One of my favorite new shows that has arrived this year is the precious gem, Awake, created by Kyle Killen. With far less viewers than it deserves, I have only been able to catch it on Hulu, but have already been indulged and enriched in a fantastic story brought to audiences by a skilled cast and crew. Each episode thus far has only become better with every passing moment.
The story revolves around two realities within the world of Michael Britten (brilliantly portrayed here by Jason Isaacs). After a tragic accident causes the death of both his wife and son (in different realities, green and red), he begins to awake to two completely separate lives. One in which his wife survived (red reality) and one in which his son survived (green reality). It is a tragic tale of loss as well as a story of perseverance and mystery.
The ever-going question within the series is regarding Michael’s condition. Fans have been torn between what has caused these diverging realities, whether it be that he is truly in two different worlds, he died in the accident, he is in a coma or one is a dream. With a premise such as this, the stories within Michael’s daily career as a Detective always keep me interested. A clue from the red reality could inspire Michael’s thinking in the green and vice-versa.
The supporting cast is also brilliant and includes Laura Allen as Hannah Britten (Michael’s wife), Dylan Minnette as Rex Britten (Michael’s son), Wilmer Valderrama as Detective Efrem Vega (Michael’s partner in the red reality), Steve Harris as Detective Isah “Bird” Freeman (Michael’s partner in the green reality), BD Wong as Dr. Lee (red), Cherry Jones as Dr. Evans (green) and Micaela McManus as Tara, Rex’s tennis coach (green).
The only unfortunate thing in regards to the show is the fact that there is no certainty that it will return for a second season. Aside from said fact, the show is one of my favorites of all time and the cast and crew have become favorites of mine, as well. The show is well written, with great drama, wit and intelligence. Every moment draws me into Michael’s life and only further proves that this is a once-in-a-lifetime show.
I LOVE this show! It’s so different from all the other cop shows. I hope it stays for another season.
Yeah, you DO need someone with potentially tons of twitter followers, I guess we all know the perfect guy, only he doesn’t have a twitter account, and he’s such an English gentleman, he can’t even bring himself to say “watch my show”. It IS a wonderful show, one that makes you WANT to think, and to feel, and to want BOTH sides to win (even though going in, you know it’s not going to happen), and you care about what happens to Michael, and that doesn’t happen very often, if ever. And you know something – we’re entitled to great TV every other decade or so. To get it yanked out from under us by some arbitrary and antiquated system that’s 70 years old is just stupid. Everything runs on technology, except network television, at least it’s not analog anymore (and that changed, what 2 years ago?) Do we really have to be dinosaurs another 70 years (like t-REX) until networks figure out every household needs 2 incomes to exist in this economy so we need to watch great shows alternative ways, and NOT how they’ve decided to slot the times in?
You raise a great point. I’d love to be able to contact and interview Jason Isaacs to promote the show, but I haven’t a clue on how to do so. Thank you for your comment.
~Kale
Awake is by far the best thing on television right now. I don’t think that NBC is doing very much to promote it. The show, and viewers, are missing out and deserve better.
I’ve seen every episode, but one and I intend to watch it today on Hulu. This is a fantastic show. Thanks for your comment. I’m glad to meet other fans.
~Kale
Ditto! Awake does deserve to be watched by a lot more viewers. BTW I think the ratings system is obsolete and misleading. Most people use DVR or watch it online. It will be shame if we don’t get 2nd season. So hard to find this quality these days.
So very true. I’m doing what I can. We need someone with tons of followers on Twitter to help, or something.
~Kale