriguing, and I hope that it wasn’t some kind of red herring.
And the best part? This episode actually had a satisfying ending. That sense of closure was something that the previous episode was missing. Overall, everything I liked about this episode highlights what I thought was missing from the season premiere. Perhaps my review for that episode makes a bit more sense within that context. Episodes like this one, with plenty of room for intriguing speculation, are what drew me to the series in the first place.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
posted by John Keegan | 17:01
1 Comments:
Calacanis Scores With AOL Deal
The Phoenix has risen! Jason Calacanis, erstwhile owner of the defunct Silicon Alley Reporter has scored big by selling his Weblog company to AOL.
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