Medium

Since the success of "Sixth Sense," many characters in the movies and on television have been seeing dead people. Allison, a law student with a husband and three kids, is one of them. This series is based on a real-life, gifted medium. She is portrayed by Patricia Arquette. Having seen the real Allison Dubois and heard her speak, this is great casting.

The episodes I've seen thus far have been entertaining, refreshing, intriguing, and a nice break from the usual fare on network television, i.e., bachelors, survivors, bachelorettes, and makeover victims. Arquette's performance is understated, that of a likable character with an offbeat, supportive husband, cute kids, and a bizarre relationship with the spirit world. The guest cast tends towards the quirky, making them interesting. Allison's visions are more focused than the rather far-fetched images the young woman gets on "Missing," probably because Allison is not only seeing, but talking to, dead people.

I've watched the series a number of times over the years. I seem to have different thoughts each time. I initially thought it was excellent and loved all the characters. But re-watching it now, I see that Alison is extremely bent on having her way at any cost, which is a bit frustrating. In fairness, I'm aware that such people do have an inner voice that can be akin to being forced or perhaps better said is that they must obey. But in the episode where they flashback to her and Joe getting married, I really thought that was outrageous. And the fact that Joe marries her anyway is beyond believable. She JUST showed him what his future will be like. But during their perpetually dysfunctional marriage the writers do depict Joe as never really understanding his wife despite the saint-like patience he exhibits when she, time after time, gets into trouble. Watching it this final time (I think I'm done now), it's frustrating how clueless Alison is when something begins to take shape and how condescending Joe continues to be in every scenario. For me, S6 is the most boring. It focuses too much on the Grade-A brat, Ariel. Every good parent will be fuming to see her blatant refusal to follow rules and at how she bullies her sister Bridgette. But having said that, I know it is all part of the attempt to show the family as an all-American family with struggles we can all (or most of us) identify with. I definitely believe in psychics but I've read a lot of stories about them and while they do show the compartmentalized process of trying to understand what the psychic is being shown, the ones I've read about are typically much more confident rather than pushed and pulled around by ghosts. As a spiritual guide, I do take issue with the way the writers depict the dead in some instances or how they characterize the afterlife. But that's another story. By the end of the series, I felt Alison should have had a much better understanding of her own ability and yet the writers continue to make her a hapless idiot stumbling through every episode. I felt this was a bit far fetched. The earlier seasons are the best but the last 2 clearly have a whole new writing team and perhaps this is why there's no season 8. I thought all of the characters were very well-played (even Ariel). And if I can just say, in S6 E14 when Diedrich Bader played all those characters I was super impressed. I never thought much of him although I feel like I've seen him in a number of things (Oswald on the Drew Carey show, for one). Imagine having to get into character and have the exact mannerisms of 6 or 7 different people. It was truly incredible. Kudos to Bader. Also, to who asks why did Morrow kill Sato, it should be clear from watching - maybe you fell asleep at the end? Ask yourself what happened to Gloria's son. And to How a Real Medium Rates this show: Thanks for the insight, very interesting.

I have to disagree with anyone who says this show is "corny," "unbelievable," or glamorizes a "supernatural talent." The essence of good fiction does promote the suspension of disbelief to the point in which the characters, events, and plot are believable. If you watch the show for realistic events, true plots and characters, then, yes, this show will be a disappointment. If, however, you wish to escape the constant bombardment of "reality TV," this show is an excellent diversion.

The characters, the plots, the dialog, and the premise itself may not be all that believable, but neither were "Baywatch," "Melrose Place," or "Dukes of Hazzard." And look how long they lasted! Those who have just one hour to try this show, try keeping an open mind to the talent of the actors and watch for the sake of watching, not scientific evidence.

I've known women who have had premonitions - one even gets weird twinklings where she blurts out things while watching the news - and then whatever info she states comes out to be true.

So this show really works for me. It could have easily gone for some kind of sensationalism and quickly sunk to the bottom, but the writers have decided to reach for something more meaningful by creating an everyday household trying to deal with an unique situation. In doing so they have made the fantastic seem much more plausible and have given the show a sturdy foundation.

If you are looking for refreshingly crisp dialogue and some excellent acting within a show that makes you think, then please give Medium a try. It's so much better than all those so called "reality" shows, or the posturing in such shows as CSI where the writers cover up their lack of skill by having the stars look meaningfully into the camera.

It's funny how a show that many think has an outlandish premise can actually come off as being so much more realistic.

I was very impressed by the pilot. It quickly set up how this woman got into helping solve crimes. We did not have to slog though a long set-up, because it got quickly to the action.

I liked seeing her husband and daughters. Her husband was portrayed as a very supportive man. I already care about how she will handle this atypical job and be with her family. Will she have to do a lot of traveling, being away from home?

She is a strong character. I liked how she stood up to the sheriff (or police chief, whomever). And with moments like "Tell him you know about the kiss." we see that she is also very perceptive with a quick mind.

In spite of her strengths, she also showed a natural reaction to being odd/different. I also appreciated her frustration when she felt that what she was trying to do was for nothing.

This episode had good acting, drama, suspense, humor. And it wasn't creepy. I'm really looking forward to future episodes.