In a prior eighth season episode titled '4-D', we had a tease of a Doggett/Reyes romantic relationship, but it took place in a parallel universe. In this story, Reyes's feelings for Doggett are rather transparent, and it appears that Doggett is more than aware, but for a reason left unexplained, he does not respond. My assumption is that it has to do with avoiding a relationship after his own marriage dissolved following the death of his son. Even though that occurred ten years prior, there is obviously something holding him back.
I found myself really fascinated by this episode. It's hard to take one's eyes off of actress Tracey Ellis in the role of Audrey Pauley. I wish there was a better picture of her posted on her bio page here on IMDb; a quick Google search doesn't provide anything much better, and you have to sort through a whole bunch of other Tracey Ellis's. The way she handled her role here was perfect, pulling off the character of an illiterate, and perhaps mentally challenged hospital aide.
Another reviewer for this episode stated he felt this was a more appropriate story for a Twilight Zone treatment, and it's funny, but an immediate comparison that came to mind was a 1963, fourth season episode of the Rod Serling series titled 'Miniature' that had a remarkably similar story as this one. That one took place in a museum, and in it, a lost and lonely man who doesn't quite 'fit in' at work or in a social setting creates a mythical world inside a glass showcase, and imagines a perfect world he shares with the 'prettiest girl in the whole world'. It was a provocative story that took a look at a man on the threshold of losing his grip on reality by creating a fictional world, much like Audrey Pauley did in this story. By the way, the name of the actor in the TZ episode - it was Robert Duvall.
What one had to admire in this story was Doggett's persistence in attempting to find a 'cure' for Agent Reyes, and the way he enlisted Audrey's help by taking an unusual leap of faith by believing that she was in contact somehow with his partner. Personally, I wouldn't have minded if he had roughed up Dr. Preijers (Jack Blessing) a bit more when he figured things out. But oh, what a letdown with the resolution, when three days later, he once again second guesses himself and simply says Good Night to Agent Reyes. After all but declaring his love for Reyes, he let another opportunity slip by.
I found myself really fascinated by this episode. It's hard to take one's eyes off of actress Tracey Ellis in the role of Audrey Pauley. I wish there was a better picture of her posted on her bio page here on IMDb; a quick Google search doesn't provide anything much better, and you have to sort through a whole bunch of other Tracey Ellis's. The way she handled her role here was perfect, pulling off the character of an illiterate, and perhaps mentally challenged hospital aide.
Another reviewer for this episode stated he felt this was a more appropriate story for a Twilight Zone treatment, and it's funny, but an immediate comparison that came to mind was a 1963, fourth season episode of the Rod Serling series titled 'Miniature' that had a remarkably similar story as this one. That one took place in a museum, and in it, a lost and lonely man who doesn't quite 'fit in' at work or in a social setting creates a mythical world inside a glass showcase, and imagines a perfect world he shares with the 'prettiest girl in the whole world'. It was a provocative story that took a look at a man on the threshold of losing his grip on reality by creating a fictional world, much like Audrey Pauley did in this story. By the way, the name of the actor in the TZ episode - it was Robert Duvall.
What one had to admire in this story was Doggett's persistence in attempting to find a 'cure' for Agent Reyes, and the way he enlisted Audrey's help by taking an unusual leap of faith by believing that she was in contact somehow with his partner. Personally, I wouldn't have minded if he had roughed up Dr. Preijers (Jack Blessing) a bit more when he figured things out. But oh, what a letdown with the resolution, when three days later, he once again second guesses himself and simply says Good Night to Agent Reyes. After all but declaring his love for Reyes, he let another opportunity slip by.