Awake: Pilot Review

When I first heard about Awake a few months ago, I was intrigued and skeptical at first. Since the success of ABC's Lost, every network has tried to recreate that sci-fi magic, and for the most part, failed terribly. However, Awake sounded different than the rest. Early positive reviews and buzz has created a feeling that maybe this can be science fiction's next great television series.

The series revolves around the premise that Michael Britten (Jason Isaacs) has created two different realities in his mind after being in a car crash with his wife and son. In one reality, his wife survived the crash, while his son perished. In the other, his son survived, and his wife died. Each reality seems real to both Michael and the people in each. While the show does seem as if it will be a thinking man's television show, the writers do their best at outlining the idea easily, and making the revelations concise and accessible for most. Many people have already equated the show to Lost, yet I disagree. While Awake  may share similarities with ABC's hit, I feel as if the show owes more to the much shorter lived Fast Forward.

Although Awake is a fascinating premise, the first episode, at times, seems a bit too plodding. Several of the scenes with Michael and his two therapists go on for far too long. Yet, it is obvious these scenes are going to be crucial points of the show, revealing tapestries of the web this show has already created, forcing Michael, and the viewers, to take the clues in any chance they're given, to try and understand just how this is happening. Towards the end of the episode, both therapists give compelling arguments as to how and why their reality is "the " reality. It's a nice payoff, but I'd rather not have to wait that long each week for it.

I feel also that Awake didn't focus enough on the main issue it sets forth. The show begins with the idea that Michael has created two worlds, where his family is split. To me, the most underdeveloped characters of the episode were his wife and son, his son especially. His wife Hannah (Laura Allen) has a great scene towards the end of the episode, where there's a hint that she may become jealous at Michael's "gift" later in the series, yet his son Rex (Dylan Minnette) has hardly any screen time. He showed some terrific emotion after a tennis game, but I just wanted more of these characters, and less emphasis on Michael's detective work, which, to me, seemed to take up the bulk of the episodes run time.  However, I feel as if this something that can and will be resolved in the coming episodes.

The cast as a whole plays their parts exceedingly well. The highlight is of course Isaacs,which is crucial in a show like Awake. His character needs to be likeable, charismatic, and a little off kilter. Michael is all of this and more. He states at one point in the episode that he will do everything to keep both of his family members alive, even if it means sacrificing his sanity in order to do it. We believe him, and can't wait to see what happens next. 

B+