FacebookTwitter
Hatrack River Forum   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » NBC's Awake -- One of the best shows on television

   
Author Topic: NBC's Awake -- One of the best shows on television
Aros
Member
Member # 4873

 - posted      Profile for Aros           Edit/Delete Post 
I'm not sure if it's on people's radar, but the new show Awake is outstanding. It's only three episodes in, so it's a great time to get hooked. My only concern is that the viewership isn't huge. Hopefully word of mouth will change that....

The premise is that a cop is in a car crash with his wife and son. His life gets split into two realities, one in which his wife dies and one in which it's his son. Every time he goes to sleep, he wakes up in the other reality.

This show is firing on all cylinders. The writing is top notch, and the acting is astounding (Jason Isaacs and Laura Allen really have chops). It is managing a weekly procedural (with a twist, as clues are different in each reality) with a compelling ongoing arc.

It reminds me a bit of Journeyman, another excellent sci-fi lite show. I just hope that it doesn't share its fate.

Posts: 1204 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
SteveRogers
Member
Member # 7130

 - posted      Profile for SteveRogers           Edit/Delete Post 
I really wanted to watch it, but I missed the first episode and felt like I haven't been able to just jump into it now.
Posts: 6026 | Registered: Dec 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
The Pixiest
Member
Member # 1863

 - posted      Profile for The Pixiest   Email The Pixiest         Edit/Delete Post 
gorrammit.. that's waaaay too close to the plot of my "dreaming the life." guess I can chuck that idea out the window...
Posts: 7085 | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks Aros, I just watched the pilot and I am fascinated by this show. I love the lighting work, the way the two worlds are paced never feels clunky and as an added bonus his wife was one of my favorite actors in Terriers.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Bella Bee
Member
Member # 7027

 - posted      Profile for Bella Bee   Email Bella Bee         Edit/Delete Post 
I was really excited about this show, but then I read an interview with the creators (can't remember where) in which (without spoiling it) they kind of put a damper on the whole 'two realities' premise.

Hopefully they were lying, but I'm still going to wait for the series to end or be renewed before I get invested - especially with the ratings being how they are. I'm already worried about Fringe, I don't need more stress! It's okay, I don't live in the States anyway, so it doesn't matter if I watch or not.

Weirdly, my favorite show this season has been 'The Firm' which apparently no-one is watching at all. I've really been enjoying it, I like the structure, the characters and the cases, and as a plus, it's basically Canadian and has been giving work to at least four of the Cylons from Battlestar, so it's amusing to watch Six and Leoben pretend not to know each other.

Posts: 1528 | Registered: Nov 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Raymond Arnold
Member
Member # 11712

 - posted      Profile for Raymond Arnold   Email Raymond Arnold         Edit/Delete Post 
I've been interested in the premise, but not sure what I expected to happen with the two realities - I didn't get the vibe at all that there were supposed to be two literal parallel universes, but having one or the other turn out to be "real" would be really dissatisfying. Having them both turn out to be fake (and both people died) would be kinda predictable and a real downer to boot.
Posts: 4136 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Aros
Member
Member # 4873

 - posted      Profile for Aros           Edit/Delete Post 
There have been a few hints that they both might be real somehow. At least that's the take that a few critics have, from the fact that the show has gone third person a few times.
Posts: 1204 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Ron Lambert
Member
Member # 2872

 - posted      Profile for Ron Lambert   Email Ron Lambert         Edit/Delete Post 
Journeyman was an excellent syfy show, Aros. It was a good handling of time travel. I was sad to see it end.

So far, I find Awake a little hard to follow.

Posts: 3742 | Registered: Dec 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Aros
Member
Member # 4873

 - posted      Profile for Aros           Edit/Delete Post 
Really? I find it challenging but not super-difficult, if that makes sense. But I think that the writing and acting are both better than Journeyman.
Posts: 1204 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Raymond Arnold
Member
Member # 11712

 - posted      Profile for Raymond Arnold   Email Raymond Arnold         Edit/Delete Post 
I... didn't like Journeyman much at all. I'm not sure how the comparison bodes. I thought it was Quantum Leap, except with boring characters.
Posts: 4136 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Ron Lambert
Member
Member # 2872

 - posted      Profile for Ron Lambert   Email Ron Lambert         Edit/Delete Post 
I think it would be really funny if the writers and producers decided to do two series finales, one where the son is dead, one where the wife is dead. So it is never resolved. The viewers just take their pick. Mind you, I would not like that, I would feel cheated as far as watching a good story, but it would be funny. I wonder if they would have the nerve.
Posts: 3742 | Registered: Dec 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Ginol_Enam
Member
Member # 7070

 - posted      Profile for Ginol_Enam           Edit/Delete Post 
I think its one of those things that will never satisfy everyone.
Posts: 450 | Registered: Nov 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Jeff C.
Member
Member # 12496

 - posted      Profile for Jeff C.           Edit/Delete Post 
Well they said recently that it's not all in his head, so there's definitely something else going on. I just hope the resolution is cleverly written and interesting.

I wonder how long something like this can last? One season? Maybe two?

Posts: 1324 | Registered: Feb 2011  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Nevermore
New Member
Member # 12802

 - posted      Profile for Nevermore           Edit/Delete Post 
Not a huge fan of the show, but I've watched every episode so far and am interested in seeing where it's going. Hopefully somewhere, instead of dragging on for several seasons and then suddenly ending with no real resolution.

Also, I think the kid who plays Rex would've been great as Peter in Ender's Game the movie. Too bad they got someone else already.

Posts: 1 | Registered: Mar 2012  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
Really? I don't think he has a very charismatic face, I think he is great in this show but he doesn't have one of those faces while Peter is supposed to be something of a text-book politician in the looks department.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Ace of Spades
Member
Member # 2256

 - posted      Profile for Ace of Spades           Edit/Delete Post 
I think the guy who plays his father would have been great as Lucius in the Harry Potter movies.
Posts: 431 | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rollainm
Member
Member # 8318

 - posted      Profile for rollainm   Email rollainm         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by Aros:
There have been a few hints that they both might be real somehow. At least that's the take that a few critics have, from the fact that the show has gone third person a few times.

That's my theory as well.

Absolutely amazing show. I've been singing its praises to family and friends since the first episode. Really, just watch the first one if you have doubts. Heck, even if it gets canned, I think it'll be worth seeing what did air. It's just so rare to have such an intriguing idea for a show that isn't ruined by craptastic writing.

Posts: 1945 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Kwea
Member
Member # 2199

 - posted      Profile for Kwea   Email Kwea         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by Ace of Spades:
I think the guy who plays his father would have been great as Lucius in the Harry Potter movies.

LOL
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Dobbie
Member
Member # 3881

 - posted      Profile for Dobbie           Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by rollainm:
...the show has gone third person a few times.

Could just be careless writing/directing.
Posts: 1794 | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
kmbboots
Member
Member # 8576

 - posted      Profile for kmbboots   Email kmbboots         Edit/Delete Post 
Maybe he is the one who died. Or is dying a la Stay. Imagine a finale where the wife and son are attending hisfuneral.
Posts: 11187 | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Raymond Arnold
Member
Member # 11712

 - posted      Profile for Raymond Arnold   Email Raymond Arnold         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by kmbboots:
Maybe he is the one who died. Or is dying a la Stay. Imagine a finale where the wife and son are attending hisfuneral.

While simple, that's actually probably the best ending. It's the only one that doesn't trigger my "eww, lame ending" sensors.
Posts: 4136 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
kmbboots
Member
Member # 8576

 - posted      Profile for kmbboots   Email kmbboots         Edit/Delete Post 
I thought it was kind of clever. It is kind of a cop out, but any ending is going to either cop out or be wrong.
Posts: 11187 | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2